Splitter Recomendation - Huskee/Speeco

[fabsroman]

Thinking about buying a new hydraulic splitter. Have been sharing my dad's, but it is a pain to drive the 30 minutes each way every time I need it. Plus, it is 15 years old and it will be nice to have a backup should that one break like it did last summer.

Anyway, I am thinking about going with the Speeco vertical/horizontal 35 ton Honda powered splitter for around $2,200. The cycle time is 15 seconds on it. Have no idea what the cycle rate is on the MTD Yard Machine 20 ton splitter my dad bought 15 years ago.

Would I be better off getting the 28 ton with a 13 second cycle time? Will I really notice the 2 second difference in cycle time? Most of the time I have been splitting with my dad. Would say about 75% of the time.

Should I be looking at a splitter brand other than Huskee/Speeco?

Am also thinking about a kinetic splitter, but hate thinking about having to lift the logs onto the splitter. Maybe just take them off the truck and onto the splitter somehow.

 

[Jags]

For $2200 I would be looking at Iron and Oak, not speeco/husky. I have nothing against them but the I & O is a higher quality machine. And for the record, there isn't much that a 20/22/24 ton unit won't bust up.

 

[swagler85]

I have a 22 huskee that I have split 40 inch rounds of very knotty pin oak with. Those have a 2 stage pump and work well. Having said that if you are going to spend $220 I would agree with Jags and go with a better splitter.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I have an MTD that is over 20 years old. It is a 20 ton with a 5hp B&S engine. Trouble free so far and it has split a lot of wood for sure, over 200 cord.

On the cycle time, most times that is not a factor. When one learns the proper way to use the splitter it does not take long to cycle because you simply will not use the entire cycle on most wood splitting. For example, on white ash, most of the time the ram, or wedge, moves less than a foot. I'll let it raise until it gets just a few inches over top of where the next log will be so when I start the split it is just a second or so before the wedge is into the wood. Ash splits easy so many times 2-3 inches is able the furthest into the log we have to go. Sometimes I will let the wedge go all the way back up but not often.

As far as power, the 20 or 22 ton should split all you need. It is just that most consumers have the attitude that bigger is better, so the makers of splitters respond and make bigger machines all the time. But if you want a good splitter without paying out the big dollars... I've never been sorry for buying our $800 splitter.

 

[TreePointer]

I like my Huskee (SpeeCo) 35-ton model, but I got it a few years ago with a 10% off coupon at TSC and before the price jump (paid less than $1500). It was a great value at that price. Now it's closer to $2K, so I'd probably get an I&O or Brave today if I were in the market for a vertical/horizontal splitter.

Within that $2200 budget, I'd be tempted to pull the trigger on an I&O fast cycle model (delivered to your door).

 

[amateur cutter]

I'm with Dennis on the 22 ton machines. Have used one quite a bit, & it split everything we threw at it. I just bought a 27 ton Troy Built through a friend at Lowes. I got a really nice deal, on what appears to be a good machine. It's been raining/miserable here since I got it, so I've only split maybe 1/2 a cord, but I'm real happy so far. I would not go back to a horizontal only splitter unless it had a log lift. I can work longer & be less fatigued with the vertical option than I ever could lifting the 20" plus rounds all day long. Cycle time is as much the operator as machine. I got the 27 ton because that was the best overall deal between price & quality. Remember, the milk crate is your friend. A C

 

[Butcher]

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I'm happy with my 22 ton husky but I wunder what 1 of these costs?

 

[lukem]

No need to spend $2200. It you have $2200 to get rid of buy a huskee 22 ton and a MS460...and a couple cases of beer.

 

[MnDave]

I am thinking about going with the Speeco vertical/horizontal 35 ton Honda powered splitter for around $2,200.

Sounds like an awesome machine.

I bought the 22 ton Speedco/Huskee (whatever) with a 6.5 hp B&S for $1k from TSC.

I saved $100 because I got a TSC credit card.
Interesting story goes with it.
I went in on a Friday and told them I would sign up for a credit card and buy their splitter. I needed to wait a few days for CC approval. They put a sold sign on the splitter. I called on Monday to tell them that my credit was approved and that I was ready to take deliver. They said,"But you already picked up your splitter!?."

Turns out some guy came in and said," I am here to pick up my splitter". Since it had a sold sign on it some "new guy" let it go out the door without checking paper work.

Inside job? Hard to believe they do business that way.

MnDave

 

[MasterMech]

I will say that cycle time matters especially if you split with a 2 man crew and not all your wood separates as nice as white ash.

$2200 would definitely have me looking at Iron & Oak machines.

There are 3 to consider in this case, IMO.

BHVH2209 - 22 ton, 12 second cycle (keeps the price down a bit and is a real capable machine regardless)
BHVH2609 - 26 ton, 12 second cycle
BHVH2209FC - 22 ton, 8 second cycle

I will say I am very pleased with the productivity of my 12 second machine but have to wonder if I shouldn't have gone with the 8 second ride instead. I just toss another knotty round on the machine and remind myself to be happy with the sweet compromise between speed and power my machine offers.

Iron & Oak is rather unique as they give multiple engine options (3 or 4) for each machine. This is my opinion, but the Robin Subaru motors are the best engines for the money. Of course they offer Honda GX powered machines but expect to pay a couple hundred more for that engine. I have two EX27 Robin Subaru engines (9hp) and have not wished for a Handa GX yet.

Really like this guy's setup with the 33flame table.

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[bogydave]

Nothing wrong with the 35 ton Huskee. It'll split anything you put on it..
Like my 22 ton Speeco. Split everything for me so far. Mostly vertical.
It's for splitting fire wood,

 

[fabsroman]

No need to spend $2200. It you have $2200 to get rid of buy a huskee 22 ton and a MS460...and a couple cases of beer.

