The Remington RM20 Sequoia has a classy name and the pedigree of power and work ethic that you need when buying a Gas Wood Splitter. Splitting wood is hard work. At some point in human history our species made the intelligent decision to use technology to do all of the hard work of splitting wood.
I have to be honest, I don’t really understand why people still use an axe to split wood today. It’s relentless back-breaking work that takes its toll on your body day after day. I understand that we didn’t have any alternatives in the 19th century but today, we have some wonderful options. Log splitters are worth the cost because they save your body from all the aches and pain if you were to manually split the wood with an axe.
In this article we review two excellent gas wood splitters to get you through another winter.
- Remington RM20 Sequoia : 20-ton, 159cc, 19 sec. cycle time,ย , vertical or horizontal
- ARIENS 917011 : 22-ton, 174cc, 12 second cycle time, vertical or horizontal
If youโre looking at buying a gas-powered log splitter, be prepared to pay for it. Even a 20-ton gas log splitter, which is on the smaller end of the scale, is going to cost upward of $1000 โ if youโre paying less, you should consider the quality of the machine that youโre buying.
So itโs not going to be a cheap exercise, but buying the right log splitter should mean that youโll never have to buy another one in your lifetime โ provided that you keep it properly maintained. Call it a log splitter or wood splitter, itโs the same thing and its purpose is to take the backache out of splitting your firewood.
The difference between using an axe and letting the hydraulic power of a wood splitter do the work for you makes a world of difference. Youโll get through your firewood pile in a fraction of the time and you wonโt be left exhausted with aches and pains throughout your body.
22-Ton Log Splitter | ARIENSย 917011
The important thing about choosing the perfect log splitter is to know what youโre getting for your money. Quality is paramount when buying equipment of this nature. This means a good engine and hydraulic system as well as a durable and reliable ram. The most critical factor is the power of the machine and this raises the all too common question. What size log splitter do you need?
Determining what size log splitter you buy, is going to make all the difference as the years go by. A very large wood splitter is going to cost a lot more to buy and will give you the power to split really thick hardwood logs. Obviously, a smaller machine is more limited. Now you donโt want to end up spending more than you need, at the same time, you want something thatโs going to meet your requirements. You want to strike a balance between cost and usability. Remember that a log splitter with more power has a larger engine and hydraulic system thatโs going to use more fuel and cost more to maintain.
A log splitterโs hydraulic power is measured in tons, this indicates how much force is applied by the ram and this is what splits the wood. Wood splitter hire companies reckon that in the US, the average size for log splitter rentals is 26-tons. With large models reaching up to 45-tons, you want to know which is going to be best. Thereโs no exact scientific way to determine what diameter of log youโll be splitting.
Every tree is different, even if you take the same type of wood, one tree can be denser than another and knots in the wood is going to reduce the size log that you can split. Moisture plays a big role, with dry wood splitting much easier than green (freshly cut) wood.
For this reason, the Janka Hardness Test has been developed which gives us a basis for determining the breaking point of different wood types. Based on this method, we can estimate how many tons of force youโll need to split a particular type of wood and at what thickness. Hereโs a list that will give you a basic idea of what diameter and wood type youโll be able to split with the rated tons for a wood splitter. Weโre keeping it fairly general here, but this will give a reasonable estimation of what working capabilities youโll get from your wood splitter. In most cases, you could go a bit thicker on the log, but itโs safer to underestimate.
Recommended Log Splitter Sizes:
- 5-tons or less โ softwood 6โ-10โ diameter. Not really recommended for hardwood, but should handle about 4โ-5โ hardwood.
- 10-tons โ softwood up to 10โ-15โ and hardwood 6โ-10โ.
- 15-tons โ softwood 15โ-20โ and hardwood 10โ-12โ.
- 20-tons โ softwood 20โ-25โ and hardwood 12โ-15โ.
- 30-tons and upwards โ softwood thicker than 25โ and hardwood thicker 15โ.
Working on this estimated power rating, youโll see that a 20-ton wood splitter is most likely going to be the best option for most home users and light commercial firewood suppliers. A 20-ton wood splitter is very affordable when compared to the big monsters and gives you a really decent amount of power.
Given the value that youโre going to get from a 20-ton wood splitter, weโre going to review one of the best 20-ton log splitters that falls within the mid to low price range. Even though the Remington RM20 Sequoia doesnโt cost much more than the cheapest options, it has the build quality to compete with the best and this makes it incredibly good value for money. As a comparison, weโll also review the Ariens Company 917011, which comes at a very similar price to the Remington RM20 Sequoia and is a comparable machine.
Remington RM20 Sequoia
Features:
- Powered by strong, durable 4.5 hp/ 174 cc Subaru engine and built to go anywherePrefilled with hydraulic fluid
- Log trays included
- Minimal assembly required
- 45MPH Transport Speed
- D.O.T. Road Towable
- 16โณ x 4.8โณ turf tread tires
- 2″ BALL HITCH
- With the power to cut a 25-inch log in the horizontal or vertical position
- Features 16-inch x 4.8-inch tires
- Horizontal and vertical splitting positions with centrally located operator controls
Durable components, Tapered wedge design, Strong chassis with standard log cradle and hitch handle
โ View or download the MANUAL for the Remington RM20 Sequoia.
