YARDMAX 28-Ton 208cc Horizontal / Vertical Gas Log Splitter

Ok so its gonna be a long review but hang in there...I think it may help you make a decision on your purchase.
I research everything I buy. I want to get the best for my money just as I think everyone does. I originally was going to go to my local big chain store and buy a certain wood splitter I had my eye on cause it was going on sale for $950 bucks. And I'm glad I didn't! I came across this on Power Equipment Direct ... Started looking into their company and products and made two phone calls... One to the company I was originally gonna buy from and the other to Yardmax. The company I called (big chain store splitter) I got a recording and finally talking to someone not very knowledgeable of their product.

Then I called yardmax... An actual person answered the phone... Very knowledgeable of their product. And trust me I asked every question I could think of about their company,products,parts, etc... And bought the yardmax that day!

Delivery was quick (to my house on the 3rd or 4th day)... The crate it was shipped in was well put together and secured well to protect my investment. After cracking the box open I could tell right then it was well worth the extra $100 ... Better welds...thicker metal... 28 vs the 22 ton I was looking at. Instructions were awesome. Bolts were separated per each step involved .... I was amazed.. these guys are top notch and you will not be disappointed....

To me it's also about the little things too. Like a place to store your manual and a few tools... The guards for the hydraulic hoses...the fact that it comes with two cradles for each side of the beam. It was way better than I expected performs flawlessly.

The only... And I mean only thing I could find to be negative about (cause I'm picky and try hard) was there was a rattle on the shroud that goes around the cylinder ram. Which was easily fixed and I needed to add a small amount of hydraulic fluid and engine oil. I've used it on some pretty knarly wood too and it went through nice. I will try to take some time to make a video on YouTube soon. So make sure you do your own research and look into these guys ... I don't think you will be disappointed. Thanks for reading.

Ok so its gonna be a long review but hang in there...I think it may help you make a decision on your purchase.
I research everything I buy. I want to get the best for my money just as I think everyone does. I originally was going to go to my local big chain store and buy a certain wood splitter I had my eye on cause it was going on sale for $950 bucks. And I'm glad I didn't! I came across this on Power Equipment Direct ... Started looking into their company and products and made two phone... more

This is way too heavy for me to set up by myself. I am a 74 yr old with plenty of energy and strength for my age but I had trouble picking it up with my fork lift on my tractor. I am waiting for one of my son-in-laws to come help set it up for use.

Product is all I can ask for and I will use the heck out of it once it is set up. I will come back to update as soon as I get it up and working.

I have used this splitter several times since buying it. It starts easily and has no trouble slicing through tough hickory. It seems to be well built and should last a long time. I managed to assemble it by myself, using a hoist and chains, though it is so heavy you really need to have someone help you.

Assembly is iffy, needs 2 people even when heavy lifting is done with a tractor loader and appropriate slings, etc due to the 2 halves being attached by the hydraulic hoses. If they had quick disconnects on the pressure and return lines then assembly would be a snap. Added the oil to the engine, gas, and it started right away. It hardly seems to feel a smaller log, grunts a little on the really big stuff as would be expected.

I didn't know if the hydraulic system was flooded or not. Otherwise i probably would have disconnected the hydraulic lines and added quick disconnects. All in all, these things are minor details. The unit works great, and am glad I got it. I saved almost $500 over local prices for a 28 ton unit. The easily detachable 4-way split head is a bonus!

Assembly is iffy, needs 2 people even when heavy lifting is done with a tractor loader and appropriate slings, etc due to the 2 halves being attached by the hydraulic hoses. If they had quick disconnects on the pressure and return lines then assembly would be a snap. Added the oil to the engine, gas, and it started right away. It hardly seems to feel a smaller log, grunts a little on the really big stuff as would be expected.

I didn't know if the hydraulic system was flooded or not. ... more

The assembly instructions are useless and confusing.

