HST Kubota and hydraulic tractor-powered log splitter

[bubbas45]

Howdy, folks. I'm exploring my options for getting a log splitter; lots of interesting opinions on this forum.

I was at Chappell Tractors in Milford, NH yesterday. They only carry Timberwolf splitters, which have a good rep but are not inexpensive. I was asking the sales guy's opinion about the differences between using a PTO-driven splitter vs. one driven by the tractor hydraulics.

I have a Kubota Grand L3130 with HST. He said they do not recommend the use of a splitter powered by the tractor hydraulics for HST tractors.

Anybody buy that? Can you explain why it might be true?I kind of thaought the point of having hydraulics on a tractor was so you could run attachments, like my backhoe. Why would a splitter adversely affect the HST?

Coincidentally, Timberwolf does not make a splitter that runs off tractor hydraulics; they are all standalone or PTO-driven.

thanks, bws

[Ductape]

First..... Timberwolfs are great splitters. Very heavy duty, designed to last. Plenty of grease fittings everywhere. There are reasons the pros buy Timberwolfs.

Second... i don't see why having a hydrostatic tractor adversely affects running a splitter off of a tractor (and vice-versa)

Third... I recommend a self powered , stand alone splitter if its the only one you will own. There are just some things that go together...... like pizza and beer. Wood splitters and two stage hydraulic pumps go together..... something you won't achieve running a splitter off of your tractor.

[Mike058]

Do a search on log splitters to get the whole story. Even though you can run a splitter from the tractor hydraulics, it's kind of inefficient. You have a 20-40 hp diesel engine running to provide hydraulic pressure that a 5 hp gas engine can supply. It's gotta be a bit more difficult to use the tractor to move logs and split wood with piles of logs and split wood piled around the back of the tractor. I'd see an advantage of having a "log splitting station" in one place where the splitter would stay and with easy access for the tractor to come and go. But the tractor-run ones are cheaper and being attached to the tractor maybe easier to move around the site if that's the way you want to go. Do a search and you'll see all sides of the issue.

[SPYDERLK]

Do a search on log splitters to get the whole story. Even though you can run a splitter from the tractor hydraulics, it's kind of inefficient. You have a 20-40 hp diesel engine running to provide hydraulic pressure that a 5 hp gas engine can supply. It's gotta be a bit more difficult to use the tractor to move logs and split wood with piles of logs and split wood piled around the back of the tractor. I'd see an advantage of having a "log splitting station" in one place where the splitter would stay and with easy access for the tractor to come and go. [[[But the tractor-run ones are cheaper]]] and being attached to the tractor maybe easier to move around the site if that's the way you want to go. Do a search and you'll see all sides of the issue.

Im not so sure about cheaper, esp when you factor in the complications required to provide speed and effectiveness on a tractor based platform handicapped by marginal delivery and lower hyd pressure. Youre looking at $ for a pto pump and reservoir unless its a hydraulicly "big" tractor or you dont mind a slow weak splitter. Youre also faced with a splitter that you cant move around without the tractor. Time is $, hassle is annoying.
larry

[Mike058]

Im not so sure about cheaper, esp when you factor in the complications required to provide speed and effectiveness on a tractor based platform handicapped by marginal delivery and lower hyd pressure. Youre looking at $ for a pto pump and reservoir unless its a hydraulicly "big" tractor or you dont mind a slow weak splitter. Youre also faced with a splitter that you cant move around without the tractor. Time is $, hassle is annoying.
larry

Good point, I should have said (and was thinking) "in the short run".

[Bob_Young]

I get some sections of big trees from a local farmer from time to time, because he knows I can handle them. Part of being able to, is the ability to move sawn off chunks into the splitter. For this I use the FEL on my B7610. Works like a charm. I'd sure hate to have my tractor tied down powering a splitter.

The splitter is a 35 ton 12HP TSC. It's done quite well so far.
Bob