Break down and buy a Splitter?

I've never had a hydraulic splitter. Always split by hand and for the most part enjoy and took a certain pride in splitting by hand. Always left the big uglies for someone else to take anyway.

Lately I find myself seriously considering picking up a splitter. I have a couple of big white oaks and a Sycamore that's next on my spring list to cut and split and they can be a bit of a pain to split.

I looked at a bunch of threads on splitters and have been watching Craigslist for a while. I'm usually a Honda engine guy, but I don't think you can beat the Huskee 22ton for the price of $999.00. They appear to be selling used for around $750 - $800 or so. Sure you can buy a better splitter, but I think the Huskee brings a lot of value including the resale price. Thoughts on this?

So am I nuts? Is it one more thing I really don't need?

 

I have the Huskee 22 ton splitter and absolutely love it and I think for the price they are hard to beat. I picked mine up when they were on sale for $800 but I have never seen them get that low since that one sale.
Whether you need it or not is really dependant on you. Sure I could split by hand but with the back issues I have i would pay for it for days after the fact. Also I don't have the time that I used to have to process firewood and this allows me to work all day splitting instead of wearing out a few hours into my Saturday.

 

When you buy one your question will change to: "How did I ever get along without one?"

I got a Huskee 5-6 years ago and it has been great. I had to replace some intake parts a couple weeks ago due to a flying split mishap but other wise the briggs has been fine. I pulled the head to make sure it hadn't ingested any broken pieces; it hadn't, and the bore looked very nice still.

I don't know how much wood you split a year. I split about 8-10 cords for me and the rental cottage on the farm.

 

My day will come sooner or later, but as long as I've got my health I'll be splitting by hand. For me it would be spending $1K to not get to do one of my favorite things. I only need to split 3-4 cord per year, though, so it never feels like a chore.

 

any neighbors near you split wood?
any relatives within driving distance that split wood.
go in it 50-50 with someone. Cut your costs in half.
I own a 25% share in our splitter. It works out great if you are good enough friends with the guys.

 

Perfectly said !! Used to be a sledge and wedge guy.....but I have now transitioned Save the sledge and wedge for "special" days !!

 

Great replies so far. Thank you. Notice some are saying, after you buy it you will wonder why you never did it earlier and others say, as long as I like it and I have my health I will split by hand? This is where my mind is at now, right in the middle.

I'm not close to rent or go in halves with someone. Good idea though...

I have a friend that comes over that has a splitter and I always bust his chops about it. He gives it back to me saying, wait until you get to that Sycamore. I know he's right, I hate splitting Sycamore...

 

I think it's no brainer. I found a 1 year old husky 22 ton for $700. I believe that I could have it for ten years and sell it for at least $500. That's $20 a year depreciation, that's nothing to me.

 

Agreed, I still swing a maul but I do it on my terms.

 

Well said again !

 

Sooner or later your back is going to tell you to quit splitting by hand. If you try splitting sycamore manually it will be sooner. I've always had an easy time with white oak. Never found it difficult as long as it was clear, but that is the same with almost any tree. Splitting knotty crotches is near impossible.

 

Picked up a used Troybilt 27 ton vertical splitter last year. 1 year old and had split 2 cords of wood. Owner had had enough. She had bought it for $1600. Sold it for $800. Looks brand new. Really wasn't looking for a splitter right then, but couldn't pass it up.

 

I occasionally like to split by hand but I can get so much more done in a fraction of the time so I prefer hydraulic.
I bartered 4 hours of my time for a 20 ton, Tecumseh, 5.5hp, vertical/horizontal Huskee. It had been sitting for a couple years and wouldn't start for the guy. I pulled the starter cord and it had good compression so I offered to take it in exchange for the work I did. He was tickled. Brought it home, dripped a little gas in the carb and it fired right up but wouldn't stay running. Instead of rebuilding the carb I just replaced it. Been using it for 6 years now.

The only problem I have with it is the bolt that holds the wedge in place. Seems I need to replace it once a year, even using grade 8 bolts.

It is almost dark but I went out and took a pic; since it was made clear to me in my intro thread that pics are necessary around here or "it never happened."

 

I've got that splitter and have never regretted it.

 

I split by hand for way to many years...finally bought the 22ton Huskee and I said exactly what Foragefarmer mentioned...how did I get along without this. I'm not beating my brains out with a maul ever again.

 

Got 22 ton speeco waiting at store for me, I hear its same as the husky with different stickers. I consider it a wise investment.

 

i too enjoy splitting by hand. once you get your own little way of things it can be enjoyable. i did buy a used 3pt splitter the other day for a good price just for the nasty stuff. been splitting around 7 cords by hand with a little noodling thrown in. i want to do around ten cords this year to help stay ahead. once i figure out how i want to power the splitter it should come in handy for sure.