Hello All,
I'm not sure anyone's actually posted a pros/cons list for these machines, so here goes. I think I've been VERY critical, but please feel free to add what I miss. Overall, I would buy mine again--especially for around the $1k price point.
S
Pros:
* Tire Fenders--keeps logs from hitting rubber, which is good (see cons)
* Log cradles come standard (see cons)
* Honda engine is fuel sipper and starts on two pulls when cold, one pull when warm--every time
* Comes filled with fluids--$50 value?
* Vertical and horizontal splitting
* Plenty of power--haven't hit a piece I couldn't split yet
* Fairly quiet
* 2" hitch and chains--can be towed by truck/tractor
* Fit/finish/paint/performance are excellent
* Easy to assemble--only a couple pieces to connect
* Very easy to set up and move between horizontal/vertical
Cons:
* Tires get in way of my feet--have to lean over a bit to place log *probably my only real issue, which is not a big deal with two people working together. When alone, I tend to kick the tires fairly often
* Log cradles need to be adjusted--stock they get caught up and bend/break bolts
* No work table (most don't come with one stock, but it is something many would want to add)--will be adding eBay table people post about, and will post review later
* Because of no work table, fenders keep logs from hitting tire
* A tad slow if using full throw--my splits are 20", and I usually don't have to go more than ten before they pop apart
* Couple reports of bad trunion mounts on cylinders--mine look beefed up, and statistically not sure it's an issue
* Original support leg--I think it's been redesigned, but mine was a finger-chopper. I immediately replaced it with a folding boat trailer wheel
* Beam foot size--I'm fairly certain these are somewhat the same across brands, but when splitting vertically it's tough to fit a 30" round on an 8" (guess) foot--I tend to have to hold the round in place
* Beam foot extrusions--I'm not sure if these two half-moon steel pieces are for grip or what, but when trying to slide large rounds on, they often get caught up
I'm not sure anyone's actually posted a pros/cons list for these machines, so here goes. I think I've been VERY critical, but please feel free to add what I miss. Overall, I would buy mine again--especially for around the $1k price point.
S
Pros:
* Tire Fenders--keeps logs from hitting rubber, which is good (see cons)
* Log cradles come standard (see cons)
* Honda engine is fuel sipper and starts on two pulls when cold, one pull when warm--every time
* Comes filled with fluids--$50 value?
* Vertical and horizontal splitting
* Plenty of power--haven't hit a piece I couldn't split yet
* Fairly quiet
* 2" hitch and chains--can be towed by truck/tractor
* Fit/finish/paint/performance are excellent
* Easy to assemble--only a couple pieces to connect
* Very easy to set up and move between horizontal/vertical
Cons:
* Tires get in way of my feet--have to lean over a bit to place log *probably my only real issue, which is not a big deal with two people working together. When alone, I tend to kick the tires fairly often
* Log cradles need to be adjusted--stock they get caught up and bend/break bolts
* No work table (most don't come with one stock, but it is something many would want to add)--will be adding eBay table people post about, and will post review later
* Because of no work table, fenders keep logs from hitting tire
* A tad slow if using full throw--my splits are 20", and I usually don't have to go more than ten before they pop apart
* Couple reports of bad trunion mounts on cylinders--mine look beefed up, and statistically not sure it's an issue
* Original support leg--I think it's been redesigned, but mine was a finger-chopper. I immediately replaced it with a folding boat trailer wheel
* Beam foot size--I'm fairly certain these are somewhat the same across brands, but when splitting vertically it's tough to fit a 30" round on an 8" (guess) foot--I tend to have to hold the round in place
* Beam foot extrusions--I'm not sure if these two half-moon steel pieces are for grip or what, but when trying to slide large rounds on, they often get caught up
