Well, I got me a wood splitter

Been looking around for a wood splitter. For years really. I just couldn't make myself do it as I been swinging a maul for a long time. Somewhere around 12-15 cords of wood a year busted with a splitting maul over the last 20 years. But, I'm getting older and, time is more important than muscle to me now. Plus, after using a good one my buddy wvhunter owns last weekend, I realized they have gotten pretty dang quick over the older models I have used in the past.

So, I decided this past weekend, I was going to bite the bullet and get one. I researched and looked. I contemplated getting the harbor freight one and see no problems with it. But, a good bit of the wood I cut is logging butt offs, crotch wood, stuff a sawmill doesn't want. Which means knots and twisted grain, big chunks , etc.... I was a little hesitant in putting the money into a lighter machine. I'm sure they are great but, they aren't as heavily made as other, more expensive versions. So, I decided to go with the tractor supply's new version of the Huskee 22 ton splitter.

I drove to the local branch, looked over their splitters, and didn't see one of them. So, I inquired where they were as the internet showed them in stock. I was told they had a new shipment arrive yesterday but, none had been assembled yet. I asked how long it took and, he said about an hour or so. He offered to go do it NOW but, said they had planned on putting several together tomorrow to roll out for sale.

I declined the quick route as I simply didn't want them rushing through the assembly. So, I went to the cashier and, laid one away with a down payment of all but a $156. I told them I'd be back Monday to get it. I know that sounds crazy but, I just don't want a bunch of high school kids texting, laughing, joking, basically screwing off while putting my splitter together under a time constraint. Rushed people cut corners. Besides, I gotta pay the last installment of my new kitchen cabinets tomorrow. And, I'm not sure exactly the additional amount they will be as we changed a few things since getting them prcied. Better to be safe on all accounts versus living extremely tight for the next two weeks.

Anyways, I'm happy and blessed to be able to finally get me a splitter. Hopefully I can afford to get it Monday once they have had time to put them together correctly. It was time to do it as I'm starting to have to cut and split more and more of my aging dad's wood. That demand was gong to DOUBLE my maul time. Those dang splitters are built for war. Extremely heavy duty. It is called a County Line. When I get'er home, I'll try pics again. God Bless

 

You will like it , I have one , many others here do too.
I have the Huskee, County Line is the same ,just rebadged and some changes , made by Speeco

 

Congrats on the splitter man! Pics needed when you pick it up. In action !

 

Yeah, it's wearing on me. I'm feeling like it is going to go ahead and come home tomorrow. Can't stand it anymore I do this every time I make my mind up on something. I'll ponder it for days, weeks, months, even years. Once I commit, I just as soon get it over with. Be done with it and get to using it. God Bless

 

Men, I woke up this morning and did it. I transferred some money from savings and awaited the clock to strike 8 AM. I started to call at 8 sharp but thought, let's be cool about this and give these people time to get started. So, I called the store at 8:06 and was dismayed that no one answered the phone. I called at 8:09. A girl answered the phone and put into touch with the Manager. She hung up on me 2 times trying to transfer me. This was after I waited 11 minutes on hold to only have to hang up and call back. Notice I didn't say patiently. I lost that about the 6 minute mark.

When I finally talked with him I told him the deal and, he said it would be about 9:30 before he could get it together. What!!!???????? He said the first of the month got them behind so none were assembled yet. I contemplated and told him I'd be there to get it. I mean this guy was a man. A manager. He'd get it together right. Right?

I promise, you can't make this up.

I arrive early and he comes out and tells me it is ready. I ask him if it has the oil and stuff in it and he assures me that he put it in there himself. I pull around, get it and, drive the 40 MPH home. I get here and MAKE myself read the owners manual. It takes about 45 minutes to install the ball on my ATV and read everything written in english in the owners manual. After doing this, I quickly fill it up with gas and start pulling. On/Off switch On? Check. Choke on? Check. Gas cut on Check. I start pulling. A minute and a half later I'm still pulling. No big deal. It is a new motor. Never been started. I rest and start again. About another minute and a half later, it hits!!!!!!. I kill the choke and crank it and it fires to life!!!!!!