Yeah, no need for a MS460 either, since I already have a MS261 and MS660 (see signature). Don't drink alcohol either. However, the saved money could be used on some new cycling gear or a new AR-15 upper. I am going to have to think about this some more and look into the Iron & Oak splitters.

 

[fabsroman]

I have an MTD that is over 20 years old. It is a 20 ton with a 5hp B&S engine. Trouble free so far and it has split a lot of wood for sure, over 200 cord.

On the cycle time, most times that is not a factor. When one learns the proper way to use the splitter it does not take long to cycle because you simply will not use the entire cycle on most wood splitting. For example, on white ash, most of the time the ram, or wedge, moves less than a foot. I'll let it raise until it gets just a few inches over top of where the next log will be so when I start the split it is just a second or so before the wedge is into the wood. Ash splits easy so many times 2-3 inches is able the furthest into the log we have to go. Sometimes I will let the wedge go all the way back up but not often.

As far as power, the 20 or 22 ton should split all you need. It is just that most consumers have the attitude that bigger is better, so the makers of splitters respond and make bigger machines all the time. But if you want a good splitter without paying out the big dollars... I've never been sorry for buying our $800 splitter.

Yep, Dad's 15 year old splitter is an MTD Yard Machine 20 ton splitter and I would have to guess that it has split about 100 cord so far. Thing is, he is pretty rough on his maintenance too. Don't think the fluid has ever been changed and the filter was just changed this past spring because it had a leak in it. Had to replace the starter cord last summer and that screwed up two days of splitting time at a site. Me, I tend to take care of my stuff rather meticulously. Going to have to do some more research on this before I buy anything. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy decision.

 

[Jags]

Brave deserves a look too.

 

[fabsroman]

Alright, reason is starting to prevail over "manliness". Figure there hasn't been a single piece of wood over the last 15 years that the 20 ton splitter has not been able to split. So, probably going to go with something in the 20 to 25 ton range.

Have looked over Iron & Oak and Brave splitters and am trying to see where the difference in price is justified. The only one that I might be able to understand is the Iron & Oak 20 ton fast cycle splitter at around $2,500. Otherwise, the tonage and cycle rate seem to be almost identical between the Speeco models and the Iron & Oak and Brave models. For around $1,400, I can get the Speeco 22 ton splitter with a Honda GC190 engine. In the 28 ton version, I can get the splitter with a Honda GX240 for $2,100. The same tonnage and cycle time in Brave or Iron & Oak is several hundred dollars more. So, my question is, what am I getting for those several hundred dollars? The stats look the same. The engines are the same. Can the beam, pump, and hoses really justify the additional expense? What am I missing?

Biggest question right now is going to be 22/25 ton with the Honda GC190 or 28/35 ton with the Honda GX240? Looks like the engine is the biggest difference in price. Going from the 22 to 25 ton is only $100, and it is the same going from the 28 to 35 ton. However, going from the 25 ton to 28 ton is a $600 jump. Anybody know anything about these Honda motors? Is one more reliable than the other?

On a side note, probably only looking at splitting 5 to 10 cord a year.

 

[Jags]

The Braves and I & O are more of a commercial duty splitter. Yes, they are more heavily built. Does this make the splits burn better or look prettier? No. At 5-10 cord per year the 22 ton speeco will be a reliable splitter for years. The GX series honda is the commercial motor. The GC is homeowner.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

Have you looked into one of these?
http://timberwolfcorp.com/
Just to confuse you more.

 

[fabsroman]

Have you looked into one of these?
http://timberwolfcorp.com/
Just to confuse you more.

Thanks for the link. That was rather useful and now I am leaning toward Timber Wolf. More expensive, but I like the idea of a log lift and the 4 way wedge. My hang up with the horizontal splitters is having to get 2+ foot rounds up on them. The manual log lift looks like it would work just fine. Roll the round to the splitter, use the manual lift, and split. Now, debating between the TW-1 and the TW-2. My wife might kill me though if I spend $3,500 on a splitter. So, leaning more toward the TW-1 wth the log lift and 4 way wedge.

Again, thanks for the link.

 

[Jags]

Timberwolf is a very respected name for splitters.

 

[TreePointer]

If you go with a SpeeCo 25-ton, get the one with 12s cycle time and not the 17s model.

 

[mywaynow]

Honda GX is a better engine than the GC. Honda engines are strong either way. My 28 Huskee has been plenty of splitter for anything I throw at it. The GC engine starts second pull every time. Hit the TSC and you can get the 28 version for 1500 with a little creative BSing.

 

[Gasifier]

Honda GX is a better engine than the GC. Honda engines are strong either way. My 28 Huskee has been plenty of splitter for anything I throw at it. The GC engine starts second pull every time. Hit the TSC and you can get the 28 version for 1500 with a little creative BSing.

No. myway. Say it ain't so. You. Creative BSing! No.

 

[Gasifier]

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I'm happy with my 22 ton husky but I wunder what 1 of these costs?

Butcher. Thanks for that link. That splitter is..... WOW! Did you find out how much they cost yet? I bet they are a little scary in price. Oh. Hey. Thanks for the music as well. Did you put that in there or was that already in the video? Good music.

 

[fabsroman]

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I'm happy with my 22 ton husky but I wunder what 1 of these costs?

Entry level, non pto splitter, is $9,500 and the one in the video is $11,500. Would have to make firewood a second job to justify that expenditure. Maybe if/when I finally get a farm with a decent amount of wooded acreage. Really nice splitter though.

 

[MasterMech]

$9500 is a bit steep for a splitter that is picky about what you put through it. I think I like the multi-wedge designs that are powered by massive (5"+) cylinders and BFP's (Big "Fancy" Pump) much better than the box wedge.