Help Me Spend Someone Else’s Money On A New Splitter

I am helping a friend decide on a new splitter and due to circumstances, availability and discounts it is down to two similar units, a 37 ton Black Diamond with a 306cc 9.5 HP Briggs and Stratton or the 28 ton Black Diamond with a Honda GX200

Black Diamond 37 Ton Log Splitter - Briggs & Stratton Engine
Black Diamond 28 Ton Log Splitter - Honda Engine

Black Diamond is Chinese made and same company as Forest King, Lumber Jack, Red Rock, & Performance Built

Base prices are the same for both units here in Canada and surprisingly almost the same as the USD prices in the links above.

Wood to be split is typically oak, maple, and beech up to 30"

If you had to choose, which of these two would you take and why?

 

I've never heard of Black Diamond so I can't say anything good or bad.

 

I don't think you need that big of a splitter, 25/27 ton would be plenty and have a faster cycle time. (maybe?)
I'd choose a honda over a briggs if that is a dilemma.
My splitter isn't in your consideration but I'll throw it out there
I run a countyline 25 ton with a kohler, it does plenty well in nasty gnarled notches. I'd only consider upgrading if I was wanting to make a real living off it.
But I'd run it into the ground saving up for a bigger/faster splitter and would try to get an AIO processor.

 

If its got to be one of those 2 I'd go 28 with the Honda.

There isn't much I can't split with a 22 ton. You don't need 37 unless you plan on running a 4-way wedge.

 

That's what I am thinking and have been telling him. I have a 27 ton Ariens with a Subaru and I have yet to find anything it can't split. He is thinking bigger is better but I am saying 28 ton is more than enough, will burn less fuel and the Honda GX will outlast the Briggs 99% of the time .

Edit: Those countryline splitters look very similar to the Black Diamond.

 

Also add TSC's CountyLine to your list of brands made by YTL International.

 

I have a 27 ton Black Diamond, bought Black Friday 2020. It absolutely goes through anything and has never failed. It's not super fast but your selections should be about the same. I bought a 4 way wedge from TSC which fits and works perfectly. If you're doing less than 20 cords per year I wouldn't go bigger.

 

Did your 27T BD have log strippers? Did you need to modify it when you added the 4-way wedge?

 

No strippers, no mods needed. It just drops down over the existing wedge. It isn't heavy duty. I don't use it for elm or gnarly/huge rounds.

 

I too would pick the Honda motor.

 

Another vote for Honda.

Size wise the 28 ton should be more than you need.
My old splitter was a 27 ton and had a Briggs. The amount of logs it would not split you could count on one hand.

 

I have one of those Ariens 27T here also, works good. Keep an eye on your hydraulic motor mount, mine broke the weld and split the other side of the bracket, we were lucky enough to catch it before anything real bad happened. If yours hasn't broken yet, maybe have a look at the weld on the bracket you might be able to burn a pass in over the old one and avoid this from happening to you

 

Good to know and I will look. Other than a screw backing out on the hydraulic controller, I've not had an issue with mine.

 

I'd go with the Honda too and 28 tons is all most people will need. My Black Diamond has been great so far.

 

On Honda motor depends on price to upgrade.. get cheap one and when it dies re power with predator, a Honda clone.. about $150; I did but I am cheap

 

28 ton. IMO 37 ton is overkill unless you constantly split gnarly wood. Ive been using a 27 ton (not mine but bought at Home Depot a year ago) for nearly a year and i show it no mercy. Never had to stop from it not being able to split a log. Single wedge.

Question: if using 4 or 6 way wedge is more tonnage ideal/recommended?

 

Does that include the thumb? The number of thumbs mine split you could count with one log!

 

The one here is used by 2 Brothers and myself, splitter usually sees 20 plus chord a spring. This year I have 20 chord alone and they got 7 each.

 

Great news, the 28 Ton Honda is on sale next week for $400 off and my daughter can get another 20% off that.

 

Hang the SOLD sign on that one!
It's going to be a long week for you.