HAVE JUST FINISHED ASSEMBLY - HEAVY WORK IN SOME AREAS NEEDED 3 ADULTS TO LIFT AND FIT HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY. ALL PARTS SUPPLIED AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL EASY TO FOLLOW. NEXT STEP WILL BE TO OIL, FUEL & START SO, TO THIS POINT, TROUBLE-FREE

I've been hand splitting wood for 35 years. Recently the power company felled a huge Redgum tree. I tried hand splitting but quickly gave in with the enormous size rounds and the amount of huge knots and twisty grain. This was the catalyst for purchasing a log splitter.

The good - Incredible splitting power. Awesome engine, the same as they use on the Ravenger chipper, made by Ducar. It looks like a Honda GX390 clone. Very solid construction, the Chinese have really lifted their game. Hydraulic oil was included. The oil filter and slip on 4 way wedge, were points of difference that swayed my decision to purchase this model. The machine worked flawlessly in very hot conditions, but I was careful to break it in and idle it down between loading and prior to shutting it off. The shape of the wedge is very clever, it works it's way in, then breaks open the split quickly. There is no issue with chips getting in the way at the end of the beam like on some other designs.

The bad. The work tray needs a third side to stop wood rolling off onto the hydraulic hoses. But the tray can be swapped to the other side where the logs would fall off the end of the machine. I will be making a side rail either way. Bigger diameter wheels would be nice, raising the ground clearance. As it is, you need to be conscious that the engine could catch on a ditch or stump. A stick could also conceivably snag the suction hose. The engine mount is cantilevered and at idle the engine vibrates up and down. I'd prefer to see a brace added somewhere at the front. I'm not an engineer so this may not be an issue, time will tell.

For the money it is hard to beat. I'm very happy with it.

I purchased this unit 2.5 years ago, it has been faultless.
I cut and split wood for 3 families so we process about 18-20 cubic meters a year so no a commercial operation but it gets used.

The good:
Pretty much unstoppable splitting power, this will literally go through anything.
We cut all Australian hardwood species including iron bark to green blue gum, spotted, string bark, yellow box, both seasoned and green
I have not had a log stop this, even the most knotted, twisted river gum is easily split, if it can split it, it just shears through.

Starting is easy enough, which is good, as pull starting 18hp single is not a job for the small or weak, electric start would be a good upgrade.
Fuel capacity is good, you can split many cubic meters on a single tank.
Engine is smooth, but ear protection is a must.

General construction is good, give it a good check over for loose bolts, most nuts are nyloc, but give it a good look over, so far so good for me.
Large hydraulic tank and full flow filter are good, oil does get warm after a few hours but never hot.

The 4 way wedge works well if the timber is the right size, say 200-250mm dia, otherwise it just gets in the way, I seldom use it now.

Things I would like:
Electric start, wasn’t an option when I bought mine, but if available, I would go that way.
Lifting table/frame, we split large rounds, they go anywhere up to 60kg and take some lifting.
The splitter will work in a vertical position, but it’s a pain to work like that, so slow, bent over etc, only do it if you must.

Overall it’s a very reliable, powerful unit, I cant see how you could ever want more splitting power than this.

2 full seasons with about 50 cube of hardwood and not a single issue, I am more than happy with it.