Jakers
Owner - Arbor Jake's Tree Service, LLC
this winter i purchased the northern tool powerhouse 20 ton dual split log splitter on sale and assembled for $950. i had been tossin around the idea of pickin up a northstar Vertical/Horizantal splitter in the 20 ton range just for the small stuff and splitting by myself. i already have a huge splitter with a log lift and all the power in the world for the big ones but it works best with two or three people. i wanted something small and compact, easy to move, easy to store, and ultimately an easy to use one man splitter. this powerhouse 20T fit the bill perfectly. the tongue weight is very manageable at around 30 pounds. pulls easily with the 4-wheeler or moves by hand. its short (61" tongue to rear) when the cyl is retracted. comes with a log table on both sides to make life easy. seems to have plenty of power splitting in both directions and rarely even kicking down in the twisted stringy ash i split. havint the "split both ways" option is actually very handy in stringy wood. i can see it not being so much of an advantage in nice straight grained oak or good ash but then the fiskars is faster anyway.
a couple things that could be better:
-(as mentioned in another review i read) a better guard or shield for the engine. even just extending the right side log table would help protect the engine from dropping a piece of wood on it.
-slightly bigger hydro tank would be nice but would add weight. i split for over an hour and i could still hold my hand on the pump as long as i wanted but in a warmer climate that may not be the case
-taller wedge. the bigger rounds (10" and up) didnt split all the way through to the top. im sure if i wasnt splitting stringy wood this wouldnt be an issue at all. im also spoiled with my big splitter and a 14" wedge. i also have to remember that the wedge is welded onto/into the inner square tube that is only 1/4" thick so a taller wedge would just rip out that much easier
I will say that it looks like it would be a royal pain in the buns to assemble so maybe pay to have it done if you arent very good with hydro lines and wrenches in tight spaces. i bought mine assembled already as it was a display model and the only one they had in stock so i forced them to wave the assembly fees. i do understand that the quality and longevity arent going to be the same as the bigger I-beam splitters but im sure it will last me a long time anyway. sooner or later the chonda will puke out and ill just slap another on there for $200 and run it some more. i wouldnt expect it to split 100 cords a year but id see no reason why 10 or 20 couldnt be put through it as i intend to find out
All in all id say its a good splitter. for the price you could have a standard V/H splitter and if that fits your needs then go for it. if youre looking for a compact yet powerful easy to move and store splitter with fast cycle time, then this will serve you great.
Powerhorse Horizontal Dual Split Log Splitter 20-Ton, 208cc | Log Splitters| Northern Tool + Equipment
a couple things that could be better:
-(as mentioned in another review i read) a better guard or shield for the engine. even just extending the right side log table would help protect the engine from dropping a piece of wood on it.
-slightly bigger hydro tank would be nice but would add weight. i split for over an hour and i could still hold my hand on the pump as long as i wanted but in a warmer climate that may not be the case
-taller wedge. the bigger rounds (10" and up) didnt split all the way through to the top. im sure if i wasnt splitting stringy wood this wouldnt be an issue at all. im also spoiled with my big splitter and a 14" wedge. i also have to remember that the wedge is welded onto/into the inner square tube that is only 1/4" thick so a taller wedge would just rip out that much easier
I will say that it looks like it would be a royal pain in the buns to assemble so maybe pay to have it done if you arent very good with hydro lines and wrenches in tight spaces. i bought mine assembled already as it was a display model and the only one they had in stock so i forced them to wave the assembly fees. i do understand that the quality and longevity arent going to be the same as the bigger I-beam splitters but im sure it will last me a long time anyway. sooner or later the chonda will puke out and ill just slap another on there for $200 and run it some more. i wouldnt expect it to split 100 cords a year but id see no reason why 10 or 20 couldnt be put through it as i intend to find out
All in all id say its a good splitter. for the price you could have a standard V/H splitter and if that fits your needs then go for it. if youre looking for a compact yet powerful easy to move and store splitter with fast cycle time, then this will serve you great.
Powerhorse Horizontal Dual Split Log Splitter 20-Ton, 208cc | Log Splitters| Northern Tool + Equipment
