3PH log splitter or standalone?

[crazyal]

So there you have it. Neither way is wrong. A 3pt will probably be slower than a stand alone but as long as you have a remote it can be cheaper. Also there's no engine to maintain. If you want you can even upgrade a 3 pt to include a tank and a 3 pt pump so you can get good speed and utilize more of the power of your tractor. With a stand alone you're not putting hours on your tractor (more costly than putting hours on a small gas engine). Your tractor is free to move and load rounds. Speed is faster. But you have a separate hydraulic system to maintain and an engine to service.

 

[NHmitch]

I use a 3pt splitter, and it works great for me. The selling point was simple. I own the tractor, diesel engines are made to run, and mine has low fuel consumption, and I really liked the fact that I didn't have to worry about another gas engine, especially with the terrible things that result from Ethanol in gas. I also like to be able to fel my tree, chunk it, and then back up to it, split it, and its ready to be trailered and stacked. My splitter is a Ram Splitter PTO driven splitter that has a hydraulic pump, and a reservoir. It is very fast, only a 16 ton, and I have not met a log that I cannot split, including 30in oak logs. The other nice thing is that I can lower the 3pt, and load the log on. Speeco, and TSC sell a model that stand upright, and they work great, but they use your tractor hydraulics. I bought my splitter used on Craigslist, and I paid about what an entry level gas splitter would cost, but it was worth every penny, and it has the remotes on it. I am not sure that I have seen one that requires a separate set of remotes? I do like the gas operated splitters, and they both have their advantages, but I guess that I also felt that I bought my tractor to use with implements like this to make life easier, and it has not let me down. It also only takes up a very small area when I store it. I heat solely with wood, so the expense was very worth it for me, and it will pay for it self in one season, since I have split all of the wood that I need to heat for an entire ice cold New Hampshire winter, but if you are not heating with wood, or if you only need a cord or two, I would recommend either renting one, or getting an electric splitter. We used an electric splitter for several years, and I split about 4 cords a year with it, without an issue. You can rent a comercial grade splitter for about $80 a day at Home Depot. This is my splitter, and the company is: Ramsplitter Log Splitter Model 3PT Attachment, the Toughest Log Splitter on the Market

 

[Splitter Mike]

Dont forget the best reason of all to get a 3pt splitter over a stand alone. People with out tractors cant borrow it! :thumbsup: Check out a variety of them here: 3 Point Log Splitter | PTO Wood Splitter | Tractor Log Splitter Sales

 

[chopped]

They then want to borow the tractor to go with it lol

Dont forget the best reason of all to get a 3pt splitter over a stand alone. People with out tractors cant borrow it! :thumbsup: Check out a variety of them here: 3 Point Log Splitter | PTO Wood Splitter | Tractor Log Splitter Sales

 

[lostcause]

i've never seen the need for a log lift with my 3ph splitter. on the really large stuff i just lower the 3ph to the ground and roll the logs on. i have a 4" beam for my splitter, so it's easy to roll them on. i'm also in the camp of not worrying about a handful of hours to split several cord of wood per year. my splitter can stand on its triangular hitch frame and stores in a tiny amount of space. i also never have to worry about draining or stabilizing the fuel system since it doesn't have one.

 

[94BULLITT]

They then want to borow the tractor to go with it lol

and the truck, trailer, chains, and binders to haul it.

 

[FatTire]

I just got a PowerHorse (Northern Tool) 3 point, for the reasons stated above. At its sale price it seems like a good value, and it works well.

 

[2458n]

I agree with the idea of not telling anyone which ever model you get. The needy friends you will aquire is not worth it. This is one piece of equipment that really attracts alot of requests. My vote is for a stand alone.

 

[Splitter Mike]

i've never seen the need for a log lift with my 3ph splitter. on the really large stuff i just lower the 3ph to the ground and roll the logs on. i have a 4" beam for my splitter, so it's easy to roll them on.

Its interesting you say that. Iron & Oak redesigned their 3 point unit last year with extra adjust-ability to go right flat on the ground. It eliminates the HV units and you get the wedge on the end rather then on the cylinder etc. Its a slick unit:

 

[jimgerken]

I asked this question a couple years ago. Got almost the same answers. Eventually I bought a 3ph version because I wanted less small engines around, based on all the issues with Ethanol. Also, the tractor has lower sound output and exhaust is further away from the splitting area compared to standing over a small gas engine. Also, raising and lowering the 3ph has advantages, about the same as one that swivels from horizontal to vertical. But in the end, the tradeoff was that the 3ph versions are slower because the tractor does not have a 2-speed pump. So, I went with a bidirectional splitter, 3ph mounted. Bi-directionals split in both directions, so are quite fast. Also, it waits patiently even in years I don't need to use it. No draining old gas, no oil changes, no loud engine droning away. Here is a pretty good thread on the subject:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/146167-powerhorse-3-pt-log-splitter.html
Good luck on your decision.