Champion 27 ton splitter vs Northstar 24 ton

Hey y’all, I’m looking to get a new splitter and am looking at the Champion 27 ton vs Northstar 24 ton. I really like the Northstar with the Honda engine, however the Champion is a higher ton splitter but with a champion made engine. The Northstar is about 500$ more. Curious to what the lifespan is on the Champion engine and does the higher ton make that big of a difference. Any suggestions??

 

I say you should ignore the ton difference, as that is insignificant. use other factors to determine which you prefer.

I would be comparing the cycle speeds.

 

I have a 27T Champion, I have had it about 3 seasons, no issues. Home Depot had a good end of season deal, no complaints. I would buy one again, as much as I like Honda, I dont know if I would pay $500 more. That would buy half a splitter later if you wear the first one out. Cycle speed is decent. Any decent running splitter is better than a ax.

 

The cycle time for the champion is 11 seconds and the Northstar is 13. Also not a significant difference. I am more concerned about the engines than anything.

 

I run through 15-20 cords a year and I have used it for 3 seasons with no issues. I only knew of Champion from all the generators that I have seen around. I wasnt sure how the motor was going to last. I have a local shop that carries some Honda OPE (no Splitters), brought the splitter over and a replacement Honda motor was just over $400. At this point Champion has earned its keep. I have started it as cold as -50*.

 

Personally I like the Honda engines. I go out of my way to get them if possible. As stated above there isn’t really much difference in the tonnage rating. I’ve got 20 year old Honda mowers that still run like new.

I’ve got the Northern Tool 37 ton splitter and it just works. Fires up easy. I am biased though. I haven’t had anything other than Honda engines for 20 years (except for my Deere garden tractors but they are liquid cooled)


Mike in Okla

 

So did your Champion motor have an issue? Is that why you put the Honda motor on after 3 years?

 

I have had no issues with the Champion motor, splitter is all OG. I went to spec a Honda motor if I need a replacement, which I did on the way home from purchase (Home Depot is 210 miles away). I had not even fired the motor yet. When that motor does go, I will take the overall condition of the splitter into account, it may be smatter to just buy another $1,000 splitter.

 

Oh ok. That makes sense now. I appreciate the response.

 

If all you’re concerned about is the engine go with the champion. Worse comes to worse and the engine dies you just buy a $150 predator engine from harbor freight and you’re good to go.

 

I have the 34-ton champion splitter as well as a champion wood chipper. I love them both. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Champion one. Have had zero issues other than some initial delivery damage (paint scratches, leaking hydraulic fluid container, bent shelf) which ended up making the splitter cost $799 instead of $1499. If it was $1499 I'd still buy it that's how much I enjoy using it.

I would get the highest tonnage within your budget. This thing eats everything no problem.

On a side note I use the wood chipper to chip up all the debris from splitting as well as for branch trimmage, etc. And it does a fine job of that as well.

 

Cycle speed is not that important unless you are rushing to make money...in which case I'd be more concerned about safety.

34-ton cycle is 16 seconds but as I have posted before it is perfectly fine and I almost never have to retract all the way or push all the way.....by the time I throw the splits into the garden cart the splitter is waiting for me already.

 

I have to say , some of the imported engines such as the Champion , Harbor Freight Predator and others are hard to beat. My splitter has a 15HP Raven engine it and has been flawless. The old Harbor Freight Greyhound was so close to the Honda that they got themselves in hot water over it. Most of the imports have ball bearing crank bearings and a cast iron cylinder just as the Honda.

Honda , yeah : I get it but I guess I can say don't knock the imports.
Would I prefer Honda = yup.
Is it worth the extra ? Tough call.

Keeping the oil clean and full is the cheapest insurance that helps any small engine last a long time.

Just my 2 cents.

 

AMS oil hd30 in mine and synthetic hydrolic oil.

 

champion engines are honda clones. I bought a champion generator recently and from all the reading I could find on them.
I didn't see anyone have any issues with the engines. Honda engine is better everyone says, but I also read champion modified the engine to
skirt IP issue with Honda. Rope is right good quality oils. Either one in this case would last a lifetime.

 

I've had a Champion splitter since 2012 or so...no engine issues with it...other than it can be a lil hard to start at 0*F...but that is more about the thick hydraulic oil than anything else.
The only thing I have had to repair on it is the cheapo work table racks that it came with on both sides...welded up cracks a few times, and then finally welded in some angle iron to brace up the weak spots this last time...but I suppose that I shouldn't be flopping 100# logs on it either... and it did come with them std, most come with only one, or more commonly none.
Only other issue has been bolts coming loose, but a quality lock washer and/or Loctite fixes that...oh, and the hose routing, but that was the fault of the teenager that put it together I'm sure (mine came assembled/running)
My plan was to buy this just to get me by until I built a kinetic splitter (it was a super cheap black Friday deal)...but so far it works well enough that my kinetic splitter project fell clean off the horizon.
I agree with what has been stated already though, cycle time means more to me than rated tonnage does (which is often over stated) I have a little 5 ton electric splitter too, and it will split 90% (+) of what I throw at it...no need for anything much more than 20 ton IMO (my Champion is rated at 23T) unless you plan to run a 4 way wedge or something...

 

This is true.. most of my engine problem are carb.. but a brigs threw a valve after 5 years on splitter.. since it’s Dads old splitter with his Alzheimer’s have to keep it running.

 

I have a new Champion 27 T from HD. Splits everything I can throw at it. Starts right up. Happy with it.

 

Was running mine yesterday, 15* started on the first pull, died as soon as I shut the choke off, guess it wanted more than a few seconds. Started one pull let it run with the choke on until it sputtered. Ran with no issues.

 

you ever run one of those pad heaters stuck onto hydraulic tank? may have asked you before