PTO driven log splitter?

[montanaman]

Go look at all those log splitters sitting in front of TSC or any home improvement store. They put out nowhere near 11GPM. They only have 6 or 8 HP engines. Our PT425 tractor puts out 8GPM at 2500psi and that is with a 25HP engine.

Not exactly true. The gas engine splitters have a two stage pump and do have pretty good GPM but not while building pressure. They can get the ram out there pretty quick but once it hits the log, one stage of the pump shuts down and they go into low flow, high pressure mode, so to speak.

I have to agree that the TPH splitter shouldn't present any big problems to a tractor hydraulic system. If your tractor is one that barely has hydraulics to begin with and very small tank, then a PTO would be worth thinking about and it will no doubt be faster.

I guess I'm getting old because I've used a TPH splitter on a tractor with a 5 gallon pump at about half throttle and after about 20 minutes of working, it's as fast as I want it to be!

I also agree that on must logs, the amount of time there is much pressure on the hyd system is not too long. There is a lot of cylinder travel time where the fluid is just moving the cylinder with little to no load.

I check the hoses on mine about the time when I'm done using it and they have never been above just warm.

Ken

 

[unit40]

I'm debating getting a splitter for mine. It would have to be a PTO powered unit. The pumps put out generally 10-20 GPM I think. Timberwolf and Iron and Oak brands are two that I can think of.

 

[kkesler]

I bought one of these Woodline units which have a PTO driven pump.

eBay: NEW 3 pt. Logsplitter Woodcutter w/PTO 1 yr. WARRANTY! (item 330074497664 end time Jan-11-07 18:01:34 PST)

Been happy with it. Splits most logs at about 1/3rd throttle on my BX2230, had a couple of small problems and the seller was real good about taking care of them.

 

[dmccarty]

I bought a hydraulic tractor mounted splitter from TSC last fall. Its a Hardee/Speedco brand I think. I looked at some of the higher end splitters and just could not see why they cost more than the TSC unit.

My tractor has a Power Beyond Kit to run a backhoe. No way in heck that the wood splitter works the tractor hydraulics harder than the backhoe. Not even close.

The TSC unit split everything I threw at it including forked knarly trunks. Most of the time the splitter is just moving back and forth. The wood splits pretty quick. Usually after the first inch or so of travel.

I think the only way to hurt the tractor hydraulics is to hook the hoses up backwards. We had a conversation on this last fall.

Later,
Dan

 

[rdbrumfield]

This is my idea of a pto driven log splitter. No picking of blocks. As you can see the knife just splits two pieces off the bottom as you eat the rounds up. It will handle up to a 6' dia block. I have it hooked to a 50hp JD, but I like to run the pto with a 20hp Kubota and use the high gear in the pto.

 

[MossRoad]

Not exactly true. The gas engine splitters have a two stage pump and do have pretty good GPM but not while building pressure. They can get the ram out there pretty quick but once it hits the log, one stage of the pump shuts down and they go into low flow, high pressure mode, so to speak.

I have to agree that the TPH splitter shouldn't present any big problems to a tractor hydraulic system. If your tractor is one that barely has hydraulics to begin with and very small tank, then a PTO would be worth thinking about and it will no doubt be faster.

I guess I'm getting old because I've used a TPH splitter on a tractor with a 5 gallon pump at about half throttle and after about 20 minutes of working, it's as fast as I want it to be!

I also agree that on must logs, the amount of time there is much pressure on the hyd system is not too long. There is a lot of cylinder travel time where the fluid is just moving the cylinder with little to no load.

I check the hoses on mine about the time when I'm done using it and they have never been above just warm.

Ken

You are correct. I forgot about the 2 stage pumps. They are fast, but weak until it builds pressure. Then they are slow. I find plenty of specs on the high speed but no specs on the low speed on any of the manufacturers' websites. So I went to Northern Tool's website and they sell several two stage pumps. Most of them list two sets of numbers....

11.0 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 2.9 GPM at 2500 PSI
13.6 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 2.9 GPM at 2500 PSI
16.0 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 3.5 GPM at 2500 PSI

As I said in my previous post, they are no where near 11GPM... that is, when they are doing actual work.