3PH log splitter or standalone?

[txdon]

I had a 3pt, and after not using it for 3 years sold it. It was not stable unless you build something for it to sit on or connect it to your tractor, which, in my case, would be to take off the BH off which seem to be more trouble than it was worth for the amount of wood I use. Most of my Post Oak trees will fit into my WB stove without splitting anyway. Another thing to consider is that you put the hours on your tractor and the hourly maintenance cost is more for the tractor than a stand alone.

[crazyal]

My stand alone has a Honda 5.5hp lawn mower engine on it. All I've ever done to it in 7 years now is change the oil. Since it only takes a half quart and Autozone always has a 5 quarts and a filter special going on I always have a half full quart of oil around.

[Will_C]

I'll just reinforce what other posters have said-the stand alone will free your tractor for other uses-hauling split wood away, loading those 100+ lb. rounds onto your splitter, etc.

Will

[KennyG]

There have been several other extensive threads on this. It seems that for most people, having the tractor free, getting more power/speed than the tractor can supply, etc. leads them to a stand alone splitter.

However, there are a few of us that don't care about those factors and the smaller storage footprint, one less engine to maintain and the quieter operation makes the 3 point a better choice.

The "save wear on the tractor" argument doesn't make sense for most of us. When splitting you are only running the engine (at low load) and the hydraulic pump. Those of us who use the tractor about 100 hours per year aren't really worried about wearing the engine out.

[greg_g]

The "save wear on the tractor" argument doesn't make sense for most of us. When splitting you are only running the engine (at low load) and the hydraulic pump. Those of us who use the tractor about 100 hours per year aren't really worried about wearing the engine out.

x2

//greg//

[Marveltone]

There have been several other extensive threads on this. It seems that for most people, having the tractor free, getting more power/speed than the tractor can supply, etc. leads them to a stand alone splitter.

I kinda fall into this category.

However, there are a few of us that don't care about those factors and the smaller storage footprint, one less engine to maintain and the quieter operation makes the 3 point a better choice.

A very valid point, indeed. In fact, I'm leaning toward a PTO chipper/shredder for that very reason.

The "save wear on the tractor" argument doesn't make sense for most of us. When splitting you are only running the engine (at low load) and the hydraulic pump. Those of us who use the tractor about 100 hours per year aren't really worried about wearing the engine out.

If I was really worried about wear and tear, I'd never use my tractor. We bought our tractors to use, right?

Joe

[dodge man]

Yeah another vote for a stand alone. If you already had a tractor set up with rear remotes, it would help. I looked at a 3 point, it seemed like it cost as much as a standalone, plus I needed rear remotes. It seemed like the adding rear remotes would have cost me what I paid for my stand alone.

[DarkBlack]

The low tech, but important sway vote for many is that the price for a 3ph model is usualy more expensive than for the same spec'd one that comes with the same but with the addition of a free engine, wheels, filter, etc.. I suppose if you want to put hours on your tractor, you could still buy a complete gas splitter, and either tow it with the tractor, or carry it in the loader. I say the smart money says get the gas powerd splitter and use your tractor for other things.
Come time to sell, the gas splitter will sell to anyone who wants to split = more$ back to you. The 3ph model only sells to a small fraction who have a tractor and want that style. Also don't forget, you are making a big expensive 20 -50hp machine rack up hours doing the work a 7hp engine can do. Most of that time the cylinder is either retracting which takes about 1/2hp, or is sittting still, or is splitting which on most pieces of wood only takes 1-5hp. Same logic goes for pto gennies.

[txdon]

One other thing to consider on the 3pt. You are mixing the hydraulic fluid of the tractor with the hydraulic fluid of the log splitter. If you have a HST transmission you might want to put whatever you are using for the tractor in the splitter.

[KennyG]

One other thing to consider on the 3pt. You are mixing the hydraulic fluid of the tractor with the hydraulic fluid of the log splitter. If you have a HST transmission you might want to put whatever you are using for the tractor in the splitter.

Three point splitters don't have a reservoir and come "dry" (unless they have a PTO pump, in which case they don't connect to the tractor). The only way to put fluid into them is through the tractor.