I've had a 20 ton Speco splitter now for about 12 yrs, and i bought it used from a guy who owned it about 3 yrs. He, Cut, and split a lot of oak with it on his place. After i bought it, i got into some really heavy duty oak, this little 20 ton split every thing i threw on the darned thing! I hadn't used it for some time this past summer. So, went out today and turned the gas on, i put a inline on/off valve in the hose. Primed it about 5 times, choked it, and pulled it though one time and it fired right up!! So, i let it warm up for about 5 min and then, started splitting some other oak i have laying around. I could have bought a 35 ton splitter, of about any brand, but, this one just works about as good as i need. No doubt there are some really well built and one's that are a lot bigger, with more options that i could have used. But, this one just keeps running and working just like it should. It has a 6 hp Briggs on it now, and i found a good 6.5 hp Briggs this past summer , i'm thinking about putting the 6.5 Briggs on this one, but, the little 6 hp Briggs just keeps on running. Most of the upper plastic is broken , not by me, but, just from use, the metal cover is about the same, but, some day i'll put the other 6.5 Briggs on it. I know its not a expensive splitter, but, its sure saved me a lot of work Oh, there's no runs, leaks or anything wrong with this little jewel, it just keeps on runnin along. I should add one thing, i use nothing but Av Gas in it, 92 octane, mogas, since using that, ZERO Problems with bad gas.
A good splitter can be a great friend. I went larger and got a 37T. (At the time it was on sale & price was just $100 different). It’s got a 7.9hp Honda engine. It’s just 3 yrs old but has split a lot of wood. As long as you take care of them they’ll last for a long time. Sometimes when moving it around I wish I’d gone smaller. Good luck and keep splitting!
Same here. My 500$ (brand spankin used) 22 ton Huskee has been flawless with the exception that the detent wore out in the valve and the LoveJoy coupler. It's all i need.
First time my 30 ton wouldn’t stay running after owning it about five years. Broke the throttle lever. It has a Liquid Combustion Technology 6.5 horse. A bit of a challenge finding the part, as the model number for it was rubbed off. Their website has good schematics once you get the model entered. Since it was a common part for any engine they have, I fudged a bit and got the part number. it needs a new hydraulic hose anyhow, so I will go through the whole thing and give it a good cleaning, tune up, battery, etc. has been pretty sturdy in spite of my abuse and neglect.
I have two "small" splitters, a 22ton Iron & Oak & a 25ton Yardworks brand. They make the stove & campfire wood that I sell. Much faster than the big 37 ton Rugged Split that makes the big boiler wood. If the smaller machines do the job why buy a bigger one. The smaller ones generally have a faster cycle time & will split 90% of the rounds. I'd keep it too.
I have a 22ton White (Looks like MTD design) I bought in 1992. I put a new Honda engine on it in 2012 since a guy I loaned it to left it outside and the crank filled with water. Still works great although I'm now sold on the push-through design of my gas station purchased splitter.
I wish my splitter was push through. I’m thinking of taking a torch and welder to it to accomplish it. Mike in Okla
You can fix the detent- there are a few tricks to try, like take the lever off and turning the shaft 180 degrees.... For mine I actually took it apart and added a washer or something to add tension to the ball bearing. Been working great for a few years now.
well, the hydraulic hose place said mine is metric, so I need to bring in the elbows, and inlet to the filter to so they can make a new line with the correct 'merican attachments. Always something.
Splits go directly into a tote, dump bed or can be stacked from waist height. I use the front end loader as a log lift.
The stringy ones that don’t finish splitting, through another piece behind it and keep going. With another person and table, trailer or bucket at end stack as you go.
I have that so rarely it has never been a problem. I will say though I have watched different folks split and can say a lot of that problem is in the technique they are using. (I hope that comment does not start something as that is not how it is intended.)
No Mike. This would be something that would have to be done right at the splitter. In addition, I think it is also something that could cause one of those arguments which I do not want to happen.
Understood. I was curious because I sometimes have some red oak that gets stringy on me. It's all good Mike in Okla
No fight with me brother. I have seen your pics lots of oak and ash. As the Dutch elm disease hit here before EAB which just started. Elm like push through splitters Ash splits no nice, easy to crib. Elm no, and my half my yellow birch rounds are trying out for a twist dance a thon
