Depends on how much you have to split I hate buying anything that comes from China. Problem is it can be made here but I know some of the components come from China. I see so many 22 ton huskee/ box store splitters out and about it makes me wonder why I bought a 27 ton. They obviously are doing the job. I seen one today as I drove and I swear the rounds this guy was splitting with it had to be positioned by tractor to the splitter He had a pile too so it must have been doing its job. It was a tsc brand
I'm with you. I ended up with a dirty hand tools splitter because they are just so cheap but would gladly trade it for a horizontal unit that I could add a log lift and adjustable 4 way wedge to. I just wish the horizontal splitters were more plentiful.
I like the way you brought the splitter to working height. I use a set of steel car ramps with blocks behind the wheels. I am not that tall but bending over takes its toll on the back. I guess we learn with age.
I have a horizontal only splitter as well as a vertical and horizontal splitter Don't get me wrong the horizontal works great but it sits so low it was hell on my back. Im thinking of redoing it all together and adding a log lift I will admit for the big stuff I do like the vertical better even though I didn't think I would
So many 22 ton splitters out there right now getting the job done just fine for under $1K for me to even think about spending any more than that.
It will be this weekend I had some on my phone but I deleted them a while back. The horizontal is at my Inlaws in the barn. but I'll get a couple
Mike, be aware that I know of several who have the Chinese stuff and I've so far heard nothing bad. I also know of one fellow who has the same splitter as ours. Like ours, it came with a 5hp Briggs & Stratton engine. He went to Harbor Freight and bought a Chinese motor and says no problems....so far. I also agree that most of us really should not be putting too big of dollars into our equipment. Yes, big tractors, saws, splitters, etc are nice just like big trucks are. However, everything comes at a price. I remember discussing this with a friend just about a month ago when we cut a large red oak. The saw he brought was bigger than ours but he likes to point out that the weight of the engine is identical. That is true....mostly. But I can tell you it holds a lot more gas and oil than mine and you have to gas it up just as often as with mine. Over time, it adds up, especially when gas goes back up to around $4.00 per gallon plus that cheap oil we put in them. Over a year or two it can add up to a lot. I was amazed when we bought that little Stihl 180 and a year ago I cut almost everything with that little toy. I cut a lot of wood but was amazed at how little gas and oil I had to buy. Bigger is sometimes better, but not always.
Just out of curiosity I looked at Northern Tools wood splitters. First off they are expensive compared to most. But the real eye opener is for those who want the log lift. Of course one can build one to save some dollars. North Star 37 ton with Honda GX390 engine: $4,499.99 North Star 37 ton with Honda GX390 engine and log lift: $8,999.99 Now that is a big difference in price! But, you'll be able to stand up if that is really what you want to do. Most times though I think the log lift units cost from $800-$1000 extra. As for me, I can't stand there to split and even if I could, I'd rather work the easiest way and that means sitting as seen in my avatar.
I'm very torn when it comes to off-shore vs. made in USA manufacturing. I grew up just outside of Detroit and lived through the gas-crisis of the '70's, quality issues of the '80-90's, and now the parity of the 2K's between US autos vs Japanese, Korean, German models. I try to support local businesses and made in the USA product and I'm willing to pay a premium for this. However, there needs to be a balance. Sometimes, off-shore manufacturers can provide products for a substantial savings vs. on-shore. Quality has nothing to do with origin of manufacture. It has everything to do with specifications and oversight. Chinese manufacturing with high quality specs and oversight could easily be superior to made in USA with poor specs and oversight.
In my case it is a couple hundred bucks in hydraulics, free material, and some (therapeutic) time with the welder / plasma cutter. I can also get material cut on a cnc plasma table for little or no money. But I agree, I would never pay 3k extra for a log lift. My plan is to build something like a clone of a timberwolf tw5 with a log lift and hydraulic adjustable 4 way wedge.
