Just a reminder that the HF 20% coupon is only good at their retail stores. Until recently mine did not carry a hydraulic splitter.
I bought the HF 22 ton splitter about 6 months ago. I just recently encountered problems with it. Here are some posts I made on another site when seeking advice:
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I pulled the pump on my splitter last week because I thought that it had failed and had ordered a new one. Turns out that once I was able to remove it I found the jaws on the couplings had been damaged and the spider between them was almost totally destroyed. I ordered replacement parts from Harbor Freight, where I bought the splitter 6 months ago as a reconditioned item. My neighbors and I have split about 20 full cords with it.
My question is what would cause such early failure in the spider and the "lovejoy" couplings. I would like to avoid future problems, and I am hopeful that my pump is not done.
Thanks for any advice.
MarkG
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But for this problem I and my 3 neighbors have been very satisfied with this splitter - the 22 ton model with the Briggs 5.5 hp engine. I bought it as a reconditioned model, for $600 plus $40 shipping. In my opinion there aren't that many moving parts to these splitters so generally if they have a quality engine, pump, cylinder, and valve you should be okay. Mine has the Briggs Intek engine.
I am dissappointed at this point with this breakage, and unfortunately I only had a 90 day warranty because it was reconditioned. New ones come with a 2 yr. warranty I was told by a customer service rep. That strikes me as really good.
My splitter will split 25" long rounds, and I have split many large rounds of 28-36" in diameter with it. Much of my wood has come from cleaning up for a logger, so I get butts and other odd pieces once he cuts to length. I have split cherry, honey locust, soft maple, hard maple, ash, and white oak primarily with many crotch sections and rounds with large limbs coming in. Yes, the splitter slows down as it is designed to when it encounters a tough one, but she powers through. We've all been very happy with its performance. My one neighbor was planning to buy the Troy-bilt 35 ton model and just recently he told me that he would not have bought my splitter but now that he has used it he would. (I charge my 3 neighbors $40 a year to use the splitter as a way to offset maintenance.)
I think the Harbor Freight splitters offer a tremendous value (unless you have problems as I've had), but with a 2 yr. warranty you can hardly go wrong. My model is currently on sale for $800. If I did it over again I would try to get the Robin engine which they offer on the 24 ton and sometimes their 30 ton. I see that you are outside Houston with a Harbor Freight store. Call them and see what they have. If you have an Entertainment book check it for a coupon or sign up at HF's website for their emails. Almost every week I receive by email a coupon for 20% off any item at their retail store. My local store just recently started carrying the 22 ton splitter. Do you know what $800- 20% comes to? - a great deal on a log splitter
(Be sure to print out the web price, though, as the stores don't always communicate well with corporate, but they will honor the web price.)
MarkG
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Most advice suggested that the shafts were misaligned. After I received the replacement flex couplings and spider from Harbor Freight I found that there was play - they didn't mesh up properly. I went to Tractor Supply Company yesterday and the spiders they carry are a better material (BUNA-N, I think?) AND it fits properly. I am now very confident that the spider HF uses is the wrong one, not properly fit for the jaws. All I can tell you is that if you buy a splitter from HF make sure to check this spider frequently (which, is almost impossible to see but you might be able to feel it) and plan on replacing it at the first sign of wear. Otherwise your couplings will also be toast.
Hope this helps.
MarkG
