Looks fairly well built & decent shape, low to the ground=sore back. No vertical operation or log lift. $450.00 tops if it's very good condition. Otherwise go new if you can. I'd bet that's more than 13 ton too unless it has a small pump. If that's what it really is rated at, never mind.
And that’s fine if you don’t have lower back problems.... or don’t mind looking to incur any such discomfort. That’s the issue with the lower back- any chance it has to act up, Murphy will be there.
I'd go look at it if you don't mind the low working height...can't anymore than make a lowball offer, he might take it, who knows...either way the guy needs an education on its value Heck, I only paid $699 for my 23 ton Champion H/V brand new, fully assembled and running.
It was running when you bought it???? Was it splitting wood too? Or.... Soooo, like how long did it take you to catch up with it?
It was running...heck of a sales gimmick it was! It had never split wood yet though...I was the first to split cherry with it. It was running to catch me...it chased me the whole way home!
My splitter that I use the most is this low as well. Big stuff, roll it up, you don't pick it up. It's only slightly more difficult than vertical splitting, to have to balance the big pieces. For me at least. For everything else, I don't find vertical splitting more efficient, or quicker than horizontal splitting. Sitting, using a hookeroon, and being situated in hookeroon reach of a pile of rounds is no harder on your back than splitting like that vertically.
I picked up my 15 ton for $350 Canadian and it had only been used 4 times. The asking price was $400 but it wasnt running when I got there. I wouldn't go over $250 -$300 usd for that one if it's running well with no leaks. The asking price is ridiculous if you can get something brand new and bigger for $150 more.
I really wonder if the older splitters are rated like the older engines were.... the older kohlers n briggs were rated at 12..14 or 16 hp.....today.....since manufacturers changed there formula how to figure hp... pretty sure today's equivalent would be 20..22 n 24 hp....
300.00 max for something that old any hard parts would have to be searched to be found the hydraulics would be the first suspect for problems I just picked up a licikty split for 200.00 with a new engine took some adjustments to linkage to make work but getting parts for them is $$$$ best time to buy from tsc,lowes any of those stores is spring leftover stock sometimes you can talk them down below their sale price
It amuses me to see people selling used crap for virtually the same price as you can buy a new one for. I always say, "there are two prices, what it is worth and what price will make it sell".
There may be someone who'll pay that price, but it wouldn't be me. No deal. Maybe he thinks it's "vintage". That raises the price a lot.
Personally I really dislike vertical splitters. I have a degenerative spine problem so yes I have a bad back. Horizontal and a few rounds/splits etc. for a ramp and almost anything goes up. Off of a truck bed, tractor bucket or trailer even better. Verticals I've used required me to be hunched over sitting on a bucket with far more back strain moving logs on the ground sideways. I never noodle anything, I have dangled 60" silver maple rounds from tongs on the loader and split from the edges in. Just my opinion, no offense meant
Sometimes I think people list stuff high in anticipation of getting beat up on price. If they listed this at say $350 than someone would offer $200. They figure they can "haggle" with you and get what they actually want for it. Can't ever hurt to offer lower than what they are asking if you want it.
I recently picked up a tool at an "estate sale" for $325 that was priced at $450. Never hurts to make an offer. You can always walk away.
Well, Briggs got in big legal trouble because they over started their power ratings. That's why the go by tq, not hp on smaller engines. The 5hp Briggs was tired, but it met is demise due to my fault of not checking the oil, when it was using oil. The predator was a substantial power increase even when the Briggs was running well.
No offense taken, The only time I would use it is for the very heavy rounds that I can't or don't want to attempt to pick up. My back isn't 20 years old anymore, don't need a hernia, already try with putting half the stuff I do into my truck. Basically I'm not looking at a vertical to use all the time, it's those exceptions. Why bust a nut trying to lift it up when I don't have to. Which would be a benefit for a lower machine like this one but leaning over like that constantly isn't something I wish to do either.
