Which of these 2 splitters?

[rudysmallfry]

I've got it down to the Countyline 25 ton or the Dirty Hands 22 ton which is currently on sale for $999. Countyline has more power, but the Dirty Hands comes with the catcher. Looks like they are both the Kohler engine. Looks like they both do the job in about 11 seconds per split and have the vertical option.

I only split about a cord or two a year, but I'm getting a lot of stuff I just can't get through by hand and renting is not cheap. I do have to wheel this down (and back up) a slight incline to get to where the wood is, so I need to take weight into account. I was able to pull an Ariens 22 ton up today, but just barely. Most of the rounds I have are under 24" diameter, so I should be good with either one for size.

Any others I should be looking at? I'm trying to stay under $1,000.

 

[Medic21]

I bought a 25 ton from rural king. I believe it is a speeco knock off as is the dirty hand tools brand.

What motors are on them?

I looked at a 30 ton also but in order to get that it was slow. If all your doing is a half cord I’d look used also.

 

[rudysmallfry]

I thought about going used, but I'm weary of buying somebody else's problem. The only reason I'm looking is, I waited over a month to borrow a splitter only to finally get it and it doesn't run. I then plunked down $100 rent one only to get it home with the same result. It boggles the mind that people buy stuff so expensive and don't take care of them. I was looking at maybe getting a cheaper compact unit, but I'm concerned it would be overfaced with the bigger knotty stuff.

I'm not good with engines. Looks like the Countyline is Kohler 6.5HP with 16qt hydraulic capacity. The Dirty Hand Tools is 9.5HP with 8gal hydraulic capacity. Are those as night and day as they sound??

 

[Dobish]

i love my dht 22.

 

[Medic21]

I thought about going used, but I'm weary of buying somebody else's problem. The only reason I'm looking is, I waited over a month to borrow a splitter only to finally get it and it doesn't run. I then plunked down $100 rent one only to get it home with the same result. It boggles the mind that people buy stuff so expensive and don't take care of them. I was looking at maybe getting a cheaper compact unit, but I'm concerned it would be overfaced with the bigger knotty stuff.

I'm not good with engines. Looks like the Countyline is Kohler 6.5HP with 16qt hydraulic capacity. The Dirty Hand Tools is 9.5HP with 8gal hydraulic capacity. Are those as night and day as they sound??

Hydraulics are a different animal. Two stage pumps make that 22ton unit do things a 20 year old single stage 30 ton or bigger would struggle with and it will do it faster. Two stage pumps do run slower when they go into that second stage though but generally cycle faster with no load. GPMs of the pump will effect your performance more than hp of the motor. Higher gpm the faster the no load travel will be. I went with a mid sized unit after trying them out because it was 4 or 5 seconds faster cycling and in a 8-10 hour day that adds up.

Hydraulic capacity is another thing. 8 gallons vs 4 gallons is a huge difference. The larger capacity will run cooler and heat is bad on O-rings and seals, the most common failures next to hoses. My splitter gets so hot on summer days you can’t touch metal parts in the hydraulics without gloves.

Both those units will give you years of use if maintained properly.

 

[Ashful]

Can post the specs on both? There’s no magic to be had, here. It comes down to the specs and ergonomics.

1. Cylinder bore size
2. Pump GPM (or make/model)
3. Pump rated pressure (or make/model)
4. Engine displacement (cc’s)

Given the same 11 GPM and 16 GPM pumps that all of these units use, I’m not sure how you’d get 25 tons at 11 seconds cycle time, it looks suspiciously like underhanded specmanship.

4” bore at 3500 psi would be 22 tons
5” bore at 3500 psi would be 34 tons

There are 4.5” cylinders, but they’re uncommon. There are also pumps that bypass below 3500 psi, but also less common.

Most cylinders are 24” stroke, and most pumps are rated at 3000 rpm, so:

4” at 11 GPM would be 14.25 seconds at 3000 rpm
4” at 16 GPM would be 9.81 seconds at 3000 rpm
5” at 11 GPM would be 22.27 seconds at 3000 rpm
5” at 16 GPM would be 15.32 seconds at 3000 rpm

My 4” TSC log splitter (Huskee, predecessor of CountyLine) was rated 11 seconds. They did this by spinning the pump beyond rated speed (I never tach’d it, but the old motor was rated 3600 rpm), so that pump rated 14.25 seconds could cycle the cylinder 20% faster = 11.88 seconds. They somehow call that 11, not 12... specmanship.

