20 to 25 ton log splitters...

I got mine from Craigslist last weekend. Paid $700 for it. A new one from my Stihl dealer is $2700. I agree with lukem, though. Many splitters on CL are way overpriced.

 

Sweet

 

Yeah, most on cl are overpriced. Many are the same price as what a new one will cost, or in some cases more $ when you factor in the sale prices on the same splitter at the store.

But if you look, you might find a deal.

 

I picked up an Echo/Bearcat 22 ton this year. It is the first splitter (other than a maul) that I've owned. It seems to work very well. It's got a Subaru engine. It was however very pricey compared to the Chonda powered units. Time will tell if this was a good investment.(?)

 

Nice splitter

 

I got the I&O 22 ton with the Honda GX engine off C/L a few years ago. I paid $850 for it. You got a great deal on that 26 ton with the Subaru

 

Yup. I sold my dirty hand tools splitter for $50 less than I paid for it and it only took a couple of days.

 

Thanks Elder, time will tell. Seems to be in good shape, but you never know how someone else used it. I sure liked the price on it, compared to a new one! One things for sure: Craigslist has changed the game. Used equipment holds its value a lot more than it used to.

 

Finally pulled the trigger. I was in the box store's outdoor garden shop looking for annuals. I saw 3 Dirty Hand Tools 22-ton splitters still in their boxes in a back corner of the yard. They looked like they were there all winter, the boxes were water damaged and faded. The sign on them said $1,025 hand changed to $899. I asked and was told they were "last year's model". The specs were identical to the current version. The differences were that the newer one had slightly wider trim along the splitter track (they called it a built in log holder but it only added 1" on either side) and the log extractors were welded in place. On the new ones the log extractors are bolted on. This way they can be replaced with a different set that can accommodate the 4-way splitter head. Looking at the specs, the 4-way head should only be used with "soft" wood, not something I was considering.

I decided to ask about the price. They offered me a 15% discount on the $899, $765. I was interested enough to open one of the water damaged boxes. There was mildew and some surface rust under the plastic wrap on some components and the unit was not assembled for sale. At that point I asked if they had the current model in stock, no but they could get one in a day or two. Told them I had to think about it and went to buy my plants. While I was shopping a "manager" approached me and asked if I was still interested in one of the in-stock splitters. Told him that the manufacturer's sticker indicated they were a year old, they were dirty, and looked like they had been exposed to the elements for that time. He said it would have the new warranty, one year components, 3 years engine, it would come with the 6 gallons of hydraulic fluid, engine oil, they would finish the assembly, and clean it up for me. He had approached me so I guess he wanted to get it sold, I asked for a price as-is, just take the forklift and put it in my truck. I was guessing he would give me 25% and drop it to about $675. He came back with $450. SOLD.

They put it in the truck, I took it home, and explained to the wife that it followed me home. She knew I had been looking and knew I expected to spend about $1,000. When she heard the price the only thing she said was, "It better work!".

I finished putting it together and took it off the steel pallet in the bed of the truck. Put the ramps on the truck and used a winch to slowly unload it. Checked everything and fired it up. It started on the third pull. I've put a little over 6 hours on it and split loads of oak, sycamore, and hard maple. Not a hiccup, works great.

Sometimes it pays to poke around and ask...

KaptJaq

 

Great deal man over half off

Ok NY guys there is 2 left , go get ya a deal , be quick

 

That was a great deal. You should get the others and sell them and with the money you make from them your splitter would be free.

 

I'm a NY guy but at the other end of the state (phooey). Been hand splitting for three years, it's good exercise, but I'm sore and need time back! Tractor supply had their 25 ton Countyline model on sale this past weekend. It followed me home. It's made by Speeco, does vertical & horizontal, Kohler engine, and light enough I can wheel it in/out of the shed myself. I put it through paces yesterday, it split everything I threw at it - Ash, Maple, Hickory, Black Locust, and Pine (no wood snob here). Been getting most of my wood this year for free from the local town yard waste "give back" area. So far I've got just over 2 cords worth since mid March - that's 1/2 a season's burning. I'm almost back to three years CCS.

Fun Stuff,
Gpsfool

 

I was back at the store yesterday to pick up some more gardening supplies. In front of the store, with the barbecues & lawn tractors, was a DHT 22-ton splitter for $899. Looked at the stickers and the manufacturer date was over a year ago so it probably was one of the ones from the back of the gardening yard. It was all cleaned-up and prepped for sale. Nice new sign on it showing original price of $1099 and reduced to $899.

Went to the back of the yard and the third unit was gone also, site inventory shows only one of the older model in stock (and none of the current model.)

I don't know but guess they had forgotten they were back there before I saw them and asked. In the week since I bought mine they appear to have decided to clean them up and put them out front to get them sold. No mention that they are an older model, just the smell of WD-40 on all the steel parts that had been rusted. At least I knew what I was getting into and was compensated for the risk...

KaptJaq

 

The unit I have has the 196 cc Kohler with a throttle. Manual says start at half throttle and run at full throttle to achieve maximum, 22-ton, pressure. So far I have used it at about 3/4 throttle and it has had no problems with anything I've tried to split.

I see some of the new versions of the DHT 22-ton with a G200FA 6.5 HP Loncin Engine. I have never seen that brand before but the specs are very similar to the Kohler SH265 on my unit.

Thanx for the advice,
KaptJaq

 

I don't either , went lookin to buy a new push mower , looked all over everywhere , they don't make em

 

I'm very happy with my predator 20 ton, this is its third season and still no problems.
I burn almost 6 cords a year, so it earns its keep.
I've found that the two way splitting is so fast it takes two to keep up with it. One splitting and one feeding and stacking

 

They are around, my local ACE as well as a non-chain hardware store has them... Worst case you can get them on Amazon or Home Depot:

Amazon.com : Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower : Walk Behind Lawn Mowers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Search Results for push reel lawn mower at The Home Depot

How many acres do you have to mow?

KaptJaq

 

I wasn't very clear .
They don't make a push mower with a throttle