Earthquake 12-Ton Quick-Split Horizontal Gas Log Splitter w/ Briggs & Stratton Engine

I was hesitant about a 12 ton splitter and it seemed kind of small. But I bought this because it fit my budget and the reviews seemed solid. One reviewer said it went through freshly cut oak. I should have known better but I tried it anyway and it busted the welds and bent up the wedge. I tried with a fresh oak round about 14 inches in diameter. It went through other stuff fine that I had laying around for a month or so: maple, osage, hickory, etc. Just shouldn't have tried fresh oak. Hopefully my local welding shop can fix it. It was also shipped with a bad valve stem on one of the tires and it won't hold air for more than a day. I would recommend this for a cord or two a year but I rely solely on my wood stove and I have to split a lot of wood in a short amount of time. In hindsight I would have gotten a splitter in the next level up.

I was hesitant about a 12 ton splitter and it seemed kind of small. But I bought this because it fit my budget and the reviews seemed solid. One reviewer said it went through freshly cut oak. I should have known better but I tried it anyway and it busted the welds and bent up the wedge. I tried with a fresh oak round about 14 inches in diameter. It went through other stuff fine that I had laying around for a month or so: maple, osage, hickory, etc. Just shouldn't have tried fresh oak. ... more

I tell you for the money it is an awesome piece of equipment except for the nuts and crush washers that come with the unit. I hadto replace all four bolts for the ram guide all four of the 8.8mm bolts and nuts came loose.

I had to use a hack saw to remove and replaced them with stainless steel 8.8 mm. And one of the cap nuts for the cylinder retainer bolts fell off. But as for assembly was a piece of cake.

Took about 20 minutes to assemble and another 10 to fill the hydraulic engine oil and men fine crank case oil. Filled the gas tank first pull and first pull every time sense then starts right up. It splits paloverde maskqite and fikus ukaliptess with no problem for this 12 ton log splitter . Wow what a back saver is all I have to say.

Easier on my back.

I tell you for the money it is an awesome piece of equipment except for the nuts and crush washers that come with the unit. I hadto replace all four bolts for the ram guide all four of the 8.8mm bolts and nuts came loose.

I had to use a hack saw to remove and replaced them with stainless steel 8.8 mm. And one of the cap nuts for the cylinder retainer bolts fell off. But as for assembly was a piece of cake.

Took about 20 minutes to assemble and another 10 to fill the hydraulic engine... more

I just purchased this log splitter a few days ago. It was very easy to put together and was easy to move around.

I have split logs up to 24 inches wide and 20 inches long, and this splitter just went threw them with no problem. It is a very quiet running unit and does not use much gas in a day.

THIS UNIT HAS A LOT OF POWER FOR ITS SIZE AND WAS A GREAT BUY.

I needed a log splitter and had been looking for one for a long time but the prices were out of range until I saw the Earthquake unit. I'm so glad I didn't buy one of those 35 ton, 10 h.p. splitters as this splitter can do everything I need to be done and its small, light, and works just as well as a larger one, and takes up 1/3 the space for storage. Engine starts on first pull and its ready to go to work.

My son-in-law and I either borrowed or rented a splitter for several years. When I started looking for one, all were well over $1k--too much for us to spend for 5-7 cords/season. I found this one, read the reviews, appreciated the price which included shipping. He & I put it together in about 30 minutes. It is easier with two people to assemble.

I've been purchasing tools for many years and never had to resort to giving any tool a bad review like this. I bought this tool because of the price, ease of storage (important in a normal city residential garage). Everything about what was just mentioned I like. The only thing that drove me to this review is the log splitter started to fall apart during the first season of use. The push plate (that keeps the ram straight) wore out to the point that it started to wear the sides of the bed (bed that you set your material on). Both started to wear to the point that they came disconnected causing the ram to bend, all in a split second. The company was nice to send me the parts that failed, especially after I included pictures of the failed parts when I emailed them. I changed the parts, no problem. I continued to use plenty of grease, to the point it turned into a mess, to no avail. The next season the push plate wore out again and the ram snapped the four bolts again. The second year I had to recontact the company for cost on the second set of parts, company said I would have to pay half for the parts, I replied, what my charge, I have to repair, no response in two weeks. The concept of this machine is great, but if you do normal splitting it will not hold up, unless I received a lemon from Sears.

I've been purchasing tools for many years and never had to resort to giving any tool a bad review like this. I bought this tool because of the price, ease of storage (important in a normal city residential garage). Everything about what was just mentioned I like. The only thing that drove me to this review is the log splitter started to fall apart during the first season of use. The push plate (that keeps the ram straight) wore out to the point that it started to wear the sides of the bed... more

This little splitter will surprise you. It does all everyone says it will and then some.

I wanted a 35 ton unit or larger. Was afraid it would disapoint me. You know you usually get what you pay for. To my surpise I got what I paid for and a whole lot more.

Easy to move around. Easy to assemble. And it doesn't take up a lot of room.

Go out and buy yourself one today.

I have used this splitter for a couple months, and I have no complaints.

It has split everything I had- up to 24-26 inch rounds.

I researched the market extensively and spoke with the dealer and a factory rep before I plunked down my money. Delivery was fast but it took longer than it should have to assemble due to poor instructions. Aside from that I have enjoyed using this log splitter. I used it to split tough Hickory, Oak and huge Ash logs. Over a 3-day period, I never had to pull the starter more than one time to get it running smoothly.

Two things on my new log splitter:

1) I had to "ask the expert" about filling the engine oil since there wasn't any dipstick. I was advised to undo the white cap (where the dipstick should be) and use it as the filling point. Then uncap one of the yellow caps and observe the oil to be visible in that port.

For maintenance in the future, he suggested that I just keep an eye on the oil level in the yellow port.

2) The hydraulic fluid filling and air purging procedure is a bit mysterious. I did something wrong the first time and you could fall asleep waiting for the ram to cycle.

Two things on my new log splitter:

1) I had to "ask the expert" about filling the engine oil since there wasn't any dipstick. I was advised to undo the white cap (where the dipstick should be) and use it as the filling point. Then uncap one of the yellow caps and observe the oil to be visible in that port.

For maintenance in the future, he suggested that I just keep an eye on the oil level in the yellow port.

2) The hydraulic fluid filling and air purging procedure is a... more

As compared to other units, I was nervous because the price was less. It exceeded every expectation, easy to assemble, started right up, and works great. I'd recommend it to anybody. I knocked out 6 cords in no time for the upcoming winter.