Ariens splitter

[Danno77]

I absolutely hate "giving up" so I'm calling this "moving on"...

I've been training quite a bit for triathlons and running so my extra time is extremely limited. Something has to give. I no long can afford the time or energy required to hand split the wood I need. This is evidenced by the 1 cord of split wood and 3 cords of unsplit stacked in my back yard. At this point in the year I should have 5 cords split and stacked, with more in the queue waiting to be split.

This leads me to my question. Home Depot is selling an Ariens at a seemingly good price. I have had experience with their snowblowers and have been impressed with quality. Is there anything I should be aware of? I'm not finding many reviews on it, and I couldn't pull anything up on the forum.

Please help!

 

[Danno77]

Btw, I'm referring to the 22 ton model for $1,199. I tried posting a link, but I'm having problems doing that from my iPad.

 

[TMonter]

Btw, I'm referring to the 22 ton model for $1,199. I tried posting a link, but I'm having problems doing that from my iPad.

Work on getting a 10% off coupon or 20% off if you can find one. A Lowes or Ace coupon will work since they Coupon match. Sometimes you can get away with a Harbor Freight coupon for 20% off one item.

 

[branchburner]

I bought a Lowe's 10% coupon online for a few bucks and got my Ariens at $1199 -10%. Ordered from HD online, called to apply coupon, and had it delivered for free. Although the delivery took much longer than anticipated, it was made through a local Ariens dealer that brought the splitter fully assembled and ready to run.

The unit itself is a great workhorse, perfectly balanced so I can easily move it around by hand, and the Suburu starts first or second pull every time, in all weather. No problems at all so far.

BTW, I still use my Fiskars to split the small stuff by hand, and I have the smaller/lighter model. Not sure what you're using, but a SuperSplitter would be a nice adjunct to the Ariens. It is amazing how much splitting in how little time (and effort) the lightweight Fiskars can do with stuff that splits easily in one blow. Both tools are a pleasure to use, so I now LOVE to split.

 

[Gboutdoors]

I have had my Ariens 22 for a year now and have run 7 1/2 cord threw it with no problems at all. As branch burner said Suburu runs great but mine starts on the second pull every time hot or cold weather does not matter. Also like the way it can be rolled out of the barn by hand or moved out in the woods with out having to unhitch the trailer from the BX to move it.

 

[Danno77]

Thanks for the replies! I do have a fiskars (actually have the original fiskars and the newer longer one) as well as my 6lb maul and my 8lb maul. 6lb is probably my favorite, and can split everything all day long. Fiskars are great for easy wood, but feel like any energy I save by swinging a light fiskars is wasted when I have to pry the stupid thing out of every other round. Anyway, there are about a billion fiskars threads around here, so we won't fully go that route in this thread.

I will look into a coupon, quick searches didn't find me anything that I could use on the online ordering, but I haven't tried to get them to match a coupon and I haven't tried to buy a coupon (or gift certificate) on ebay, etc.

 

[freeburn]

I have the 27 ton Ariens. It is a bit different in design but same manufacturer anyway. No problems except a leaking tire, which Ariens took care of under warranty no questions asked. I've already split 10 full cords with it. Subaru is all Japanese made and does start up right away. It is right up there with the Honda GX motors not to be confused with the lower grade Honda GC motors ( still good too). That's the main reason I went with Ariens vs others that are available around that price point. Hope that helps a little.

 

[mikey517]

I got the 27 ton Ariens August of 2012 from Home Depot. Agree with freeburn that the design has changed slightly, but the basic machine is the same and a real workhorse. The Subaru engine sips gas and starts easily every time.

A leak in the hydraulic valve was fixed under warranty by a local Gravely / Ariens dealer with absolutely no problem!

Made in the USA to boot!

 

[branchburner]

haven't tried to get them to match a coupon and I haven't tried to buy a coupon (or gift certificate) on ebay, etc.

I didn't find anyway to use the Lowe's coupon without calling to get a CS rep to take the 10% off of my online order (which she did without even asking for the coupon code!), and there are dozens of listings for the coupons on ebay. I never pay full price at Lowe's or HD (unless it's just a few bucks) since discovering that.

I know what you mean about pulling the Fiskers out of a tough log -- it takes a lot more effort than the swing. I don't even bother trying the Fiskars now on any log that looks tough -- only the easy one-timers (pine, birch, smaller ash and maple), and the rest I save for the Ariens.

 

[freeburn]

I got the 27 ton Ariens August of 2012 from Home Depot. Agree with freeburn that the design has changed slightly, but the basic machine is the same and a real workhorse. The Subaru engine sips gas and starts easily every time.

A leak in the hydraulic valve was fixed under warranty by a local Gravely / Ariens dealer with absolutely no problem!

Made in the USA to boot!

Where was the leak in the valve?

 

[mikey517]

Where was the leak in the valve?

At the rear of the valve. I was told it was an "O" ring and that it was not related to any user action. I had let a neighbor use it to split some oak over a weekend.

He since bought his own.

 

[bassJAM]

I really wanted the Ariens, mostly because of the Subaru engine, but ended up getting a Dirty Hand Tools from Lowe's when they went on sale last month. I think they've since lowered the normal price to $1000. Anyway, I'm very happy with it so far. I come across a few issues people have had with the Ariens online, such as the metal actually breaking in places, but it seems that it's always taken care of under warranty.

 

[BEConklin]

There's a thread currently on page 2 of the Woodshed forum (on this site). The OP describes quite a large problem he had with his Ariens 27 ton. Here's a link

 

[CenterTree]

I absolutely hate "giving up" so I'm calling this "moving on"...

