3pt Log splitter, 11gpm.

[Slacker]

Has anyone used the Northern fool 3pt log splitter? It specs 11gpm Hydro fluid flow. I'm not sure my remotes give that much flow. My FT 360 Has 8.1 GPM flow at the "implement pump" and it has two spool valves/remotes. With another 4.1 GPM flow for steering. Are my hydraulics underpowered for this splitter? My back is killing me and I sure could use this thing. $500 is sounding better every time I swing that maul! If anyone knows of a better deal or splitter that would work for me please do tell. thanks fella's.
NorthStar 3-Point Horizontal Log Splitter |Log Splitters | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Has anyone used the Northern fool 3pt log splitter? It specs 11gpm Hydro fluid flow. I'm not sure my remotes give that much flow. My FT 360 Has 8.1 GPM flow at the "implement pump" and it has two spool valves/remotes. With another 4.1 GPM flow for steering. Are my hydraulics underpowered for this splitter? My back is killing me and I sure could use this thing. $500 is sounding better every time I swing that maul! If anyone knows of a better deal or splitter that would work for me please do tell. thanks fella's.
NorthStar 3-Point Horizontal Log Splitter |Log Splitters | Northern Tool + Equipment

It should still work, just at a somewhat slower cycling rate than specs. For us old guys, that slowdown isn't always a bad thing. I'm running a (home made) splitter that should and COULD use about 10GPM. I usually use it on a tractor with less than 5GPM hydraulic flow. It cycles slow, but during the course of a day, it'll wear me out trying to keep up with it.

 

[ovrszd]

It should still work, just at a somewhat slower cycling rate than specs. For us old guys, that slowdown isn't always a bad thing. I'm running a (home made) splitter that should and COULD use about 10GPM. I usually use it on a tractor with less than 5GPM hydraulic flow. It cycles slow, but during the course of a day, it'll wear me out trying to keep up with it.

It should also be equipped with a valve that detents on the retract stroke. So you have time to gather another log while it's retracting. You'll notice the slowness on the split stroke. I'm guessing that the advertised 11 gpm is a baseline which they determined their other specifications from. More gpm, it will exceed specs. Less gpm, it will be below specs.

 

[Slacker]

It should also be equipped with a valve that detents on the retract stroke. So you have time to gather another log while it's retracting. You'll notice the slowness on the split stroke. I'm guessing that the advertised 11 gpm is a baseline which they determined their other specifications from. More gpm, it will exceed specs. Less gpm, it will be below specs.

Here is what I read from the specs:

Auto Return Valve Feature:
Forward Direction: Spring Back To Neutral
Return Direction: Spring Back To Neutral

To me, this says it does NOT automatically retract when in the return direction. ie, I would need to stand there and hold it in the return position each time. Am I reading this wrong? Seems like a big waste of time to me.

 

[greg_g]

That 11 gpm might be the upper limit, as in; don't use on pumps with a flow rate above 11 gpm (?)

Can't speak for the Northern unit, I've got the Tractor Supply TPH splitter. I'm pretty sure making the operator hold the lever in the forward position is a safety consideration, both for the operator/assistant and for the pump. Permitting all that power to move forward "unsupervised" so to speak, is a recipe for personal injury. Not releasing the lever when the cylinder reaches the limit of it's stroke can cause unnecessary stress on the tractor's pump. Might even pop a loose QD connector or burst an old hose. Although it sounds like that "spring back" feature is to prevent deadheading.

When I retract the wedge however, the lever stays put by itself - until the cylinder hits home. Then the lever pops back into the center detent. I use that return travel time and auto stop to clear the carriage and turn around for the next piece to split.

//greg//

 

[RichNJKubota]

I've used the Northern $499 splitter for two seasons now. It works fine on lower GPM. I'm using it at about 5-6GPM and it's fast enough for me. The control lever has an auto return feature. It's well built and I've got no complaints.
I built a 3 wheel dolly using air filled tires from Harbor Freight so I can move it around when not in use. Don't forget to get the hoses and couplers to hook up to the rear remotes.

Rich

 

[JSUnlimited]

Slacker,

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I've been looking at the TSC (Speeco) brand splitter and I too was concerned about the cycle time on my TC24DA (4.9 GPM).

 

[greg_g]

A self-powered splitter has it's own engine that runs at a preset RPM. That RPM in turn produces a constant hydraulic flow in GPM. This means - that without some kind of flow control - you generally have no control over the cycle time (splitting/return speed).

In a TPH splitter, you can control the flow rate - with the tractor throttle. Up to the point where the RPMs are producing max flow from the pump, you can speed up or slow down the splitter cycle times to match your own work rate. I find setting my KAMA throttle at about 1100 RPM produces a suitable cycle time AND adequate power for even the toughest knots. Lowering RPMs doesn't necesarily mean lowering splitting force either. If your flow rate is too low, either your tractor engine or the tractor's hydraulic pump will let you know by a change in the way it sounds. If you can split a log end to end without a change in engine or pump sound, your flow is adequate. If you're not already at max flow on the pump, you can then adjust your cycle speed (with the tractor throttle) upward from there.

//greg//

 

[ovrszd]

Here is what I read from the specs:

Auto Return Valve Feature:
Forward Direction: Spring Back To Neutral
Return Direction: Spring Back To Neutral

To me, this says it does NOT automatically retract when in the return direction. ie, I would need to stand there and hold it in the return position each time. Am I reading this wrong? Seems like a big waste of time to me.

That's what it says to me also. But sometimes these things are written by a foreigner and their interpretation might be different. My old splitter lever has to be held to cause cylinder movement. It really sucks when splitting by yourself.

 

[rvtech]

If I follow the link from the first post to the splitter, it is $499 + freight. If I go directly to Northern, it is $699 + freight. What the....?