TSC, DHT or Ariens 22T?
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A lot of it's preference at this price range. The DHT unit has a better cylinder mounting IMO but I like the Subaru engine on the Ariens. The biggest issue with the DHT units has been the quality of the assembly at the place of purchase. I haven't seen too many complaints with the Ariens but recently someone had a failure that was related to the wedge.
What kind of volume of wood do you plan on splitting? What type?
What kind of volume of wood do you plan on splitting? What type?
Probably 5 cords a year.. mostly ash, pine, some oak, whatever I can scrounge. Going to try to keep my length at 16", variable girth 
.. I just got my 10% off for TSC, and I can get 10% military discount at Lowes or HD.. The TSC seems the beefyest, the DHT seemed a little rickety, and I haven't seen the Ariens yet as I have to drive about 30 mins in a direction I rarely go..
.. I just got my 10% off for TSC, and I can get 10% military discount at Lowes or HD.. The TSC seems the beefyest, the DHT seemed a little rickety, and I haven't seen the Ariens yet as I have to drive about 30 mins in a direction I rarely go..
bassJAM
Feeling the Heat
I think any of the 3 are pretty good. My original choice was the Ariens, mostly because of the Subaru. But I like the overall design of the other 2 better. I've also seen a few recent issues come up with the Ariens, but it's always taken care of by the company.
In the end I went with the DHT when it went on sale at Lowes for $989. There was definitely some issues with assembly as I had some leaky hoses that needed tightened, but so far I'm happy with it. What really sold me was the presence DHT has on arboristsite. They seem to really care what we think of their products and have been pretty involved taking suggestions to make their splitters better.
In the end I went with the DHT when it went on sale at Lowes for $989. There was definitely some issues with assembly as I had some leaky hoses that needed tightened, but so far I'm happy with it. What really sold me was the presence DHT has on arboristsite. They seem to really care what we think of their products and have been pretty involved taking suggestions to make their splitters better.
When I was looking, the ariens just didn't seem to be worth $500 more than the tsc, I didn't look at the DHT, I have been pleased with the tsc 22t it has done everything i have asked of it.
If it were me I think I would do the DHT simply because their support people seem to be pretty on the ball overall. I'm not sure about the TSC versus DHT since I haven't compared the two. I personally have a Brave from the local Big R here which I purchased last year so I can't speak to owning the ones you are looking at.
I do know that the responses on Arboristsite for the DHT units have been good but a lot of people over there also swear by the Huskee unit as well. Do you happen to know what engine was on both units?
*Edit* it looks like they both have the same 196cc Kohler engine. The DHT does have a 13GPM pump instead of a 11GPM pump which translates into a ~2 second faster cycle time. If it were me I'd get a 10% off coupon and go the DHT route.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_594051-7408...tter&pl=1¤tURL=?Ntt=splitter&facetInfo=
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/huskeereg;-22-ton-log-splitter-carb-compliant
I do know that the responses on Arboristsite for the DHT units have been good but a lot of people over there also swear by the Huskee unit as well. Do you happen to know what engine was on both units?
*Edit* it looks like they both have the same 196cc Kohler engine. The DHT does have a 13GPM pump instead of a 11GPM pump which translates into a ~2 second faster cycle time. If it were me I'd get a 10% off coupon and go the DHT route.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_594051-7408...tter&pl=1¤tURL=?Ntt=splitter&facetInfo=
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/huskeereg;-22-ton-log-splitter-carb-compliant
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Badger
Burning Hunk
I have the DHT that I purchased on sale. Because I got such a good price for the 27 ton ($800) I'm not completely upset. With that said I've had the follow issues on a new unit.
1) engine recoil occasionally gets hung up and I need to disassemble to fix.
2) engine runs lean. Need to have choke half out to keep it from surging. I'm guessing I'll have to go through the carb this winter.
3) oil leaks from three fittings that were factory tightened.
4) The love joy connection that couples the engine and hydraulic pump together came apart. I contacted their customer service on this and they helped me out and sent the part to my attention asap.
Again, due to the price I paid... I'm not completely upset. However, if I had to pay equal price I'd be going to tsc.
1) engine recoil occasionally gets hung up and I need to disassemble to fix.
2) engine runs lean. Need to have choke half out to keep it from surging. I'm guessing I'll have to go through the carb this winter.
3) oil leaks from three fittings that were factory tightened.
4) The love joy connection that couples the engine and hydraulic pump together came apart. I contacted their customer service on this and they helped me out and sent the part to my attention asap.
Again, due to the price I paid... I'm not completely upset. However, if I had to pay equal price I'd be going to tsc.
I have the Ariens 27 ton for a bit over 2 years. Bought it at Home Depot. No problems. Leak in control valve fixed locally under warranty in 1 weeks time, no problems since. Starts easy, sips gas (Sabaru engine) and made in Wisconsin, USA.
fireview2788
Minister of Fire
I have a 25 year old TSC, 22 ton splitter and it's still rocking on.
BTW, nice can in the profile pic. Don't see many on them in SW Ohio.
fv
BTW, nice can in the profile pic. Don't see many on them in SW Ohio.
fv
Thanks, yeah I lucked out.. actually got 2 cans last year in late season on Cowan. Still waiting on this one to get back from the taxidermist. Hoping for a nice pintail this year..
Hoping to get to Lebanon this weekend to check out the Ariens.. if deer hunting doesn't de-rail me...
Hoping to get to Lebanon this weekend to check out the Ariens.. if deer hunting doesn't de-rail me...
BTW, I wear gloves while splitting, but about a week ago I had a couple of extra rounds I wanted to split, so I yanked (it started right up) and split and then shut it off. Then I went to wipe the dust off of the beam and that son-of-a-gun sliced my finger real good. I don't know if the constant wedge against the beam sharpens that corner, or if it's just something from manufacturing that I never noticed. I wholly intend to take a bastard file to the length of both face edges on that beam, though.
Filled it up with gas and a little stabil, gave it a few short and slow strokes to feel where the compression was.. gave a yank.. and started on first pull.. easy to use, can use on left or right side.. Only split a few pieces of silver maple and ash, but it didn't hesitate.. got a feeling I'm going to love this thing.. had to get the dogs to their yearly vet visit, and my yearly raping, or would have split some more.. need to check the hydro fluid to see if the level dropped any, but the ram and filter were only luke warm, so I don't think there are any problems.. and no leaky fittings. Seems these come mostly assembled from Wisconsin.. not pieces parts from China..
TCS periodically has their splitter on sale for $900.00. I'd wait for it, then buy it.
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