 

[rudysmallfry]

Well this is bizarre. I can no longer find the DHT splitter listed on the website. I did find a new candidate, the Champion. Specs on both are below.

County Line Specs

Specs:
196 cc* Kohler Engine (* as rated by engine manufacturer)
25-ton splitting force**
11.5 second cycle time**
Vertical and horizontal operation
Auto-return valve
Two-stage 14 Gallon Per Minute pump
DOT-approved 4.8 in. x 8 in. wheels
Built-in log cradle holds logs up to 24-1/2 in. length
20 qt. hydraulic reservoir capacity
Warranty: 5-year residential/3-year commercial warranty on beam; 3-year material and workmanship; 2-year engine; 1-year hydraulics


Champion

Specification Description
Pump GPM: 11 GPM
Maximum Log Length: 23-13/16 in.
Fuel Capacity: 0.9 gal.
Splitting Force: 25 Tons
Product Type: Log Splitters
Hydraulic Capacity: 20 qt.
Positioning: Horizontal/Vertical
Engine Make: Champion
Product Length: 89-5/16 in.
Type: Hydraulic
Warranty: 2-Year Limited
Tire Size: 16 in.
Engine Displacement: 224 cc
Cycle Time: 12 sec.
Product Height: 44-11/16 in.
Power Type: Gas
CARB Compliant: Yes
Maximum Log Diameter: Any
Product Width: 42-7/8 in.
Brand: Champion Power Equipment
Maximum PSI: 3900 PSI
Product Weight: 429.9 lb.

 

[rox3406]

I have the champion. Love it fast quiet and unstoppable. Bout 2 years now no issues.

 

[Ashful]

Got the cylinder size on that CountyLine unit? I’m not sure how they’re getting 25 tons off a 14 GPM pump on a motor that small, but it might be possible. Kohler used to make some of the best small engines on earth (eg K301), but I know nothing about their modern engines.

One note on that pump, it’s not a common size. Not that we have many two-stage pump failures around here, but after market replacements are 11 and 16 GPM. The 11 is slower, and your motor isn’t big enough to turn a 16 GPM pump at any reasonable pressure. So, they may have just found a new sweet spot for that little 196cc motor, in that 14 GPM pump.

The 11 GPM works on the Champion, because it only has a 4 inch cylinder. Note, Champion is one of the few honest about their cycle time, here. Spinning an 11 GPM pump at 3600 rpm on a 4 inch cylinder will give you something just a few milliseconds shy of 12 seconds, but Speeco/TSC/Huskee badged mine 11 seconds. I harp on this, because cycle time is the most important single factor in a splitter, IMO. Any splitting force beyond 22 tons is a total waste of cost and machine weight, for my needs, I want speed when I’m trying to plow thru cordage.

One final note, if you go CountyLine, and want to swap that pump in the future, I can show you how to get 8-9 seconds out of that machine. Bigger pump, bigger motor, and bigger hoses is all it takes. Unfortunately, the next leap to 6 seconds would take new ports in the tank and a custom cylinder, so I stopped in the 8 second range.

 

[rudysmallfry]

On the Countyline, all is says for the cylinder is 4" cylinder with 24" stroke.

 

[Ashful]

On the Countyline, all is says for the cylinder is 4" cylinder with 24" stroke.

Well, that tells us all we need to know about the honesty of their specs. There’s no way to meet their performance spec’s with that set of hardware. Even ignoring system losses, it would require 3981 PSI to develop 25 tons force with a 4 inch cylinder, yet most components in that system are likely only rated 2500 - 3000 psi. Also, you have to wonder what the step-down GPM is, to allow a 196cc motor to generate close to 4000 PSI. I call bullshit on the whole thing.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad splitter, or even worse than the Champion, but there is no way they’re meeting all of those spec’s with that hardware. I suspect that’s what all the asterisks are about, in their spec.

I have a Huskee, which is TSC’s brand Speeco splitter, likely almost identical to that CountyLine unit. It gets the job done, but I can tell you it does not meet the spec’s TSC put on it, particularly on cycle time. It looks like they are just pushing the BS a step farther, in the specs on this newer unit.