Men, the world changed at that moment. In a brief milli-second before the world turned wet, I heard this hiss. Then here comes the rain. I still am not sure what I thought was going on but, I definitely thought it was going to be harmful. I took off to get away from this possessed machine. I had made a couple steps in retreat when I realized this was the hydraulic oil shooting out somewhere. I panicked. I couldn't find the cut off. Meanwhile, this log splitter was spewing my oil in a huge fountain. I finally fond the switch and got it off. I was standing there with oil literally dripping off my hair, thinking, "How in the #$^# did this happen?" I mean a man had put this thing together, not texting, immature teenagers. I looked around and the oil had gotten on my saws, my ATV, my driveway, me, my neighbors friend, and worst of all, my dog. It was flippin' every where.

I start looking around and notice oil leaking from the valve on the line from the pump to the handle. I go get my wrench and tighten it up. It wasn't even hand tight. I get the oil cleaned up as best as I can and call the $%^%! guy I had all the faith in earlier and tell him what for. He apologizes immensly and tells me to come to the store and he will spot me 5 gallons of oil for the tank. So, I get in my truck after cleaning up and go get my oil, top of my tank, fire it up and proceed to split 5 loads of wood this afternoon. So, life ain't bad.

I am being honest, you can't dream this kind of stuff up. My impression of the splitter is top notch. It performed flawlessly and only burned 1.5 gallons of fuel. My impression of the whole deal is much better now versus at 11:30 this morning. I have had time to calm down and laugh about it now. And, my wood shed is getting full. So, life really is good. Praise the Lord for the health and the means to do what I do. All in all, it is OK. I'm over it and got a lot of work done. The guy was sincere and simply made a mistake. We all do that. And life is good. I'm sipping an ice cold adult beverage, getting ready to grill some steak, and watch College Football! Plus, I got me a dandy log splitter!!!! Life is GOOD!

God Bless men.

 

Lol.... only you my friend!!!! Glad it worked out, pull it down the farm and I will give it a work out for you.

 

That stinks! Just seems like you can't rely on anyone. Good you got it going and put it through it's paces a little.

 

Well , you had an interesting morning
I have been in situations like that and was able to laugh about it later , like ya said we all make mistakes .
That would be funny to watch

So ! where's the pictures

 

I can't post pics. Says is doesn't recognize the file or something like that. God Bless

 

I'm sure I would laugh at it now if I could watch it. At roughly 11:00 AM this morning, laughing was the last thing on my mind. Murder more like it.

Another plus was I got to run my newly rebuilt 372 Xp for a good while today, after getting it back from my uncle who borrowed it. That saw is really something else.

I highly recommend anyone that wants to go the big bore route to check out the Bailey's NWP kit. This saw has great torque and, as all 372 versions, awesome chain speed. The extra 2 mm really makes a difference in power while in the cut. God Bless

 

One time I was soaked in transmission fluid , cuz my helper buddy cross threaded a line

 

Yep. It tired the stress right out of me. Splitting table coming soon. I got to split this wood really small to get it in the top feed stove, there was a lot of bending over to get pieces.

 

They didn't have any in stock, or you makin your own ?

 

Thought I'd try it without it. Not sure of it's stock status.

Heck man, it took me several years to justify a splitter. I can't just get it decked out from the get go.

Seriously, I'm a tight wad but, that thing is almost a necessity. God Bless

 

Congrats on pulling the trigger, you'll be glad you did. I have a Ariens 22 ton and theres not much it won't go through. I think you'll be happy with it.

 

Great story, had me laughing at your plight. Sorry Glad all is well.

If anyone remembers avalancher posts from AS, this was his style. Good stuff.

 

I here ya.
I bought my splitter used but picked up the log catcher at TS the same day .
Just get it when ya can, and you will see it is a necessity

 

Always better to work smarter. Save your back. You only have one shot at getting older and not in pain. Now come the pain of being careful who you let use the splitter, that is if you want it to last you.