NorthStar Horizontal/Vertical Log Splitter - 22-Ton, 160cc
4.7
5
53
53
God splitter, bad customer service model
I really like this splitter. The working height is perfect and it has all the power needed to get through whatever you put in front of it. The assembly instructions were just ok - there were a few instances where the instructions were just wrong. Also, the specs call for 8 gallons of hydraulic oil and that's wrong too. Buy 7 and save more than just a few bucks. The only thing that I don't like is the outrigger leg design as it's awkward for one person to get the rear leg lifted for transport. All that said, I'm happy with my purchase...mostly.
Here's the rub. One of my must-have features was the four-way wedge option. After four calls to customer service, a shipment of new bolts to install the wedge "wings", and now a shipment of a replacement wedge, maybe next week I'll actually be able to make four-way splits. Turns out that two of the wing mounting holes in the primary wedge were not bored out to the correct diameter and the bolts were too big to pass through the holes. So that appears to be a manufacturing defect. Ok, it happens but it's annoying.
Here's what I think the "real problem" is: If you call "Customer Care" on a Saturday, there are no techs available -- they only work Mon-Fri. They, of course, needed the serial number from the splitter in order to send me parts so I had to be at home on a weekday in order to make that happen. I have to believe that most people work for a living so true "Customer Care" would mean having the right resources available to troubleshoot problems when customers are at home. To make matters worse, when I placed my first call to Customer Call on a Saturday, I was told to call back on Monday and that I'd have to tell my story all over again because they weren't setup to take that information in Customer Care. I asked to speak with a Supervisor and she finally agreed to take my information and she said that she would get back to me on Monday. That didn't happen so I had to make yet another call.
It just shouldn't be this difficult.
January 11, 2013
22 TON Log splitter North Star
I got the splitter late summer of 2012 and split about 4 cords. it ran about 1/2 hour on a 1/2 gal. of gas, it worked great .But some bolts were missing,the coupler hub came lose, so I put a second set screw in with loc tite. Also the bolts for the wedge slide are to short ,they should have 1 to 3 thread past the nut , they don't even go thru the nylock.
October 18, 2012
22 ton north star
The 22 ton North Star wood splitter is a tough machine. I've only had this wood splitter for a few weeks and I have to say I've never ran one like it. The five horse power Honda engine doesn't even struggle while busting through large pieces of wood. I've not seen a piece of wood this splitter wont split. If I can get the log rolled up to it, the splitter will split it. Great product!
October 15, 2012
Good quality and good value
This log splitter is well-built and sturdy. The Honda engine starts easily and is relatively quiet. It has had enough power to split some pretty gnarly seasoned locust. It's well-balanced and easy switch from horizontal to vertical operation or to transport by vehicle or by hand around the garage. It's everything I wanted in a log splitter
I did, however, encounter two problems during assembly that should not have occurred, hence the four stars instead of five. First, the pivot piece was welded so crooked there was no way the assembly could continue. I am two hours by car from the store and had to spend an afternoon running back to get a pivot that was manufactured correctly so I could continue putting the thing together. Second, the factory uses a nylon 3/4 pipe X 1" hose barb bushing on the hydraulic fluid return line that leaks. Being nylon, there is no way to tighten it sufficiently to stop the leak. I replaced it with a brass fitting that doesn't leak. These are quality control issues that the factory needs to resolve.
I want to add that the Richmond store has a mechanic named Dan that was very helpful to me in resolving my problems and in giving me good advice for assembling the log splitter, such as giving me a list of the larger open-end wrenches that I would need and how to replace that bushing with a full tank of hydraulic fluid. Dan is the go-to guy in the Richmond store when you have questions or problems with mechanical equipment. He is friendly and knowledgeable and an asset to Northern Tool. Thanks in large part to Dan's friendly assistance in resolving these problems I am a happy owner of a great log splitter that should give me years of trouble free service.
October 13, 2012
22 ton Northern Star log splitter
I am very pleased with this splitter. Two of us had no trouble with assembly, it was quite straightforward.
The Honda engine is great...starts easily.
We have some very difficult wood to split around these parts, including elm, oak and cherry.
There is no wood that I could not split with this splitter.
I should have had this one years ago!
Great machine!!
October 9, 2012
Solid, powerful splitter
This splitter seems really substantial, it was packed really well, I expect it will last my lifetime :). I have tested it on the gnarliest cherry I could find and the two-stage pump kicked in and powered right through it. You need a sense of humor to find all the pieces to put it together. Don't expect all the parts to be in the parts bag.... but all things considered it went together really well. I was able to assemble it myself granny-style with the help of a couple levers and jacks.
August 14, 2012
This is on great log splitter
Before buying this log splitter I look at many different splitters . After seeing what junk was out there I then opening my Northern Tool Catalog and purchased the 22 ton splitter. On the day it arrived I was taken back to see how it was packed and the quality and the workmanship of this Log Splitter. This is a very heavy duty splitter no BS with this unit. It took me 2 hours to assemble it and no problem put it together. And then I started splitting logs and this splitter ran great. I give this splitter 5 stars.
Thank you Northern Tool.
January 26, 2012
Big bang for the buck
I was totally impressed. For one thing, it's packed really well - mine had no dents or scratches in the paint (yet). It went together easily. And although most folks recommend having a helper, lifting the cylinder and beam isn't too difficult - especially if you "lever" it off the pallet. It's well built and the instructions are easy. Took me about 2 hrs to assemble taking my time. Love the Honda engine - easy starts! Did a day of splitting and it didn't seem to break a sweat. I have no idea why I waited so long to get it! I'll still keep my axe handy for odd jobs, but this is a treat.
November 30, 2011
22 ton
All works very well with this unit. Only 1 problem and that was one axle was not mfg correctly, resulting in obtaining a new Hyd tank. (axle is welded on) This was handled very well by Northern. I assembled it myself and thought it was very straight-forward. I split almost 7 chords in a few days and had no problems splitting very large diameter oak logs. Engine is very nice, starts easy even when cold.
November 11, 2011
22 ton log splitter
Excellent machine,splits any size of hard wood log.I have split about 2 cords so far.Have not had any problems with splitter or honda engine.Wish i had bought one sooner.I would recomend this product to anyone that is looking for a great log splitter.
October 26, 2011