Sold both my processors . One , 3 years ago and the other last spring. Labor,wood pricing, and ROI were big factors in the decision. Sold processors for more $ than I paid in 2001. I have a wood/chip dump that generates a lot of wood and need to process efficiently. Need to purchase a splitter. Any opinions or experience with either of these ? http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631584_200631584 $4200 or http://www.americancls.com/Products/SuperLogSplitter.aspx $5400 Leaning towards the Northstar for reasons: Little bigger engine Loglift Cycle time is NOT important to me. In my mind auto return is equal to faster cycle time. GPM difference is negligible . Axle/engine/tank looks to be removable/unbolt. May want to mount this to a steel skid movable by loader in future. Looks to have a laminated plate on beam bottom for extra strength. (Is it just me or can I see "USA" stamped in beam in one of Northerns pics?) For less than $100 in welding rod and drop steel I could mod this splitter to be indestructible. I would box in both ends of beam , add a backer plate for 4-way wedge and beef up the lift . A few review I've read say it could use some attention out of the box. Looks like shipping weights are very close . I'm guessing a fairly equal build. Price.
I have some 1/2" thick x 24"W x 8 or 10' L polly table tops with a 6" back splash molded in from a meat processing plant that I scrounged out of a dumpster that I plan on using to build a push conveyor.
Another drawback on the CLS is 8% sales tax going to Mario Cuom-No!!! I'm about to pull the trigger on the Northstar. Not seeing $1650 difference.
Don't like the pierced beam design(crazy if you ask me to pierce the beam just to make hose routing pretty ) and the low work height . Wanted 30" log length. TW option is 24 0r 36. TW engine is smaller. The closest equivalent to the Northstar is the TW-5 which has a blowout price of $8000 They sure are pretty,,,,,,,,, but,,,,, not that pretty.
Also have a diff model American CLS. Very well made . Powder coated everything. Excellent welds. American made. Northern unit is nice also. Splitting Walnut last winter. Has log lift & table.
30" Log length pretty much decides it for ya. That Northern is a lot of machine for the $$ and the only things it would leave me wanting are an outfeed table (even to drop onto a conveyor) and an adjustable height 4-way wedge.
I don't think you will be disappointed in the Northstar.. I also read where the lift needs some attention in the design of the open plate, but that's no big deal. I have a similar model with the GX270. It's built really well and has a great deal of work space.
For some reason the outfeed table and wedge are no longer available from northern. That's curious. I might call Northern Monday and find out why they are unavailable I have found the 4 way aftermarket and a table would be easy to fab. I think youre right about the table. Even just to catch the bigger pieces to rework.