I've been training quite a bit for triathlons and running so my extra time is extremely limited. Something has to give. I no long can afford the time or energy required to hand split the wood I need. This is evidenced by the 1 cord of split wood and 3 cords of unsplit stacked in my back yard. At this point in the year I should have 5 cords split and stacked, with more in the queue waiting to be split.

This leads me to my question. Home Depot is selling an Ariens at a seemingly good price. I have had experience with their snowblowers and have been impressed with quality. Is there anything I should be aware of? I'm not finding many reviews on it, and I couldn't pull anything up on the forum.

Please help!

I use the 22ton Ariens. Love it! I would recommend that you get the side table for it. It really helps to have a place for those larger splits to lay.

Also, if you can, I would suggest that you purchase from a DEALER (if you have one nearby). You could get it delivered probably. And if you ever have issues they would be glad to fix it.

When I first got mine I had an issue with the love-joy coupling coming loose under the motor. The dealer knew right away what it was and told me how to get it going real quick.

You will enjoy the splitter IMHO.

 

[freeburn]

I absolutely hate "giving up" so I'm calling this "moving on"...

I've been training quite a bit for triathlons and running so my extra time is extremely limited. Something has to give. I no long can afford the time or energy required to hand split the wood I need. This is evidenced by the 1 cord of split wood and 3 cords of unsplit stacked in my back yard. At this point in the year I should have 5 cords split and stacked, with more in the queue waiting to be split.

This leads me to my question. Home Depot is selling an Ariens at a seemingly good price. I have had experience with their snowblowers and have been impressed with quality. Is there anything I should be aware of? I'm not finding many reviews on it, and I couldn't pull anything up on the forum.

Please help!

One more thing I forgot to mention and just remembered it today when pushing around the splitter...the footprint is small. Its 27 ton, but its much smaller than the I beam construction ones you see at TSC or Men@rds. Doesn't take up so much room in the garage.

 

[MJFlores]

I have the 27 ton model and I bought it 5 or 6 years ago. It's a great machine, and I really like the Subaru engine. It always starts the first pull, and I haven't had any problems with it. When I first bought mine, I hired myself and it out on CL to split wood for people so I could pay it off. That year it split A LOT of wood. Now it splits 4 or 5 cord for myself all summer long, and then I'm over at the neighbors working together with him on more wood. I cant say enough good about it. For maintenance, all I do is keep gas in it, keep air in the tires, and change the oil every spring. After the first year I did change the hydro fluid filter and next spring I'll probably change the fluid and filter. My only gripe is the front leg which has been redesigned. Mine you pull a pin and fold it up. It's an OK system but the crank legs on the new models is better I feel. I have to say to...it's light too so I can tip it up and wheel it around the yard, and pull it into the woodshed for the winter without much trouble.

 

[Danno77]

Every day at work I open up my browser and go to my shopping cart. My wife has basically said she doesn't want me to spend the money, but that she won't stop me. Most of you can read between those lines like I can. So I haven't taken the leap. Ugh. What's that saying about getting off the pot? I've been sitting here for a while now, lol.

 

[mikey517]

Maybe if you went to Home Depot, and made sure you could get a finance deal, like i got mine with 18 months no interest. Paid it off long before then, and it didn't hurt...and Momma is warmer than ever!!

 

[Danno77]

Yeah, have considered that, too.

 

[freeburn]

Consider how much it could be if you chopped your leg and had to go to emergency while splitting with an Axe. Also consider who is doing the splitting and the time and wear and tear on your body. A splitter right now in our economy and world is a good investment. 1. You can always resell it after using it. Log splitters dont depreciate all that much 2. What you get out of using it is really valuable depending on how many years you have it. 3. If the economy goe in the tank you will be warm. If you haven't discussed these things already with your wife, start. Basically it has to be her idea right?

If that doesnt work, then be the man of your house and buy it. Then ask her to help with the splitting.

 

[Danno77]

In my quest to be the man of my house I defer to the super hot chick that sleeps with me. Your points are all good ones, and I've considered them all! It's a hard sell to her because she knows that one of my all-time favorite hobbies is to hand split wood. When we visit family it's known that there should be plenty of wood for me to split. Whether it's Christmas or Thanksgiving at my in-laws, it's a special treat for me to walk outside with my coffee and just split wood all morning. So I think she feels that I'm spending a thousand bucks to do something I already do and like to do.

 

[freeburn]

Sorry I got nothing for you then. I don't mind splitting wood, but its not a favorite hobby. Even if it was she would never know that!

 

[Danno77]

it will all work out. I just need to do it...

 

[branchburner]

I defer to the super hot chick that sleeps with me.

If I worked at Home Depot I think that would oblige me to NOT sell you an Ariens splitter. Here, pal, buy yourself another maul or two...

But maybe you can have it both ways. You can STILL split plenty of wood by hand, both at home and at the in-laws. The Ariens leaves you more time to split the easy stuff by hand while spending far less time on the knotty beasts. This allows you to process more wood with less work, in less time... perhaps allowing you to process a surplus and sell some to help pay for the splitter. (You could also rent out the splitter, and your services to run it, to help offset its cost.)

But anything that allows you to process more wood in less time means you have more time to... here's the clincher... spend with her.

Of course, my wife wouldn't buy that in a million years... which sometimes feels like roughly the amount of time since I've been able to say that I defer to the super hot chick that sleeps with me. (I bought my splitter because I'm turning into an old man, and there's no way my wife would argue that point. I do NOT suggest that line of argument for you.)

 

[TradEddie]

So I think she feels that I'm spending a thousand bucks to do something I already do and like to do.

She's right, and she probably likes those muscles too...
Don't do it, stay splitting by hand for as long as your body allows.

TE