Barreto log splitter

I have been offered a little used 20 ton Barreto log splitter with the Subaru EX27 motor (pull start). These are sold primarily as rental units (Home Depot rents them). They are heavily built (twice the weight of the equivalent Ariens, 150 lbs. more than the equivalent Iron and Oak) and very expensive new.

They are set up to require two hands to operate the control lever. I have no idea yet how difficult it would be to defeat that, but it would be a must at times.

Has anyone used one of these? Any thoughts, opinions?

greg13 said:

All a manufacturer can do is to attempt to make something idiot proof and that will NEVER happen.

http://barretomfg.com/?page_id=52

Click to expand...

I quite understand the problem. It is a total mystery to me that such things as towable lifts, chainsaws, backhoes, etc. are available for rent at ANY price.

Tar12 said:

I watched a couple videos on youtube...they seemed painfully slow...

Click to expand...

They come in two versions - identical in every way except the cylinder. The 4" cylinder is rated at 20 tons, the 4 1/2" is rated at 22. The 20 ton unit is rated at 14 seconds cycle time, which is adequate, if not exceptional. The 22 ton unit is an unacceptable 20 seconds.

I picked up my used 20 ton Barreto this morning and ran it this afternoon. Since these do show up on the Home Depot rental tool sales site others may be interested in some more information.

The first big impression is that it tows beautifully. They have a torsion axle and so ride better than a typical splitter. After all, a rental unit is going to be on the road a lot more. I am afraid I went rather over the 45 mph recommended speed. In fact, I set the cruise control at 55 for most of the 90 miles home. It really does well.

Mine came with complete trailer lights. We have a pool going for the over/under as to how long it takes me to drop a log on one. The light brackets are bolted to the running gear with what looks like truck mud flap material, providing some give. Even so, I think a direct hit from an eighty pound log would be rough on it.

Everything is heavy duty. With fluids it is well over 800 pounds. The foot has eight heavy welded on sawtooth cleats that will hold an irregular shaped log end and keep it from riding up and out during the split. This has been a problem with other splitters I've used.

The log holders are also a surprise as I had very low expectations. They are mounted on elastomers and give a bit depending upon the size of the log. They hold splits really well, and greatly reduce the times I have to pick pieces up off the ground.

Once the interlock is gone, the control lever is nicely placed for single operator use no matter which side you are on, and the spacing along the beam is good for horizontal use - which is not always the case in horizontal/vertical designs.

I gave the two handed operation a fair trial - really I did. About 5 minutes. I would never rent one of these, at least not twice - it is that annoying. You have to put the log on the cradle, then walk around the wheel, use one hand for the lock and the other for the control lever while standing in the engine exhaust! The possibility of rental customers removing the interlock appears to have occurred to the designers and removal was more trouble than I expected. I didn't bend or cut anything but did resort to a drift and hammer.

The Subaru engine is more than adequate for this set up, runs well, and starts easily. May it always be so. I found little to be gained by running full throttle over about 2/3 throttle except more noise.

Cycle time on my 20 ton version is plenty fast. As noted above, the 22 ton version is said to have a 20 second cycle, which would be too slow for me.

Would I pay $4,000 or so for a new one for home use? Heavens no. But this one is two years old, and I paid DHT 22 ton money for it. So far it appears to be well worth that.

A year later.

I've split five or so cords now, including a couple of cords of white oak this last week, and it occurred to me that perhaps an update was in order since there are so few of these out there. The short story is that I am very pleased. It is incredibly robust, which is a good thing as we had broken several pieces on a Brave 20 ton three point unit the last couple of years.

I find the ergonomics to be very good operating from either side. I haven't managed to tear anything up yet, and we've split every round we've gotten to the machine. I say "we" because it took both BIL and I working together to roll many of the rounds up for splitting this weekend. We set it up for vertical operation when splitting those, of course.

Switching from horizontal to vertical is really not bad. It is easy enough that we quartered most of the big pieces while vertical and then went back to horizontal to finish up.

The Subaru engine wants to be choked to start in any weather, but if it is warm it wants the choke off immediately! It does pull start very easily.

I had to tow it last weekend about 15 miles each way and it is worth noting again how well it pulls at highway speeds. County highway speeds, anyway.

As noted the rated cycle time is a bit slow - 14 seconds. Mine is about 12. I really do not see how I could use more speed working alone, and when I have help we short cycle anyway.

If you are interested they do show up from time to time on the Home Depot rental tool disposal website.