Bought a Timberwolf TW-2 splitter, and regret it

I ordered a Timberwolf TW-2 splitter at the end of May, hoping to start up a small side business selling firewood. They estimated 10-12 weeks for delivery, so I figured there would be a delay with how messed up the world is, I'd get it sometime in September, and have the fall to split a ton of wood.

Called them at beginning of August, and they said it would be ready in 2-4 weeks.

Called again beginning of September, ready in two weeks.

Called beginning of October, they've been unable to source a part and need to do a redesign - another two weeks.

Called beginning of November, it'll be shipping in a week.

It shipped at the end of November, and the driver called the morning of Nov. 29 that he would be at my place in a couple hours. Well, they didn't get the right permits and got a DOT fine, and he couldn't deliver to my house - had to drive an hour away to meet him at a Flying J off the interstate.

Got my splitter set up the next day, and the table grate is defective - when it's attached, the ram can't fully cycle forward without hitting it. They said they'd ship me a replacement early next week - so the week of Dec. 6. Called them again Dec. 14th, said it was shipping that day. Called them Dec. 16th, and apparently it shipped on the 14th, but they just didn't get around to sending me a tracking number.

Received the replacement table grate yesterday (Dec. 21). Installed it this morning, and it has the exact same design and issue as the original table grate (I had told them I thought it might be a design issue when I first talked to them, and they assured me that the new table grate would not have the same issue).

They're also shipping a replacement control valve, because that is also defective, causing the ram to continue cycling forward intermittently when the control is released.

Then the minor annoyances - The paint was flaking off before I even started it up. The four way wedge is supposed to make 4 and 6 inch splits, but actually makes 5 1/2 and 7 inch splits and often fails to fully split the logs, since the central wedge pushes it off the side wedges. The auto-return detent wasn't properly adjusted either. The table grate is a huge pain to install, and has to be removed to attach the splitter to a hitch.

Overall, if you want a high quality splitter, I'd say to look elsewhere. For a $3500 splitter to arrive three months late with two major defects is bad, and to then ship another defective part is just ridiculous.

 

Perhaps a refund is in order?
That really stinks.
I'd be hopping mad.
Will be watching to see how it all gets resolved.

Am sorry this has been PITA for you!!
Sca

 

They used to be a Rutland, VT company, and that’s where they built their reputation. Since they were sold I’ve had trouble simply calling to order parts.

 

They have a "no refund" policy, and I doubt they'll cover the $1500 to ship it back to them even if they did accept the refund - really feels like I'm stuck with it. I am going to ask them to refund the table grate at this point though, and just have someone local fabricate one for me. If they can't get it right after two tries, I don't see them getting it right the third time either!

 

Sorry to read all that!
I’ve got a TW 1 I bought locally about 12 years ago and for the 7 or so cord a year that goes through it, it’s been rock solid.
Not one issue.
If I had any squabble at all, it’s that there owners and maintenance manual is short on information.

 

Wish I'd been able to buy a splitter locally. As far as I can tell, there are no manufacturers for higher end splitters in the Western USA. Can't even find a dealer for a splitter that's better than Home Depot in Idaho.

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. It stinks to save for so long to make a major purchase like this & be excited to get it & then wind up going through all you’ve had to go through.

 

I think you need to take a video of it and what on it doesn't work, and any flaws with it. Get them the video and get in touch with higher ups there. I'm a Buyer for my profession. I see these kinds of issues every day. Suppliers get bad information or deliveries delayed and it steamrolls. If the manuals were lacking information, it's possible that when the company sold, the brain trust that had the details went away. How long ago were they bought out?

 

I'm so glade I bought an Eastonmade logsplitter after reading this

 

No idea timber wolf went down the tubes. Eastonmade make a fine product. Or wolf ridge. Or supersplit if your into flywheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Is that a 12-22 ?

 

I just found out that one of the beers in my case of Point special cans is about 1/4 full, no leaks, and the pop top is secure.

Guess who's getting an email?

 

They were bought in 2017 by Automated Biomass Systems, which I think now only does business under the Timberwolf brand. Definitely ready for supply chains to go back to normal. Part of the reason I went with Timberwolf in the first place was their shorter backlog, where last I heard Eastonmade is about a year behind on orders. I'll probably be looking at them or Wolfe Ridge when I upgrade in a few years.

 

That really stinks when you need equipment, sorry you are having so much trouble.

 

Hey Andrew, I was actually going to suggest Wolfe ridge, made in eau Claire WI, I weld his aluminum tanks. Right now they are slammed like everyone else but they put quality above pretty much everything. Honda motors, I believe Prince valves? Honestly not sure on that, but I know he sticks with quality parts, even if he has to wait for them. A competitor switched to Briggs motors and a ton of customers cancelled orders because they wanted the genuine Honda motors they ordered. They build as much as possible in house. I have one of his very first homeowner units and I can split more wood by myself in less time without a sore back than I used to split with the wife and brother in an entire day with a big box store splitter. It's unreal. And that splitter, being one of the first isn't quite as well thought out as his current models, but works perfect for what I do, and the price was right

Solid group of guys, small company, quality product.

 

Yes about 2 winters old now absolutely no issues .
The best part of it since we got it I have not blown my back out doing my firewood. Also so much faster we split enough for 3 years ahead of time.

 

I’ve also got the TW-1, about 15 years old, and has been flawless. Replaced oil filters and a breather tube on the Honda. I have TW-5 envy.
I’m thinking jrider has some TW equipment, and maybe experience with the current business?

 

What factors are better such that "I can split more wood by myself in less time without a sore back than I used to split with the wife and brother in an entire day with a big box store splitter?" I badly need a higher output splitter.

 

Auction it off when you have some wood, cut your losses and order a different brand? It will hurt financially, but avoiding the frustration will be worth it. That or retain a lawyer?

 

Yes, I have the tw6 and it has worked almost flawlessly. I have over 900 hours on it but recently needed to replace the the guide plates for the ram. I went to a local dealer who ordered it for me. The parts trickled in and first came it wrong. The dealer said ever since they sold out to Biomass Fuels, service is terrible.