3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone?

   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #1  

likeOwlNotCrow

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
7
Location
Amissville, Va
Tractor
John Deere 4400
hey guys,

i'm new to the forum, and have seen a few threads that discuss this topic, but none that are specific to it - so i apologize in advance if this is a duplicate post...

i'm trying to decide between buying a 3-pt hitch log splitter or a gas splitter. we heat our home with a woodstove, so CSS wood is a weekly thing around here, and i've got the back to show for it. so i need to lay down the maul and add some equipment to the arsenal. we have 20 acres and i'd be doing 75% of my splitting on the property. the rest would be helping out my aging dad and getting together to get wood with friends at their places. i get the utility of a 3-pt splitter - it goes where me and the 4400 go in the woods, i can raise and lower it to work on uneven terrain, it's one less gas motor to deal with (in addition to the 0-turn mower, trimmer, tiller, couple of chainsaws, couple of leaf blowers, generator...). but if i want to split wood somewhere else where the tractor isn't, suddenly i need a trailer for the tractor, and all that comes with that..

so what i'm hoping for are anyone's opinions on the pros/cons of the two, and hopefully those who have at one point or another owned both and what they think.

thanks in advance
-jc
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #2  
I debated the same thing last fall after installing an outside furnace. Decided to go with the 3 point hitch model. Bought a 16 ton Ramsplitter for half of what the other type would have cost. Been very pleased with the 3 point hitch model. Haven't found anything that was too tough for it. I usually run my tractor at about 1200 rpm.
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #3  
:welcome: to TBN
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #4  
I've got a trailer for my tractor and two homemade 3pth splitters, one vertical and one horizontal that I was given when their old owners got tired of them. Neither one has ever been on my 3pth but stay chained upright at the woodshed or the horizontal one gets moved to a pile of blocked wood with my FEL. (both of these splitters would be at home on an 80hp tractor instead of my JD4300).
If I am splitting wood, its going in MY woodsheds or quanset hut. Its easier to bring the logs to the woodshed than haul the splitter out to the bush, then load and haul the bitty split pieces back to my shed.
When my BIL(5 miles away) wants to split wood, he rents a gas splitter.....
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #5  
Not worth putting the hours on the tractor.
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #6  
hey guys,

i'm new to the forum, and have seen a few threads that discuss this topic, but none that are specific to it - so i apologize in advance if this is a duplicate post...

i'm trying to decide between buying a 3-pt hitch log splitter or a gas splitter. we heat our home with a woodstove, so CSS wood is a weekly thing around here, and i've got the back to show for it. so i need to lay down the maul and add some equipment to the arsenal. we have 20 acres and i'd be doing 75% of my splitting on the property. the rest would be helping out my aging dad and getting together to get wood with friends at their places. i get the utility of a 3-pt splitter - it goes where me and the 4400 go in the woods, i can raise and lower it to work on uneven terrain, it's one less gas motor to deal with (in addition to the 0-turn mower, trimmer, tiller, couple of chainsaws, couple of leaf blowers, generator...). but if i want to split wood somewhere else where the tractor isn't, suddenly i need a trailer for the tractor, and all that comes with that..

so what i'm hoping for are anyone's opinions on the pros/cons of the two, and hopefully those who have at one point or another owned both and what they think.

thanks in advance
-jc
well I wanted to buy a 3 point splitter but when it came down to price and the splitters rated tonnage the 3 point versions were not cost effective at least what i could find locally. Ended up with a 25 ton MTD for $1065 so far it has been very reliable, and it's going on 4.5 years+ splitting 5-8 cords a year. I like the fact that it frees the tractor up to haul the split wood or any other use...
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #7  
I use a stand-alone gas powered (Speeco) wood splitter. This way, I can leave whatever implement I want (snow blower, box blade, etc) on the tractor. Just a personal choice.

Joe
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
hey guys - thanks for the quick feedback...

i hadn't considered renting a gas splitter when needed - i'll look into that.

hours on the tractor engine...it's basically just idling and pumping hydraulic, right? i have no plans to sell this one so not worried too much about resale value and running up the hours.

i now typically cut 54ish inch lengths and put them in the bucket (upstairs stove like 18 inch wood, downstairs takes bigger) and take them back to the pile for splitting. sometimes i'll split where i cut - if i do that i can drag the wheelie gas splitter on the drawbar i guess..

any difference in speed/power between the two types?
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #9  
hey guys - thanks for the quick feedback...

i hadn't considered renting a gas splitter when needed - i'll look into that.

hours on the tractor engine...it's basically just idling and pumping hydraulic, right? i have no plans to sell this one so not worried too much about resale value and running up the hours.

i now typically cut 54ish inch lengths and put them in the bucket (upstairs stove like 18 inch wood, downstairs takes bigger) and take them back to the pile for splitting. sometimes i'll split where i cut - if i do that i can drag the wheelie gas splitter on the drawbar i guess..

any difference in speed/power between the two types?

I think some are available with a high speed extend function but then regular speed when they actually begin the splitting process, DR sells a new style unit that looks much faster, believe it employs flywheel effect, been a while since I saw the ad??? No idea on its price..
 
   / 3-pt Hitch Log Splitter or Gas standalone? #10  
Manufacturers of high quality, custom engineered wood splitters, log splitters and wood chippers. | Split-Fire Sales Inc. Quality Built. High Performance. | Split-Fire - Your Best Choice
These guys build splitters that will split logs up to 36" in length and all models split in both directions i have the 3pt 24" 4 way model I've split about 4 cord with since i bought it earlier in the winter. I had a chinese made Spee Co kinetic splitter that i took back after having a bunch of problems.
I liked the kinetic splitter like the Super split but found that they really are not as fast as my 4 way split fire as i could not 1/4 a log in one split it always took 3 passes because the push block is so short. the other problem fundamental problem was that it likes to chuck knotty pieces back at you.
I would have like a gas model but they were cost prohibitive.

On smaller tractors 3pt splitters tend to run slow because of the lower hydraulic flow, unless running a PTO pump
If i run my tractor about 2000 rpm i get between 4 and 5 seconds for each stroke. Rated capacity is 17 gpm i'm assuming this at 2600 rpm

My Splitter

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