Carnage

[kavu]

Ariens 22 log spitter. The wedge got stuck in a log and the log got stuck in the teeth. I tried to back the wedge out and carnage insued. I never imagined i would see the day that there was wood that the splitter couldnt handle. Knots are not my friend.

 

[BrotherBart]

Major ouch. I would be giving Ariens some grief about that one.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

Is it still under warranty?

 

[Ashful]

30 minute repair, if you have an angle grinder and a welder. Unless your dealer is alarmingly close to your house, I'd not be wasting time to even start the car.

 

[Jags]

Yeah - that's a pretty easy fix if ya got the tools.
You have just discovered why I don't care for that design. The bolt and tabs that are used for the return of the wedge is a weak point.

 

[Jazzberry]

Looks brand new. Crappy cheap design.

 

[Tar12]

I wouldn't even bother making the phone call. I would locate some 1/2 in flat stock for the repair and "over-build "that repair.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

This is why I like it here. I totally respect people who just fix things, and don't make a big deal. I'm not equiped to weld, but hope one day to be, as well as some simple blacksmithing. Would rather just make things right myself than fight the man. And, then, when something fails, I have only myself to blame. Until then, I'm taking something later like this back for replacement.

 

[kavu]

Is it still under warranty?

No longer under warranty but I have an extended warranty through my CC so going to give that a try.

 

[kavu]

Yeah - that's a pretty easy fix if ya got the tools.
You have just discovered why I don't care for that design. The bolt and tabs that are used for the return of the wedge is a weak point.

I was told by Ariens that the new version of this part fits the same but uses a different type of metal and is shaped slightly different while still fitting. I noticed that the metal tabs are slightly thicker on the new version.

 

[kavu]

Looks brand new. Crappy cheap design.

Its actually over 3 years old.

 

[Ashful]

Its actually over 3 years old.

I measure my splitter in cords, not years. Mine is about 36 cords old.

 

[BrotherBart]

I measure my splitter in cords, not years. Mine is about 36 cords old.

Makes mine around 145 cords old. Finally has a problem. Would't start yesterday, no spark. Guess it is tired and old like its owner. Little short on spark my ownself.

 

[Tar12]

No longer under warranty but I have an extended warranty through my CC so going to give that a try.

I think you would be far more satisfied if you took it to your local welding shop and have it done right. As easily as that tore apart I would want something more than slightly thicker to replace it.

 

[maple1]

I would be kind of leery about why that happened. The lever should have kicked off well before it got to that point.

Well, I guess - unless you were holding the lever back, maybe? In that case, mine just has a single bolt holding the wedge, thru the end of the cylinder. Not sure how much it would stand.

 

[kavu]

I measure my splitter in cords, not years. Mine is about 36 cords old.

I estimate mine is approximately 15-20 cords old.

 

[kavu]

I think you would be far more satisfied if you took it to your local welding shop and have it done right. As easily as that tore apart I would want something more than slightly thicker to replace it.

Thanks. Considering that as one of my options. Was concerned with making it too strong if that was the design point for it to give there?

 

[kavu]

I was

I would be kind of leery about why that happened. The lever should have kicked off well before it got to that point.

Well, I guess - unless you were holding the lever back, maybe? In that case, mine just has a single bolt holding the wedge, thru the end of the cylinder. Not sure how much it would stand.

I was holding the lever trying to remove the wedge from the log.

 

[Tar12]

Thanks. Considering that as one of my options. Was concerned with making it too strong if that was the design point for it to give there?

That was a design flaw and not a built in safety feature. They should never fail at any point.

 

[Ashful]

Thanks. Considering that as one of my options. Was concerned with making it too strong if that was the design point for it to give there?

The failure mode should be an unloader valve or stalled engine, not broken metal!

 

[salecker]

Change the design
Wedge on the beam with a push plate on the ram.A welder could do with a little extra steel.

 

[Ashful]

Change the design
Wedge on the beam with a push plate on the ram.A welder could do with a little extra steel.

That won't work, when going vertical.