advice on a wood splitter

[BHMC]

What is a good splitter for a good value. I would like to buy one that will last a long time. Any thoughts on the IRON & OAK I saw them and they seem to be a good unit for alot less then some of the others. I would like to go, made in the USA. The Iron & Oak 30 ton was around $1900.00 Any info would be great.
Side note - going to do about 14 cord a year.

Thanks.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I bought this one last year and it seems to be a very well built machine. Definitely heavy and 4.9 out of 5 rating by 73 people says a lot for it. Be hard pressed to find another machine with that high of rating by 73 people. They had a super Saturday sale and everything in closest store was 10% off and I drove about 2 hours each way to get it.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326290_200326290

[foursapssyrup]

my father has a timberwolf TW2 and it is a very well built machine. had it for 8 years or so and it has not had any issues whatsoever. splits anything that we put on it, and you can get a few add ons for it. (4 or 6 way wedge, log lift, splitting table, etc.)

[BryanEx]

What is a good splitter for a good value.
There are many very well built splitters on the market these days but given you are also looking for value I recommend you check out Speedco which is also marketed under the Husky name in the US (if I'm not mistaken). Speedco has been very well received and very often recommended on several arborist / forestry message boards I follow which says a lot to me. "Tree guys" are about as opinionated as they come and will quickly find the faults in equipment. Speedco is carried by TSC and is often on sale with sizable discounts. The only reoccurring complaint I've found about the splitter has to do with the assembly at TSC which often isn't up to par. I plan on picking up a 22 ton this summer for about $1000.

[3rdgen.maple]

I got the Husky/ speedco 3 point splitter years ago for the tractor. 30 ton splitter and have had zero problems with it and it splits some of the nastiest knotty crap I have seen without grunting. It still has the price stisker on it too. $565 buck lol probably double that these days.

[JuniperHillSugar]

I've owned an "American" splitter for years, with a Honda commercial engine. It's got a two stage hydraulic pump, a must have, that slows the ram speed but just powers through anything you've got. The Honda is super efficient on fuel, and starts reliably every time. Briggs makes a nice engine as well, but either way you should make sure that it is covered from the weather.

Some homemade models are nicely built, but can be dangerous. Splitters won't stop for fingers so be careful, especially with young helpers around.

[C.Wilcox]

I have a 30 ton SpeeCo and it will split anything. It's a no frills log splitter that will split vertical or horizontal. I bought it because I couldn't find anyone with a negative thing to say about it and because SpeeCo has good customer service. After a simple assembly, we tested it on some 30" diameter elm crotches and what it didn't split, it sheared. It's got a 14.5hp B&S engine I believe and my father in law recently used it to split about 6 cords of oak on about 5 gallons of fuel. All in all, a really solid buy.

[Brent]

If you want to see something a little different go to www.splitfire.com (http://www.splitfire.com)

They make a double acting splitter that cuts going both ways. They also do long bed models which is great for 24-32" which is what some evaporators need.

Did up about 5 cords on mine last fall. Like it so far.

[CBOYER]

bad link, its spark plugs?? split-fire.com (http://split-fire.com)

[Brent]

Sorry ... yes it needs the hyphen.

www.split-fire.com

[butler]

I bought a double action split fire splitter second hand for $1800...they have an honda engine...and it has been great...it splits about 60 cord a year and keeps on going..the double head cuts your time in half..!!

[maple maniac65]

I have a Iron & Oak with a 4 way wedge and it will split anything I can lift up on it. It is a 30 ton and someday I hope to get a adgustable 4 way instead of the slip on type. Very rugged splitter for the price.

[hookhill]

If you are splitting wood 24" or less a Super Split is the way to go. I got a used one for $600 a few years ago. Had to put some new bearings and springs, drain the gas tank, new plug. These splitters put out some wood. We split 100+ cords with it last year.

[Cuseman1000]

Super split x2

[500592]

We have rented one that is really fast and easy it is called something like quick spilt I think

[western mainer]

I have this Iron and oak and you can't beat it. I have the 30 ton.
http://www.ironandoak.com/itemdetailpage.php?itemid=10408&offset=0&mode=category&categoryid=2&parentid=103&searchtext=

Brian

[red maples]

I am looking for a log splitter too. there is a website

http://www.logsplittersdirect.com/quick_search.php

there are 2 that I am considering
Gas powered

the earthquake 27 ton. $1400 (got great reviews)

the Huskee 28 ton $1600(got great reviews)

I looked at the reviews for the troy built 27 ton from lowes and it seems to be not so good. and its seems very slow

Probably doing about 14-15 cords a year 6 hard wood the rest pine...I basically need something to get through the knotty junk ..so I am still looking but want to stay in that price range. Seems like those 2 are the best for the $$$... so far

[SSFLLC]

I would go with superslitter. Save on all kinds of time. You can do over a cord an hour. Keith

[green4310]

I got a dreaded Harbor Freight a couple years ago on sale for $1000 out the door. It's a 31 ton and splits anything I can get on it. If it won't split it, it will slice through it.

[C.Wilcox]

I am looking for a log splitter too. there is a website

http://www.logsplittersdirect.com/quick_search.php

there are 2 that I am considering
Gas powered

the earthquake 27 ton. $1400 (got great reviews)

the Huskee 28 ton $1600(got great reviews)

I looked at the reviews for the troy built 27 ton from lowes and it seems to be not so good. and its seems very slow

Probably doing about 14-15 cords a year 6 hard wood the rest pine...I basically need something to get through the knotty junk ..so I am still looking but want to stay in that price range. Seems like those 2 are the best for the $$$... so far

Huskee is the same as the SpeeCo that I own and as I mentioned before, you'll be hard pressed to find complaints. Dollar for dollar you just can't beat them and although there are certainly faster cycle times out there the question ultimately comes down to how fast you want to work while splitting wood. Even with the 15-17 second cycle time you can easily keep yourself and another person moving at a comfortable pace. I paid $1700, but that's because I waited too long and bought it during the winter. I have seen the same model on sale for $1400.

If you wanted to split loads and loads of wood and possibly sell some I would look at the SuperSplit. It really is an impressive machine and the owner/designer was very polite and honest about it's abilities when I talked to him on the phone. It will definitely split knotty wood, but really dense knots can stall the flywheel which means you'll take extra runs at it. If you have relatively clean hardwoods to split it would be unbeatable. I knew we were going to be splitting a lot of elm stumps that no one else wanted so I reluctantly went with a hydraulic splitter.

[Z/MAN]

I have a 22 ton HUSKEE and am very happy with it. Just received the Tractor Supply flier today and they have that splitter on sale for $999.00.

[BHMC]

To all who responded, I have pulled the trigger on an AMERICAN 25HH. It's made in USA :) and I have local dealer support. The engine is the 8hp Briggs Intek with a 16GPM pump...10 second cycle time. It should serve me well for a long time. Anyone who has one of these any info would be great.

Thanks...

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I split up about 3 cords in about 4 hours this evening on the 30 ton North star from Northern tools I posted earlier. It works great and the commercial grade Honda engine on it is a plus. It has an idle control so when the ram retracts the wedge fully, it automatically drops the engine down to an idle speed so it is quieter and uses less gas. I think it is made in the USA also and out of 73 reviews, it has a 4.9 out of 5 which is unheard of for any product. It is the heaviest built 30 ton splitter for the money I have ever seen.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326290_200326290

[maple flats]

I've seen the super plite at a few logger shows. I think when I replace my current splitter I will go with the super split, just for the speed of splitting and the large work table. It will split as fast as I can go, which keeps getting slower, me not the super split.