Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Equipment => Topic started by: Roscoe on December 04, 2015, 06:35:49 AM

Title: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Roscoe on December 04, 2015, 06:35:49 AM
Seen these splitters on craigslist. I'm interested in the 37 ton but don't know much about them. 

I inquired with the company (ruggedmade.com) and found they have no dealers and only ship out of Boston and somewhere in Oregon. They ship to commercial address that "HAS TO HAVE A LOADING DOCK, OTHERWISE THE DRIVER WILL JUST TURN AROUND AND LEAVE", or shipping terminal (their choice), or curbside residential for an added charge $$$$$. They come in a crate and you assemble.

Anyone own one of these? If so what was your buying experience like and how do you like the machine?

I currently own a close to 15 year old Speedco 35ton and I'm looking to upgrade to something newer, about the same caliber.

Any suggestions for other brands? No Swisher, Troy-built, etc......Thanks       
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Bondo on December 04, 2015, 11:16:28 AM
Ayuh,....    It appears to be an exact copy of the one I bought from Northern Tool, 'n Hyd. a couple of years ago,....

Only difference I see is mine has a Honda motor, 'n was a couple hundred more,....

Northern has changed their design to fix several of the issues I've had with mine,....

The hinge is much to light, 'n loosens, then breaks,...
I've fixed mine a couple times, 'n welded it the last time, next time I'll replace with something different,...

The 5/16" lock pins, 'n the kick-stand legs ain't the greatest either,....
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: racnruss on December 04, 2015, 04:03:08 PM
I agree with Bondo.

I too have the Northern 37 ton machine.  I had  the previous 37 ton splitter also and Bondo is correct, they have fixed the flaws of the early ones.

Honda 270cc I believe.

Very happy with it, probably overkill and heavier to move around than really needed but very strong.

My $.02 would be go to Northern and catch a sale.   I paid 1899$ and picked it up at store.  The Honda is worth that difference.
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Pointblank on December 04, 2015, 08:17:14 PM
I have the Northern Tool version also. Glad to hear they fixed the hinge problem. I broke mine too. I ended up drilling out the cheap threaded rod it was made from and put in a 3\4" hitch pin from a wagon. Very solid now. Otherwise, Thats been the only problem ive had in the 10 or 12 years and 150+ cords of wood ive pushed through it since I bought it.
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Roscoe on December 05, 2015, 06:02:46 PM
There isn't a Northern Tool in Michigan. The 270cc 37ton splitter online is $2200 + tax + $270 freight.  I like the splitter but at $2600 is it worth it? Any comparable splitters other than the Rugged Made?


Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Bud Man on December 24, 2015, 04:22:55 PM
I'm going to be in the Detroit area the 2nd week of Jan. Will be going past the Northern Tool in Des Moines, Iowa on my way. If you want to order it online delivered to the DM store I can bring it along. PM me if I can help.
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Roscoe on December 25, 2015, 07:21:09 PM
Thanks for the offer Bud Man. I took delivery of the northern tool 37ton last week. I'll update when I get it assembled.
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Roscoe on December 30, 2015, 07:58:47 AM
The NT 35 Ton with Honda 270cc engine took me a bit to put together but so far so good. I'm glad I bought this splitter over another Speedco. Its built a little more heavy duty, its faster, and the idle down feature is great.
I paid $2460 shipped and they gave me a $200 gift card. So all in all it cost me about $300 more to own this splitter vs. a speedco or equivalent. And that is Michigan pricing.
So far, well worth it.
     
Title: Re: Rugged Made Splitters
Post by: Bud Man on January 02, 2016, 08:47:37 PM
Glad it worked for you.