Finally picked up a splitter

[bassJAM]

After scrounging a lot of silver maple that my Fiskars wanted no part of, I decided to pick up a 22 ton Dirty Hand Tools splitter. I've been really wanting the Ariens from Home Depot, mostly because of the Suby engine, but Lowe's had the DHT for sale for $989 over the weekend which made up my mind. My dad, brother, and brother in law all would have wanted to borrow this, so I just asked them to split the cost with me with the rule that it stays at my house, bringing the grand total to $250 each. Combined it'll split maybe 8-10 cords a year.

Initial impressions, first, check all the fittings if Lowe's assembles it. I didn't, and after running it for 5 minutes I found hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the fittings and the oil filter. After tightening both of those and checking everything else, the leaks seemed to stop. Second, I'm not sure I like the location of the hydraulic filter. I nudged it several times with my leg while splitting, and it was pretty hot since I was just wearing shorts!

I only ran it for about 90 minutes, but I'm happy with it so far. I only ran it in the horizontal position, so I was only splitting logs that were easy to lift. But I put a couple knotted logs or crotches in there and it took care of all of them. Once I clear out all the smaller logs and stack them I'll spend a day tackling that large rounds but I doubt that'll happen until it cools off a little.

If you pick this of from Lowe's, keep in mind that they don't include the log catcher. I'm still debating if I'll get one, I found that after letting the logs fall to the side for a few minutes they stack up enough to form a natural log catcher so I don't know if it's worth it.

I think I'm still going to have to end up splitting some wood by hand though. My wife informed me how much it turns her on to watch me split wood with an ax while she's in the house cooking dinner. Apparently the DHT doesn't have the same effect

 

[gregbesia]

. Good luck with awesome looking splitter. P.S. Can you let me know what kind of axe do you own. Apparently fiskars does not have the same effect.

 

[bassJAM]

I'm using a Fiskars x27. If yours is broken you might want to try a warranty claim!!

 

[jillybeansisme]

If hand splitting the wood does something for her, I won't even ask what loading the wood stove does for her!

 

[Fifelaker]

The log catcher is the second best invention after the splitter itself to keep your back from hurting. All of the pieces that fall on the ground have to be picked up at some point.

 

[lindnova]

+1 on the log catcher. Is the DHT slightly lower in height than the Huskee 22 ton? I went and looked at one at Lowes yesterday and it seemed 1-2" shorter. The hydraulic valve handle also has a bend in it which doesn't feel right on my hand. Looks like a very well built machine. Kind of funny how so many people have had leaks - there was a puddle of oil under the filter on the floor. I think the assemblers need to learn how to assemble properly. I had the same problems on my Huskee - loose filter and lack of thread sealant on pickup line.

 

[bmblank]

In addition to log catcher if recommend log tongs. I don't think I could split without it anymore. I just turn and grab, moving my feet and bending minimally. I even made a scabbard mounted on the splitter for it.

 

[El Finko]

Picked up a DHT 22 myself this weekend .They were positively flying off the shelves down at the Big Blue Wingnut Factory.
FYI: Don't blame the guy wearing the red vest for the hydro leaks. Unit is assembled in China and the only thing he did was attach the wheels, the lower beam, and the upper I-beam.
All in all, it's a nice piece. I was thrilled when I saw the motor actually had a manual choke.

 

[Grateful11]

I thought it was built in the US but had a Chinese Kohler engine. Is it really assembled in China?

 

[WiscWoody]

When I bought my splitter I asked the neighbors that I knew would be wanting to borrow it if they wanted to go in on one with rules layed out about not borrowing it others and what happens when it breaks or if someone moves etc. no one wanted to do this but they still want to borrow my new splitter of course! It seems everyone who hasn't had a splitter before this year is getting one. Enjoy your new splitter there BJ!

 

[jkmola]

My wife informed me how much it turns her on to watch me split wood with an ax

My girlfriend pulled in the driveway couple days ago while I was splitting and said "That's hot". Who knew?

 

[Ashful]

Hmm... my wife is the one who eventually convinced me to buy a splitter, after me splitting by hand for a few years. I wonder what that means...

 

[mustangwagz]

i think i pee'd a little while reading these comments. Bahahaha!! Congrats on the Log popper!

Log catcher works wanders when splitting by yourself. i built my neighbors log catcher outta crap i had laying around...the next addition will be log loader!
.....it'll eventually turn into a splitting device that has a cab, lots of levers, a multi position wedge, hydraulic chainsaw, a conveyor and a loading arm. hahahaha. us goofy hillbillys build all kindsa good stuff!!

 

[Stelcom66]

I've been really wanting the Ariens from Home Depot, mostly because of the Suby engine

Suby as in a Subaru engine? Interesting... Subaru may make other engines in addition to the flat 4 in my Forester. Good detailed review of the splitter. Never seen wood stacked in a round formation before. Maybe less chance of the stack falling over with that method.

 

[Stelcom66]

hahahaha. us goofy hillbillys build all kindsa good stuff!!

There was a great show I used to get on cable about hillbillys building cool useful stuff. Don't recall the name of the show but one of them spoke more like a college physics proffesor. Even though I live in the suburbs I consider myself a hillbilly - and proud of it. When it's light out I'll take a picture and show my log holder for the chainsaw. It's made
out of a big stump. two 2 x 4s, a chain, and nails to secure the chain onto different size logs.

 

[bassJAM]

Suby as in a Subaru engine? Interesting... Subaru may make other engines in addition to the flat 4 in my Forester. Good detailed review of the splitter. Never seen wood stacked in a round formation before. Maybe less chance of the stack falling over with that method.

Yeah, same Subaru, and the same Japanese engineering and reliability.

As to the round stacks, known as a Holz hausen or sometime holz miete, that's the primary reason I stack that way. I can take the sides up to 6' and the peak to almost 8' and its steady enough to walk on.

 

[ChipTam]

The log catcher is the second best invention after the splitter itself to keep your back from hurting. All of the pieces that fall on the ground have to be picked up at some point.

I split about 1 1/2 cords of birch last month using my buddy's $2,000 heavy duty log splitter. The splitter worked great but my left arm is still paying the price (rotator cuff). As the junks were split I would pick them up and toss them backwards toward the wheelbarrow. I'll look into a log catcher next year and avoid that backwards motion with my left arm.

ChipTam

 

[Gareth96]

I'm still torn between the DHT and Ariens.. The HD in Lebanon has a few Ariens, I just need the time to go look at em...

 

[Ashful]

These Subaru engines are made by Robin, in the USA. Very reliable, on par with Honda, in most regards.

 

[Lundrunner]

BassJam...did you ever decide on a log catcher?....I welded one up the day after getting my Huskee ....best two hours I've spent in the garage in a long time!

 

[FATANDY21]

I've had my DHT-22ton for about a month or two now, bought the floor model, so far no leaks, no issues. My only complaints would be all the random rattling from pins and tow chains, and sometimes a real uneven idle when the wedge is returning to the start point. But as far as splitting goes, there really aint nothin I wouldn't throw at it. Nice purchase.

 

[bassJAM]

BassJam...did you ever decide on a log catcher?....I welded one up the day after getting my Huskee ....best two hours I've spent in the garage in a long time!

I haven't even run it since I first purchased it, it's been at my brother in laws for the past month while he's been splitting his firewood for THIS winter and my dad and brother had it before that splitting some extra wood in case they need it (also for this winter)!!

But I'll probably just purchase the DHT catcher. It's only $60 or $70 on their website, as long as shipping keeps it below $100 I think it's worth the price since I don't have any scrap metal around to weld one up with.