Another which splitter thread

[rwhite]

I'm in the market for a splitter. I want to make sure I'm seeing things right:
It seems that most "speeco" knock offs such as powermate, county line, black diamond etc are all basically the same. Has any one observed different? I'm probably looking at a 22-25 ton and want to stay under a grand. That kind of puts me in the boat of one of the above mentioned. Want to stay away from the HF model as they seem hit or miss and parts are made of unobtainium. Plus the nearest HF is 175 miles away and I don't want to get it home and have it not function. Seems like the only discernable difference in the models I've looked at is the powerhead. Briggs all seem to get good reviews as do most of the clones. Kohler is the one that surprised me. Seem like a lot of folks have issues with it being pretty cold blooded.

Thoughts?

 

[jetsam]

My splitter (DHT-22) has a Kohler- no cold weather issues here.

On the other hand, I live on Long Island- our historic average high/low temperatures in January are 39F/22F. It doesn't really get cold (or hot) here.

The DHT-22 has a whole fan club on the forum here, and can be had for under $1000. Vertical+horizontal, fast cycle, no other frills. Mine has been great so far (not even one year yet).

 

[spawner]

that dht 22 ton is on sale at lowes right now for $899, and if you enter 470011xxxx1535x (substitute random numbers for the X's till it works) as a coupon code you can get another %10 off. turns out to be like 850 with tax. Im ordering one tonight I think

 

[rwhite]

Thanks, I did look at the DHT' s and they seem well built and much the same as the others I mentioned. Most are so close in design it almost appears that there's one manufacturer for all. My local selection is pretty slim (home depot, North 40) but HD sells the DHT for $1199 so I may have to make the trip to Lowe's. Good to hear experiences about the Kohler engines. Although it may not even be an issue as I hope to not be splitting when it's freezing out.

 

[jetsam]

Thanks, I did look at the DHT' s and they seem well built and much the same as the others I mentioned. Most are so close in design it almost appears that there's one manufacturer for all. My local selection is pretty slim (home depot, North 40) but HD sells the DHT for $1199 so I may have to make the trip to Lowe's. Good to hear experiences about the Kohler engines. Although it may not even be an issue as I hope to not be splitting when it's freezing out.

If you end up hauling it from somewhere, go slow on the way back. The tires on mine are rated for 60mph if I recall, but the owner's manual (which I looked at after I got home) says 45 mph. The wheels are tiny, but if you take it on the road a lot, trailer wheels are cheap. I'm not replacing mine because every 2" of wheel is another 1" I have to lift every round.

 

[rwhite]

If you end up hauling it from somewhere, go slow on the way back. The tires on mine are rated for 60mph if I recall, but the owner's manual (which I looked at after I got home) says 45 mph. The wheels are tiny, but if you take it on the road a lot, trailer wheels are cheap. I'm not replacing mine because every 2" of wheel is another 1" I have to lift every round.

I'll load it on the trailer when I get one. My shortest haul is 50 miles and I don't like towing something I can't see behind me. On the bright side I'll probably make a few more friends with a new splitter . Not many stop by when I'm swinging the maul.

 

[JRHAWK9]

Here ya go:

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[rwhite]

I'm starting to be convinced that a lot of the splitters are identical but branded different so that each store has their own and doesn't have to price match. HD has the DHT listed on the website so I'll call and see if they will price match Lowe's.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

I purchased 2 of the DHT splitters last year.. one is a 22 and 1 is a 27 ton with a 4 way wedge. Last year we had a cold spell and got to 5 degrees. . Both ran in the cold well. I haven't had any problems with them. I split 9 cords of hickory, white oak, cherry last year, and so far 2 cords split this year.. with 1 cord ready to split by the weekend.. they get

 

[woodhog73]

I'm starting to be convinced that a lot of the splitters are identical but branded different so that each store has their own

I felt kinda the same way.

I ended up with a Gravely ( same as Ariens). I just felt upon visual inspection the build quality was a step up from the ones listed in the thread. Plus it comes with a Subaru engine. What else can you say ? The Subaru engine is like a Honda. Reliable, quiet, starts in 1 pull, even in below freezing temps. I've started mine in minus 5 degree temps in 2 to 3 pulls max. One pull if above zero.

But it costs more. $1200 for a 22 ton so not apples to apples

 

[spawner]

just placed my order for the last one locally. $859.00, pick it up Wednesday morning. got a few big maple wheels to test it on.

