Recent Hydro Splitter Experiences and Thoughts

Hi folks! First post to this forum. Thanks for having me!

I wanted to share some recent experiences that I have had while getting into splitting with hydraulics. I knew I wanted to go with a 22 ton unit, and had read here and elsewhere that the 22 ton flavor of the Husky/County Line splitters where very popular. I also read about the Ariens 22s, and they seemed nice as well.

After a few weeks of searching CL, I came across a great deal on a new Gravely / Ariens 22 ton and jumped on it. The splitter was in like new condition with only a few hours of run time on the Subu engine which ran great. I was very excited as I pulled her home in the trailer.


The following weekend I scored a nice trailer load of Black Locust which I trailered home to meet its fate with my new splitter.


Once set up, I started splitting away. Some of the rounds were fairly large, but the splitter poped them open just fine, and cut right through all of the knots. I was pleased with its performance, however it did want to tip when a large round was placed on the rail. The Ariens splitters have a little foot you can drop down (which I did), but it's a bit of a pain.


After about three hours of splitting, I was done and it was time to clean up. While cleaning up the splitter I noticed that a number of metal parts were bent and twisted. The work table was bent down on one corner. One of the log stripper ears had bent out a bit, and part of the foot of the splitter was bent as well. When I lifted the stabilizer I noticed that the pin the holds it in place was also bent. These things did not instill a lot of confidence in the longevity of the splitter, so I decided it needed to go.

The Gravely 22 ton sold quickly on Craigs List, so with cash in hand I set out to buy the splitter I originally had my heart set on; the Dirty Hand Tools 22 Ton. Well, when I got to Lowes they had a DHT 27 ton that had been sent back to the factory for some carb issues, had been fixed and was now on clearance at a price that I couldn't pass up. It also had the log catcher attached, so I bought it instead of the 22 ton.

Back at home, I double checked the nuts and bolts, fueled it up (this splitter holds much more fuel than the Ariens 22 ton), and it fired on the first pull. I was surprised that it started so quickly based on the reviews that I had read of people having to pull a lot of times on the very first start. With the engine running smoothly, and no fluid leaks, I begin to split.


The DHT 27 ton uses the same Kohler motor and pump as the 22 ton, but the cylinder is larger giving the higher tonnage force. I didn't think that it would be a noticeable issue, but the wedge seemed to move at a snails pace at 14 seconds compared with the Ariens 12 second stroke time. I split for a while, but couldn't take it anymore. I loaded the splitter back into the trailer and took it back to exchange it with the DHT 22 ton that I wanted all along. So now I wait. They didn't have a 22 ton built, so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to pick it up.

I'll let you know how it goes. More pics and a review to follow.

 

I have a 22 ton dht splitter an its Awsome splits anything I throw at it .

 

Welcome to the FHC, RiverMonster.
That is one fine intro post and splitter review. Also, I am envious of your Locust score. How wierd that the unit you first got bent up like it did.

 

It was a bit odd that it bent up so bad. I didn't abuse it, but I didn't take it easy on it either. The metal used to build the machines must be some soft stuff.

I had read about someone using an Ariens 22 ton that had the wedge stick into a round. When the operator tried to retract the wedge, the pin holding the wedge bent and pulled out of the wedge mounting bracket. Again a metal quality issue I think.

At any rate, the DHT splitters seem to be quite solid, and the Kohler engine runs smooth and is quieter than the Subaru engine that was on the Ariens. I look forward to using the DHT 22 ton so long as the guys that put it together at Lowes did a somewhat competent job which I am in doubt of. The guy that sold it to me kept referring to it as a 27,000 ton splitter. : /

 

First off, welcome.

Second, at least you now know first hand, FOR SURE, that the 22 ton unit you wanted, was indeed the right choice for you. Enjoy watching your axes and mauls collect dust.

 

What is that green stuff on the ground? Did you take those pictures yesterday?

 

River, you're on the right track by bringing back or selling splitters right away. The way I see it, you will have all your wood split and no need make room to store a splitter! Just keep trying 'em and returning 'em!
Also, welcome aboard and I must say that the lawn looks very impressive! Time for a trim, no?

 

I'd have done the same as you did with the Gravely. There's absolutely no reason you should have to take it easy on a new (or slightly used) piece of equipment. Granted, you shouldn't beat the hell out of it either. For just splitting a few pieces, things like that shouldn't happen. It's sad that it's somewhat of an expectation these days that things just don't last.

Let us know when you get your 22T and how it compares to the other two. I've heard a lot of praise for the DHT's. Congrats!

 

They call that grass. A lot of you guys probably have some under all that white stuff on the ground. What is that stuff anyway?

A bit more about my setup and what I'm working with...

The Ladies! They are both great saws!


My stacks.






And my helpers...

 

Great pics Monster! Welcome to FHC.

 

I have the troybilt 27 ton ots a little slow...but i dont mind

 

Thanks for the warm (get it?!) welcome everyone! It's great to be here.

I'll wrap up my portion of this thread with my hearth build and install...















And lastly the first break in fire...

 

Real nice work .

 

Awesome work. Very nice pics also

 

Some nice work there RM. Bet that break in fire was mighty fine...

 

River Monster: Welcome to FHC... Three different spliters, in about as many days.... yeah your gonna fit in real good around hear. Great pics (another sure fire way to fit in). Let us know how the 22ton works out for ya... and keep them kiddos warm!

 

welcome aboard RiverMonster
where did you score the B/L? I managed to get about a half cord a few months ago but still pretty hard to find in these parts

 

Grass??? Grass!!!!

(Welcome, I guess...doesn't seem fair...)

Seriously, beautiful children, looks like you are enjoying life. That's what it is all about.

 

It's great to be here! Thanks for the great forum.

I have actually made two good sized BL scores in about a year. This last one came from a neighborhood in Seattle, but around our home in Tacoma, we have a lot of Black Locust. I keep pretty good tabs on all the trees around our area looking for my next score.

This last BL score came from a branch that fell off a huge Locust tree totaling six cars parked along the street. Ouch!


Well, I got a call that the new DHT 22 ton was "fully assembled" (we'll see about that) and ready for pick-up, so that's what we did last night. It was a bit late, so it's still in the trailer at home, but I'll pull it off today and tighten everything down. I need to order the log catcher from DHT as well.

 

Mine came with it.