So I have been trying to get a 2 way log splitter from harbor freight and they seem to be a terrible company to purchase from. The never have them in the store and you can't get the item shipped to the store to eliminate shipping costs. I have been looking at splitters so long my head hurts. Looks like brave splitters are made here in Minnesota and I can pick up at the factory. Does anyone have any experience with the brave splitters ideally the brave 20 ton 2 way splitter. Looking for feedback before I purchase the unit.
Can't say I've ever seen any Brave products around my way. And I've never had a major purchase from harbor freight before either. I'd be interested when others chime, what they have to say.
Brave is owned by Iron & Oak, Brave is the homeowners line and Iron & oak is the commercial line. I see Iron & Oak has the same 20 ton 2 way splitter as Brave. Think they are new this year. See I&O has a new 37 ton model as well, looks bad azz
Looks like they are out of the same office in Rogers Minnesota. I read the brave units are welded and assembled in faribault Minnesota. I like the iron and oak 2 way splitter with the motor in the back with a protector around the top of the motor.
I dont think you could go wrong with either company and if you could pick up at factory even better. But I think that 2 way is a pretty new model and may not have much of a review/following on them yet
Log splitters direct has the Brave for $1450 and free shipping http://www.logsplittersdirect.com/Brave-Products-PCLS2013GC-Log-Splitter/p14621.html I find it odd that it does not have a Hyd filter though Q: Does this log splitter have a hydraulic filter by Gunner from Michigan on August 01, 2015 A: Gunner, This model does not incorporate a hydraulic filter. Being that this splitter is not used for commercial or rental use, a hydraulic filter is not necessary. the Brave runs the Honda GC series engine The Iron & Oak model does have the filter as well as the Honda GX series engine ( commercial series/much better)
I have read so much on splitters I'm ready to give up on them. A person could easily put a filter on the brave splitter. I do believe I read somewhere the brave unit has a screen on the return into the tank.
I think the 2 way splitters have been out for a while but maybe just not from these 2 companies. I ran the power horse unit from northern tool a few years back and it seemed to be a good unit but they no longer carry them.
I had a 89 vintage Brave splitter. Built well. Split around 300 cord the few years I had it. Never fixed a thing on it other than welding some grade 5 or 8 washers onto the hinge point that were oblong. Transported it a lot and the holes wore.
yes some of the 2 way units are a large screw drive internally- evidently with a hydro drive motor for the screw Some where I read a note recently that a unit had been redesigned with a beefier screw and nut system. Leads me to think that there must have been a significant failure rate at some point. Not being super versed in hydro cylinders but I think that a double acting one would have less force in one direction if constructed like the ones used primarily on the more conventional style splitters. Course I could be way off base on this. Another method involves 2 single acting cylinders- opposed to each other -like we use on snow plows for left right articulation. This can be very fast as you are not waiting for a cylinder to reset for a power stroke. The power stroke of one resets the other also uses less fluid in the system so only a small reservoir is needed.
So I got the brave splitter down even lower in price since I can pick it up but now I need to figure out how I can get there as they close before I could get there during the week. I see tractor supply has the county line (speeco) splitters on sale and you get free assembly and hydraulic fluid when purchased in store. I also found 2 Oregon 27 ton units that are year old rentals for 1k. The same place also has the ariens 22 ton and 27 units new that are reasonably priced. They said if they sell one of the Oregon units the ariens will be the new rental. Man I hate making decisions.
