Log Splitter Blown Motor Fixed With Harbor Freight Predator 212

Blew the motor on my log splitter. I replaced it with the Harbor Freight Predator Engine.
PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!!

[@Countywatch]

This video brings joy to my wood splitter engine replacement nightmare. Briggs and Stratton will never get another penny out of me!!!! Thanks for the video.

[@preachermand5380]

I had the exact same situation as you did. However, I didn't cut the shaft, I made a 9"x9" frame out of 2x4 wood. I bolted the 2x4 to the log splitter frame and then screwed down the engine. It worked.

[@judoguy33]

I had the same problem with the shaft. I just took an angle grinder and cut it to match the old one. It worked like a champ, no problems so far. Enjoyed your video

[@muddyudders]

Glad you enjoyed the video. The only issue I have is it hates the cold weather. The engine is reluctant to start under 30° I pull the recoil starter and use a drill to get it to start.

[@njrangerlt]

Ran into the same problem on my 25 ton. About ready to cot the shaft as well. Lovejoy is stuck on the pump so I don't want to mess with it too much. Thanks for the video.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I used to have an MTD like that and the Briggs always had to be worked on. I 'm a Briggs fan but this one was a royal pain. It went home with a pal and I got a Champion with a 338 Predator on it and I LIKE it a LOT! Starts 1st pull, easy on gas and plenty of power. For the $$$ wouldn't swap it for a Honda or Kohler. You'll like that one too!

[@muddyudders]

Somewhere I have video footage of me attempting to get the Briggs started. I thought about using a drill like project farm does on his motors.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@muddyudders If I'd kept the MTD, THAT is what I'd have tried next. The Predator starts 1st time, every time with about as much pull as the 5-horse Briggs had. And it's an 11 horse 338 cc.job. I think I'm a lot better off. And Commander Todd does some FINE work on Project Farm, dsure! Blessings 2 U!

[@traviskingrey4335]

Dad has had one of those for years, always starts on the 3-5th pull with the 5hp briggs

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@traviskingrey4335 This Briggs had a 'new and improved' choke that wouldn't pull enough gas into the carb for a cold start. Take the air cleaner off and stick your thumb in the intake and it'd fire every time, 1st time. That gets really old after a while. If it had a solid choke disc it'd have been fine.

[@IsThatJomz]

Got the same machine almost, I picked up a 25ton yard machine that’s been sitting since 2014 for 100$, picked up one of those engines yesterday and hope to be splitting this afternoon!

[@muddyudders]

I love the engine. It far surpasses the power of the original.

[@sweetpigfarm3645]

I am having same the dilemma, shorting the shaft or longer bolts to the engine and space out mount.. Trying to save the neighbor money on this repair. Nice video! They got the same splitter.

[@muddyudders]

The cutoff wheel was the way to go if you shorten it. Measure twice I made mine a little too short but it's working great. More power than the original starts easy every time.

[@Kitty-pq8lv]

Mine was a direct fit replacement I went from a honda gc190 to a preadator 212.

[@bigandlittlefirearms8395]

oh nice looks like you got the hemi version you can't really tell it on the box but sometimes when you buy a predator 212 it's the hemi version making it have like a little bit more horsepower

[@bigandlittlefirearms8395]

They're all so pretty rare

[@craigdalzell2908]

u can take bolts outa rewind an turn towards tire , so ya not hitting hand on beam when u start it .

[@muddyudders]

I was looking at that but haven't done it yet

[@Doodad2]

I'm about to do the same thing! I have the new engine and plan on using an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to shorten the shaft.

[@muddyudders]

Measure better than me. Mine worked but I took too much off.

[@chrisgreen6650]

I've shortened shafts in 3000 dollar Kohlers, angle grinder method works well. I do it with the engine running. Takes a few discs.

[@stevenbenavente1229]

Good job

[@watercop5115]

Did the keyway run the length of the shaft of the new motor

[@7eis]

Its a clone of the honda gx series. Parts will interchange with an original one. Over here in Europe they brand the clone engines (identical to predators) under hundreds different names. They run good, but are usually a bit more thirsty than an oem honda engine. Probably down to tuning, but hey, gas is cheap.

[@glenpnoman8510]

,I just knew mount would be identical, oh well

[@timlewis2211]

Hi i need to do same thing, is that a vertical shaft, is all shaft length on predators and diameter the same

[@muddyudders]

It's a horizontal shaft. I think the shaft sizes are somewhat standard to the hp ratings of the motors. 5 horse motors will be similar to other 5's and so on. My only issue is if it's really cold the motor has no compression. I have to pull the recoil starter and use a drill to spin the motor until it builds compression to start it.

[@Mikael.formermilitary]

How much does the engine cost? My dog ate my Champion engine. Yeah. It was covered by my wood pile. A rabbit must have run underneath. Steve, my German Wire-haired Pointer proceeded to claw off wires, the plug wire, and chewed up the air filter housing. Yeap, trashed.

