At 74 years of age, I still split around 2 cords a year for my typical winter use. I have both this 10 ton manual unit and the 5 ton electric from HF. The electric is mounted on a leftover stand from my woodworking shop. The manual I use just like you do, but I only use it to break up rounds that are too heavy for me to lift readily. Once broken in half, I can easily pick up each half and finish it on the electric. I paid $100 bucks for mine back when they had 20% discount coupons, so paid $80 plus tax. I have been using this system for the past 15 years and have saved my back a lot of wear and tear! When I do the finish splits, I toss them in a 2 wheel wheelbarrow and take them and stack them, no more bending over! HA HA Work smarter, not harder as you get older!
So, after four years how is it working for you? Do you have any leaks in the seals? A neighbor gave me the same thing. She couldn't get it to work when she bought it. Instead of returning it, she kept it and then was throwing it out. I asked if I could take it off her hands and she was happy to do it. It didn't have hydraulic fluid in it and that was the problem. I have it now a couple of months. The only thing about these splitters is that the seals are crap. They leak on many of the models. Mine leaks too. So, I'll keep it running as long as I can. I have a welder who I'm going to ask to weld the wedge to a bar and I'll make a spring loaded splitter. I've seen them on youtube and like them a lot. So, I'll have one of those made up.
Great background music! I just bought mine. After coming home with my new log splitter, I had to first complete its assembly. The clamp holding the jack in place had not been tightened down. Then I discovered 2 bolts were missing that secured the jack to the base. After making several trips to the hardware store to get the right size bolts (the parts list called out the wrong size), I proceeded to bleed the air from the jack. I had seen in another video that it was recommended to bleed the air before using the splitter. Following the instructions to the letter, I managed to spray hydraulic fluid all over my garage floor; I went through nearly 2 quarts of fluid at $7 a pop; and now the piston barely advances. Now, today, I'm getting ready to load the splitter in my truck and drive the hour(one way) it takes to takes to return or exchange it. At this time I'm perusing a few more videos to see if maybe I'm being premature in my decision.
@@CountryCraziness I took a chance and exchanged the "lemon" for another at Harbor Freight, no questions asked. The new one is intact, and opted to use it straight put of the box. So far, so good.🤞
The directions to bleed the splitter are wrong!!!! That's why you have hydraulic fluid all over the place. After filling the thing up pump the splitter a couple of times. Then take a small screw driver and press it on the side of the rubber capping and you'll hear a small hiss. Pump some more and do it again. Do it a few more times and keep checking on the hand pump. Is it pumping through the full range or is there play in it? When it's pumping all the way through then you're ready to split. It takes time but it works. These things are also notorious for leaking at the seals. My neighbor gave me hers because she couldn't get it to work. I put fluid in and it's worked OK. Leaks fluid, but works. Don't use it on really tough stuff or it may not work for long. The guy in the video isn't splitting really tough stuff with his.
Very good video and demonstrations!!! I was on the fence about getting an electric one or manual but your video has convinced me that the manual one will work good and give me a lil well needed exercise 😆
@@beebob1279 It works perfectly!!! Honestly my 6 year old uses it more than me 😂 he thinks it's a toy but he's splitting wood and I'm stacking... Big logs I will do though!!! Worth every dime .... Might get another one 😂
I got a 6 ton electric one I paid over 250 dollars for and wish I had gotten this to begin with. The electric one is hard to use and won't split anything too big. Both hands are tied up just to get the ram to move and as soon as you take one hand off the ram will retract back. I think I will like this much better and could have saved a lot of money.
There could be another reason why the other splitters are more expensive. It's called buying quality. HF products are not something I would buy and intend on keeping forever. They don't last.
I just bought it today, used it immediately, and found "no problem" with the the first log (split in half then each half again). After the second split on the second log, the piston wouldn't retract after opening the hand wheel. What's the "fix"? Anyone know?
If you over extended the piston it will get stuck.. I though mine was broken yesterday. Nothing to lose so I got a ball peen hammer and hit it a few times. It retracted after that. Remember, this is a HF product. Quality isn't one of HF's strong points.
@@beebob1279 got that right about the quality. I split maybe half a truck bed full of wood before it quit working. I’ve bled it numerous times and tried everything possible. It’s going out for the trash. Sad thing now is I paid $80 for it and can buy a full truckload of split firewood here for $120 stacked and not have the hassle. Lesson learned I guess.
They are HF products. The companies they buy from aren't the best for quality. The machines (I consider this a machine) are basically disposable. I neat idea for the home owner. My neighbor gave me hers and I'm using it this year. Yep, the seals leak. I keep it outside so that the oil doesn't drip all over the garage. When it goes I'll take it to a welder and have the wedge fixed to the railing it came on. but I'll use it with a car spring and split wood that way.
At 74 years of age, I still split around 2 cords a year for my typical winter use. I have both this 10 ton manual unit and the 5 ton electric from HF. The electric is mounted on a leftover stand from my woodworking shop. The manual I use just like you do, but I only use it to break up rounds that are too heavy for me to lift readily. Once broken in half, I can easily pick up each half and finish it on the electric. I paid $100 bucks for mine back when they had 20% discount coupons, so paid $80 plus tax. I have been using this system for the past 15 years and have saved my back a lot of wear and tear! When I do the finish splits, I toss them in a 2 wheel wheelbarrow and take them and stack them, no more bending over! HA HA Work smarter, not harder as you get older!
