Hello! I'm in the market for a 24-30 ton splitter. From what I've read so far some good brands are Boss, Yardmax, Brave and Iron & Oak. Iron & Oak seems to be the best, but may be more than I need. Any recommendations on brands would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Best log splitter brands (Iron & Oak, Brave, Yardmax, Boss, others?)
- Thread starter Rayn4est
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- boss brave iron & oak yardmax
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Welcome to AS . Use the search function to look for threads relating to splitters. You can do it by brand or just log splitter. As with anything price will dictate quality. I run a TSC 25 ton right now and really haven't had any issues. Dirty hand tools is the sponsor of the firewood forum and a bunch of guys have them. Good luck in your search..
saxman
Addicted to ArboristSite
I’ve had a 26 ton Brave for 14 years with no issues. 8HP Briggs&Scratchum! Not the usual luck with those engines, I guess I’m lucky. Brave is the cheaper line of Iron&Oak. Made in Illinois and I think they are ok. My buddy has a Dirty Hand Tools and it has been fine. Lots of decent ones out there
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homemade
Certified Chainsaw Tester
That’s like asking what truck is better. What is your budget? What are you mostly splitting? 18” and larger? What species? Soft or hard wood? What is your annual production?
And I hope you realize that tonnages that are advertised beyond what is practicable.
I run a home made splitter. Has a 4in ram on it with a 2000psi max pressure. The wedge is set to 30 degree opening. I do run a 4 way occasionally when the wood calls for it. I think wedge design has a lot to do with how effective the tonnage is put to use. I’ve never stalled out the engine trying to split stuff. On the twisted grain wood like the yellow elm (piss elm) you gotta work the outsides. If you try and split it straight down the middle, you might as well put a 8” ram on there.
My long winded point is, if your splitting less then 5 cords per year, then any big box store splitter with proper maintenance will serve you well. 5-10 cords or more then start looking at a pro line. Don’t forget the super split. King of kenitic splitters
And I hope you realize that tonnages that are advertised beyond what is practicable.
I run a home made splitter. Has a 4in ram on it with a 2000psi max pressure. The wedge is set to 30 degree opening. I do run a 4 way occasionally when the wood calls for it. I think wedge design has a lot to do with how effective the tonnage is put to use. I’ve never stalled out the engine trying to split stuff. On the twisted grain wood like the yellow elm (piss elm) you gotta work the outsides. If you try and split it straight down the middle, you might as well put a 8” ram on there.
My long winded point is, if your splitting less then 5 cords per year, then any big box store splitter with proper maintenance will serve you well. 5-10 cords or more then start looking at a pro line. Don’t forget the super split. King of kenitic splitters
12ram2500
ArboristSite Member
I have a yardmax 25 ton and it comes with a free removable 4 way wedge and it's been awsome for the price starts with 1 to 2 pulls max great build quality great instructions to put together havent found a flaw or one thing to not be happy about just as good if not better then a 25 ton from tsc HD lowes etc
panolo
Seldom right...Always opinionated!
Depends on what you want to spend and what you are splitting. My Super Split gets way way more use than my DHT splitter. Nothing wrong with my DHT, it's been bulletproof. Just my SS is faster. If I can find an inverted splitter for my bobcat I'll probably sell my DHT. Won't need it to crack the big logs.
Rayn4est
Welcome to the forum.
Like others have said do you want to spend $1,000,$2,000,$3,000'$4,000 on a splitter as the ones you name fall in that price range. This time of the year I would watch the garage,estate sales and Craigslist as there are some bargains out there of folks moving or getting out of wood. Summer is the time to buy used splitters and sometimes new ones also.
Welcome to the forum.
Like others have said do you want to spend $1,000,$2,000,$3,000'$4,000 on a splitter as the ones you name fall in that price range. This time of the year I would watch the garage,estate sales and Craigslist as there are some bargains out there of folks moving or getting out of wood. Summer is the time to buy used splitters and sometimes new ones also.
steved
ArboristSite Guru
I have a 20 ton rebranded Brave from Quality Tractor, it's been pretty much maintenance free for the past tens years we had it. But we only split about ten cords a year. I have no idea how old it is, but Quality Tractor has been out of business for nearly 20 years. I've only had to replace one hose and change the oils.
Diedler also makes some decent splitters...parents had one up until this past summer, they had to repack the cylinder. That splitter was at least a 1980s model that my Grandfather bought. I couldn't imagine how many cords it split.
My parents bought a Husky from Tractor Supply Company to replace the Diedler. They are very pleased with it coming from a big box store...its not my cup of tea, but suits them.
