Just bought a homemade log splitter. It has a Briggs & Stratton 5hp 206 cc motor. A John S. Barnes Corp pump, Boss 2500 psi Ram Industries cylinder and a Cross valve. I don’t know if the components are industrial and overkill for the 5 HP Briggs motor or not. the motor is tired and has been rigged with a different carburetor and having serious problems running. My question would be, can I go for a bigger motor and what would you guys recommend brand and size wise. thank you for the help.
You could get a replacement engine as long as it will mount and connect properly. Have you checked compression on that engine? Perhaps just a bit of maintenance will get it running proper again. Did the splitter run well when you purchased it?
There's been a few different people here had good luck with repowering their old splitters with new 6.5 HP Predators from Harbor Freight...not that I endorse chinese knockoff motors, but I don't think there are any USA small engines anymore, so... I think Horkn was one of them...
Yup , This is the way to go. I am not a big fan of Chinese manufactured knockoffs but you can not beat this for price and reliability. I have used them in Kart racing and we also use them in our power mechanics classes for students. Steel sleeve in the cylinder , ball bearings on the crank , I bet you that the Briggs on your splitter now has neither of those. Keep the oil clean and change it regularly and it will outlive you.
Yep. I did just that. The 6.5 hp predator replaced an old 5 hp briggs pretty much like yours, but even older engine. The predator was the best upgrade you could do you that splitter. Do it. It bolts right up. Starts easier, quieter, better on fuel, and moar powrrrrrr!!!
Thank folks. The initial post was about a homemade splitter I bought because an 85 foot oak tree fell down on my house taking out my garage, laundry room, bathroom and closet trashing trusses and drywall inside. I have six more trees the same size half down from the same storm or leaning towards the house. After first run I joined these groups to get the feel of what parts were what and the terminology. This thing has ancient industrial components on it. (pump,valve and cylinder. ) I wanted to get the specs so I knew what I was dealing with. The JS Barnes pump is obsolete and I cannot find any specs online nor the seven groups I joined. The company that took over them won’t/doesn’t give out info or maybe they don’t know since it’s so old. The Cross valve and Boss cylinder are AWOL online according to serial numbers. I wanted to match or at least get to know all of my components. The 5 HP Briggs & Stratton carburetor was shot and the choke and throttle was hacked from another machine. The carb was not usable. Thanks for all the input as I learned quite a bit in a short amount of time. Instead of spending $162 for the correct carb and still having many more unsorted problems with the Briggs, I went to Harbor Freight and spent $145 on a Chinese knockoff 6.5 HP instead of 5 and am back in business. Now I just have to make a wedge as this ridiculous thing this previous owner made is not right.
Ouch to the house damage, that's pretty significant! Where ya at in MI? If you're anywhere near me I'm sure I could lend you a splitter till you have time to get yours repaired. Also check at TSC or Family Farm & Home, they often stock wedges for splitters that pretty cheap. I saw a 4way for under $30.00.
Good call on the predator. Are they really that much now? They used to be $99. Horrible to hear about the damage to the home though. I'm presuming that insurance will take care of it?
Yes the price has gone up , it seems that prices on everything has gone up lately. Still not really a bad deal but certainly not as good a deal as what they were. You can still get 10 to 20% off when they have sales and use their coupons though , that helps a little anyway.
Surprised they still are doing that...seems like in 2021 a sale is "yeah we have one in stock, and yes I'll sell it to you"
Very kind. Thank you. I use to hang down by you. My friend owns a hotel on the golf course there and I’d walk across the street to the Bar/restaurant for live bands.