Overview
To supply a 20-ton hydraulic ram with the power it needs, you need an engine thatโs up to the task and the Remington RM20 Sequoia has what it takes. The 159cc OHV Powermore engine is both reliable and gives the Remington the horsepower that it needs. Youโll need to pull start the engine as it only has a recoil starter (no electric starter motor). Though this isnโt a tough job and it starts easily with one pull. I donโt find CSA or CARB specifications, but the user guide warns that itโs not suitable for use in California โ this tells me that itโs not CARB certified. I would think that since Remington is a Canadian manufacturer, we can assume that it meets Canadian emission regulations.
The 25โ splitting table is pretty standard in terms of length, and it has a 19 second cycle time for this length. It operates in a horizontal or vertical position and transitions very easily from either position, with a locking pin to secure it in the upright position.
What impresses me most about the Remington RM20 Sequoia is the exceptional quality of the build, design, and materials used. The wedge is made from extra thick cast iron and this level of durable strength carries through every part of its design. This makes it a particularly heavy piece of machinery. I must point out that its 585-pound weight is a good thing, not a complaint. This gives you an indication of the toughness and durability of the machine. It has super impressive 16โ X 4.8โ tires with solid steel rims and a 2โ ball hitch for towing it with a vehicle. The towing speed is limited to 45MPH, but this normal for all wood splitters with a tow hitch.
The axel is much wider than most and this gives it a very stable base โ both when towing and operating the machine. Despite being a heavy durable wood splitter (easily one of the best), itโs really easy to use. The hydraulic control lever is perfectly positioned and it has a simple forward, neutral and reverse action. You can lift it into the upright position with hand, even if youโre not a big guy. It also requires very little assembly and the instructions in the user manual are easy to follow with concise diagrams. You really donโt have to be a technical wizard to get started or operate the Remington RM20 Sequoia.
Whenever I see a piece of machinery thatโs built this tough, Iโm in awe of its magnificence. I can accept slightly lower performance from a machine that displays a high level of build integrity. In this case, I rate the power and usability of the Remington RM20 Sequoia quite highly and its build quality is truly exceptional – ย very much a win-win situation. Youโll get a 2-year warranty on this wood splitter.
Tech Specs:
- Engine : 159cc OHV POWERMORE Engine
- Ram Force : 20 US Tons
- Cycle Time : 19 Seconds
- Log Capacity : 25″ in Length
- Hydraulic Reservoir : 3 Gallon
- Tank Limited : Warranty
Browse the impressive line of Remington tools and equipment by visiting Amazon or Learn more about Remington and their full range of power equipment by visiting the Remington site.
ARIENS 917011
22-ton gas-powered log splitter. Vertical or Horizontal.
Features:
- Subaru EA-175V engine produces 8.26 ft. lb. of torque for powerful splitting
- 27-ton splitting force effectively splits larger logs
- 12-second cycle time quickly resets the splitter to split another log
- Centrally located controls allows you to operate from either side
Open operating zone reduces operator fatigue
Vertical and horizontal splitting capacity for versatility
Log cradle and draw bar handle are standard features
Towable at speeds up to 45 MPH for convenience
Includes 3-year limited consumer warranty
This is a more powerful wood splitter than the Remington RM20 Sequoia with a 174cc 4.5 HP Subaru engine, giving it 22-tons of force. The Ariens is also faster to work with, it has a cycle time of 13 seconds for the same 25โ length.
For about the same price as the Remington RM20 Sequoia, youโll be getting a more powerful and faster machine. I can see many people wondering why they should consider the Remington model at all. With 10% more force, you do have more power โ but this isnโt too much of an advantage. A 6 second shorter cycle time is certainly going to make things much quicker and so this is quite a good reason to rate the Ariens wood splitter more highly.
VIDEO | Ariens Log Splitters
https://youtu.be/d_7FehS6a2E
Despite this, I prefer the Remington RM20 Sequoia. Why do I say this? Just compare the weight of the two machines. This one weighs 400 LBS, the Sequoia weighs 585 LBS. This tells me, straight away that the Remington RM20 Sequoia has a lot more steel and is therefore far tougher. If you look at the components, youโll notice immediately that the Ariens 917011 has a lighter wedge, so I canโt see this machine taking as much punishment as the heavier Remington. It has a narrower base, so it isnโt quite as stable. In every aspect of its design, the Remington RM20 Sequoia seems like a wood splitter that’s built for harsher working conditions.
The Ariens is by no means flimsy and it will hold up to some rigorous working conditions. I just think that after ten to twenty years of really hard work, the Remington will probably hold up better. For most home applications this might not be much of a big deal. If youโre not working your wood splitter too hard or too often, you probably wonโt notice the difference in build quality. Personally, Iโll always go for the more durable machine, no matter what. Then again, thatโs just me.
Mechanically theyโre pretty evenly matched, they both have durable engines and their hydraulic components seem to be on a par. Theyโre both the same when it comes to using the machine, though the Ariens has a distinct advantage when it comes to cycle time. The Ariens 917011 also has a recoil starter and starts just as easily as the Remington RM20 Sequoia. The controls are very much the same and itโs also a relatively easy machine to assemble. The wheels and tow hitch on both wood splitters are also very much the same.
While the Ariens Company 917011 is maybe not as robust as the Remington RM20 Sequoia (in my opinion), itโs still one of the best in this price range. For people who are not looking for commercial-grade construction, this is probably the better deal โ mostly for its faster working time. Despite my opinion on build quality, this wood splitter has a longer warranty period of 3 years. So I may have it all wrong.
Though, I think the real test will come after decades of hard use, long after both warranties have expired and this canโt really be proven. So Iโll have to conclude they are both great quality and for the purposes that most homeowners will be buying a wood splitter โ they should both hold up very well.
Learm more about ARIENS and their line ofย log splittersย by visiting their site.
