Never had a splitter before and this is my first one. I hope I made a good choice. I have a Champion generator and that thing rocks so I felt ok with this selection for what I would need it for (homeowner on a budget processing his own wood, at most a cord or two per year). It had great reviews and the few things that people complained about from a year ago, it looks like Champion made design changes to fix them in this model. So I'll let yall know if I have any issues. But my first impressions are good, the house brand engine it comes with almost doesn't need a choke. thing starts up on the first pull. It needs a cover or shroud to protect the oil filter and one of the hydraulic hoses (i'll make one out of wood for it, right now a stray log falling off the wrong way could damage those things).
Looks like a nice unit. The side shelves are a back saver for sure. Congratulations on the new purchase. I hope it serves you well and helps keep you warm.
Congratulations on the new splitter. May it serve you well. btw, if you stand that splitter up you won't have to worry about wood falling and doing damage plus it makes splitting so much easier.
If you leave it horizontal, you take advantage of that nice log cradle and get an awesome upper body workout. You wont be wrenching your back sitting on a bucket making unnatural movements and strains. Bend, lift and stretch! Roll that splitter on to a tarp to catch the chafe and clean up is a breeze. Nice unit.
If I'm splitting logs on the ground, the splitter goes vertical and I kneel in front of it. My lower back doesn't like the bending over. If I'm pulling logs off a truck or trailer, then horizontal works great. Nice to have both options on one machine and the tables on the sides are a must have for horizontal.
I have had a 22 ton Champion since ‘12 and it hasn’t missed a beat. The Mrs. can stand it up vertical and pull it started before I even crack the 1st cold one.