So, after four years how is it working for you? Do you have any leaks in the seals? A neighbor gave me the same thing. She couldn't get it to work when she bought it. Instead of returning it, she kept it and then was throwing it out. I asked if I could take it off her hands and she was happy to do it. It didn't have hydraulic fluid in it and that was the problem. I have it now a couple of months. The only thing about these splitters is that the seals are crap. They leak on many of the models. Mine leaks too.
So, I'll keep it running as long as I can. I have a welder who I'm going to ask to weld the wedge to a bar and I'll make a spring loaded splitter. I've seen them on youtube and like them a lot. So, I'll have one of those made up.
My seals leaked but I really abused it way beyond advertised limits. So rest in peace old girl. I will get another if need arises.
Great background music! I just bought mine.
After coming home with my new log splitter, I had to first complete its assembly. The clamp holding the jack in place had not been tightened down. Then I discovered 2 bolts were missing that secured the jack to the base. After making several trips to the hardware store to get the right size bolts (the parts list called out the wrong size), I proceeded to bleed the air from the jack. I had seen in another video that it was recommended to bleed the air before using the splitter. Following the instructions to the letter, I managed to spray hydraulic fluid all over my garage floor; I went through nearly 2 quarts of fluid at $7 a pop; and now the piston barely advances. Now, today, I'm getting ready to load the splitter in my truck and drive the hour(one way) it takes to takes to return or exchange it. At this time I'm perusing a few more videos to see if maybe I'm being premature in my decision.
Sounds like I got lucky or you got a lemon. Let me know if you try again.
@@CountryCraziness I took a chance and exchanged the "lemon" for another at Harbor Freight, no questions asked. The new one is intact, and opted to use it straight put of the box. So far, so good.🤞
The directions to bleed the splitter are wrong!!!! That's why you have hydraulic fluid all over the place. After filling the thing up pump the splitter a couple of times. Then take a small screw driver and press it on the side of the rubber capping and you'll hear a small hiss. Pump some more and do it again. Do it a few more times and keep checking on the hand pump. Is it pumping through the full range or is there play in it? When it's pumping all the way through then you're ready to split.
It takes time but it works. These things are also notorious for leaking at the seals. My neighbor gave me hers because she couldn't get it to work. I put fluid in and it's worked OK. Leaks fluid, but works.
Don't use it on really tough stuff or it may not work for long. The guy in the video isn't splitting really tough stuff with his.
Very good video and demonstrations!!! I was on the fence about getting an electric one or manual but your video has convinced me that the manual one will work good and give me a lil well needed exercise 😆
And, after a year how's it working for you? I got mine from a neighbor. It leaks through the seals which is common with these things.
@@beebob1279 It works perfectly!!! Honestly my 6 year old uses it more than me 😂 he thinks it's a toy but he's splitting wood and I'm stacking... Big logs I will do though!!! Worth every dime .... Might get another one 😂
I got a 6 ton electric one I paid over 250 dollars for and wish I had gotten this to begin with. The electric one is hard to use and won't split anything too big. Both hands are tied up just to get the ram to move and as soon as you take one hand off the ram will retract back. I think I will like this much better and could have saved a lot of money.
@@skipperjones7490 😳 Wow!!! Thanks for sharing
DO ANYBODY HAS THE SEAL KIT #.. MINE IS LEAKING
I saw some on UA-cam for 3 hundred dollars, harbor freight is the best value, put with those you have to have a good level and solid surface
There could be another reason why the other splitters are more expensive. It's called buying quality. HF products are not something I would buy and intend on keeping forever. They don't last.
I just bought it today, used it immediately, and found "no problem" with the the first log (split in half then each half again). After the second split on the second log, the piston wouldn't retract after opening the hand wheel. What's the "fix"? Anyone know?
Try tapping the end of the piston. If it got over extended it might need a little love.
If you over extended the piston it will get stuck.. I though mine was broken yesterday. Nothing to lose so I got a ball peen hammer and hit it a few times. It retracted after that.
Remember, this is a HF product. Quality isn't one of HF's strong points.
@@beebob1279 got that right about the quality. I split maybe half a truck bed full of wood before it quit working. I’ve bled it numerous times and tried everything possible. It’s going out for the trash. Sad thing now is I paid $80 for it and can buy a full truckload of split firewood here for $120 stacked and not have the hassle. Lesson learned I guess.
Follow up. After 2 years of abuse we broke a seal. Time to take a 20% coupon to buy another. $95 with tax
Fare thee well old friend.
Time for the scrap yard, probably give u 7 dollars for it
Once the seal broke I decided the end of the driveway would be its 1 hour home till someone grabs it.
They are HF products. The companies they buy from aren't the best for quality. The machines (I consider this a machine) are basically disposable. I neat idea for the home owner. My neighbor gave me hers and I'm using it this year. Yep, the seals leak. I keep it outside so that the oil doesn't drip all over the garage. When it goes I'll take it to a welder and have the wedge fixed to the railing it came on. but I'll use it with a car spring and split wood that way.