Which one is a better log splitter
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Looks like the same design, and almost the same tonnage. Cycle time of each? Cost is probably similar. Either should get the job done. Maybe inspect the assembly - oil levels, connections, etc... The splitter came to the store in a box and was assembled by someone. So check how well it was put together.
I would start each one and run it through a pretend cycle (if possible). Which engine feels more user friendly?
Look at the welds, too. Which one has better hydraulic lines? The knife and back plate are the business ends of any splitter - which knife and back plate are better and tougher looking? Check the knife design - is it narrow or wide?
This is very important - how does the knife move through the channel - each splitter can be slightly different - which one looks more durable when it is sliding (weak point because over time warping/bending can occur). And do you get zero, one, or two little side tables/cradles with the splitter? This makes a big difference as it gives you some place to put the partially split wood. Good luck!
I would start each one and run it through a pretend cycle (if possible). Which engine feels more user friendly?
Look at the welds, too. Which one has better hydraulic lines? The knife and back plate are the business ends of any splitter - which knife and back plate are better and tougher looking? Check the knife design - is it narrow or wide?
This is very important - how does the knife move through the channel - each splitter can be slightly different - which one looks more durable when it is sliding (weak point because over time warping/bending can occur). And do you get zero, one, or two little side tables/cradles with the splitter? This makes a big difference as it gives you some place to put the partially split wood. Good luck!
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Ctwoodtick
Minister of Fire
I have a Brave 7-ton that I really over worked. I split big wood on it, too. If it couldn't split the wood it would just stop. The knife broke off. It lasted 15 years and many a cord. It was over built. Now what? I had a big pile of wood to split. I bought a like new Champion 9-ton log splitter. It lasted 2 days. A couple pieces of elm and the Champion had a bent cylinder rod. The design is flawed. The moving pusher would pop out of its channels when it was strained (the Brave was designed to never do this). I pretty much gave the Champion to an older guy who only needed to split little wood (the rod wasn't bent too bad).
The Brave was much tougher and fought above its weight (the steel was harder, too). The Champion had soft steel and was only good for branch sized wood. What does a 9-ton Champion have to do with a 27-ton splitter? Design precision and steel grade are shown in the little machines which have to work harder to split wood.
The Speeco/Countyline design has been around a long time. I think I would trust it more than the Champion which has been around for 5 to 10 years. The Countyline usually has the Kohler engine - I had the innards of a Kohler engine go rusty on me (Honda to the rescue). I would rather have a Briggs or Honda engine (if available).
This is some of the stuff that happens to splitters that are so-so made. He fixes it somehow, but it doesn't pop off at the end of the cycle. He has to reach back and hit the lever. These little flaws add up (splitter at around 2:40).
The Brave was much tougher and fought above its weight (the steel was harder, too). The Champion had soft steel and was only good for branch sized wood. What does a 9-ton Champion have to do with a 27-ton splitter? Design precision and steel grade are shown in the little machines which have to work harder to split wood.
The Speeco/Countyline design has been around a long time. I think I would trust it more than the Champion which has been around for 5 to 10 years. The Countyline usually has the Kohler engine - I had the innards of a Kohler engine go rusty on me (Honda to the rescue). I would rather have a Briggs or Honda engine (if available).
This is some of the stuff that happens to splitters that are so-so made. He fixes it somehow, but it doesn't pop off at the end of the cycle. He has to reach back and hit the lever. These little flaws add up (splitter at around 2:40).
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I have a County Line splitter, but mine runs on my tractor hydraulics so no small engine. It's been a good splitter. That said I have a Champion Generator and winch, both have been excellent and the few times I needed customer support they were excellent. Only support I needed was a couple of questions and to purchase some maintenance parts.
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