Hello new member to the forum. Thought I would add a post about my new speeco 28 ton splitter.
First a little background. Purchashed this splitter after doing some research online and in this forum. Seemed like everyone had good things to say about speeco and it would work well for my needs. I am homeowner using wood to heat with and live at lake Tahoe. I figure I burn about 4 cord a year of mostly Doug fir, ponderosa pine, white fir, lodge pole pine and black oak.
Bought it from omni mnfg and rock was good to deal with. Was initially set on the honda motor but was convinced to go Briggs. Ordered it right after Christmas and it arrived soon after. Put it together and built a cradle that slips around the oil tank to protect the exposed filter. Filled it up and next morning fired it for first time. After letting the engine break in for a few minutes i put in the first log and it gets stopped cold. I had about a cord of oak, some really knotty to spit before the snow comes. Ok I think, that was a big knotty piece maybe I have to noodle it. Get a smaller piece and same thing. Goes in about 1/2" and stops. So I get out a small round I can easily split by hand and it finally makes it through.
This can't be right so I call rock who gives me speeco's customer service number. Talk with kent who has me do a few field tests. Nothing can be determined so it needs to go to the nearest service center, in Reno. That's going to be a 3 hour round trip and about 125 miles. Great. I ask if there is anything near Sacramento, I go over there often and can combine trips. Looks it up and nearest center is in.....Reno. Great. I have a decent shop and some basic knowledge and Kent says he can send me parts but generally likes the splitters to go to service centers so he does not have to spend money to fix parts if they are not broken.
So dropped it off on jan 6th and was told should have it in a week. Called last week and was told they had not gotten around to it. I call again today and was told it might be a control valve o-ring, the control valve itself and if that does not fix it speeco will send out a new cylinder. Should be fixed by next week or maybe later depending on what's wrong. At that point I will have to go back down to Reno and pick it up.
So figure 6 hours of my time and about 80 in gas for a brand new splitter. First storm of the season is coming (finally!) so will not get a chance to use it till spring.
Just adding to the knowledge on this forum. I don't know if others have had this problem but when I was looking to buy this splitter nothing like this post came up on the forum. I have no idea how common this is just want to share my experience and have this be part of the knowledge base. And just a warning for others looking to buy speeco products in California, you might want to check where the nearest service center is located. That spitter might end up costing you a whole lot in gas.
First a little background. Purchashed this splitter after doing some research online and in this forum. Seemed like everyone had good things to say about speeco and it would work well for my needs. I am homeowner using wood to heat with and live at lake Tahoe. I figure I burn about 4 cord a year of mostly Doug fir, ponderosa pine, white fir, lodge pole pine and black oak.
Bought it from omni mnfg and rock was good to deal with. Was initially set on the honda motor but was convinced to go Briggs. Ordered it right after Christmas and it arrived soon after. Put it together and built a cradle that slips around the oil tank to protect the exposed filter. Filled it up and next morning fired it for first time. After letting the engine break in for a few minutes i put in the first log and it gets stopped cold. I had about a cord of oak, some really knotty to spit before the snow comes. Ok I think, that was a big knotty piece maybe I have to noodle it. Get a smaller piece and same thing. Goes in about 1/2" and stops. So I get out a small round I can easily split by hand and it finally makes it through.
This can't be right so I call rock who gives me speeco's customer service number. Talk with kent who has me do a few field tests. Nothing can be determined so it needs to go to the nearest service center, in Reno. That's going to be a 3 hour round trip and about 125 miles. Great. I ask if there is anything near Sacramento, I go over there often and can combine trips. Looks it up and nearest center is in.....Reno. Great. I have a decent shop and some basic knowledge and Kent says he can send me parts but generally likes the splitters to go to service centers so he does not have to spend money to fix parts if they are not broken.
So dropped it off on jan 6th and was told should have it in a week. Called last week and was told they had not gotten around to it. I call again today and was told it might be a control valve o-ring, the control valve itself and if that does not fix it speeco will send out a new cylinder. Should be fixed by next week or maybe later depending on what's wrong. At that point I will have to go back down to Reno and pick it up.
So figure 6 hours of my time and about 80 in gas for a brand new splitter. First storm of the season is coming (finally!) so will not get a chance to use it till spring.
Just adding to the knowledge on this forum. I don't know if others have had this problem but when I was looking to buy this splitter nothing like this post came up on the forum. I have no idea how common this is just want to share my experience and have this be part of the knowledge base. And just a warning for others looking to buy speeco products in California, you might want to check where the nearest service center is located. That spitter might end up costing you a whole lot in gas.
