3PH Wood Splitter

[dmccarty]

I'm in a quandry or at least I have a new one to add the list.

I need a log splitter to replace the old Mark I Manual Wood Splitter. Me.

The choices I'm down to are a Troybilt 5.5 HP Honda powered splitter at Lowes for $1300ish.

Or an Iron and Oak 3PH hydraulic splitter for $1300 from a local guy I have never delt with and who has to order the equipment.

I like the Iron and Oak for a couple of reasons. It has legs and according to the manufactuer will operate just find OFF the 3ph. All I would have to do is drive up close and hook up the hydraulic hoses. Then its wood splitting time. I would use my Power Beyond Ports for the splitter so I keep my other implements hooked up to the tractor, with the exception of the backhoe, and still use the splitter.

Using the Iron and Oak splitter also means I have one less engine to worry about. I figure I would only use the splitter for a few weeks/months out of the year so this keeps the Honda engine from just sitting doing nothing.

I have to go to a third party to get the hoses made up to connect the tractor and splitter. For some reason this bothers me. I guess its just one thing than can go wrong.

Anyone use and Iron and Oak Splitter?

For those with splitters, how much time do you spend spltting 4-5 cords?

If you use a tractor splitter would you rather have a standalone splitter?


Later,
Dan

[greg_g]

Or an Iron and Oak 3PH hydraulic splitter for $1300 from a local guy I have never delt with and who has to order the equipment.

Before you drop $1300, take a drive over to the closest Tractor Supply. I bought their Tractor Supply Company - COMPLETE 3 PT. LOG SPLITTER for less than half that

//greg//

[RoyK]

Before you drop $1300, take a drive over to the closest Tractor Supply. I bought their Tractor Supply Company - COMPLETE 3 PT. LOG SPLITTER for less than half that
//greg//

Wow, I'm glad I spotted this post! I saw that one at TS and, not seeing any form of brand name or any other identifying features, was leary about buying one. How is yours holding up and how much do you use it? I like the idea of a 3pt splitter because they are waaayyy cheaper and I can easily take it back into the woods, split there and haul to the nearest truck access with the front loader and dump into the pickup. That's a lot more efficient than hauling a few big trunk sections at a time, then splitting up at the house. My only worry is the somewhat limited 20 ton capacity. The one I borrow from a friend is a 24 ton and that one has a hard time with the big, ornerey pieces and forked pieces.

[chadincolo]

Not to worry, all the TSC splitters (including the 3 point) are made by Speeco. Good quality units, as good as the Oak and Iron. The tonnage on a 3 point will depend on your tractor's PSI output, so it may or may not be better than the 24 ton model...

[greg_g]

My only worry is the somewhat limited 20 ton capacity. The one I borrow from a friend is a 24 ton and that one has a hard time with the big, ornerey pieces and forked pieces.

Maybe your friend's problem is the tractor, and not the splitter. The tonnage rating of these splitter is based upon the size/capacity of the cylinder. But if the tractor can't deliver enough flow to the cylinder......well, that's the "up to" part. I get plenty ooomph outa mine, with the tractor rpms set for about 1100. Any less than that, the splitter cycling time slows down, any faster than that - waste of fuel. Big ornery pieces are done first, with the splitter in the vertical position. I bustem up to a size/weight that I can lift. When all the big chunks are small chunks, I lower the splitter to the horizontal position. I prefer horizontal - not so much bending over - and the splitter does a better job on stringy pieces that way too.

//greg//

[gordon21]

See my recent thread. You can get an excellent setup for $645 plus the cost of hoses. I had two custom length hoses made at a hydraulics shop for $80. It was a pain in the butt trying to find the connectors at NAPA, my JD dealer, etc. I finally went to the hydraulics shop and they fixed me up in 15 minutes. If you need hoses or fittings, get custom length ones made with the right fittings right from the start. Driving all over the place looking yourself is a waste of gas. I learned that lesson the hard way.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/a...kee#post961902

[RoyK]

Maybe your friend's problem is the tractor, and not the splitter. The tonnage rating of these splitter is based upon the size/capacity of the cylinder. But if the tractor can't deliver enough flow to the cylinder......well, that's the "up to" part. I get plenty ooomph outa mine, with the tractor rpms set for about 1100. Any less than that, the splitter cycling time slows down, any faster than that - waste of fuel. Big ornery pieces are done first, with the splitter in the vertical position. I bustem up to a size/weight that I can lift. When all the big chunks are small chunks, I lower the splitter to the horizontal position. I prefer horizontal - not so much bending over - and the splitter does a better job on stringy pieces that way too.
//greg//

I should have mentioned my friend's splitter I borrow is a 24 ton stand-alone with a Briggs. I've never used a 3pt splitter.

[dmccarty]

I looked at the TSC model but it looks like it HAS to be on the 3PH to run while the Iron and Oak splitter has some very substantial looking legs which allow it to be operated off the tractor.

I just don't like the idea of having the splitter attached to the tractor so I can get other work done without switching implements.

Gordon, I followed you link and I remember it now. I have played the hose game before. I THINK there is a hydraulic shop nearby. I went to NAPA once and they wanted at least 50% more than my JD dealer for a hose and fittings. I'll try the local guy are drive to my dealer, he is a good 30 minutes away.

I like the price of the TSC model though....

Later,
Dan

[gordon21]

The TSC model does NOT have to be on the tractor to run. That is one reason why you might want to get extra long custom hoses and let the tractor back a couple feet away from it. It will be more stable on the 3PT, but that is not necessary. You WILL need the 3PT to move it around. It is far too heavy to try to move by yourself. When I picked it up at the store, the TSC employees lifted it into the back of my pickup with their forklift and then the three of us wrestled it into the bed carefully and laid it down for the ride home. When I got home I lifted my pallett forks into the truck bed and had to wrestle it onto the forks by myself. It was not fun.

[dmccarty]

Gordon,

The TSC model does NOT have to be on the tractor to run.

That is great info. I looked at the picture and those legs did not look like they would hold much. Have you run the splitter off the tractor?

We do have a TSC sorta nearby.

Later,
Dan