Northern Tool splitters?

Anyone have one of the Northern Tool splitters (the Powerhorse models!)? They are made in China which scares me. I have a generator made in china that is awesome, better than most. But I also have a bunch of Chinese JUNK.

Which category does this one fall in?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395407_200395407

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For $1000 I like the Speeco/Huskee 22 ton unit better. Has an engine on it that is either readily replaced or repaired too. Much beefier beam and cylinder on the Huskee unit too.

Looks like a decent unit, though I'd have to see it in person to really say.

This is what I use for my small firewood business. http://store.aihalaska.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=30616

I got it for about $650. Build a bigger pusher and put an 8" tall wedge on it, 16 gpm pump and a 5 gal tank/filter. Runs well, barely uses any gas. I can split 2-3 cords of wood on a gallon!

Looks like a decent unit, though I'd have to see it in person to really say.

This is what I use for my small firewood business. http://store.aihalaska.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=30616

I got it for about $650. Build a bigger pusher and put an 8" tall wedge on it, 16 gpm pump and a 5 gal tank/filter. Runs well, barely uses any gas. I can split 2-3 cords of wood on a gallon!

The 22ton unit runs about 3x that cost so it was worth it to me to modify the cheaper unit.

I have the 30 ton northern tool. Bought it mostly because it had the Honda engine. No complaint in 4 years. Love the 4 way wedge.

+1

The one issue I have with the Speeco/Husky is, it does not have a log cradle (aka log catcher). I really want one. And before you say make one, I do not weld.... so unless one of you will be coming over to make one....

Also, I only see one place that sells that unit? Not many dealers?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOG-SPLITTE...S_Outdoor_Power_Equipment&hash=item3f21833ae5

Thanks MM, that's not too bad! (I know, I'm getting/and am picky, bare with me! ) Not that big a deal, but I don't like how it sits lower than the top of the beam, the Northern one is flush which would make it easy to just roll a log over into position. Also, I would want both sides so that is $75 + $75 + $9 (bracket) is another $160 plus another $35 in shipping. That brings it up to $1100 + 200 = $1300. Over budget again.

Keep educating me though! Your getting closer!

The extra length on that table will more than make up for the table being lower than the beam. Trust me. And flush tables are very easy to bend (Except on a machine like the Speeco that has the wedge enclosed inside the beam.) Ask me how I know.

I have the eBay 33flame table. It's a good one.

There's a Huskee/SpeeCo catcher, too:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/speeco-log-catcher-2156001

The one I bought(Dual splitter) was made in USA at the time - I guess they have since outsourced them along with their NorthStar brand.
Haven't had any issues with the engine or carb.
Added a small piece of scrap pipe to keep logs from falling onto the gas tank and a bypass filter from TS.
The only "cheap" part is the 90deg plastic hose barbs - I looked into replacement metal ones and I know why they supply plastic, fittings were ~$70/ea.

Do you have a Northern Tool store nearby? Shipping(truck ship) will add an extra chunk, similar to sales tax.

+1 for the 33flame table. My father bought me one for Christmas and I love it. I too was concerned that it being a bit lower than the beam was going to be an issue. It was not. I would not want to have one on each side since it would probably force me to lean to steady the log on the beam. That is a sore tweaked back just waiting to happen.

I also like how it can be remove for vertical splitting or transportation. I made sure to put it on so the bottom of the table was snug to the beam so it doesn't rattle.

Actually, I should have titled this "Powerhorse by Norther Tool".....

Guess I should have clicked on the link you posted. I thought you were talking about the north star brand.

Not many Northern tool Powerhorse owners around there huh?

To add to what others have said, for that money a Huskey/Speeco would be a much better splitter. I also noticed on the specs for the NT brand that it dosnt have auto cyl. return. That would be a deal breaker for me if it means what I think it means.

Can't find a decent place to buy/look/shop for a speeco ?

You guys have a Tractor Supply on The Island?

Nope....

Wow, what does that say about the economic situation on Long Island? Maybe they expect it to no longer have a need for tractors? Probably. Must be an incredible shrinking market.

Nothing. I've never herd of a "Tractor Supply" store before this thread. So they never had any around here. We also don't have WaWa's, or Denny's on LI, never did. Yet both of those are all over the place everywhere else. We instead have 7-Elevens, and NY Dinners. Has nothing to do with economy.... just different market shares for different brands. There are tractor and equipment supply store's here, just not under the name/brand "Tractor Supply".