That was the first accident I had with my DHT 28. I’ll toss this out as a warning. With the four way wedge and extra strippers for that wedge installed the wedge can contact the strippers. Use the wedge in its upmost top position and get a split jammed under the horizontal wedge it will pick that wedge up higher than the strippers are designed to clear. Bad engineering. They never accounted for the extra height that wedge can travel with wood under it. Crunch!!!
Yep that's exactly what happened! I left the 4 way on the wedge and that's what he did... my mistake one for leaving it on, and two thinking he'd be knowledgeable of the machine not to push the issue... Live and learn I guess, and the damage was minimal.
Splitter arrived last week. Split about a cord of birch now on to some Maple and cherry and Walnut I’ve been meaning to get to. Absolutely love it! Only problem I have to make more racks!
I guess I am late with my reply, but will throw in some 2 cents for others. This is usually a Ford/Chevy/Dodge thing, re. brands. I would suggest anyone looking for a splitter go around to local stores and get real familiar with the splitters & splitting layouts - that's what you will need to live with way beyond getting over the initial purchase price. Key things for me, are being as equally easy to use & operate from either side (some have the controls off to the side & even say in the manual to only operate from that certain side). And pay attention to where the engine is mounted while picturing where a round or split would land if it happened to slide off the beam & bounce, or you dropped it. Often times, the engine is directly in the line of that fire - seems way to common in most box store units. Then other things are height of beam vs. your comfortable working height, and also for me ability to go vertical. I do horizontal 90% of the time, but when I have a few big rounds, it's pretty easy to swing the beam up & get them smaller & easier to handle.
Of Course, although, "I" wasn't picky on any particular brand at the time when I bought mine with the exception of I wanted a "named" engine, Honda, Briggs, etc... Mainly for parts and ease. Unless you get into the $4000.00 and up machines, 95% are made in China and many of them from the same company just painted different and different stickers! Old Nate, that machine will serve you well. Also, 95% of the hydraulic pumps and cylinders are all made over seas also. The only problem I ever saw or heard tell of besides motor's coming apart, "neglect"... Was a 25 ton Dirty Hands splitter, the end welds broke on a local guy here a few of us know. Dirty Hands "Did" send him a new beam and he had to swap the parts over, he tryed to bring it back to Lowes and they told him he had to contact the company.
I have the same problem lately and while its not terribly expensive I am tired of spending $$ for them!! The free wood pallets get shredded by termites. Bro in law suppose to look for some plastic ones at his work. I need to scour CL or FB for some free PS old fence posts or 4x4's. BTW, that's one fine looking splitter, well done
When I move from here Chuck, come down with a trailer and I'll give you 34 plastic ones! "The even have a fancy beverage name on them"... I have a new plan for New Hampshire when I get there!!! Ancient Chinese secret! It'll give you enough room for about 12 cord
Those plastic pallets are nice. Wish I had a few as well. I don’t mind making racks though. And thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions. I think weldrdave was just about spot on with his opinion of the splitters in this price range. They are almost all the same or similar. My first choice would have been the Yardmax 30+ ton but so far this Champion has been great and the cycle time is more than enough.
And that’s usually the case.. people have a tendency to over analyze this one perimeter. Nice looking splitter.... may it grant you many years of service...
