I have had this machine for 4 years. It has worked well, but has a couple of achilles heels. The hood and wing nut over the carb allows water to get in if the splitter is not covered. The other is the leanness of the engine. I have flooded it too many times using normal starting procedures. My remedy was borrowed from another TH-camr. I don't shut the engine off with the on/off switch when I am done splitting. I shut off the fuel valve and let it run out of fuel. To start I turn off the on/off switch and pull the start handle 3 to 3 times to prime the carb. Set the accelerator to half, set the choke on full, turn on the on/off switch, and boom it starts every time. I use fuel conditioners religiously with this splitter. The engine is very finnicky. TLC for sure. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! My engine runs lean also. In fact, the first splitter I bought ran so bad I took it back and got my current splitter. I have a comparable Harbor Freight engine I'll put on it someday. It runs fine. I'll most likely put the Kohler engine on a rototiller I only use a few times a year.
Nice review. I've looked at this splitter but they are now nearly $1,600. I might consider a good used one. Just a thought on your guards - could you do some type of quick-disconnect so you can remove the guards for moving/maintenance/starting the engine. Use some pins or wing nuts, etc?
The guards aren't really a problem for moving etc.. And starting/stopping the engine just entails a little longer reach. I had considered using something more easily removed, but in the end decided to go all out and just try to protect the engine and pump. It paid off for me last winter when a 100lb chunk of wet oak simply bounced off the guard over the pump. I wouldn't pay $1600. for this machine. Keep your eye out for a used unit. Now is a good time to be looking for a used one . Thanks for the comment!
Great job, you've not only modified it beautifully it's functional and looks like it's factory created.👍🏾
Glad you like it!
I have had this machine for 4 years. It has worked well, but has a couple of achilles heels. The hood and wing nut over the carb allows water to get in if the splitter is not covered. The other is the leanness of the engine. I have flooded it too many times using normal starting procedures. My remedy was borrowed from another TH-camr. I don't shut the engine off with the on/off switch when I am done splitting. I shut off the fuel valve and let it run out of fuel. To start I turn off the on/off switch and pull the start handle 3 to 3 times to prime the carb. Set the accelerator to half, set the choke on full, turn on the on/off switch, and boom it starts every time. I use fuel conditioners religiously with this splitter. The engine is very finnicky. TLC for sure. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! My engine runs lean also. In fact, the first splitter I bought ran so bad I took it back and got my current splitter. I have a comparable Harbor Freight engine I'll put on it someday. It runs fine. I'll most likely put the Kohler engine on a rototiller I only use a few times a year.
Great video and modifications! It's great to see you make your splitter indestructible!
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice review. I've looked at this splitter but they are now nearly $1,600. I might consider a good used one. Just a thought on your guards - could you do some type of quick-disconnect so you can remove the guards for moving/maintenance/starting the engine. Use some pins or wing nuts, etc?
The guards aren't really a problem for moving etc.. And starting/stopping the engine just entails a little longer reach. I had considered using something more easily removed, but in the end decided to go all out and just try to protect the engine and pump. It paid off for me last winter when a 100lb chunk of wet oak simply bounced off the guard over the pump.
I wouldn't pay $1600. for this machine. Keep your eye out for a used unit. Now is a good time to be looking for a used one . Thanks for the comment!
Why not just put a second log table bolted to the other one?