Smaller than OEM Engine on Wood Splitter?

[Woodtroll]

Hello folks,

I'm looking for a decent used wood splitter and the search is frustrating locally. I'm going to look at one later this week that is in my price range but an hours' drive away. Right now I have only photos to go by since there are no labels/decals left on it, except for the engine which the seller says is a 5 HP. I'm certain this is an MTD manufactured splitter, and I think from the cylinder size and extra metal on top of the beam (the square tubing) that it's a 31-ton model.



This splitter should have a two-stage 16 GPM pump and 8 HP engine. I don't need/want something this big, but the price may be right if I offer cash. If the engine is indeed smaller than factory (5 HP vs. 8), am I correct that the cycle time in the pump's first stage will still be what it should be when it's not in the wood, but the splitting force and time spent in the second stage will be lower/slower? I can live with that for now, and can put an 8 HP Predator on it later if I need to as long as the no-load travel speed is still good for now.

Anyone recognize this engine, by chance, assuming it is a 5?

Thanks!

 

[wildwes]

IF it is a 5hp when it was supposed to have a 8hp, it should still work, as you said it might be a little weaker and/or slower in tough wood.

FWIW- my Dad has an old MTD splitter similar to that, he bought it new somewhere around 30 years ago, give or take a couple of years. I haven't paid it any attention in a couple of years, but it still has the original B&S engine, and I am almost certain it is a 5hp

 

[triptester]

Just because the splitter might be a 31 ton model does not mean it came with a 8 hp. engine and 16 gpm pump.
A 5hp. engine would have a difficult time powering a 16 gpm pump.

 

[Woodtroll]

Thanks, folks. Without documentation I'm just working off the few poor photos from the seller. Beam construction and cylinder size makes it look like a 31-ton, comparing to other online photos of labeled machines, and MTD lists that model as 8HP and 16GPM with a 5" cylinder. There could be other models that look similar with different specs, who knows?

I really appreciate your feedback, thank you!