Troy Bilt 27 ton splitter

[archer292]

I've seen this model at Lowes and might have a 20% coupon to use. Honda 160cc, 25" cap, 19 second return, etc and a 2yr warranty. Is anybody familiar with this splitter? Opinions?

 

[Mr.M2]

I was looking at one while at my local store. My concern is that it has been setting outside in the rain for who knows how long. I'm curios if that would effect it. I personally, at the least, cover all of my tools and equipment and don't want to buy something which has been stored at standards less than my own.

It does look like a very durable splitter though.

 

[Gooserider]

I would say that if there is no visible rust on the cylinder, or other major parts not much can go wrong otherwise, splitters are pretty simple and bullet proof. If you can make a good deal, it's probably a good machine. Cycle time that you mention seems a bit slow, and you don't really need 27 tons most of the time (the sweet spot for gas splitters seems to be about 20 ton) but it will certainly do the job. I'd also make sure it is a dual mode operation unit - i.e. Vertical and horizontal... Horizontal is OK, but vertical is better if dealing with really big heavy rounds.

Gooserider

 

[bjkjoseph]

i have that splitter,and when you have it in the vertical position the hydraulic hose is stretched to the max with no spring coils to protect the hoses. and looking at it the hose will break at that point may be its just the one i got.but the next model up i looked at for a lot more money did not have that problem.also my brother in law bought his at home depot at the same time i am not sure of the brand it might have been northern. it had the same Honda engine it was also 27 tons. but the hydraulic lines have the spring coils they are placed in a better position and if i saw that one i would have bought it over the troy built.

 

[archer292]

My local HD doesn't have splitters. I know what you mean about those hoses though. I have rented from HD and the set up on the rental was the same as the troy bilt. I belive it is a return hose but it's still a poor design. I can't purchase just yet anyway. A couple of unforseen bills have come up. I'll be renting again this weekend as I just scored a 3-4 cord load of white oak from craigs list. The whole load is cut in 14-18 inch rounds and has been sitting for the last 6 months. Now is when I could really use the thing too.

 

[archer292]

Found two used 27 ton troy bilt splitters. One was dubbed commercial with a 7 hp briggs and the other had the honda 5.5 hp and didn't say commercial.They were identical as far as pump,cylinder,control valve,etc. Both were the same price. I chose the honda over the briggs.

 

[burnunit]

i also live on li and am in the market for a splitter
can you give me some of the specifics on the other used one you didnt buy
thanks

 

[Jay H]

I have the Troy Build (MTD) 27 ton splitter that I bought from Lowes, it has the Honda GX160 (?) engine on it that has been great, starts very easily and is powerful enough for me to split some of these 36" rounds (~18" deep) that I have, maple, and oaks, mostly. The 19sec cycle time is slow but I typically do splitting solo so I have to move splits and half rounds around and I also sometimes don't need to return the wedge fully to the rest position to split another one. Not sure if that is a bad idea but I haven't read anything bad about that and nothings gone wrong so far. I had some concerned about overheating the fluid or so but no problems so far and depending on what I'm doing, I don't do this all the time, just occasionally. And then of course, once i finish a round, the splitter sits idle while I go grab another round. I never run the splitter at anything other than full engine speed and it doesn't eat gas either.

Jay

 

[archer292]

I don't mind the cycle time either. The only thing different on the model I have than the one at lowes are the coils around the hoses. This unit was sold through a local landscape supply as a commercial unit.

Burnunit I sent a pm.

 

[Jay H]

I saw some of the models with the coils over the hoses... Haven't had a problem with that yet. the cheap plastic fenders over the wheels have gotten hit a couple times but so far, they haven't cracked yet.

What I *almost* did this past weekend when I was finished splitting was when I was returning my splitter to the horizontal position, I almost put the little metal alignment arms on one of the hydraulic fluid hoses EEEKKK, good thing I noticed it was hitting something and stopped and moved the hose. The thing is pretty heavy so usually I put the cylinder on my shoulder and do a squat to use my legs as I split solo so I have to move the ram and cylinder up and down myself. (I could become a powerlifter if I do this enough).

jay

 

[Jay H]

I found out this weekend when splitting some of the rounds, since I do my splitting solo, some of these huge 36" rounds are quite heavy, I can't really lift some of them up to get onto the plate without use of a peavey so many times I will roll the log and then flip it down and hit the plate with the round. However I've noticed that those log holder things on the side of the I beam are kind of flimsy, I sheared off 2 of the bolts that hold the cradles there. So, my recommendation to others who have this and only use this in the vertical position, to simply remove them as they are really unneeded other than protecting the fenders/wheel from the split rounds on occasion. I am going to take mine off since the size of my logs, I can only split in the vertical position. I should be able to back out the broken half of the bolt and replace it if I ever need to, that's not a problem.

Jay