Splitter needed in Westchester

[CTwith3]

I just can't dole out another $300 to rent a splitter for 2 days again with my wife out of work.
I am looking ab Craigslist and what some people are asking for a used splitter is only a couple hundreds less than a new splitter with a warranty. I was hoping Lowes would have splitters on sale by now but they don't- it looks like they are selling out 27 what they've got now that winter is over.
Anyone in Northern Westchester that might consider loan a splitter or guiding me to a really good deal?
What do you guys recommend? I love my Echo 600P you folks guided me to!

 

[TreePointer]

DHT 22-ton for $999 at Lowes is a good value.

Recent discussion on entry level new splitters:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/what-wood-splitter-for-budget-of-1200.154426/#post-2076561

You've discovered the general rule for used splitters--decent ones tend to keep much of their value and they do sell quickly. Well, at least that's how the used marked has been here for a good while.

 

[CTwith3]

I need to split about 5-6 cords a year, is that enough splitter? I thought I saw a discussion where there was a near consensus that 27 tons was the minimum for a more than casual burner.
Thanks.

 

[firefighterjake]

22 ton splitter works quite well for most folks.

 

[greg13]

I just can't dole out another $300 to rent a splitter for 2 days again with my wife out of work.

Check with the rental houses in your area, We have a weekend deal Friday afternoon to Monday morning for a 1 day charge. We are closed Sat & Sun so why let it sit in the warehouse over the weekend not making any money? Also check with them to see if they are going to sell one soon. We just sold an Iron & oak 27 ton for $350 5 yrs old.

 

[woodhog73]

I need to split about 5-6 cords a year, is that enough splitter? I thought I saw a discussion where there was a near consensus that 27 tons was the minimum for a more than casual burner.
Thanks.

I'm shopping for a splitter myself too. Been hand splitting atleast 5 cords and usually more with various mauls and axes. But not getting any younger.

What I'm finding is that a 22 ton is really all you need for 5 to 10 cords a year. Although I haven't bought yet so that's just based on stuff I've read and advice I've gotten from various places including on this site. I think when people are up to 5 cords of splitting each season to stay ahead, that's when a lot of folks buy a splitter.

Now say you were splitting 20 cords a season then I might want something bigger and I would definitely find something with the fastest cycle time. But at 5 cords it looks like most people are fine with 22 ton models.

 

[Rock Crusher]

I have the 22 ton Huskee with the B&S motor and it has not failed to split any piece of northern hardwood I have thrown at it. Locust, maple, oak, hickory, ash, cherry, and even the dreaded elm. Split them all, and actually has a faster cycle time than the Huskee 27 ton due to the same hydraulic pump but with a 1/2" smaller cylinder bore-co-worker was quite upset he spent more but got a slower machine. When splitting the elm it did go down into the high pressure, low volume mode, usually 1 second or less. We split about 8-10 cords per year, he burns about 6 and I burn about 3. As for renting, United Rentals has the one day price for the weekend with the condition it has to be back by 9am or so as previously posted by Greg13. How far from the Bear Mtn. bridge are you? I am about 30 min from there in Orange and might be able to help you out- coaching baseball, work, kids will dictate my availability. LMK

 

[Jags]

Hmmm...just want to clarify one point... Tonnage has little to do with the quantity you are going to split. Tonnage is simply a representation of the "force" the splitter is capable of producing. Not how many strokes it is gonna make in a season.

"What" you will be splitting is a better test to work with when considering tonnage. Spruce and larch from a wooded lot at 14" diameter is a completely different critter than Vintage oaks from a farmers fence line.

 

[byQ]

Nobody told me about tonnage. I ended up with a little splitter with a 3.5 HP Briggs & S.. I split about 100 cords of elm, pine, etc.... before I realized, "hey this is a small tonnage splitter." Oh well, I just kept splitting. The only time it wouldn't split - knotty, dry, town-grown ash. Anything with a relatively straight grain split. The electric splitters might be the best value - but I haven't owned one.

 

[Babaganoosh]

There's a guy on my Facebook feed selling a splitter and smoke dragon for 400. He said it starts first pull. He is in central NJ if anyone is interested.

 

[Babaganoosh]

 

[Babaganoosh]

I hope someone from here is picking this up. He posted more pics and it looks like a good deal for 400.

 

[TreePointer]

If you are concerned how a 22-ton splitter from TSC will handle your wood, take a few sample rounds with you when when you visit. My TSC store will test run the machine for a customer. For the record, I never tried this at Lowes/HD.

 

[StihlKicking]

I need to split about 5-6 cords a year, is that enough splitter? I thought I saw a discussion where there was a near consensus that 27 tons was the minimum for a more than casual burner.
Thanks.

Yes

 

[Grateful11]

Our 22-ton seems to be a plenty powerful enough. If it doesn't split it, it will cut through the knots. Most of the time it's not even running wide-open. Biggest complaint about the TSC 22-ton is the tongue and that thing that's suppose to be a jack, more like a heavy sheetmetal stand. It usually stays hooked up the ball on the garden tractor so no big deal.

In our area sometimes it's worth talking to the store manager and see if they'll discount the price some as it's off season here. Wouldn't hurt to try. They might not want to carry the splitters through the Summer.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I have a dht 27 and I'm always running it at half throttle. I've had to bump it up occasionally for really knotty stuff. I don't think you can go wrong with a 22. I've rarely seen complaints.

I've got the 27 because it was so great price. I'd really like the 28 for the faster cycle time but didn't come across a deal.

 

[Jazzberry]

Ive split maybe 12 medium to large oak trees now with my tsc speeco 22 ton and I have never had a piece it wouldn't split. I also wouldn't trade it for a 27 or 28 ton straight across.

 

[byQ]

I have a 22-ton and I get it stuck sometimes - on knotty dry ash and elm. Sometimes this happens on pieces where the grain changes directions - thus the splitter has to cut through the grain. For example, I'll slide a big round into the vertical splitter and the wedge will get to the wood and stop. If the round is large and the grain isn't straight the splitter's wedge won't have enough force to push through on the round's edge. Accessories can be used.

When I first got the splitter I thought about getting a cradle and a 4-way wedge. I got the cradle (wise choice) but passed on the 4-way. I think a 4-way would only work for me on straight-grained low btu type firewood.

 

[CTwith3]

Waiting for the stars to align to start splitting-aka my kids and I are all home at the same time, elderly relatives aren't in need of me, it isn't raining, and the yard isn't muddy.