Ariens splitter wedge broke (only 5 months)

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BucksCounty

BucksCounty

Feeling the Heat
Hearth Supporter
Jan 11, 2009
286
Southeast PA
Bought the Ariens 27 ton splitter in April. It's been great and have split +/-5 cord. Splitting piece of maple today and on the return the wood wouldn't release from the bottom of the splitter and the pin holding wedge just bent, in turn breaking the rounded part attached to wedge. Looks like the piece is caught in the bottom plate of the splitter.

So, what are my options? I bought it at home depot. Should I try there first? Or contact Ariens directly? I'm pretty frustrated. I tried searching online to find the cost of a replacement wedge and I can't find one.

Thanks for help. [Hearth.com] Ariens splitter wedge broke (only 5 months)
[Hearth.com] Ariens splitter wedge broke (only 5 months) [Hearth.com] Ariens splitter wedge broke (only 5 months) [Hearth.com] Ariens splitter wedge broke (only 5 months)
 
That pin must be made of pretty soft metal.

If you didn't already register it for your warranty, I'd do that now (should be good from the date of purchase, not the date of registration). Wait a couple of days, then report it to Ariens; they should replace it. Normally I'd say go to Home Depot, but they won't have a part or be able to fix this.
 
I thought that was what happened at first, but wasn't too sure from the pics. That's a metal defect for sure. If that is the case, they'll need to replace the entire piece, not just the pin. And ya, I guess that pin was pretty strong! For a 27 ton splitter you'd expect a heavier grade metal.
 
There are raised metal squares on the base of the splitter to prevent wood from slipping when being split. After splitting pieces of wood, you can see the square indentations on the pieces of wood from the pressure of being split. It appears the wood somehow is wedged into those squares because the pin bent when I was retrieving the wedge.
 
If they end up not helping you out with a replacement that doesn't look like a hard fix. You could beef up those pin ears and buy a replacement pin at you local hardware store
 
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Find a local Fab shop to repair wedge. Looks like pretty flimsy material. I'd prob use 3/8 plate to make the ears. Unless warranty covers this. Next may do same thing eventually.
 
Wasn't a splitter, but I had a problem with an appliance recently and the manager at HD busted ass to take care of it. Go talk to'em and take the pics with you.

Just leave your credit and debit cards in the car...<>
 
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PS: Don't mention splitting five cords. We know that is just normal but would scream "commercial use" to the un-initiated.
 
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STIHLY DAN said:
Send it back. Then buy an American splitter.
Click to expand...
Ariens & Gravely splitters are made in Wisconsin.

I bought a 27t at Home Depot 2 years ago. 6 months after purchase, the valve started leaking. Ariens sent me to a local dealer who replaced the valve, checked out the machine, and returned it in less than a week. No problems since then.

EDIT to add - The dealer also stated that as far as they were concerned there was no problem for them servicing a unit purchased somewhere else, specifically Home Depot. The quality of the units is the same.
 
Last edited:
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This does not instill any confidence in me as far as Ariens splitters are concerned. Just hard to believe that the pin bent like that and the holes in the wedge elongated like that. Either a bad batch of steel for both the wedge and pin, or they are using some cheap steel in the hopes that the wedge and pin are never pushed to the machine's hydraulic limits. End of the day, that is some serious crap.
 
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Once it is out of warranty, make sure you know where the Ariens parts store is:

http://www.arienspartstore.com/?gclid=CMqEjcec88ACFQQT7AodK2cASg

We have had a MTD Yard Machines 25 ton splitter for 18 years now, split a couple hundred cords with it, and only recently have we needed parts for it. The hydraulic fluid filter sprung a hole a couple years ago and last summer I noticed that some of the grade 8 bolts holding the wedge to the beam were elongating and that the two gibs were missing. Got the gibs from MTD for $20 and the bolts from Ace Hardware for $5.

My dad bought an Ariens snow blower from Home Depot last week. Hopefully, it holds up better than your splitter did. Ironically, he also bought the MTD Yard Machines splitter from Home Depot too.
 
fabsroman said:
This does not instill any confidence in me as far as Ariens splitters are concerned. Just hard to believe that the pin bent like that and the holes in the wedge elongated like that. Either a bad batch of steel for both the wedge and pin, or they are using some cheap steel in the hopes that the wedge and pin are never pushed to the machine's hydraulic limits. End of the day, that is some serious crap.
Click to expand...
Don't be discouraged, I have the 22 ton, run about 5 cords as well. When I got it home the valve was leaking, local JD dealer (they picked up ariens right after I got it) fixed it under warranty with no questions asked.

Anything can happen and usually does, don't fret. Even the JD guys said they loved this splitter, said "it's a well made machine"
 
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STIHLY DAN said:
Send it back. Then buy an American splitter.
Click to expand...
Although my Gravely says made in USA some is probably foreign. Looks exactly like the Ariens only RED.
 
mikey517 said:
EDIT to add - The dealer also stated that as far as they were concerned there was no problem for them servicing a unit purchased somewhere else, specifically Home Depot. The quality of the units is the same.
Click to expand...

Same thing the Husqvarna dealer here told me about Husky stuff bought at HD.
 
ironspider said:
Coming from die hard JD guys means a lot.
Click to expand...
Some JD dealers are selling Stihl, Ariens and Simplicity also. But we're talking about Gear==c
 
Take it back and get one from China. >>
 
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