Huskee 22 ton gas tank

[Shipper50]

I have been using my Huskee 22 ton splitter here lately and wondered if anyone that has one finds it has a small gas tank? I seem to only be able to split about 45 mins to an hour and I run out of gas. I run my splitter full throttle all the time.

Shipper

 

[Rich M]

I agree, it is a small tank and the pre-set throttle makes it seem thirsty. I'd be interested if the throttle can be modded.

My trailer holds 1/2 cord and that is the same amount I can split on one tank. It is also the amount that I can cut on one tank of saw gas so it actually works out ok for me. Helps me keep track of volume and gives me a break right when I need one (I work solo).

 

[Shipper50]

Thanks for the reply Rich, my buddy just bought the Huskee 27-28 ton as he says his says 28 ton on it and it has a Honda engine and I am not sure of the horse power, but he said he did 4 loads with one tank of gas. I think that is around 1.5 cords. He was shocked as he has run mine and we both thought my 22 ton drank gas.

Shipper

 

[glacialhills]

I just recently got the 22 ton husky also and was surprised how small the tank was. It is kind of a pain having to bring an extra can of gas to refill the splitter over and over.I was also surprised that the throttle does not self adjust to load like my gen set does. I ended up just running at about half throttle and reaching over and bumping it up if I ran into a stubborn piece that needed more power. I was wondered if that was proper or if it must be run at full throttle 100% of the time. I think I save gas(and hearing and lungs from fumes) by running at half but don't want to hurt the splitter motor splitting wood at only half throttle. Its a Briggs. anyone know? Also does anyone know if there is an easy way to get the throttle to self adjust to load? More than half the time when its running, you are not splitting/needing full power and it just needs to be idling while you pick up or load splits so why should it be at full throttle all the time?

 

[Shipper50]

I just recently got the 22 ton husky also and was surprised how small the tank was. It is kind of a pain having to bring an extra can of gas to refill the splitter over and over.I was also surprised that the throttle does not self adjust to load like my gen set does. I ended up just running at about half throttle and reaching over and bumping it up if I ran into a stubborn piece that needed more power. I was wondered if that was proper or if it must be run at full throttle 100% of the time. I think I save gas(and hearing and lungs from fumes) by running at half but don't want to hurt the splitter motor splitting wood at only half throttle. Its a Briggs. anyone know? Also does anyone know if there is an easy way to get the throttle to self adjust to load? More than half the time when its running, you are not splitting/needing full power and it just needs to be idling while you pick up or load splits so why should it be at full throttle all the time?

Yes I agree you have to have a gas can with you if your going to do any spliting at all. I tried to run mine today at half and its too slow. I find if your going to split, your going to have to run it at full throttle.

I do have the table on mine I have talked about from ebay and I can put 3-4 pieces on it at a time and save time by not having to reach down to the ground and pick up the next split.

I wear head phones when I run my at all times. I worked in the steel mills for 30 years and have found I wish I would have worn them all the time when working around noise. I even make my lady wear them when she helps me.

Hope someone that knows engines can tell us why it eats gas.

Shipper

 

[Redox]

Unless Briggs is doing something wierd, it's supposed to have a governor. This is usually an internal counterweight or an external sail that is acted on by the air coming off the flywheel and connected directly to the throttle butterfly. The "throttle" will just add tension to a spring to pull on this mechanism to adjust the speed. Most small engines are set for 3600 RPM at WOT, but can be adjusted down. There's nothing wrong with slowing it down some as long as it doesn't lug the motor or stall on a big split. Knocking it back a little should save you some gas.

Hondas do seem to use a lot less fuel. Maybe they know how to build a better engine???

Chris

 

[N/A N/A]

I am along with you guys, mine seams to drink the gas to. I am not real impressed with the Briggs engine the more I use it. Got mine out today to use before all the rain came and noticed I got some kind of oil issue going on. Its been about a month since I used it last. When I started it up it filled about a quarter acre of my yard with blue smoke. It smoked for about a min and a half. Then I noticed that it spit about four to five table spoons of oil out on the ground and side of the frame from the muffler. Not sure what this is all about??? I checked the oil before I started it up and it was fine. After it stopped smoking I shut it down, let it sit about five min and checked the oil again. It was fine after that. Any ideas?

 

[savageactor7]

Just take out and inspect the air filter to see if it was clogged with dust...Briggs engines are mostly bullet proof but the blue smoke you describe doesn't sound good esp if it were to happen the next time you fired it up.

 

[tkirk22]

I borrowed a 32(?) Ton Huskee with a 11hp(?) Briggs. It went through fuel at a speedy rate.

I'd be curious to hear from more Honda owners about fuel useage.

 

[JustWood]

I'm not fond of Briggs, although they are bullet proof. My bad experience with them has been starting issues which after some discovery was remedied by throttling down to idle for a few minutes before shut down. All 3 that I have owned have had this problem. I sent them down the road and replaced with Hondas. My welder/generator really drinks the fuel when welding but during a power outage I can get 6-7 hour run time on 1.5 gallon tank. My trash pump and pressure washer run on little to no fuel.
1st pull starting on the Hondas is great and the service right here in town is top notch too.
Not nocking a Briggs, just like Hondas better.

