Sad day at Nebraska Firewood

Yesterday I went out to Lefty's to work some wood and Edwin was already there moving his wood around. He came over and we had a little small talk when he said he had bad news. Was using the old 34-ton Husky with the Briggs motor on it when it just quit and would not restart. Was talking about condensation/water as a possible problem. Finished gassing up the 550 and walked over. Only had to pull the rope once to know the problem. Checked oil and nothing on the dipstick so added 10-oz to it. Did get it to start but was shacking and knocking like crazy. I think we all know where I am going with this. Told him it would be a few weeks or more before I could really look at it but have to guess a bearing is out. I'm not a happy camper but I must remember that it is 14-years old and split a ton of wood so made plenty of money off of it plus, I'm not the best either at checking oil in my equipment as often as I should plus none of it has shown any oil usage.
Edwin feels bad and already said he wants to pay for the repairs, but my side is that it is not new anymore and stuff like this does happen from time to time. I may have him chip in a third but want to dig into it a little more. 16-GPM pump and motor only says 15.5 torque on it and memory says it is either a 1550 or 1650 but still need to look for the model number on it. Harbor Freight has the Predator 8-HP for $300 or the 13-HP for $430.
Done complaining so I hope everyone has a fantastic week.

 

I’d get the 13 hp and go forward. Maybe even step up a pump size too while you’re changing the engine.

 

No likes on that post.

 

Might be some good Honda GX engines used in local classifieds.

 

Thats sucks.

 

Assuming this was your machine loaned out to a friend:
Someone used their car to push my overhead garage door in.

On my end, I hate overhead doors, didnt want to spend the money on one ($$$), and wanted to try my hand at building outward opening doors.

On their end, they were willing to buy the materials so I could build doors, and were happy not to go through insurance.

I designed and costed it out, they gave me the funds, and we called it square. I picked a few bits and pieces that the initial purchase didn't cover (oversight on my part, not having built a door like this before). The best part was that Stumpy was there to brainstorm and design and build with me. Good times!

All that to say:

The individual who bumped my door had the funds and volunteered to cover the rebuild. If they hadn't, or couldn't I'd have allowed them to pay whatever I (they) thought they could afford. Both parties felt made whole....they weren't left feeling they owed me, and I got someone else to fund my experimental door.
(One door is bigger then the other, to allow letting tractor or snowblower out opening only one side). The black metal piece is connected to an anchor inside to keep it closed till its warm enough to install interior hardware...

All the best with the splitter though.

 

I should add that I have a big Simpson pressure washer, the I picked up used mostly for the Honda 390GX motor but hate to pull it apart in case I ever need it. Leaning towards either the 13HP or 15.8HP Predator motors at this point. Maybe upgrade the pump sometime in the future so motor won't be a problem.
Like I said, Edwin did offer to pay for the motor but we had used it for 8-years or more before he took it over. I just don't feel right making him pay 100% even though he can afford it and makes money selling the wood it splits. Good guy and I know he feels bad about it.

 

The Predator engines are not bad at all and you can keep an eye out for coupons to save some more money. I wouldn't bother trying to fix it if ran without oil.

 

Sorry to hear about your splitter, at least Edwin was willing to pay for repair costs & you are willing to be reasonable & understanding about it.

 

Things happen, just the fact that he wants to pay would be enough for me.
So many people don't even care about others stuff.

 

Circumstances like this are why I hate borrowing stuff.

 

Yep, agreed. If you want to borrow my splitter, you also get me with it.

Maybe go halfsies with him? If he's making money with the splitter and wants to help, let him.

 

I agree with the loaning of equipment. Rarely works out in my favor. If anyone remembers, Edwin had his own operation, but some B-hole stole all his wood and splitter. When he announced it on OPE he said he was done with wood and just couldn't take it. Lefty and I allowed him to move his operation to Lefty's place and use the splitter. I had a 25-ton here at the house that wasn't getting a lot of use (although I do miss having it here) so took it out to Lefty's for us to use.
Since there are three of us using the equipment, I feel it only fair for him to pay a third on repairs. Need to get it pulled out so we can load it up, get the tongue repaired and may look at relocating the motor to the other side of the splitter. Right now the exhaust blows right at you and replacement motors seem to all have the same problem. Leaning towards making a trip to Harbor Freight this weekend and just spend the $499 for the 15-HP for a future pump upgrade.
Thanks for the comments on my little thread.

 

A 16 GPM 2 stage pump takes about 8-9 HP to run it right...the next size up common 2 stage pump would be a 22 GPM and that would take closer to 12 HP to run it well...just FYI.
That 13 HP and a 22 GPM pump would make that splitter walk n talk!
https://ruggedmade.com/hydraulic-log-splitter-gear-pump-2-stage-22-gpm.html

 

So I guess I'm hearing to save the $70 or so dollars and get the 13-HP over the 15-HP. Still need to measure and see if the are the same as the B&S but guessing (hoping) there's kind of a standard anymore.

 

13 hp is plenty. You can't use more than 16 gpm on a store bought splitter anyway because the lines and valve are not big enough. A 13hp motor will run a 16 gpm pump with power to spare.

 

I have a 13hp engine spinning a 16gpm pump pushing a 3” cylinder. Most of the time it runs just above idle. Anymore throttle is nuts and I can’t move fast enough to be safe.

 

A big engine running a big pump at a lower RPM is sure nice to be around.

 

a 3" cylinder is crazy fast with 11 gpm. 16 is just nuts! I have a 12 gpm running at 3600 rpm with a 3hp electric motor. The whine is the only downside. I would gladly run a 1725 rpm motor and a 22-28 gpm pump to reduce the noise.