I have had the larger size 34 ton I think it is for a few years now. The Champion engine does seem to want to run. It starts every year without much fuss. I just wish it had a controllable throttle - I hate going from zero to full when it’s cold and there are lots of times I’d like it to just idle while I’m grabbing a big log or moving some of the split that fell around me. The original pump suction line failed in me, it got very hard and the combination of the hose clamp, the internal spring to prevent collapse under suction and the vibrations went through it very fast once it started - once it sucks in air it will turn the oil to foam exceptionally fast. I’ve used mine in both horizontal and vertical orientation. Split 36” diameter rounds of 18” red oak with no more effort than you see in this video. However the supplied pin to lock it is not strong enough, at least on the 34 ton, and will bend - replace that too. I keep a jig of old engine oil and put a little bit on the beam under the wedge where it slides - if i remember to get it coated before shutting down the steel won’t rust in you after the paint comes off. The 34 ton weighs in around 560 lbs, so you might want to invest in some sort of “trailer dolly” for moving it around unless you have a ball hitch or some such. I had to tow mine about 20 miles to get it home - go slow and it rides well enough. However if you have to raise and lower the hitch much, the bar with the pins is annoying…when you get the dolly to move it around, get a bolt in crank leg - I don’t know about the balance on the smaller splitter, but it’s a little hitch heavy for holding it up and fussing with the pin holes - certainly doable but that upgrade is on my list next. Last item, the ram cylinder does get hot, uncomfortably so to the bare hand while working (nice through gloves on a cold day though) So wound I recommend? For the price, yes. Basic solid machine - wish it had a throttle though. I get tired before it does every time.
Sorry, I guess this comment should have gone on your previous vid where you give the review, your channel just came up in my feed with this vid, I guess I have some binging to do !!
Great review! Thank you for taking the time to write such a good write up! Awesome thoughts! I like the idea of keeping the bottom lubricated with old oil. I will need to try that!
I have had the larger size 34 ton I think it is for a few years now.
The Champion engine does seem to want to run. It starts every year without much fuss. I just wish it had a controllable throttle - I hate going from zero to full when it’s cold and there are lots of times I’d like it to just idle while I’m grabbing a big log or moving some of the split that fell around me.
The original pump suction line failed in me, it got very hard and the combination of the hose clamp, the internal spring to prevent collapse under suction and the vibrations went through it very fast once it started - once it sucks in air it will turn the oil to foam exceptionally fast.
I’ve used mine in both horizontal and vertical orientation. Split 36” diameter rounds of 18” red oak with no more effort than you see in this video. However the supplied pin to lock it is not strong enough, at least on the 34 ton, and will bend - replace that too.
I keep a jig of old engine oil and put a little bit on the beam under the wedge where it slides - if i remember to get it coated before shutting down the steel won’t rust in you after the paint comes off.
The 34 ton weighs in around 560 lbs, so you might want to invest in some sort of “trailer dolly” for moving it around unless you have a ball hitch or some such.
I had to tow mine about 20 miles to get it home - go slow and it rides well enough. However if you have to raise and lower the hitch much, the bar with the pins is annoying…when you get the dolly to move it around, get a bolt in crank leg - I don’t know about the balance on the smaller splitter, but it’s a little hitch heavy for holding it up and fussing with the pin holes - certainly doable but that upgrade is on my list next.
Last item, the ram cylinder does get hot, uncomfortably so to the bare hand while working (nice through gloves on a cold day though)
So wound I recommend? For the price, yes. Basic solid machine - wish it had a throttle though. I get tired before it does every time.
Sorry, I guess this comment should have gone on your previous vid where you give the review, your channel just came up in my feed with this vid, I guess I have some binging to do !!
Great review! Thank you for taking the time to write such a good write up! Awesome thoughts! I like the idea of keeping the bottom lubricated with old oil. I will need to try that!
Just subscribed good stuff here..
@@MillersStumpsandFirewood712 appreciate that! Thank you for watching!