My third family member pass down splitter was giving up the last month after 25 years of heavy use. Read great reviews on this engine and purchased it this morning. Had it installed and running in about :45 from breaking the seal on the box. Very happy with the performance so far. Being cautious the first three hours of break-in by not running at full throttle or busting big hardwood logs. $156 after tax.
My wood cutting buddy has the HF engine before the Predator line. It was called Greyhound back then. Same Honda clone engine. It was blue. This was about 14 years ago. They were $89 back then with coupon. It has lasted for the limited use he and I put on it fine. A few small fuel leaks from loose connections is all I know happened to it.
I've got a predator motor on an old husky 20ton. Been reliable for the first 15 hours of run time. Guess time will tell how long it lasts.
Have split about a cord of white oak and hickory with it in two days. Wish I would have replace the engine months ago. Starts the first pull, doesn't bog down, and seems easy on gas.
I split a few cords in the last few months with his. Doesn't ever bog down on that 22Ton splitter he has. And it seems to run forever on the half gallon or 3/4 of gallon of gas it holds .
I put the same predator on our old Didier splitter. That was several years and a lot of cords of wood, split ago. That thing still starts in 1 pull. Great on gas, it's quiet, and has a lot more power than the old Briggs had. I can't recommend them enough. BTW, you can "send it" after you warm it up, then shut it off and totally cool off a couple times. Just don't go full throttle for more than a few seconds at a time until it's been run it a few heat soak cycles. Engines put out more power and seem to last longer when broken in this way.
