In reality from what i know of it and have seen it in action it's really not a bad splitter especially if you have the 20 or 25% off coupon. A friend of mine bought one 2 years ago i think and splits about 4-5 cords per year of elm, maple and oak and has never complained to me whatsoever. I just saw him using it last week actually. The predator engines are a fairly good engine as well (for the $$) as long as you maintain them, They basically are a exact honda clone and most if not all the honda parts will interchange. He hasn't stuck a dime into his since he bought it. If you are splitting a lot of wood it may not be the answer for you but for 4-5 cords or so per year I wouldn't be afraid of it. I own one of the 7000 watt HF generators with the predator engines that I bought last year and use that thing 3-4 days a week at least at the race track and it runs for 5-7 hours per night and again I haven't stuck a dime in to it other than oil changes, air filters and one spark plug. There are things I would buy from HF and there are things that I wouldn't but as far a generators go I would buy another one for sure and from what I know of the splitter I would buy one if i only split a few cords per year. The generators are quite quiet as well, no where near an enclosed honda but you could buy 8 HF generators for the one honda, lol. Just my .02 cents
Have a great day!
Have a great day!