New Splitter ! And The Bad News

Today..finally...got myself my very own splitter. Brand new !! My first actually! Always used my dad's. Now his is going to get a full repaint !
Its a 25 ton Countyline (tsc)
My Dad's is a Huskee (speeco)..basically the same design...but 35 ton. And has split 12-20 cord a year for almost 25 years straight.
So I figured I'd take the tried and true..affordable choice ! Glad I did. Some things I didn't like abt it during the deciding process...the location of the engine . It's way low..on wrong side if u ask me. I have to bend way down to do the controls..and worry abt it taking a log hit...so I may have to modify. Second is the jack stand thing. I think that it's a good intention...but my back would rather use a trailer jack.

And the bad...I left my gas can at the sugar shack ! Can't even try today ! So I'll just stare at it...cuz it'll never look this good again !
Hopefully test it soon !

Also added a log catcher..and got a bucket of universal hydro...cuz tsc never fills stuff up all the way.

 

Nice

 

Can’t wait for pics of you breaking it in, but I guess I’ll have to. Congrats!

 

Get a 2nd log catcher and mount it just behind the first one. That places it directly over the engine . You will have to drill holes in the beam to mount it and I drilled holes through the end plates on both log catchers and bolted the together. Pros: protects the engine. Doubles the area to stage rounds/resplits. Con: have to use a long neck funnel to fill the gas tank, but really not a big deal…that splitter runs a llooonnnggg time on a tank of gas. Also have to watch mine, even without the second log catcher…bits of bark and splitter trash will fall between the muffler and air filter housing into the recess for the spark plug. Have had it catch fire a couple of times. I keep a small cordless air compressor handy to blow that area out prior to refueling and putting it back in storage. Planning to add a solid shield under the second log catcher to keep crap off of the engine. You will enjoy your new toy…I mean tool. I haven’t found a round that mine won’t split yet and I do mostly elm.

 

Nice! Very similar to the one i use. Best of luck with it.

 

Like the new splitter. I had a 25-ton from 2016, now have the Fast 30-ton. Your dad's Huskee is most likely made by Speedco. New ones are now Chinese. My biggest complaint on mine is the axle\tank was moved forward compared to the Huskee ( I also have a 35-ton from 2008 area).
Enjoy the new tool.

 

Very nice machine.

 

Nice , nothing like a new toy.

Install an hour meter,
Wrap the hydro oil filter with magnetic sign material , this helps trap any fine particles floating around in the system ( yes this does help)
Keep up on frequent oil changes , oil is the life blood in a small engine not only keeping things lubed but also carries away heat.

Have fun with it !

 

I noticed I was bumping into the tire with my leg while in position. Why do they have to change what works ? Lol.

 

Thanks for all the good advice !
I looked around alot..and it seems like alot of the more affordable splitters put the engine in the same spot. Makes no sense !

 

You answered your own question , why change = because it works too good so let's see how bad we can screw it up.

 

Exactly lol !

 

Truth !!

 

I second buzz-saw, add an hour meter, I use a rare earth magnet on my hydro filter. I also upgraded it to a higher flow wix filter as well.
Also I recommend a drainzit for the oil plug. The drain plug location sucks and you'll see.
Napa hydro fluid is valvoline unless they switched suppliers in last 2-3 years. Nothing wrong with travellers either for our use.
Love my countyline!, has done everything I've thrown at it. I also added a heater to the hydro tank when I want to split in cold weather.
I haven't really had any splits hit the engine. The location hasn't really been something I think about., Start,set and you work on the other side.
I sure wouldnt be against a shield for it though. They sure have gone up in price since I bought mine. Kind of a sticker shock

 

They have definitely almost doubled the price in 2 or 3 years
Wish I would have gotten it a few years ago...but...things don't always line up ..oh well.
I will for sure do the magnet..better filter..and drain plug mod.
I appreciate the advice !

 

and don't forget " The new one bolts right on, " YEAH RIGHT"

well ; it does if you have a complete tool box , hardware store and fabrication shop at your disposal.

 

Just tilt the splitter vertical to fill the tank. That clears the log catcher from the top of the tank. That should be the only reason to tilt the beam

 

Congratulations on the new splitter. We have it's bigger brother, the 30 ton fast cycle.
Did the pin for the control handle fall out on the way home?