Thinking about this.

[sawinredneck]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96907

It's cheap enough I can rebuild it into what I want as I go?
Am I a bad man?
Talk me out of it, and why?
I think I am just cheaping out, I don't kow.

 

[MasterBlaster]

If you're serious, spend the bucks.

 

[NeTree]

Build into what?

 

[sawinredneck]

Build into what?

Beef it up, and add a bigger pump/motor as needed.

 

[sawinredneck]

If you're serious, spend the bucks.

I know, but the damn things get pricey fast!!
This is the better pick:
http://www.firstgeartrucks.com/store/product.php?productid=754&cat=97&page=1

And there isn't a dealer anywhere near me!

 

[Al Smith]

Cool your jets before you blow your wad on splitters .

It will warm up some day ,before spring .The economy is screwed up ,people dump stuff in Febuary ,known fact .Hang loose you might find a dandy machine for a sight less than that .

I think all told Tom the tree guy has around 5 in a 28 tonner .I did some work on it and some other people but it's still about a third of what it sells for new . Good machine now .

Hell I have about 5 in the one I build and I had most of the parts .

You damned sure don't want to dump 12 bills in a machine you have to modify .

 

[SkwerI]

Al's right, Andy. Splitters will be dirt cheap shortly. Do you have enough wood splitting left this season to justify the expense right now? In a couple months you can get one on the cheap and be set for next year. If you buy now then in a few months you'll have a shitty splitter that needs modifications and half the balance still on the credit card.

 

[Al Smith]

I'll almost bet that by say March the TSC big splitters will sell for 1200 and they aren't bad machines ,I've used the 30 toners .

 

[NeTree]

yep

 

[sawinredneck]

I can justify it, even plan on using it in the summer. I hope to have a stockpile next year and just sit on my ass and answer the phone!
They really don't show up much around here, I don't know why, took dad three years to find his used. And if I do find a used one, it's still most likely not going to be of comercial quality any way.
I have found no quality dealers around here either, there is an Iron andOak dealer 120 miles North.

 

[lumberjack]

I got a couple pieces 8"x8" 40lb I beam. Not sure what I'll use them for, but one idea was a splitter, if I take the notion.

 

[Al Smith]

Well I suppose when you're out where the hooty owls romance the chickens things might be different .--I'll bet that makes the roosters nervous .

 

[sawinredneck]

I've got an I-beam, all but had to fight TNT to keep him from loading it on the trailer!!!
Just not wanting to wrap up that much time in it.

 

[Che]

Andy, this is Harbor Freight. Have you actually seen/laid hands on it?

 

[sawinredneck]

Andy, this is Harbor Freight. Have you actually seen/laid hands on it?

Nope! Drove to the store today even, it's an "order in" special! All the reviews, it was either just HATED it, or LOVED it. Lots of hydraulic leaks, the motor vents on the operator, bad in the summer and blows dust in your face.
I've seen the OLD Huskee/Speeco units, they are nice, the new ones are junk! Those and the Lowes Home Depot lines are the only ones I can actually see!!

 

[SkwerI]

For that kind of money it might be worth watching craigslist in cities east of you for a while and making a road trip to get something used in the 800-1000 range. Again, those deals will be plentiful in a couple months when people's immediate need for firewood is relieved for 6 months.

 

[lumberjack]

If work stays slow I could run and get it for a quarter a mile, provided it's towable at highway speeds.

 

[PCTREE]

The one in your first post states it will split "UP TO A 12inch DIA. LOG"??? Whats up with that?

 

[DTW902]

Nope! Drove to the store today even, it's an "order in" special! All the reviews, it was either just HATED it, or LOVED it. Lots of hydraulic leaks, the motor vents on the operator, bad in the summer and blows dust in your face.
I've seen the OLD Huskee/Speeco units, they are nice, the new ones are junk! Those and the Lowes Home Depot lines are the only ones I can actually see!!

And to think you had a splitter not that long ago????

 

[Al Smith]

The one in your first post states it will split "UP TO A 12inch DIA. LOG"??? Whats up with that?

You don't want that cheap junk .All stuff like that will do is raise your blood pressure .

Get a machine that will do the job,at least a 4 inch heavy duty cylinder ,none of these welded deals you can't even replace the seals etc on .

If you are going to road the thing get one you can boggie down the highway with . If you are going to just park it those wheelbarrow tired things are ok but not the best .

Think this out , a better quality machine can put money in your pocket but a hunk of junk is just like a baby bird with its' mouth open ,feed me ,feed me ,money .

 

[SkwerI]

Al's right. Buying that POS is the same as going to Wally World and buying the cheapest $89 chainsaw they have and expecting to use it to go make a living cutting firewood. By the time you're done you'll be out $1300 and still not have a splitter worth using.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Does that look like a splitter rated to 30 tons...kind of hard to tell by the photo, but it looks fairly light duty. Robin engine, some or all of them are made in China. The hydraulics are probably made there as well? Even with the thought of rebuilding the thing, it seems like something better to start off with, will serve you better, imo.

 

[sawinredneck]

And to think you had a splitter not that long ago????

I built that for Lance, he fronted the money and paid some of my time. It never was mine per-se. It goes away with him

Yeah, I'll keep looking, been watching C list and classifieds in the surrounding area as well. Most of what I have seen make that HF special a heck of a buy!!

 

[hornett22]

you know you will regret buying that.i wouldn't but a bag of zip ties from Harbor Freight.

if you look on CL around CT ,RI and MASS we could probably find a cheap shipper.i'd help you in any way i can if you find one up this way.

mine never sold so it's getting modified i guess.

 

[sawinredneck]

you know you will regret buying that.i wouldn't but a bag of zip ties from Harbor Freight.

if you look on CL around CT ,RI and MASS we could probably find a cheap shipper.i'd help you in any way i can if you find one up this way.

mine never sold so it's getting modified i guess.

I could probably deal with your's, it's just the shipping that would kill me!