Cub Cadet splitter

[g.moore]

Don't want to borrow my neighbors splitter again so I'm looking at getting my own. Has anyone used the Cub Cadet 33T 8.5HP splitter? Comparing all of them it seems to the best built ie metal fenders, heavier jack and a Kohler engine (all the rest are Honda and I despise Honda, all of their engines I have had lasted about 2 months.) Wish Husqvarna made a splitter or I had time to just build one but I have 2 trailer projects and a snowmobile project underway already.

 

[Zodiac45]

I'm sure that Cadet would serve you well. What do you need it for? OWB? or indoor woodstoves etc? If you are not feeding a boiler and are splitting stove or heater sized wood, you'd get along fine with a 5hp, 11gph, 2 stage pump and 4" cylinder. It's all I use (20 Ton) too feed two stoves in Maine. Some of my wood is goodsized rock maple too. I've had mine for 4 yrs now and it's been fine. Haven't come up against a thing I can't split.

 

[g.moore]

1 wood burner in the living room, heats the whole house so on a "bad" winter we will burn 4 cords, a "good" winter 2.75-3 cords. The tonage isn't a concern, all I'm splitting is Pine but the 33T has a 15 second return vs the 20T has a 19 second return and I want those 4 cords done as quickly as possible so I have more time to play since I only get 3 months of summer. Honestly if there was a 15T with a 15 second or quicker return rate I would be getting that but it seems the lower the tonage the slower it is.

 

[Mike Van]

Like Steve said - 5 hp, 11 gpm will do all you need it to - I've had the same Didier splitter since the late 70's, it's done 10 full cord [min] every year, hardwood. When I was younger, I did 4 cord alone in a day. It was all cut to length, I didn't have to stack it. I couldn't stand up straight for a few days, but I got 'er done - I wouldn't worry about a few seconds of cycle time, just make sure the one you buy has the return detent valve - The best thing I added to mine was a 'woodcatcher' on the front, you don't have to go chasing the other half of the chunk, it's right there -

 

[mga]

Don't want to borrow my neighbors splitter again so I'm looking at getting my own. Has anyone used the Cub Cadet 33T 8.5HP splitter? Comparing all of them it seems to the best built ie metal fenders, heavier jack and a Kohler engine (all the rest are Honda and I despise Honda, all of their engines I have had lasted about 2 months.) Wish Husqvarna made a splitter or I had time to just build one but I have 2 trailer projects and a snowmobile project underway already.

if you like it and it satisfies your requirements....go for it. that 8.5hp engine will ensure you can split anything you throw on it.

the cub is a good splitter.

 

[Zodiac45]

Like Steve said - 5 hp, 11 gpm will do all you need it to - I've had the same Didier splitter since the late 70's, it's done 10 full cord [min] every year, hardwood. When I was younger, I did 4 cord alone in a day. It was all cut to length, I didn't have to stack it. I couldn't stand up straight for a few days, but I got 'er done - I wouldn't worry about a few seconds of cycle time, just make sure the one you buy has the return detent valve - The best thing I added to mine was a 'woodcatcher' on the front, you don't have to go chasing the other half of the chunk, it's right there -

+1 Exactly right Mike. Also G, regarding that cycle rate, it's all overblown a bit in IMO. How many times do you actually use the whole cycle? I'm fortunate enough to have my wood for 2 yrs out, so when I begin to split it, it's been sitting for 6-8 months in quarters etc.. A big hunk goes on the beam and I can move the ram back and forth 4-6 inches and pop off stove wood. If you had long wood for an OWB, the cycle time might be more of a factor. Whatever you decide good luck. It will certainly beat the heck out of a maul.