Personally, I would watch Craigslist for a used one...I've seen units that look practically new go for $500.
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Diedler also makes some decent splitters...parents had one up until this past summer, they had to repack the cylinder. That splitter was at least a 1980s model that my Grandfather bought. I couldn't imagine how many cords it split.
My parents bought a Husky from Tractor Supply Company to replace the Diedler. They are very pleased with it coming from a big box store...its not my cup of tea, but suits them.
Personally, I would watch Craigslist for a used one...I've seen units that look practically new go for $500.
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Sterling Bronemann
Stihl lovin country boy
I bought a Black Diamond 30 ton for $899 last fall. Works great, haven't found a round it couldn't split, and it's got a Briggs professional engine on it. Starts first pull every time, runs great, and love it.
NSMaple1
Addicted to ArboristSite
Wallenstein.
Also branded Surge Master at some retailers.
Also branded Surge Master at some retailers.
i got a 25 ton blackdiamond from attwoods. splits anything i put on it.its a vertical or horizontal. 8 horse motor starts easy when outdoor temp are above 32. hell to pull below 32 degrees. i am gonna put a motor with elect start on it 899.00 but got a 125.00 gift card rebate . this was about 5 year ago .would buy again.
A couple top brands not yet mentioned: Timberwolf, American CLS. They have some more expensive models than those you'll find in big box stores, but they can be customized for whatever you might need (log lift, multi-way wedges, output tables, conveyors, etc.).
As mentioned, Super Split sets the standard for kinetic/flywheel models.
For a big box store hydraulic model these days, aim for a cycle time around 11 seconds or faster. Once you get above 2o or so tons, speed is more important than force IMO. I'm also a fan of the in-beam log cradle found on DHT, Oregon, and SpeeCo (CountyLine, Black Diamond, Huskee, et al.) splitters.
As mentioned, Super Split sets the standard for kinetic/flywheel models.
For a big box store hydraulic model these days, aim for a cycle time around 11 seconds or faster. Once you get above 2o or so tons, speed is more important than force IMO. I'm also a fan of the in-beam log cradle found on DHT, Oregon, and SpeeCo (CountyLine, Black Diamond, Huskee, et al.) splitters.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
In my opinion, I would stay away from I&O that has this design; even the control handle is poorly located. For the price, I think there are better choices elsewhere.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
There are plenty of big box splitters that are still running after years with minimal maintenance. I would be mindful of the cylinder clevis straps. Some manufacturers use thin straps and the straps can bend and misalign the cylinder.
I recently purchased a Champion 27T that seems similar, but to me the Champion is better built than the CountyLines I have seen. I know it is quieter and faster than the CL Ive seen operated.
I recently purchased a Champion 27T that seems similar, but to me the Champion is better built than the CountyLines I have seen. I know it is quieter and faster than the CL Ive seen operated.
NSMaple1
Addicted to ArboristSite
I love my 40 ton Countyline splitter I got from tractor supply. It's rock solid and has a 10 tall wedge that makes getting through bigger rounds easier without having to flip it over to cut the stringy stuff. 9.5 cycle times is just about right to get good production without working to fast. I've had mine 2 years now and have split at least 200 cords so far and it is just as solid as when I bought it. I'm going to buy a second one this fall and I'm gonna get another one just like it. If you put a 30 ton next to it, it becomes very obvious how much beefier it over the 30 ton. Bigger motor and pump, bigger oil tank and wheels. It has a very stable front jack stand that makes it rock solid and stable. Bigger hydraulic hoses and taller wedge with a Kohler motor that starts the first pull every time. I run it just above idle and it splits great without the motor running full bore all the time.
Here is a video where a guy compares the 40 ton next to a 30 ton unit.
Here is a video where a guy compares the 40 ton next to a 30 ton unit.
jrider
Addicted to ArboristSite
Sometimes you have to blame the operator and not the machine. I have run 1400-1500 cords my 22 I&O with that same exact 4 way design and haven’t run into those problems. Those extender sleeves he has lifting up the 4 way should never be anything close to that height. I use one that allows 4” splits to come out the bottom and have been doing so for over 10 years.
c5rulz
Addicted to ArboristSite
The guy running that splitter is an imbecile.
However I agree with the Virginia Iron, that is a porr wedge design. 4 way wedges MUST be hydraulically adjustable. That piece should have been just chunked in half, each half split again then you could use the 4 way.
jrider
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hydraulically adjustable is great but certainly not necessary. As I said in my previous post, the 4 way should only be up about 4”. Who says every round should be split into 4 equal pieces? Resplitting will be in order for all but the perfect size pieces.
