15 -20 ton Hydraulic will cover all bases. DHT and Speeco stand behind theirs. Need to look at the service side ( parts availability) for what is available in your area if you are not able your self . Box store and the like will run sales in fall couple, hundered off list. Splitters hold there prices very well when looking at used. add ons such as log lift add to pricing of course. right now looking at apx. $ 1100 for a base unit. Some get all wrapped in cycle speed - kinda a mute point when working alone. Most are gas powered there are one or two in that tonnage range with electric drive 220 volt 30 amp minimum line. the 4-8 ton electric or gas units will leave you wanting. Vertical or Horizontal operation - same as Ford Chevy debate. There is only one Kinetic splitter worth looking at- Super split out of Ohio. The rest are copies with problems. just rough out line.
The cost of splitters has really came down but most stores are, as usual, leaning towards the more power, the better the splitter. That is not necessarily so but they make more dollars on sales of the big splitters. Unless you have a large commercial business, you simply do not need the big guys. 20 ton will do whatever you need done. Also, rather than log lifters (very costly) learn to split vertically and you won't need to lift every lot onto the splitter. Just roll it on; saves a lot of work and your back will appreciate it. Tractor Supply sells a lot of splitters and places like Lowe's and Home Depot have begun to sell lots of them too. Menards is another one who likes to give big dollars off on sales at certain times of the year. Check on several in your area and watch the sale prices. When we bought our MTD about 30 years ago (still doing great) they finally went on sale. I caught the manager in the store just before closing time and offered to buy one right then if he'd knock more off the sale price, and he did! I've never been sorry for buying it. You won't be sorry either and will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.
NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter 24-Ton, 160cc Honda GX160 Engine | Northern Tool + Equipment Any thoughts on this one?
my friend recently purchased that unit no complaints from him so far. dancing the pointer around on the picture it is well laid out , guard over top of eng, pump under beam = protection . Around here if you buy at the store it is always more than the online price. I do not know what they do when ordered online ship to store $ wise.
Looks like a well made tool. I like the wedge height and the included front wheel. The Honda GX engines have an excellent reputation, but I don't think they carry the weight they used to with the Chinese clones being so well made now compared to 10-20 years ago. I think you will soon want a wider table on the side you aren't operating from in horizontal configuration.
That should be a really good splitter. A bit higher priced is about the only point against it. Add shipping to that and it does get a bit high. Is it worth another $400 - $500 over other models?
Should be a good one. We have a 25 ton Yard Machine, built by MTD, bought about 19yrs ago from Walmart, 6 hp Briggs and Stratton, still running great. Haven't found to many pieces I couldn't split.
The price to ship was crazy $340. I went with this model it was only $82 for shipping. Shop Dirty Hand Tools 25-Ton Gas Log Splitter at Lowes.com
If you purchased it on line, didn't they ship it to the store for free? You could pick it up there, or is it going to your house? Very nice machine!
My wife’s old SUV went last year which had a hitch for towing, the new SUV didn’t have a hitch and haven’t installed one yet that’s why the shipping from lows.
I just bought a DHT 22 ton that looks almost identical, recently . $829 on fleabay with free shipping.
"Looks" identical, but the Northern Tools one has Honda GX motor vs. the Chinese motor, 4 yr splittler warantee and 3 yr. motor warantee, American-made hydro pump and valve... So, from my very novice eye, I think you have 2 very different machines, apples to organge. The DHT (Speeco, TSC, etc) is a "economy" unit aimed at the very lowest price point, albeit with a very good reputation for performance and durability; whereas, the NT unit is clearly designed to be high-end on everything. So, I guess it would come down to what you want. For 3-4 cords/yr, the DHT or similar unit should be plenty and last a lifetime. Heck, if the Chinese motor craps out on you, you still have $5-700 left over to replace with a GX... Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. BTW, it looks like the Tractor Supply "County Line" clone is on sale now for $899 with free in-store pick up. CountyLine 25-Ton Log Splitter at Tractor Supply Co.
Something else to consider is SIZE! How much space do you have to store it?? In my case, I have VERY LITTLE space to store stuff. Most splitters are pretty hefty to store, and you will use yours like I do mine, two or three times a year to replenish my 3 cords or so burned for the year. The rest of the year it is stored away. If that matters to you, have a look at the Ariens unit. It's the smallest footprint of any splitter, and has some great features to it, and a Subaru motor. I've had mine about 5 years now and love it, with no problems. I bought mine at HomeDepot with a coupon for $800. Good luck! Ariens | Log Splitter Finishing Tool Features & Models .
I’m hoping I can find enough wood to split 4-5 a year. You hit my thoughts on the head, if the motor goes I can always replace it with the Honda.
Yes, that Ariens is a great splitter. But I would say that my Echo/Bearcat has a smaller "foot print" since the when you store it, you can tip the beam vertical AND then the towing bar flips up too. lt's a pretty slick system. ECHO Bear Cat | Products But, then again, it is hard to justify twice the price of the economy splitters for most of us.
If the motor goes, I'll replace it with a predator, my last splitter was a predator, and that motor was a beast. Both are Gx clones, so smaller parts are available at the Honda dealer .