This was an interesting experience. The splitter was delivered a week before it was scheduled - great! It was well packaged and required a lift gate on the delivery truck. The driver even helped bring it into my yard with his pallet jack - great because this thing is HEAVY. I opened the crate and looked for assembly etc. instructions but to no avail. I got the owners manual printed off the internet site. As i later found out the manual was in a black cylinder in the crate.

This cylinder attaches to the splitter so it is always available - a great idea! It took 2 big males to put it together but the instructions were EXCELLENT. All parts fit as they should with no problems or glitches at all. This thing has POWER! I started with some 4' diameter Doug fir with the unit in the vertical position. It went thru this stuff like butter. I have since split about a cord so far without even breaking out in a sweat (it's summer time here). My logs average about 10-16" in diameter so I use the splitter in the horizontal position. I love it!

This was an interesting experience. The splitter was delivered a week before it was scheduled - great! It was well packaged and required a lift gate on the delivery truck. The driver even helped bring it into my yard with his pallet jack - great because this thing is HEAVY. I opened the crate and looked for assembly etc. instructions but to no avail. I got the owners manual printed off the internet site. As i later found out the manual was in a black cylinder in the crate.

This cylinder... more

My headline says it all. Like the other review, delivery was less than a week, the shipping crate was good, the directions were easy (took a couple hours to put it together). So far, it has split everything I have put on it. The only issues I had were:

There was an extra washer on the wheel bearing that I didn't see, so when I put the one on that I was supposed to and tightened the nut, I couldn't get the pin in. I took it off and noticed the other washer under the grease, so I took the washer off and it went on like it should.

The second issue was, after splitting a chord, I noticed the engine vibrating more than normal; and when I looked closer, a couple of engine mounting bolts were on the ground. So I put them back in and it's fine. Other than some minor problems, it works like it should and I didn't spend the extra $ on a name brand or a big box store model. I got exactly what I wanted for a good price.

My headline says it all. Like the other review, delivery was less than a week, the shipping crate was good, the directions were easy (took a couple hours to put it together). So far, it has split everything I have put on it. The only issues I had were:

There was an extra washer on the wheel bearing that I didn't see, so when I put the one on that I was supposed to and tightened the nut, I couldn't get the pin in. I took it off and noticed the other washer under the grease, so I took the... more

I am in California, and this splitter was delivered to me in about a week. I unloaded it with my tractor which saved $50. I put it together by myself in about an hour an took it right out and split about a cord of wood. It seems to have plenty of power. I was splitting really gnarly old oak logs that I had laying around because my old splitter wouldn't handle them.

It came with a removable 4 way wedge which you should remove when splitting this kind of wood. I really like the turn table on the foot of the splitter. It keeps the beam from twisting. When I split badly twisted logs with my old splitter it would twist the I beam which was hard on the wedge mounts and the beam. The price is great! The splitter is great! A rare combination.

I am in California, and this splitter was delivered to me in about a week. I unloaded it with my tractor which saved $50. I put it together by myself in about an hour an took it right out and split about a cord of wood. It seems to have plenty of power. I was splitting really gnarly old oak logs that I had laying around because my old splitter wouldn't handle them.

It came with a removable 4 way wedge which you should remove when splitting this kind of wood. I really like the turn table on... more

Great running machine. Make sure you tighten the factory installed items...failure to do so CAN cause major injury. I had some bolts come loose on the slide and they snapped.

I was lucky that me and my son were not injured. Why they do not use nylon nuts, lock washers, OR thread lock is crazy. Other than that, I'm very pleased.

This is an excellent log splitter that was easy enough for two people to assemble. The videos available were very helpful. The 28 ton has enough power to split the wood we have, which is mostly hardwood, easily and effectively.

The one thing I would like to see in the future is a metal plate on a frame and engine cover or protector. I think this add-on would make the Yard Max unparalleled in its class! We love the splitter!

Easy to assemble. I would agree with instructions of two people. I did mine myself with the help of a front loader and cherry picker to align ram unit to running gear. Easy to do.

On first run split 26 in blocks of dry white oak with ease.