Looking at new tools section and this s listed. I replaced my Forrest King splitter with a Predator engine and it does well. This could be a good piece of equipment.
That's a good price in today's market. If you aren't going to spend the money on a Timberwolf or the like, black Friday is the day to buy a splitter if'n ya want a new one.
Looks like my Southland which I am very happy with. If you apply for a Harbor Freight credit card their website says you can get 10% off the first purchase.
That looks like a solid buy, especially with some of the deals and coupons HF has often. I know the predator engines have a solid reputation. Just checked my local area, I have to order in store only have it shipped free to the location, not bad.
They do...and they should, they copied the Honda engines, pretty much exactly, except for parts quality. I have a Predator 301 (8HP) on my splitter, and the crankcase cracked...I decided to weld it up, and let me assure you, that is some CHEAP JUNKY "aluminum" casting! If anyone knows of a Predator 301 for sale really cheap/free (even blowed up, as long as the cases are still good) let me know...if I don't find a deal on a Honda, I guess I'll just fix the POS. Fortunately, I have done all my splitting at home lately, so just been running it on the electric motor...a lot quieter that way anyways.
I have a HF generator and it appears to be very high quality. No issues at all. I have also seen some predator engines leak oil through the block (not at a joint or cracked, just weep at a random spot) because of porous casting.
I find their engines to have more vibrations than those they copied as if maybe crank balancing is 'good enough'. I will still seek out a used Subaru or Honda before a new Predator. Stems from not wanting to reward the ccp for their efforts.
Just had a looky around. I bet this can be had for less than $900 in a month. It's the same splitter I bought off them with different kick stand and engine, essentially. Even has the fenders on it that make mine feel inadequate. lol
I would advise anyone doing a first fill to just go ahead and get some Dexron 3 or 4 if you run your splitter in below freezing temps. I had cheap 'tractor fluid' in mine and it was puddin at 20 degrees.
My old Champion came with tractor fluid oil in it...was fine until I wanted to split at 10* one day...VERY hard to start!