New Splitfire 3403 3pt Log Splitter has arrived with 4way and 2way knives

[xring100]

I was delighted to get the phone call today from my dealer telling me my custom Splitter had arrived. High flow hydraulics and log lift.
First task was to get it unloaded i was just about to swap my bucket out for my pallet forks, when i thought i wonder if my 3pt will go that high. Yep no problem getting it out of my Z71


Got the fittings, log lift attached, and lines bled. At 2100 Rpm it cycles in about 4 seconds. Log lift is kind of scary as it raises in about a second even throttling the valve. Hopefully its not like a catapult when loaded. The thing i really liked about this design is that it splits on every stroke.


I can't wait to try it out Tomorrow if the rain stops. I'll post a video of it in action later.

Note: Between about 1900 -2100 rpm the engine is most efficient according to the engine brake specific fuel consumption charts Kubota supplies meaning the engine uses less fuel per the required HP than it would at say 1500 rpm.

[schmism]

how much did it cost? (perhaps you saw my 3pt splitter rant post)

[xring100]

Steve too Funny i just posted in your thread.
the 4 way starts out at $1550 list the dealer said $1430. The two way is just over $1000 I added the log lift for $500 after watching the you tube video's
The only bad thing with the 2 way is that you can't go back later and ad the 4 way wedge

[schmism]

The only bad thing with the 2 way is that you can't go back later and ad the 4 way wedge

a 4 way wedge (slip on kind) is a major selling point for me. Which is also why i dont want to skimp on ton-age either. cycle time may be slow, but i only have to handle 90% of the logs i want to split ONCE! (thats right anything from 4-8") another reason to have the wood pushed off the end, I dont plan on having to retrieve 90% of it anyway.

[Piston]

xring,
That is awesome you got a new Split-Fire! I have been wanting one of those for years now. I like the 4 way head on it too, that is a heck of a time saver. I currently have a 3 pt splitter (one way homemade type) and it had a 4 way on it, then the 4 way broke because it was a cheap Northern Tool model, well, after it broke, I realized the 4 way saves a LOT more than half the time. You'd think you could split twice as much wood with a 4 way than without, but it ends up being a lot more than twice as much, since you hardly ever have to rehandle the wood.

One of these days, I'll break down and buy my dream split fire log splitter! Please keep us posted with how you like it, pics are always great too! Not too many people have these so any additional info or comments from you after getting some use, would be very welcomed.

Congrats.

[creekbend]

Congratulations.

[94BULLITT]

Nice splitter, let us know how it does.

[crazyal]

4 second cycle and 1 second lift, wow. I would watch the hands. Have you got a chance to try it out yet?

[xring100]

Thanks Guys,
This thing is awesome I took it over to my buddies today and we split about 1.5 face cords in just over 30 minutes. most of it was 8-12" Piston your right the 4 way splits easy 2-3 times the speed of either his old homemade 3 pt or the speed pro kinetic splitter i took back too TSC. Some say that they don't like that this style because it doesn't push the wood off but this has never bothered me since i don't have a conveyor to take away the wood and just letting it pile up at the end of the splitter only works for a short period of time so we have always thrown it into a pile near where it will get stacked. The other thing that makes this nice is since it doesn't push it off if you need to re split it you don't have to play go fetch. you just scoot it over to the other side and recommence splitting. Most of the wood we have been splitting for the last 3 years is 16"-25" dead Ash trees that are 60 plus feet tall

If i could do one thing different I would have ordered the 30" Stroke model that way i could always have enough room to roll another log into the splitter on the back stroke. we cut everything to 16" and if one is just a little long on the 24" model you have to clear the wood from the other end before splitting the next piece. Not a big deal if its just one person but if you have someone else helping this waste some time.

The log lift might not be totally necessary but it is awesome and in my opinion totally worth it for the following reasons.
1. Because I have Category 2 only which has different toplink spacing than normal compacts I can only lower this thing to about a foot and half off the ground without removing the PTO shaft guard which i'm not going to do. The Top Link crashes into it if i use the middle or upper toplink holes on the tractor the splitter points to the ground even worse than it does when i use the lowest position. I could never roll logs onto the splitter.
2. I have lifted 30" Maple rounds and it doesn't even flinch. "even if i could lift these my back thanks me"
3. When splitting smaller rounds up to 12" or so you can put several pieces of wood on the lift if you leave it extend and makes a great production table. Great if working alone or with help.

Piston,
I would definitely recommend this company they are family run and customer service is their Number 1 Priority I have talked to both Paul and Chris and do not have any negative words. I'll will keep you posted I have about 2 full cords cut and ready to split at my house and roughly 6 cords ready at my buddies.

[Piston]

Thanks for the update! Of course, next update is mandatory to include some pictures, just so we know your telling the truth

I have the style that pushes the wood off the end, and your right, the wood still piles up at your feet! Also, with the wood that I split, I will very often end up splitting the pieces down again, even after the 4 way wedge. When I do, I have to bend over to pick up the wood, or catch it as it falls off the splitter, and then resplit. I'd much rather have something like you have now, where if I don't want to split it again, I can either let it fall, or toss it into a pile. It's a lot easier to toss off the splits, than have to bend over and pick them up again to be resplit!

Regarding the 24" vs. 30" stroke, you really are right with that, in fact, I kinda think the 24" model is useless, and a complete waste of money. Why don't you order a 30" stroke model and I'll take that 24" model off your hands

I personally like the self contained unit they offer, as I don't like not having my tractor available when I'm splitting, but that is obviously all personal preference. If you ever decided you didn't like the 3 pt model, you could always convert it to a self contained....maybe something like this....