Splitter recommendation

We burn about 4-5 cord a year and live on 5.5 acres in Northern CT - plenty of good wood around here to fuel our stoves, everything from ash, maple, birch, oak to cherry and other hardwoods. My husband is dreaming of a wood splitter (right now he does all of our splitting by hand) and I would like to oblige for his Christmas present.

I've budgeted about $1200-1500 for the splitter. I've seen a few posts about different splitters but for the money, what would you recommend? We don't have huge enormous logs but some big ones that having one that can go vertical or horizontal would be nice. Easy to maintain and reliable is another plus. We have a snowblower with a Briggs & Stratton engine that he likes, so I'm not overly keen on spending the extra for a Honda engine. And it needs to be something I can go and pick up with a ball hitch or rig to our tractor.

Thanks!

All I can say is: I wish my wife was reading this. Nice Christmas Present!

Might he want to make his own choice?

Doesn't sound like highway tires are a must - but are nice to have.

I would do a search under the gear forum - as I think there have been some negative posts about tractor supply splitters? and a recall on MTD ones? not 100% sure. You may get more responses there.

People have commented positively about the Huskee 22 ton splitter from Tractor Supply Co. I have rented a 20 ton splitter numerous times and it splits anything that I can throw at it. I think anything larger than 25 tons is probably not worth the money.

I bought a used 22T Iron and Oak splitter from United Rental, about 6 months ago. It's 3 years old, with service records. Plus, honda 5.5hp motor. Goes horizontal and verticle. Best part was price- $1000.00 + tax. starts on first pull, everytime, and we have a cumulative 19 cord split with it this summer alone.

+1 for that kind of volume

I have a 22 ton 6.5hp swisher (American made) and it has done everything I have thrown at it, goes vertical if you like and is easy on gas. I have nothing bad to say about it. I bought it a Lowes. Happy splitting.

i have a 28 ton huskee with no problems splitting whatever goes at it

Looking back, I probably wouldn't buy the 22 ton Huskee again. I've only had maybe a dozen pieces (crotches, etc) that it wouldn't split, but it sure takes a long time to chew thru the tough stuff. At the time I didn't think the 35T was worth the extra $, but I kinda regret it now. If all you get is straight stuff, it works great. Zero problems, good value.

there all slow on that kinda stuff

I second the 22 ton Huskee which Happens to be on sale now for $999.

+3

I have the Huskee 22 ton. I split a 24" diameter Elm tree that was dripping wet with it. I cant imagine a tougher split and it handled it. For the price/performance I think this is the best deal. I lucked out and got a "repaired" one of the lot with full warrantee for $750. the repair was the control lever was sticking - I havent noticed any issues at all. I suggest stopping by your tractor supply and seeing if there are any repaired units on site.

Great gift too! Mine was a combo b-day/xmas but I found and picked it out. Would be cool to get it as a surprise - go for it.

I have purchased a Northstar 30 ton from Northern tool and am very satisfied. Northstar has a "family" of splitters various tonnage capability. I paid $1,400 for the 30. It works great and I trust the product and buying from Northern Tool. Either way you're gonna have one happy guy come Christmas day.

The two splitters in that price range mentioned most frequently are the Huskee/Speeco models (found at Tractor Supply) and the MTD models (often sold under other names as well such as Cub Cadet, White, etc. . . . usually found at Lowes, Home Depot, True Value, etc.) For your volume and size of the wood and price a 22-ton splitter should handle most anything . . . and for the record . . . Briggs and Stratton engines do seem better made than they used to be . . . and the nice thing is that they are very easy to repair . . . or you can just purchase a whole new engine for very little money.

Quite honestly, if your husband is splitting everything by hand, I suspect a 22-ton splitter of any make or model will make him a very happy man . . .

Fiskars Pro or Super Splitting Ax


You save about $1150, or $1,100 if you buy both.

I've heard those run on super premium fuel only .
The cost savings will be gone in no time.

I have and would highly recommend a Cub Cadet (MTD) 27 ton w/ Honda engine the 27ton may be a bit overkill however, better to have more than you need as opposed to lacking.

The Honda is bullet proof and I have only been skunked by a large cherry knot. I regularly split 24-36" oak, maple and ash rounds with ease.

Bought at Home Cheapot on sale (and tax free) for $1100

......Just my .02

Interesting.

I see the 22 ton Northstar for $1400 but that's with no assembly and no hydraulic fluid. I see the 30 ton (not quite as highly rated as the 22 ton) for $1600 but, again, that's with no assembly and no hydraulic fluid.

I've got the Husky 22 ton splitter and couldn't be happier...

Brave 22 Ton SR - SR0622/Vertical / Horizontal Logsplitter. Love it.
http://www.braveproducts.com/itemde...tegory&categoryid=103&parentid;=&searchtext;=

Love mine and you can't beat the price. Be safe.
Ed

I'm seriously thinking about just renting one when I need it. The cost of the new ones (a decent one) is about $1200.
At $60 a day, I can rent one 20 times & not have the maintenance costs.
If I used one 2 times a year that's 10 years of splitting.
Still looking for a good buy on a used one, but for now , I'll save up a big pile of rounds & then rent a splitter.
(or just split the small batches by hand).

How much can you split in a day? A few cords?

The best part of having your own is that you don't have to do a years supply of wood in a week or two. Then I look like a hunch back for a month, not counting the pain. Course it could be just old age. Be safe.
Ed

Yeah I know, but I split 4 cords a few weeks ago with a borrowed splitter in 1/2 a day,
I cut 2 trees in my yard up & split with a maul, all day job for one retired guy. (1/3 of a cord)
I figure I could split 8 cords with a hydraulic splitter in a day, be a good day but doable.
Just have to round up the rounds, have it ready to go, get the family out there to shuck wood.

Don't get me wrong, I really want a good splitter, just no going to buy a junk one & be sorry later.
Got a buddy that says we can build one. May be the way to go. Need to check $ for parts & scrounge some steel.
I'll eventually have one but not over $1,000 dollar one.

If you have a friend that needs one too, you could both could split the cost of one (no pun intended) and share it. I guess you could build one too, but I would think parts and the trouble to do it would not make it that worthwhile. After taxes I paid just over $1000.00 for my Huskee 22 ton splitter. I don't know what they have up in Alaska, but that would be just $500.00 between the two of you.

Plus, a good splitter usually sells relatively well if you ever decide to get rid of it.