Help Me Choose Splitter

[chazcarr]

Hi Everyone,

I've given up trying to get a good used splitter on Craigslist. As soon as I call someone (even at 8am!) it is already sold. Plus most of them on there are listed at $200 more than buying new!

So I am trying to decide between these two:

CountyLine 22-ton from TSC
Dirty Hands Tools 22 from Lowes or HD

Both are listed at $999

They both seem nearly identical to me. Also, would there be any real advantage from spending a bit more and getting a Troy Built 27 ton from Lowes? It is around $1300 currently and everyone seems to love a Honda engine. There is also a 22 ton Ariens from HD that sometimes goes for sale around $1000. My snowblower from them has never given me trouble, although this splitter has a Subaru engine which is different.

I ruled out the HF 20 ton because I don't want to have to lift some of these logs I have and I want it pre-built so I can just tow it home.

Thanks for any advice or wisdom you can give. Whenever I have to make big purchases like this I always need a push to get going.

 

[Jags]

The "Honda" advantage should be viewed with a bit of skepticism. The GX versions are the industrial versions that really made the Honda name brand what it is today. The GC versions are a consumer grade, not really all that different than the other basic engines from the other brands.

That said - of the units you listed, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I would expect many years of service from them all.

 

[chazcarr]

Thanks Jags, Do you have any opinion on the DR rapid splitter? I realize the 22 ton is now in my range. However it would have to be really good if I am going to give up going vertical.

 

[Jags]

Do you have any opinion on the DR rapid splitter?

In the very beginning the rack and pinion setup of those units were having problems to the point that they actually pulled the units off of the selling floor. I believe they have fixed this issue (they were bending because of inferior materials).
They are a direct knock off of the Super Split (http://www.supersplit.com/) after their patent lapsed. Fast and reliable, but no option to go vertical and really no way to attach a log lift. So horizontal only and only what you can lift. Heck - even one of their sales slogans is "Half the price of the original". Not sure how I feel about that.

 

[chazcarr]

In the very beginning the rack and pinion setup of those units were having problems to the point that they actually pulled the units off of the selling floor. I believe they have fixed this issue (they were bending because of inferior materials).
They are a direct knock off of the Super Split (http://www.supersplit.com/) after their patent lapsed. Fast and reliable, but no option to go vertical and really no way to attach a log lift. So horizontal only and only what you can lift. Heck - even one of their sales slogans is "Half the price of the original". Not sure how I feel about that.

Didn't realize that. I always thought DR was a high end brand. Thank you

 

[Jags]

Didn't realize that. I always thought DR was a high end brand. Thank you

To clarify - I am not knocking the brand, I think they have some pretty neat products on the market. I am just pulling for the little guy as the Supersplit company is a small, home grown (USA) company that came up with a pretty novel design that is now being exploited (legally) by others.

 

[macattack_ga]

Do you have any opinion on the DR rapid splitter?

I've got the larger DR and I like it. However it's been busted 3 times (under warranty).
The last time DR sent an upgraded/re-designed part. We'll see if that fixes the problem.
I would suggest the extended warranty.
If your rounds are mostly smaller than 18" in diameter and fairly straight it is VERY fast.

 

[chazcarr]

If your rounds are mostly smaller than 18" in diameter and fairly straight it is VERY fast.

Oh No, my rounds are of the gnarliest yard trees you will ever see. 3 way splits everywhere. At least they stand by their warranty, but I'm going vertical.

How is the HF hand truck? Those things are on sale for about $30 this weekend.

 

[chazcarr]

To clarify - I am not knocking the brand, I think they have some pretty neat products on the market. I am just pulling for the little guy as the Supersplit company is a small, home grown (USA) company that came up with a pretty novel design that is now being exploited (legally) by others.

Yeah, I'm going to stand clear. My plan is this weekend, with all the sales is to see if I can get a discount on the Home Depot Ariens splitter since the TSC and Lowes 22 tons are cheaper. I just like the Ariens a little better.

If they wont budge them I'm going to get the Dirty Hands Tools 22 from Lowes.

 

[Jags]

Just an FYI of another thread in motion. This is the first I have ever seen or heard with this issue, but in the name of full disclosure...
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/log-splitter-beam-question.143963/#post-1942644

 

[Ashful]

Don't forget the 22 ton Huskee at TSC. They'll usually meet the $999 price, if you just ask a floor mgr. Many here own and love that splitter.

 

[chazcarr]

Don't forget the 22 ton Huskee at TSC. They'll usually meet the $999 price, if you just ask a floor mgr. Many here own and love that splitter.

Huh, weird, they do not advertise having Husky splitters at TSC. I only see Country Line and Swisher

 

[TreePointer]

Don't forget the 22 ton Huskee at TSC. They'll usually meet the $999 price, if you just ask a floor mgr. Many here own and love that splitter.

