Gravely / Ariens 22T vs 27T log splitter comparison - chose the 27T

[laxin213]

I've read several threads here and on arborist site regarding these 2 splitters. I've narrowed my search down to them because I liked that they are made in the US (WI), that they have a smaller footprint for storage compared to most on the market, the cycle time is good (13sec on the 22T and 15sec on the 27T), they have a good dealer network local to me (that made me shy away from speedco/huskee and DHT because I don't think they have local devoted dealers), and mostly the price. I have a budget and I know iron and oak and some other high end splitters are really wonderful commercial grade units, for 3-5 cords a year or so I can't justify the cost. The Subaru engine is pretty well reviewed as well. They also both had a 3 year consumer warranty which seemed as good or better than most other splitters I could find. The operation could work from either side I liked that and seeing it the splitter at the dealer the layout looked good to me.

The question was then which model. I visited my local Ariens dealer and the sales guy there had the 22T at $1399 and the 27T at $1749. Dealer noted the weight difference being significant 367lb vs 498lb thus the 27T was deemed by Ariens to have a more professional frame and the 22T more a consumer grade frame. Also the 22T has the 4.5hp Subaru and the 27T had a 5.7hp Subaru. He noted that the 22T had a newer vertical shaft crankshaft and the 27T had a more "time tested" horizontal shaft design and the same engine they've been using for a long time. So he was really pushing the more expensive unit - go figure.

My budget was $1000ish. I was really leaning towards the 22t but I figured I'd check online and low and behold lowes had a 27T Troy built with a Honda gas engine for $1299. Also a website I'd never heard of tylertools.com had the Ariens 27T for 1299$! So I took print outs of these to my dealer and he said "no way I'd lose $ on a price match". I went to my local HD and they wouldn't price match. Talked to the manager and she was polite but wouldn't do it. No 10% off Lowe coupon accepted either. No military offered (my dad is a vet and we're splitting it). No real reason, and they showed "limited quantities" online and in the register in their store even though I found one In a crate in lawn and garden up on a shelf. I told her (manager) they should at least update their inventory and she shrugged her shoulders. So I called 1800homedepot in their parking lot and they price matched for me with free freight and lift gate to my house. So I'm at $1299 plus tax delivered to me for free. Has anyone ever done Home Depot freight? I was told the deliver driver will call first and they better I have a shared driveway and its narrow there's no way a semi is going to make it back out.

Contemplating calling HD corporate and reporting the manager's practices. If she would have updated her inventory to 1 Instead of limited quantities I could have bought at online picked up in the store - the same store that just turned me down. Instead she is making her store have higher profitability by not price matching. Also it is creating a system where they don't update their store inventory thus leading to a climate where items could "walk away" without their being an inventory system at HD that is accurate. I'd think corporate would like to have a say in that. As of now the store still says limited quantities on the item online, and if you may or may not have a $1500 item instock I think the inventory system ought to know...

 

[laxin213]

Since I couldn't find any threads related to Home Depot shipping, I figure I'll detail the freight process as I experienced it. I got an email 2 days after I placed my order. It said a carrier called NEMF has the item and is shipping from their depot in NJ to my local dealer in upstate NY. Home Depot has a white glove delivery serivce they call it where it goes factory --> local dealer ---> me. It's supposed to be no additional cost. I've attached a pic from HD's website. I figured I'd get the splitter dry on a crate in my driveway and I'd have to check/fill all fluids etc but it looks like the dealer is doing that I - didn't even know. I'll update when the shinny orange splitter arrives.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I'm not sure what white glove treatment means but I deal with truck drivers a lot. including nemf. Keep a 20 dollar bill on you. Might help you get it all the way up the driveway. They usually have a pallet jack. Not sure how that are going to ship it after its assembled but it might be bolted down to a pallet.

 

[laxin213]

Here was my invoice below. I asked when ordering "does the delivery service include lift-gate?" They said yes, but I figured I'd end up tipping the guy to get it on the ground. From what I'm reading it's "assembly checked" at the dealer, and then reloaded onto a truck (possibly in a pallet?) and brought to my house like 7 miles away. I'd rather just go to the dealer and pick it up but I'm going to let the process play out. I figure I'll have to take a half day of work off to meet the driver, I have a 1400' long driveway that is shared I'd rather he leaves it at the road I'll take it back in my gator utv

751058026466
169 cc 27-Ton Gas Log splitter
Subtotal: $1,299.00
Shipping: $0.00
Estimated Sales Tax: $103.92
Order Total: $1,402.92

 

[freeburn]

I've read several threads here and on arborist site regarding these 2 splitters. I've narrowed my search down to them because I liked that they are made in the US (WI), that they have a smaller footprint for storage compared to most on the market, the cycle time is good (13sec on the 22T and 15sec on the 27T), they have a good dealer network local to me (that made me shy away from speedco/huskee and DHT because I don't think they have local devoted dealers), and mostly the price. I have a budget and I know iron and oak and some other high end splitters are really wonderful commercial grade units, for 3-5 cords a year or so I can't justify the cost. The Subaru engine is pretty well reviewed as well. They also both had a 3 year consumer warranty which seemed as good or better than most other splitters I could find. The operation could work from either side I liked that and seeing it the splitter at the dealer the layout looked good to me.

The question was then which model. I visited my local Ariens dealer and the sales guy there had the 22T at $1399 and the 27T at $1749. Dealer noted the weight difference being significant 367lb vs 498lb thus the 27T was deemed by Ariens to have a more professional frame and the 22T more a consumer grade frame. Also the 22T has the 4.5hp Subaru and the 27T had a 5.7hp Subaru. He noted that the 22T had a newer vertical shaft crankshaft and the 27T had a more "time tested" horizontal shaft design and the same engine they've been using for a long time. So he was really pushing the more expensive unit - go figure.