 

[rwhite]

just placed my order for the last one locally. $859.00, pick it up Wednesday morning. got a few big maple wheels to test it on.

Where was that at?

 

[spawner]

lowes, western ma. ordered online for in store pickup

 

[rwhite]

lowes, western ma. ordered online for in store pickup

Did you use a coupon code? I'm still showing $899.
Nvm, I seen it above.

 

[Jazzberry]

The County Line is not a knockoff. It is a Speeco

 

[rwhite]

The County Line is not a knockoff. It is a Speeco

I have read a few threads stating that huskee, speeco, county line are all just different badges. All parts are supposedly branded speeco. Haven't actually got my hands on one to verify. Except for the powermate which has a clone engine I can't tell a nickels worth of difference in the other brands from internet pics. All seem to have kohler or B&S engines and built pretty similar.

 

[Jazzberry]

Huskee also is Speeco. Different years have different engines but the rest of the splitter is the same. Mine came with a Kohler 3 years ago and my next door neighbors Huskee over 10 years old has a Briggs. All else is identical.

 

[kavu]

I have a 22 ton ariens with the subaru engine. Keeps on trucking with no problems. I have had it for 2 years now. It is over 1k though.

 

[woodhog73]

I have a 22 ton ariens with the subaru engine. Keeps on trucking with no problems. I have had it for 2 years now. It is over 1k though.

I've got the same but a Gravely. The subie engine sold me.

There's a reason why Subie cars routinely go 300,000 or 400,000 plus miles with regular maintenance. Tear apart the engine of a 2.5 Subie boxer engine and the crank bearings at 500,000 miles look good as new more often than not. I'd put subie engineering against Honda or Toyota any day.

I've been very impressed with my small subaru engine. Got 10 plus hours on it and the oil looks brand new still , and it starts in 1 pull just about every time like money in the bank.

 

[rwhite]

I have a 22 ton ariens with the subaru engine. Keeps on trucking with no problems. I have had it for 2 years now. It is over 1k though.

I'm not opposed to going over $1k. I just want to make sure the extra 2-300 is worth it. Although not on a splitter, I have ran BS engines and they've never failed me. They aren't as nice as a Honda or Subaru but I'm only probably going to run it 10 days year.

The Ariens were a nice looking splitter.

 

[kavu]

I'm not opposed to going over $1k. I just want to make sure the extra 2-300 is worth it. Although not on a splitter, I have ran BS engines and they've never failed me. They aren't as nice as a Honda or Subaru but I'm only probably going to run it 10 days year.

The Ariens were a nice looking splitter.

I agree. I don't know anything about that DHT 22 ton but it looks like a viable alternative and definitely cheaper. When I was looking for a splitter, the DHT did not exist or come across my radar at that time. From my research at that time, the subaru engine was suppose to be a great engine which further pushed me towards the ariens. I think that I may have gone with the DHT if it existed/I knew about it at that time(Haven't compared them though). I don't recall HD or lowes selling it at that time but I have seen it many times at lowes the last year or two.

 

[rwhite]

I agree. I don't know anything about that DHT 22 ton but it looks like a viable alternative and definitely cheaper. When I was looking for a splitter, the DHT did not exist or come across my radar at that time. From my research at that time, the subaru engine was suppose to be a great engine which further pushed me towards the ariens. I think that I may have gone with the DHT if it existed/I knew about it at that time(Haven't compared them though). I don't recall HD or lowes selling it at that time but I have seen it many times at lowes the last year or two.

Lowes has them in stock and HD offers them online. Since HD is local I'm going to see if they'll price match.

 

[kavu]

Lowes has them in stock and HD offers them online. Since HD is local I'm going to see if they'll price match.

They should as long as you can order it online from Lowes.

 

[spawner]

I used mine in the vertical position on some 40" curly maple rounds and it was very impressive. Ran it for about an hour. The motor does run well, but it surges a little at full throttle when not under load.

 

[rwhite]

I used mine in the vertical position on some 40" curly maple rounds and it was very impressive. Ran it for about an hour. The motor does run well, but it surges a little at full throttle when not under load.

Saturday I'm going to do a road trip to look at a used one. Everything is supposed to be functional except the control valve. But for the asking price I could easily replace and still be way ahead. I posted another thread to try and identify the maker but have had no suggestions. Near as I can tell it's an older 20 ton brave. Has a new motor.