I know this has been discussed before and I've read most of them but I have a couple of other questions. I plan on splitting 8-10 cords/year with family and friends borrowing it for another 5-8 cords. 13-18 total.
The options I'm looking at are:
Troy-Bilt at Lowes 27 ton 160cc Honda engine (4.6hp) $1400
Swisher at Lowes 28 ton 10.5 hp B&S engine $1781
Huskee at TSC 28 ton 190cc Honda GC (5.2 hp) engine $1500
Huskee at TSC 34 ton 342cc (15.5 ft-lbs why can't they use the same units? I'm assuming around 11hp?) B&S engine $1800
Used American AM25HH 20 ton? 8 hp B&S engine $1750
Timberwolf at local power equip dealer 20 ton 5.5 hp Honda GX engine (looks like the 200cc model) $2000
They all seem to have two stage pumps, reservoir size varies from 14 (troy-bilt) to 31 quart (huskee).
The American and Timberwolf push into the wedge while the others have the wedge on the ram. Timberwolf sells a 4way option that slides over the wedge. I'm assuming I could find or make one for the American. This appeals to me since there would be less handling time. Can you get a four way option for the others? I also like the fact that they push the wood off the far end instead of dropping it on either side of the splitter.
I would think that the bigger engines would mean it dosen't have to work as hard (but probably burns more gas)
The Timberwolf dealer claims US manufacture better service (rebuildable pump) and better engine GX as opposed to big box version. Plus I can add options like a table and log lifter.
I can swing the more expensive unit but don't want to spend more than I need to, $600 buys a lot of goodies.
I'm killing my self with options. Will the low end units hold up or will I kick myself for not spending extra money? I only want to do this once.
Thanks for any input.
Greg H
The options I'm looking at are:
Troy-Bilt at Lowes 27 ton 160cc Honda engine (4.6hp) $1400
Swisher at Lowes 28 ton 10.5 hp B&S engine $1781
Huskee at TSC 28 ton 190cc Honda GC (5.2 hp) engine $1500
Huskee at TSC 34 ton 342cc (15.5 ft-lbs why can't they use the same units? I'm assuming around 11hp?) B&S engine $1800
Used American AM25HH 20 ton? 8 hp B&S engine $1750
Timberwolf at local power equip dealer 20 ton 5.5 hp Honda GX engine (looks like the 200cc model) $2000
They all seem to have two stage pumps, reservoir size varies from 14 (troy-bilt) to 31 quart (huskee).
The American and Timberwolf push into the wedge while the others have the wedge on the ram. Timberwolf sells a 4way option that slides over the wedge. I'm assuming I could find or make one for the American. This appeals to me since there would be less handling time. Can you get a four way option for the others? I also like the fact that they push the wood off the far end instead of dropping it on either side of the splitter.
I would think that the bigger engines would mean it dosen't have to work as hard (but probably burns more gas)
The Timberwolf dealer claims US manufacture better service (rebuildable pump) and better engine GX as opposed to big box version. Plus I can add options like a table and log lifter.
I can swing the more expensive unit but don't want to spend more than I need to, $600 buys a lot of goodies.
I'm killing my self with options. Will the low end units hold up or will I kick myself for not spending extra money? I only want to do this once.
Thanks for any input.
Greg H