Another: Rate this splitter please

[SawdustSA]

A local company has this splitter for sale. I cannot find anything else in this price range and I am also not a fan of the trunnion mounted cylinder. Unfortunately my options are limited. Obviously it is a "Made in China" unit on top of that.

The photos were taken while it was being assembled on the shop floor. I have included a small photo off the website to show what the complete unit looks like. What is your opinion?

 

[1kzwoman]

Personally I don't like it, that cylinder looks poorly supported and pump just hangs there too. Don't know if it would take long term use.
You pay for what you get, in cash or problems IMO.

 

[SawdustSA]

I'll have to go look at it at the store again but I think it should be possible to fabricate a guard for the pump so that a log won't drop on it.

 

[triptester]

That is not a trunnion mount cylinder. A trunnion mount is where the the cylinder is supported by two large pins one on each side of the cylinder. The basic overall design looks good for a H/V low price splitter. Imported yes but most of the low price splitters are made with some imported components.

 

[SawdustSA]

Ok I noticed that it does not have the pins on the side but assumed that when a cylinder is mounted on the front like that, it is always called a trunnion mount. Learned something at least, thanks.

Would you say this method of mounting is better than trunnion?

 

[maple1]

How much $$?

EDIT: And what are some of the specs? Like tonnage rating, pump specs, cylinder (4")?

On the face of it, it doesn't look too bad - and Lifan, although yes made in China, has a fairly good track record.

 

[SawdustSA]

Keep in mind that I am in South Africa with silly import duties. Our exchange rate is also 10 Rand (R10) to the USD.

This splitter is selling for around $1750-00 without oil.

In comparison, the 27 ton Gravely splitter, made by Ariens it seems, is one of the few brand name splitters around here, is selling for $3000-00.

If I could purchase splitters at American prices, I would have had a few by now

Some Specs:

Maximum Splitting Force: 36 Ton (of which I have my doubts)
Engine Type: 4-Stroke Pull Start
Engine Power: 11HP
Maximum Log Size: 24 Inches \ 600mm
Weight : 260 kgs
Cycle Time: 17 Seconds
Engine Oil Sump : 8 Liter
Wheel Sizes: 13"X5.00-6

• Can be utilized in both Horizontal and Vertical positions.
• Highly mobile trailer like design makes working on the move easier.
• 2-stage Hydraulic Pump \ 11 gpm

I think the Chinese English (engrish) misled them a bit: not 8 Liter engine oil but 8 gallons hydraulic oil.

 

[SawdustSA]

So far I am surprised that the comments are not more negative.

 

[maple1]

That beam attachment is kind of similar to my Wallenstein/Surge Master. Which I have no qualms about owning & operating.

And as I mentioned, Lifan is actually not a bad name - they have been around a long time.

As far as welds & steel quality and all that - just can't say one way or the other on that one from here. But if a weak spot shows up you could likely get it reinforced by a local welder guy for pretty cheap.

But ya - 36 tons? Think I'd have to say that's kind of optimistic with 11gpm - thinking it's more like 20. Although 11hp is more than you'd usually see on an 11gpm pump.

 

[Jags]

I also question why you would have and 11hp engine running a pump that could easily be run with a 5.5 - 6 hp engine...BUT the cycle times are consistent with the 11GPM pump. Confuddled.

 

[gzecc]

I also question why you would have and 11hp engine running a pump that could easily be run with a 5.5 - 6 hp engine...BUT the cycle times are consistent with the 11GPM pump. Confuddled.

They probably got a great price on a warehouse full of 11hp motors. May as well use them. They're probably not 11hp anyway. Isn't more horsepower always better! Especially for selling something!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I would pay to have a Huskee 22 delivered to my door, cheaper than that unit.....
I wouldn't rush to buy that unit if I were you, keep searching and doing your homework...gl

 

[maple1]

I would pay to have a Huskee 22 delivered to my door, cheaper than that unit.....
I wouldn't rush to buy that unit if I were you, keep searching and doing your homework...gl

Did you note where he lives, and what he can & can't get, and how much things cost? How much does an Ariens/Gravely 27 ton cost where you're at?

 

[Jags]

I would pay to have a Huskee 22 delivered to my door, cheaper than that unit.....

Probably not if you lived in South AFRICA.

 

[SawdustSA]

The closest thing to a Huskee that I can have delivered to my door at that price is a Husky. Fluffy dog with blue eyes

I actually went looking for that Gravely 27ton splitter quote which I got some time ago. It was $3600-00 excluding delivery. The dealer is also 800 miles from me. So warranty backup might be an issue too.

Not many people around here know what a log splitter is. They would rather rely on cheap labor off the street to do the hard work for them.

 

[maple1]

Doing some real fuzzy math - an Ariens 27T is about $2000 here.

Going by your numbers, this blue one is about half the price of an Ariens/Gravely.

Which translates to looking at a $1k splitter here.

Which is just a bit below the price point of the made-in-China Champion stuff.

I think I would consider it - that 11hp Lifan should be solid and the basic construction doesn't look all that bad from here at least. But I would give it a serious once-over first - weld quality & bolts & hardware & that kind of stuff.

 

[SawdustSA]

All the bolts are rated grade 8.8 at least. The welding seemed ok but that can be repaired/improved by myself if need be.

The manual that comes with the splitter shows that a 9HP should be fitted, so I get the idea that they had some extra 11HP motors somewhere. At least that leaves the window open for a pump upgrade in future, I think.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

 

[Butcher]

Unless you got a bunch of gold kugerands hidin in the basement to get a better splitter at the price you can afford I say go for it.

 

[SawdustSA]

So I went back to the shop today. The assembly is 95% complete. Here are some more photos.

I asked the name and details of the previous client who bought one. I had a long chat to him and ensured me that even the worse pice of twisted Eucalyptus is not a problem for this splitter. He has rounds on which they have snapped a few steel handle axes and this splitter splits them all. He sounds convinced. He runs a fire wood business on various farms so it sounds like his equipment works hard enough.

So I think I'd better phone the salesman and get my name on the one in the shop.

 

[1kzwoman]

Glad that you found your answer! Sound like you found the right person to ask!

 

[ironspider]

IMHO it looks cheep. At that exchange rate maybe an ariens 22 ton. At least you can trust the quality and the subi motor.

 

[SawdustSA]

The Ariens is not available here. The Gravely is but with only one distributor, far away from me, and at double the price, that is not a good option for me.

At least this shop is nationwide around here, so I'll have to settle with what is available and maybe make some improvements when the warranty has expired.

A change in colour will definately be on the cards as well in a year's time. I prefer red.

 

[osagebow]

Enjoy! Do you burn any Acacia species? How do they burn/split?

 

[SawdustSA]

I use the Black Wattle Tree (Acacia mearnsii) for barbeque. They are an invasive alien specie here. They are easy to work with and splits easy too. I don't use it in the stove since they take forever to season. After 18months in our climate they still hiss and ooze moisture.http://www.wattlewood.co.za/firewoo...urg-gauteng/black-wattle-acacia-mearnsii.html

The ACACIA ERIOLOBA (CAMELTHORN) is also popular as firewood but I see they might go back onto the protected species list. We don't have any growing in the area and I have never worked with it.

I focus mostly on Eucalyptus for heating. We have plenty of it. It is not fit for the barbeque so most people don't bother with it. More for me Eucalyptus also season faster and burns clean. They can be hard work at times

 

[Hogwildz]

Sounds like a Hearth get together in South Africa may be in order......