 

[rudysmallfry]

Honestly, all I care about is, if the thing runs well, splits the wood and doesn't break down a lot. If wood splitters require lots of engine knowledge, they are definitely not a good fit for me. I'm good at checking my fluids, but fixing isn't my thing.

 

[Ashful]

Honestly, all I care about is, if the thing runs well, splits the wood and doesn't break down a lot. If wood splitters require lots of engine knowledge, they are definitely not a good fit for me. I'm good at checking my fluids, but fixing isn't my thing.

“A lot”? Honestly, if you check and change fluids and filters on the recommended schedule, your splitter should never break down, not for at least a dozen years, at which time some of the rubber may need attention. The only “repair” my Speeco TSC splitter ever needed was to have the motor mount bolts tightened, and I likely have close to 50 cords thru it.

 

[rudysmallfry]

I'm weary of them breaking down since the last two I have attempted to borrow from friends have failed to start or quickly sputter out on the first try. It got me wondering how high or low maintenance they were overall. In the time I've spent waiting for either friend to fix their splitter, I could have split all the wood I have a few times over. If I knew I would do it all in one day, I would just rent one, but I don't work that quickly and rentals aren't cheap. Considering the resale value on splitters, I'd think buying is the better way to go.

 

[Ashful]

If you can spare the cash, and have a place to store it out of the weather, then buying is definitely a good way to go for anyone heating a home with wood.

 

[Medic21]

I'm weary of them breaking down since the last two I have attempted to borrow from friends have failed to start or quickly sputter out on the first try. It got me wondering how high or low maintenance they were overall. In the time I've spent waiting for either friend to fix their splitter, I could have split all the wood I have a few times over. If I knew I would do it all in one day, I would just rent one, but I don't work that quickly and rentals aren't cheap. Considering the resale value on splitters, I'd think buying is the better way to go.

As with any small gas engine equipment I would ask what kind of fuel did they use. Did they do anything when they put it away for months at a time or just shove it in the head or park it out by the wood pile? Small gas engines are very simple and very reliable if maintained. All of them I get in my shop to work on from weed eaters, chainsaws, lawnmowers, etc almost always go back to ethenol fuel and not storing proper. It’s bad enough I stock Stihl, Husky, troybilt, and toro carbs every spring and fall.

Non ethanol fuel especially in 2 strokes, changing oil, and routine maintenance will make most equipment last longer than you.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I now have a fuel cut off valve on all my gassers. I run the carb dry and it starts right up when I need it.

 

[Ashful]

I now have a fuel cut off valve on all my gassers. I run the carb dry and it starts right up when I need it.

Gotta drain the bowl, too. I actually shop OPE by whether it has a drain cock on the bowl, or not. Critical on things like backup generators.

 

[billfred]

I just purchased the Countyline 25 Ton. One benefit vs. the DHT is it can take a longer log 26" vs 25", not sure if that matters.
Not all DHT 22 ton come with the log catcher. Lowes does not, Home Depot does. I ordered a log catcher for my Countyline for $50. The log catcher does seem like a must.


The DHT and CountyLine both use a 196CC Kohler engine

Here's some additional specs on the Countyline...
Hydraulic Capacity ............................................ 4 Gallon
Hydraulic Cylinder .......................... 4 1/8” x 24 1/2”
Max. Pressure ...........................3800 PSI

Good luck.

 

[brenndatomu]

I see the CL 25T at TSC here locally is $899 now...was on sale at $799 a few weeks back.
I have owned a Champion 23T for 5-6 years now...no problems with it.

 

[johneh]

It breaks down to this Buy the one you like and can afford
They all do the same thing

 

[billfred]

But then we have nothing to argue about.

 

[johneh]

If he were in Canada I would tell him to buy Surge Master
Costs a little more . Has a 5 year warranty . A Honda engine
and is built in Canada . Cycle time who cares I'm retired
and it helps fill in the time and I enjoy all aspects of fire wood

 

[VirginiaIron]

I have the champion. Love it fast quiet and unstoppable. Bout 2 years now no issues.

I just purchased a Champion 27T from HD on Friday. I was initially thinking DHT, but the Champion won out.

 

[Zack R]

Having a splitter would be nice but if I was only doing a cord or two a year like you mentioned I'd just noodle the tough rounds in half, then split by hand.