I wish I had known about the "super" upgrade when I bought my machine. The splitter size between the 2 is night and day. The small one (which I have) is not built strong enough for commercial use with the birch we have here. I guess it's be fine for just softwood.
Also have an 18-20 at the shop (friend owns it) and the splitter is much beefier. The beam is bigger, push plate, and the knife is larger and has much thicker material. Also doesn't have that stupid metal ring over the top. I've left mine on since I'm afraid the sides will bend even more, but I've gotten wood jammed up into it before that was a royal pain to get cleared.
Get some split collars to put on the conveyor or it will walk the chain around side to side and eat into the sides. I fought with mine since almost day one and just finally got it sorted out this summer. I have a 20ft conveyor, but it's the same setup.
The set screws on the bearings and the sprockets aren't enough. Tightened the snot out of them, loctite, etc and either the shaft or the sprockets would walk over to one side or the other.
I had to replace the battery a few days ago, didn't even get 3 years out of it and I'd been nursing it along since last winter. Come to find out the battery that came with it was a used Interstate. We have an account with Interstate and they said when they take in batteries that are still ok they relabel them with the Econo Power sticker like mine had and sell them for around $35.
Didn't sit too well with me... I dunno... for almost $40k I'd expect a new battery!
Just a few thoughts off the top of my head... I've been running 2 of them for quite a few years.
Oh, on mine the plate over the engine was too short and it leaves the radiator out in the open. I'd recommend extending it, the radiator is almost $500. Don't ask how I know.
Also does yours have a hydraulic cooler? Mine didn't come with one for some reason. The oil would get so hot that if you touched the conveyor motor it would burn you. Put a cooler on it and everything stays at a normal temp (go figure!)
Also go through the hoses and zip tie and put chaff guard where needed. I didn't and I had several hoses rub through the first layer of steel braiding before I caught it. Haven't blown a line yet, but I expect it will happen.
Don't take my info as I'm not happy with it, just advice mostly. Have almost 7500 hrs on the 18-20 and 700 on the 15-20.
very nice piece of equipment. should make the firewood job a lot easier.
