Over the past year I haven't had any luck finding a decent used log splitter in my budget. So I expanded my budget and have been shopping new. While many of them get good reviews, I was hoping to avoid the Chinese made units. However, I have a couple of choices that mainly comes down to the engine.
For about the same cost:
1) Northstar 30 ton with Kohler Command engine. Looks well built, some made in USA parts, assembled in USA, comes with a jack instead of a prop, fenders, no channel on the beam for the wedge that jams up with debris, and engine idles down when ram returns.
Northern Tool is going away from the Honda engines and has dropped the price to move the 2023 30 ton units.
2) Chinese made Black Diamond 38 ton at local Atwoods but comes with Honda GX270 engine. None of the assesories that the NS comes with.
Option 3 is to spend an additional $800 or so more than I want to spend and get the made in USA with mostly American parts Brave 30 or 37 ton that also comes with the Honda GX270. Will have to assemble it myself.
The 37 ton Northstar with Kohler engine is not a significant savings versus the Brave.
I may not need the 30+ ton unit, they are just what are immediately available with these options.
Which is the better choice?
For about the same cost:
1) Northstar 30 ton with Kohler Command engine. Looks well built, some made in USA parts, assembled in USA, comes with a jack instead of a prop, fenders, no channel on the beam for the wedge that jams up with debris, and engine idles down when ram returns.
Northern Tool is going away from the Honda engines and has dropped the price to move the 2023 30 ton units.
2) Chinese made Black Diamond 38 ton at local Atwoods but comes with Honda GX270 engine. None of the assesories that the NS comes with.
Option 3 is to spend an additional $800 or so more than I want to spend and get the made in USA with mostly American parts Brave 30 or 37 ton that also comes with the Honda GX270. Will have to assemble it myself.
The 37 ton Northstar with Kohler engine is not a significant savings versus the Brave.
I may not need the 30+ ton unit, they are just what are immediately available with these options.
Which is the better choice?