Huh, weird, they do not advertise having Husky splitters at TSC. I only see Country Line and Swisher

TSC's CountyLine splitters are the same Huskee splitters with different paint. They are the same machines all made by SpeeCo.

 

[byQ]

chazcarr,

I was in a similar situation. I had a nice splitter but it was small and could only be used horizontal. It worked fine until I put knotty hardwood rounds in it - then it would stall. I would have to bang the wood out with a sledge. I went to 2 Lowe's stores with a Harbor Freight 20% off coupon.

The first Lowe's manager said no. But the second store manager said he would match that coupon. So $1000 - 20% = $800 + tax for 22 ton DHT. Also, I bought the little cradle (from Dirty Hands) to attach to the side. Ironically, I later learned that on Harbor Freight's log splitter they won't honor their own 20% discount coupon, and you have to pay freight to get it shipped. So I learned it never hurts to try.

 

[Ashful]

TSC's CountyLine splitters are the same Huskee splitters with different paint. They are the same machines all made by SpeeCo.

Actually, the one I bought two years ago at TSC is branded Huskee, and painted red, but it's still a SpeeCo.

Huskee, not Husky.

 

[TreePointer]

Actually, the one I bought two years ago at TSC is branded Huskee, and painted red, but it's still a SpeeCo.

Huskee, not Husky.

That's fits the timeline. TSC's changeover from Huskee to CountyLine started about that time, and there were Huskees in stock to be sold before the newer CountyLine models could be distributed to local stores.

 

[chazcarr]

Well I went to Lowes, HD, and TSC this weekend and all of them were sold out. Except HD had the Ariens but the hydrolic oil cap was missing and it looks used so I didn't take it since no one would discount it for having missing parts and paint chipped off with rust.

I will probably order the DHT now from HD and have it shipped free to store and set up. Let's see how that works out.

 

[ccmac]

Count me as a Honda engine fan. All things being equal on your splitters I think the one with the Honda engine makes it an easy choice for me. I have had too many bad experiences with other engines and too many good experiences with Honda's. I currently have a Briggs on my Brave 22 ton splitter and I have been impressed so far. It uses some oil but I feed it's habit as long as it runs good for me. I will replace it with a Honda when it dies however. Nothing is smoother, and more durable than the Honda's, in my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose and have fun splittin!

 

[Ashful]

I'd put some Subaru Robin engines right up there with Honda, at a few dollars less, model for model. Nothing wrong with Honda, I have owned two, but nothing wrong with Subie, either.

 

[byQ]

chazcarr,
I always here people on here saying a 22 ton log splitter will handle most anything. I have a new DHT 22 ton, and used it for the first time yesterday. The wood I had to split - some dry knotty ash, green red elm & honey locust.

The honey locust was no problem. The red elm slowed the splitter down to very slow several times but eventually powered its way through. The dry knotty ash stalled the splitter twice. Eventually I split all but one piece - the splitter couldn't split this ash piece (the grain was swirling every which way).

It occurred to me that 27-ton (and larger) splitters have their place.

 

[brenndatomu]

Don't know if the DHT rep hangs out here or not, but he(?) does show up quite a bit over on AS and seems to be right on top of any issues that come up. That would be enough to sway my vote right there.
People seems to like the DHTs pretty well, I ran my neighbors DHT a bit, seems decent, at least as good or maybe a bit better than my Champion 23T. He got his at Menards Black Friday sale last year...freakin $699 after rebate!

 

[Jay106n]

I was in the same boat not too long ago. I was debating the DHT 22T or the Ariens 22T. I went with the Ariens 22T and so far i absolutely love it. It kicks butt and is quick enough for me by the time I get a new log its ready to go.

 

[chazcarr]

I was in the same boat not too long ago. I was debating the DHT 22T or the Ariens 22T. I went with the Ariens 22T and so far i absolutely love it. It kicks butt and is quick enough for me by the time I get a new log its ready to go.

That is great, I have looked at the Ariens a few times. Just a few things I am unsure of. How the piston is attached seems like a weak point, where the DHT is attached directly to the beam. Also, the ones for sale at HD have all looked really beaten up.

Did you notice any issues where the wedge is attached? THe link above had me a little worried about that.

 

[Jags]

It occurred to me that 27-ton (and larger) splitters have their place.

Yes. Yes they do.

 

[Jay106n]

That is great, I have looked at the Ariens a few times. Just a few things I am unsure of. How the piston is attached seems like a weak point, where the DHT is attached directly to the beam. Also, the ones for sale at HD have all looked really beaten up.

Did you notice any issues where the wedge is attached? THe link above had me a little worried about that.

I've run about 5 cord through it this season. No issues.