My budget was $1000ish. I was really leaning towards the 22t but I figured I'd check online and low and behold lowes had a 27T Troy built with a Honda gas engine for $1299. Also a website I'd never heard of tylertools.com had the Ariens 27T for 1299$! So I took print outs of these to my dealer and he said "no way I'd lose $ on a price match". I went to my local HD and they wouldn't price match. Talked to the manager and she was polite but wouldn't do it. No 10% off Lowe coupon accepted either. No military offered (my dad is a vet and we're splitting it). No real reason, and they showed "limited quantities" online and in the register in their store even though I found one In a crate in lawn and garden up on a shelf. I told her (manager) they should at least update their inventory and she shrugged her shoulders. So I called 1800homedepot in their parking lot and they price matched for me with free freight and lift gate to my house. So I'm at $1299 plus tax delivered to me for free. Has anyone ever done Home Depot freight? I was told the deliver driver will call first and they better I have a shared driveway and its narrow there's no way a semi is going to make it back out.

Contemplating calling HD corporate and reporting the manager's practices. If she would have updated her inventory to 1 Instead of limited quantities I could have bought at online picked up in the store - the same store that just turned me down. Instead she is making her store have higher profitability by not price matching. Also it is creating a system where they don't update their store inventory thus leading to a climate where items could "walk away" without their being an inventory system at HD that is accurate. I'd think corporate would like to have a say in that. As of now the store still says limited quantities on the item online, and if you may or may not have a $1500 item instock I think the inventory system ought to know...

I bought the exact same splitter in the same way you did through HD. They shipped it to a local Ariens dealer who set it up and delivered it to my driveway ready to go. Its my understanding that this is white glove service. Enjoy your splitter. I know I do! Just double check the hydraulic fluid level after a full cycle while they are still there to make sure they topped it off during assembly.

 

[laxin213]

Good tip thanks for it

 

[Jay106n]

My Arien's 22T is awesome. Destroys everything into nice wedges . You got a good deal on your 27T, although I see no need for anything higher than 22T

 

[velvetfoot]

I don't have a Ariens, but my Robin engine's throttle can be adjusted, so I usually split at half throttle.

 

[laxin213]

My Arien's 22T is awesome. Destroys everything into nice wedges . You got a good deal on your 27T, although I see no need for anything higher than 22T

I anticipate sharing a lot among the family, I liked the deal that I got on mine but I can't say a single bad thing about the 22T nor can I really point out anything that the 27 could do that the 22 could not, I'm Happy to get the slightly bigger, heavier machine and I think it's got a bigger frame that may tow better if it's going to be towed quite a
Bit like I anticipate.

 

[laxin213]

I don't have a Ariens, but my Robin engine's throttle can be adjusted, so I usually split at half throttle.

I'll have to check on that not sure if mine has that ability but thank u

 

[Jay106n]

I never noticed any kind of throttle on my Subaru engine. Just the choke.

I actually like how light the 22T frame is. I can move it around my 2.5 acre yard by hand.

 

[velvetfoot]

My Subaru engine is the 9 hp EX27 model.

 

[laxin213]

My Subaru engine is the 9 hp EX27 model.

That must be a large Tonnage commercial splitter ? I am not familiar with robin but my is going to be the 5.7HP

 

[velvetfoot]

It is a 2006 vintage Harbor Freight 28 ton splitter.

 

[DougA]

I've had similar experiences with a local HD. I was buying kitchen cabinets and one HD 20 min away had the entire line at 50% off but they did not have the exact unit I needed to complete the job. Another HD had the exact unit but no discount. A long discussion with the manager ensued. He confirmed the 50% discount but refused to honor price matching even though we were standing under a 20' banner that advertised it. I called corporate and they shrugged their shoulders and said it was at the manager's discretion. I ended up driving an hour to another HD to get the unit at 50% off. False advertising but not worth blowing a gasket.

I was looking at splitters last night but no sales on good units and I can't justify $1,800. My small electric does 90% of the wood but the other 10% will have to wait for a rental.

 

[laxin213]

I've had similar experiences with a local HD. I was buying kitchen cabinets and one HD 20 min away had the entire line at 50% off but they did not have the exact unit I needed to complete the job. Another HD had the exact unit but no discount. A long discussion with the manager ensued. He confirmed the 50% discount but refused to honor price matching even though we were standing under a 20' banner that advertised it. I called corporate and they shrugged their shoulders and said it was at the manager's discretion. I ended up driving an hour to another HD to get the unit at 50% off. False advertising but not worth blowing a gasket.

I was looking at splitters last night but no sales on good units and I can't justify $1,800. My small electric does 90% of the wood but the other 10% will have to wait for a rental.

Not sure where your budget is at but lowes has the DHT 22ton for 999 and you could get a 10% off on it. I paid 1299+ tax for my 27T ariens , shipped free. I'm splitting ownership within the family though. Just do your math if you rarely need the big hydraulic guy, rent one once a year. Or buy the hydraulic, use it and rent it out $25/hour and it pays for itself in 40 Hours. Friend did that, minimum rental 4 hours. He put it on craigslist and worked the machine and stayed with it. 10 rentals and it was paid for

 

[laxin213]

Finally picked it up today. HD HD it sent to my local ariens dealer. They uncrated it, filled it with all fluids and tested it. I actually saw the paperwork and HD paid them $82.50 to do that. The dealer then called to schedule a delivery but I just told them I'd pick it up. I ordered separate the work table and the cylinder handle and bolted those on.