 

[cbrodsky]

This is disappointing to hear as I was thinking about going for one of the 22 ton units next time I find a 10% coupon. I would find it VERY annoying to fill the tank that often - 45 minute runtime is a deal breaker. The rental splitters I've used would go all day on a tank of fuel. Has anyone fixed this with a drop-in replacement tank, or any other simple/cheap solution?

I'm torn between the $1000-$1100 it would cost for the 22 ton vs. $800 for a smaller ~8-10 ton gas unit at HD that I could pay for using gift cards from my credit card points I've accumulated. I don't have another great use for those points, so would be sort of "free" and I have no doubt it would do the job just fine. I can't remember, however, if it has a tow mount - road tires aren't critical, but I need to be able to pull it around our property.

I wish I could use my points for a Lowes gift card and get the MTD/troy-built they sell for ~$1300 w/honda engine. That is a nice looking unit, and seems to be built very well. HD just had the small model and then a $1700 MTD/cub cadet that was overkill.

-Colin

 

[aussieblake]

Cash in your HD points for gift cards, resell them for 90%-95% of their value (on Craigslist or Ebay). Get on Ebay and purchase a 10% off coupon for Lowes, roughly $3 each and these are legit one time use at Lowes (FYI HD will honor them). Yes it migt cost you a little out of pocket. Just a thought.

I looked at the smaller HD unit in the spring, and passed because I wanted a regular size gas splitter. I have not used my Huskee yet but the gas tank may get annoying but would not be a deal breaker for me. I would also check with the local Briggs and Stratton repair shop for larger tank option, might be fairly inexpensive.

FYI, you may not have to wait for a TSC coupon, I asked the local manager if they would give me the discount and they did. It does not hurt to ask. Same for Lowes and HD, tell them if they do you will purchase it now.

aussieblake

 

[cbrodsky]

Cash in your HD points for gift cards, resell them for 90%-95% of their value (on Craigslist or Ebay). Get on Ebay and purchase a 10% off coupon for Lowes, roughly $3 each and these are legit one time use at Lowes (FYI HD will honor them). Yes it migt cost you a little out of pocket. Just a thought.

I looked at the smaller HD unit in the spring, and passed because I wanted a regular size gas splitter. I have not used my Huskee yet but the gas tank may get annoying but would not be a deal breaker for me. I would also check with the local Briggs and Stratton repair shop for larger tank option, might be fairly inexpensive.

FYI, you may not have to wait for a TSC coupon, I asked the local manager if they would give me the discount and they did. It does not hurt to ask. Same for Lowes and HD, tell them if they do you will purchase it now.

aussieblake

interesting thought... I'll have to see what they're going for. I thought people got skeptical of those because most people selling them acquire them from shoplifted goods returned without a receipt.

I also assumed I can get 10% on any of the big box stores by visiting the post office or e-bay

I had originally intended to take the points back in gas cards which are about as useful as cash, except we don't have the stations they offer them for these days :-(

 

[Shipper50]

I am the original poster and feel the Huskee 22 ton splitter is the best for the money out there. I keep a small gas can near my splitter to make up for the splitter having a small tank. I did find a piece of wood it had trouble splitting, but only one species of wood and it did split it.

My suggestion with getting a Huskee from TSC is ask the salesman if he can do anything on the price up front. I did with mine and the guy said he had a coupon in his pocket that would take off 10%. I got mine out the door for less than $900 in Indiana last year.

Shipper

 

[Rich M]

I agree Shipper, I still think it's the best value out there. I got 10% off because mine was a demo (split about 10 pieces).

I did a cord of birch today and I don't think it really uses too much fuel, the small tank just makes it seem like it does. In fact I think compared to a larger motor it's actually more economical. My 9hp snow blower is pre-set WOT too but it has an enormous tank and uses a lot more fuel.

I like the Briggs 6.5 it's light, reliable, fairly quiet (I still wear hearing protection) and easy starting. Started on one light pull today after being in storage for 9 months. I did 12 cord of white oak with it last year.

There are lots of horror stories about other brands but very few about Huskee/Speeco. Mine has never leaked a drop or run into anything it couldn't plow through.

 

[CK-1]

The gas issue isn't a problem for me. I have a gas can handy if I'm splitting wood or cutting grass. I don't split five trees in one day either. Its still the best value for the buck..

 

[N/A N/A]

Its also a good excuse to take a five min break every hour or so as well....

 

[burntime]

Firefighter, if you tip the splitter down a little to tow like with a tractor a little oil goes to the wrong spot and hence the smoke, it should clear right up. I have been towing mine back and forth for about 2 years and have added about a quarter or less of a quart to it. I run mobil 1 also to aid in cold weather starts. Hopefully this helps.

 

[N/A N/A]

Thanks burntime I will keep that in mind. I have not had any more issues with it so I will keep my fingers crossed.