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[freefour]

I have decided to pick up a splitter this year.  I am getting too old (or lazy) to want to split everything by hand.  I have a Fiskars x27 axe and a 15lb monster mull that does pretty good job if the wood is straight. 

Any recommendations on ton sizes or brands?  Mind you I don't want to put a fortune in one and not wanting to build one myself.   I will probably just hit a farm store or box store.  I've been watching Craigslist for a year now and never find any that is a good deal.  Same with farm auctions.

I didnt know if i'd be ok with the small cheapy $1000 20-22 ton model for most jobs or would better to spend another $300 or so to get a 25-28 tonish model. 

Any thoughts?

[ecc_33]

IMHO get  the biggest you can afford.

[jerkash]

Get at least a 25 ton.  More would be better

[bajonesy77]

I have split every piece of oak I have been able to get on my 22 ton brave even with large knotts. Have a few friends who have the huskee brand from the big box stores 20 or 22 ton don't remember but some have had no problems some have had nothing but problems. Most problems related to the engines not the splitter itself.

[MattyNH]

Well choosing the best wood splitter for you.. Really depends on what you want to spend for one..Yeah you can buy the ones from home depot or at tractor supply etc, etc,..Ya they work no doubt..If you want a quality wood splitter Id be looking into timberwolf or american csl. I may sound bias cause i own both brands...But they are impressive wood splitters..Check them out.

[d conover]

I have a Swisher 22 ton and it does a good job, but my brother in law has a Swisher 28 ton and it is better, he has never jammed up in a knotty block and I have.

[racnruss]

I have Northern's 37 ton log splitter and has a Honda motor(I thinks about 10 hp).  It starts very easy and will split anything and has quality parts on it.

BUT;  it is big and heavy and hard to move around by hand.   Also it is too balanced on the axle, meaning no tongue weight.  So, when you are pushing it by hand and you hit a small twig or hole with a tire, the tongue wants to come up and hit you in the chin. Also, you have to use the drop leg to keep it from tipping when you split horizontally.

A friend has a Yard Machine 20 ton splitter that is much lighter and does almost everything my Northern splitter does.  It is much easier to manhandle  around the yard too.  And about half the price.

That being said.  Make sure you buy one with some type of log extractor on the cylinder so it will push off a stuck log when it retracts.

DO NOT buy a log splitter from Harbor  Freight  Tools!  you will regret it.  been there.

$.02  from Russ.

[coolidge]

www.split-fire.com    I have one for my 3pth    Splits in both directions and is fast

[automan77]

I have a troy built  27 ton and have split a ton of white oak and it splits it like nothing.

[freefour]

I went with the 27ton Troy Bilt also with the honda motor.  Runs and splits GREAT.

[automan77]

you will be happy with that 27 troy built. It will handle anything you throw at it.

[steve.b]

I have the huskee 22 ton and it has split everything I've ever put on it. They are on sale right now for $999

[willieG]

i have a 32 year old son, runs on tim hortons coffee 

[MattyNH]

i have a 32 year old son, runs on tim hortons coffee 

LOL yeah my dad says Im a bull when it comes to splitting his fire wood.

[willieG]

we likely only split about 1 cord a year or less our wood is normally ash and elm and they all die at about 12 or 18 inches across the stump so there is not much splitting required