And wasted my time. What a PIA. It's slow, under powered, has no log stripper. Awful design finger chopper/tongue jack. No rear jack so when a large log was put on the beam it wants to tilt backwards. The fenders take a beating because every other piece fell on them. If it was mine I'd have cut them off by now. I got tired of wedging logs underneath the beam so I tried it vertically. The foot plate is tiny so odd shaped logs had to be man handled into place and balanced on the plate carefully. I got the puny four way wedge stuck in a piece of maple. When I raised the wedge to beat it off with a sledge the hole splitter almost tipped over. The valve is turned sideways so you can only work from one side. The motor and hoses are in place that can get damaged by log stuck on the wedge. Engine is loud and tinny sounding. I spent twice as long getting half as much done compared to my old setup (horizontal with log lift and auto cycle). I don't know how these things get such a great reputation.
The only redeeming quality is that it is built so light and has such a small hydraulic tank it's easy to move around the yard by hand.
I'm thinking, when the time comes, you will not be buying one of those as your own Sorry about the rough day
I'm building what I want. Just borrowed this one to get that pile split before winter so it's not in the way.
What splitter is it? Looks like Ariens colors and some parts, but doesn't look like their design/model? Funny you posted this today. I was just in Lowes, and noticed they had the Dirty Hand Tools splitter we were all looking at/discussing last winter. I had it on my list, and almost went for it. Well after seeing it today, glad I didn't. The wheels are right dead smack in the way of where you would stand to use it, the engine is right where splits will pop off and drop onto, the hoses looked to have "weird" routing. It's built beefy and well, but I don't like the design. Much happier with my little ole Ariens. It definitely pays to see these things in person.
Yeah Mike, sorry about the bad experience. Shudda' rented a real one. Looks like a bean counter got a hold of the plans for that thing.
So Mike how do you really feel about it? Quit holding back.... Interesting review....sorry that your splitting time was quite as smooth or productive as you'd have liked it to be.
I liked the iron and oak I used a lot but that looks totally different to me than what I borrowed. That looks terribly awkward to use! Sorry about the bad experience brother that deserved a rant.
Although Brave and Iron & oak are indeed made by the same company Brave splitters are the economy models and Iron & Oak are the commercial models and are much better. Log strippers are options for both models as are log cradles
That's a strange looking splitter design. I thought I&O had a good name for themselves. Why would they build a splitter with wedge on beam without the strippers? I routinely get knotty crotches stuck on my splitter. Sometimes, I have to place a split or log on the foot to power through them.
Its not an I&O its a Brave. I&O's economy model, I&O have a much better design than that Brave in the pic. Strippers are options for both the Brave and I&O splitters you can order them form their site or dealers. I do not have one on mine and there have been a few times I wish I did, played hell getting a few stuck rounds off the wedge
There is one sticker identifying the brand(s) on the splitter. It has equally sized logos for iron and oak and Brave on the one sticker. Edit Actually I think the iron and oak logo was bigger but probably because it has more letters in the name.
