Chinese kinetic splitters arriving on American shores

[BrianK]

I stumbled upon a couple Chinese knock off kinetic splitters on Craigslist and Ebay tonight while searching for log splitters. I wonder how long it will be till they get them working right?

The first one is(broken link removed). They've been importing Chinese generators for a while now and they sell hydraulic splitters. Here's their website blurb:

Worlds Fastest Log Splitter! 2014 Speed Splitter - $1900

(broken image removed)

Place of Origin
Model Number
Application Worlds Fastest Log Splitter
Rated Voltage
Maximum Current
Certification
Detailed Product Description

• (broken link removed)

C**NOT THE TYPICAL LOG SPLITTER***
Up for sale is this New in box! Chicago Industries Flywheel type(NON Hydraulic) wood splitter has; Superior gear and pinion design, No more Hydraulic oil needed! 6.5hp ohv KOHLER engine ,easy pull start. 5" hydraulic ram Horizontal operation ,Includes Log Tray (table) Splits upto 26" logs 7" heavy steel frame 3 Second Cycle time Heavy Duty Wedge 2"ball coupling 12" tires, 12month parts warranty! can deliver!
Please Call for more info:

They're showing up on (broken link removed to http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/grq/3983188309.html) and (broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/251319756649).

And here's one I saw on another forum, that I haven't been able to track down an importer for yet:

(broken link removed to http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/tls/4006836991.html)

(broken image removed) (broken image removed) (broken image removed)
(broken image removed)
Ok, here's the deal. I have a few new log splitters which should sell at $1500, but we found some small minor defects out of the box so we are selling at only $400. You can easily fix and resell them at $1500. These are flywheel drive, and have a 4 second cycle time! They have a NEW IN BOX 6.5hp gas powered motor. I'm selling the new ones with minor defects at $400. Pickup / inspection welcome in Oceanside. Good chance for someone to make some money, there are a few available. I can discount new perfect working ones to $1250. I have a few assembled you can see in our shop. 760 639 8346

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[blades]

Once DR took that design over to Chicom it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened. Likely need to buy at least 2 units ,one for parts, just to make it through a cord. Kinda also tells what kind of mark up DR is running on their version.

 

[clemsonfor]

Dr is probably engineered and built to better standards. I like the concept in these kinds. Does anyone have the soeedco one or DR?? Seem like in good clean oak or ash they would fly but in elm and gum they may be a pain and counter productive? The chicom ones are bad prolly as they usually will run one brand or factory line for a few yrs then another one will kind of refine or redisighn and parts are hard to procure. U need to be able to make or workaround things a they break

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

That machine is bouncing around like a ping pong ball on each pull, also looks more dangerous, I think I'll keep looking towards the husky 22 direction...thanks for posting

 

[Bster13]

I think I've learned my lesson with wood splitting machinery made overseas w/ my HF 7-ton splitter leaking all the time. I can't say american made is better made, but at least the manufacturers are more responsive and perhaps parts are easier to obtain.

 

[charly]

After owning SuperSplits for over 25 years I'm betting these knock offs have rack and pinion failures within a very short time along with the mechanics of the engaging cam bearings , etc. Also talking with SuperSplit,,, the I beams being true are very important.. I can see those China models twisting a hair and that will be the end of the splitter working again... I'm figuring the rack coming out will bend and then no more tooth engagement.. One tooth breaks off and game over... China is not known for good steel.. Besides I'm glad to keep a small business in America going.. Kind of like Woodstock Stoves, buying factory direct..

 

[Bster13]

If the bean is twisted a bit, it put undue stress on the rack when it engages wood I guess?

 

[charly]

If the bean is twisted a bit, it put undue stress on the rack when it engages wood I guess?

Once the I beam is twisted the ram will come out one time, but never return on it's own.. It will constantly hang up on the return.. Then the the rack will be twisted in relation to the pinion gear between the flywheels,, soon as it pushes against the wood the rack teeth will not be engaged enough or squarely with the pinion gear and you'll hear that awful grinding noise in which case being made in China, the teeth will now be metal filings.. You get what you pay for.. I decided to stick with the original builders.. Had my first one for 20 years with zero issues.. Sold it to get a 30 inch capacity splitter... After moving and back to a wood stove not needing long splits for a boiler, I sold be bigger splitter and bought another SuperSplit.. I love seeing the wood just pumping out with my splitter.. Makes me feel like I'm ahead of the game.. Quick, simple and great on fuel..

 

[NortheastAl]

Saw that first one on Ebay last nite. I wouldn't think it will last anywhere near as long as the DR. That one on the video looks pretty flimsy, and the steel will most likely be on the soft side. That rack and pinion will not last long.

 

[charly]

I'd love to see those flywheels,, they look small compared to my SuperSplit.. I'm thinking they are spinning smaller flywheels at a much higher RPM then the SuperSplit, thus the pinion gear and rack coming together will be very short lived, plus I'm banking that the flywheel bearings have no grease fittings. I say one elm crotch and that will be the end of the splitter.. Looks like things aren't too true on the I beam set up as watching the return speed, LOL, looks like they have a ridiculously strong spring to over come anything trying to hang up.

 

[charly]

Another clue on small flywheels,, 95% of the time I run my SuperSplit at 1/2 throttle.. only time I go to full throttle is if it won't split something after one try .. Too bad they didn't have pictures with the shroud covers off... I think that would say it all...

 

[blades]

Well I ain't no spring chicken any more and my hydro works fast enough for me.

 

[mellow]

I am sure they will get it perfected eventually, but until then I will stick to my hydro's.

 

[BrianK]

Once DR took that design over to Chicom it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened.

It would be interesting to know which Chinese manufacturer is producing DR's kinetic log splitter. The Chicago Industrial unit is similar and the AliBaba listings below are remarkably similar to the DR unit.


(broken image removed)(broken image removed)

(broken image removed)