My Splitter?s? Decision

[MJR]

My Splitter”s” Decision

I saved up $2500 for an American AM24V splitter. This not easy with a family of five and paying three sets of NY taxes. I talked to Larry several times; an easy person to talk to, and what I wanted was a stock model. I ran my friends same unit for the past few seasons and love it, can not say a bad thing. I have recently run a Huskee 35 ton and it worked great. I have been getting by without a splitter the past few years by returning favors with my little band mill – the world is a simple place. So Saturday I drive down to my local logging supply store to pick up the American. They had one in stock and did not order it. I just could not do it. Internet dreaming is one thing but pulling the money out of the pocket and putting it on the counter is different.

So I drive to TSC in a snow/rain storm. They had the 35 and 22 in stock. The gentlemen said he would take 10% off if he didn’t have to help load it (I guess he was afraid of melting). I told myself I have been over thinking this whole thing and a little shy of a $1000 the 22 ton was on the back of the truck and I am going back to the logging store. $730 dollars and a half hour later I am walking out with a new 372xp with 24” bar and two extra loops – big grin. My 385 is showing its’ age from CSMing and hard work. I have always liked the balance of the 372. The 385 always seemed ass heavy to me. I am pretty sure the 372 it can handle the stuff the 22 ton can’t.

So now I have about $700 and looking for a used open trailer. My enclosed trailer can be a pain loading and unloading wood. I had a cord”ish” of hard maple and elm ready to split Sunday, I put gas in the splitter and it started on the second pull. It split everything even the elm crotch. The only thing it is a little slow with the elm. With the elm the whole ram length is needed. The hard maple pops with three – four inches of travel so the speed is not as important. I am not sure why a home owner would need anything more. Time will tell how it will hold up. The 372xp was not impressed with the elm at all. It is nice to have an old friend back.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22002.jpg Splitter with saw
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22003.jpg Elm with codom spilt
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22004.jpg Eml codom split
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22005.jpg Elm split
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22006.jpg 372xp split test
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/husky22007.jpg 372 passed

 

[super3]

You did good

 

[Basso]

Hello,
I think that you made a very wise decision.....that splitter will do you fine and you got a new saw to boot. Great move !!!!!


Basso

 

[beerman6]

 

[dnf0929]

I had the same splitter and loved it. Used it for a year and still sold it for $900. I agree a homeowner burning 5-6 cords doesn't need anything more. Problem is I got addicted and started selling wood - 15 cords last year and I've already got about 30 split so far this year. If you end up like me at least give the Super Split a look. I posted last week about using a 372xp for the first time. Now I'm looking for a bigger saw than my MS310...where does it end?

 

[johnha]

.where does it end?

Six feet under.

Until then, enjoy the ride.

 

[thejdman04]

good job

 

[Beefie]

Good job on the money spent. more toys to play with

Beefie

 

[wdchuck]

.

 

[Laird]

I'd say you got the best deal with the money you had!

 

[Ductape]

Great choices ! :greenchainsaw:

 

[MJR]

Thanks all. For once I do feel good about spending money.

 

[husky455rancher]

great choice, the 22 ton will be fine. im sure some people wont believe me but ive prolly split 20 cord with my 16 ton. i can prolly count the number of unsplittable wood ive had on one hand. my rule when i split is if i can physically pick it up ill try to split it.

the 372 is a fine saw aswell. im saving my pennies for a 372xpw. i know what you mean about the 385 feeling a bit porky but she does pull pretty hard. for me if im gonna haul the weight i grab the 066.

 

[peterc38]

I'd say you did real good!

 

[ulyssesjones]

A year ago I too was looking at the American splitters and ended up getting the 27 ton Huskee. It will split anything I will ever throw at it and was a heck of a lot cheaper. I think having a decent splitter and a new saw is a much better deal. And if you also end up getting a trailer even better.

I noticed that your splitter has a solid foot plate. I thought they stopped making those on the Huskee's.

Jones

 

[PaulinNY]

Good choice

Smart move. Ive got a 22ton machine and it hasnt failed me yet.

 

[Moss Man]

You done good my friend, you done good!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I saved up $2500 for an American AM24V splitter. ... I just could not do it. Internet dreaming is one thing but pulling the money out of the pocket and putting it on the counter is different.

You got that right. I'm not knocking the American, but it's certainly not 2x better than the TSC. The cost/benefit ratio just doesn't work out.