[@muddyudders]

Currently in my area 10/31/23 $150

[@BGWenterprises]

Did the same too mine, seems like the round trip of the piston is mabe 1 or 2 seconds faster.

[@muddyudders]

I noticed mine didn't struggle and slow while in a log. The old motor was worn out to where it had very little power and eventually siezed

[@BGWenterprises]

@@muddyudders ran my old engine on propane the last 3 years or so. But it just got to the point it was eating oil quite bad and had to put gas down the carb even after hours of running. As it barley had compression. . I also salvaged a muffler from a inverter generator so it's about 70db not the normal 105db sound. As well as it's rubber engine mounts, so no more rattle trap random sounds.

[@muddyudders]

@@BGWenterprises upon inspection of old motor, it ended up losing a bolt at the bottom of the motor. Draining the oil while running. I believe this was the cause of my seizing but it was definitely worn out.

[@davis3280]

I need a full video. I'm about to do this but don't want to take the pump off without all info

[@muddyudders]

What are you needing to see? Pump mounts or Lovejoy coupler?

[@moondog573]

I also have a 20 year old yard machine that needs a new engine....

[@muddyudders]

It was a straight forward swap. It does have some starting issues below freezing. Seems as though there is no compression. I pull the recoil starter and use a drill during that time of the year. Fires right up with the drill.

[@moondog573]

I have a different hydraulic fluid tank and vertical shaft. I thought about extending the low pressure line to swap to horizontal shaft but I'm afraid that will make the hydraulic pump run dry being above the reaivor. I can't find a 6.5hp vertical shaft engine, only a 5.5hp... thoughts?

[@muddyudders]

@@moondog573 the predator I put on had way more power than my worn out motor. I don't have to run it full throttle to split anymore. The 5.5 may work out fine.

[@keithaudet6730]

I have the exact splitter and picking up the same engine tomorrow, how much of the shaft should you have taken off? Any other words of wisdom? Thanks.

[@muddyudders]

Didn't see this till now. How did it go?

[@jeffreybrianring6392]

What engine is in your 1967 dodge coronet in the background? I have a 1966 with a 440 in it, had it 50 years now.

[@muddyudders]

383 2bbl it's the original build configuration

[@jeffreybrianring6392]

@@muddyudders thanks for the reply, those cars were so cheap 40 years ago, nice cars were under 1000 bucks, now they want 5000 for a rolling body missing drive trains and other parts.

[@muddyudders]

@jeffreybrian Ring I picked up my 2dr stripped roller for 1300. My plan was just a ratty muscle car, and then I stumbled upon the complete 4dr. It had everything that the 2dr needed, so the plan changed.

[@integralstanley]

I need to replace my engine and will need to cut down the shaft. Did the key fit OK for you?

[@muddyudders]

Yes, I did shorten it a little but not by much.

[@thisislargemouth5566]

You can also buy a pump mount for that engine for like $30

[@stevenordoutdoors]

What I was trying to say is 212 has a hemi and a non hemi. But u will not know until u open the box. I'm worried about the hemi one.

[@muddyudders]

I had no clue, I thought you were being funny. I looked it up online and now I understand. I just bought what was available at the time of purchase.

[@farmerwood]

Did you use the love joy back on? If not what did you do and how much of the shaft did you cut off

[@muddyudders]

I did use the love joy,, I cut too much off the shaft. I don't know the length and tossed the piece. Take less off and try it. It's easier to remove more than add it back on.

[@farmerwood]

@@muddyudders ok thanks

[@brucebonkowski3037]

what ate you doing withthat old briggs

[@muddyudders]

Currently it's a door stop for the shop.

[@johnpappano2096]

Would you happen to have the MODEL NUMBER for that 20 ton Log Splitter??? Anything?? I have the exact one but no idea of the model or the year. Thank you! Doing the exact same engine swap.

[@muddyudders]

I wil go take a look.

[@muddyudders]

I looked all over it and can only see 20 ton on the stickers but no actual part or model number

[@stevenordoutdoors]

I see u got the hemi engine. Do u feel it's better than th e non hemi.

[@muddyudders]

Way better than the froze up motor, but when it is below freezing it's tough to get started. Seems like there is no compression. If I pull the rope starter off and use a drill it starts when below freezing. Otherwise it's much more power than the old motor.

[@benjaminleslie3155]

Have you ever considered subaru or kohler engines?

[@muddyudders]

I had on on an old generator. On this I was looking at cost of purchase. I wanted cheap and had heard good things so thought why not.

[@billedwards3107]

I have the same splitter and I'm going to Harbor freight only 15 minuites from my house and get an engine!

[@muddyudders]

My old engine was worn out. The new one splits without slowing down.

[@alanhughes1262]

made in the same factory as honda loll

[@jamesrichardson771]

Why didn't you "show" us how to do it 😠 that's the whole reason we're watching these daggone videos .. Gheeesh. 👎