HF Three Point Log Splitter

[SnowRidge]

Does anyone have any experience or first hand observations regarding the Harbor Freight 3PH log splitter? I have not been able to view one at the local store.

This is the one I am referring to.

Thanks.

 

[Pilot]

First, I have no experience with it, but I do have a splitter.

The first thing I noticed is how low it sits. Unless you can set it up so it rides at least 30 inches above the ground, or unless you are very short, you'll be bending over too much or working on your knees.

Secondly, 14 tons is kind of a wimpy splitter. In the Northern catalog, they show one 12 ton self powered unit, from there they jump to 20 tons from just a 5 hp Briggs engine and go as high as 42 tons.

I generally don't trust anything expensive from HF, but a splitter is pretty simple and virtually any part can be replaced.

The splitters that have their own carriage and run on their own engines usually will operate vertically as well as horizontally. I have often set mine up vertically to I can roll large logs into position. I can tow it anywhere the tractor can go and leave it there while I use the tractor for other things. I suppose if you are splitting anything that can be split on a 14 ton splitter, the piece will be small enough you can lift it.

 

[SnowRidge]

Since it is on the three point, it can be set at any height desired, within reason. They just show it low in the ad. 14 tons seems like a very reasonable rating to me, since my tractor maxes out at about 9 GPM, which should give 14 tons with a four inch cylinder. Unfortunately, they don't specify the cylinder size.

Some HF stuff is junk, some isn't. That is one of the reasons I am looking for input.

 

[studor]

Look at the manual on the website for more specs 4" bore -24" stoke -- you could also call the technical questions number-- I am pretty sure this is a new item for HF so I don't think you will find many owners yet but I have been wrong before.

 

[SnowRidge]

Look at the manual on the website for more specs-- I am pretty sure this is a new item for HF so I don't think you will find many owners yet but I have been wrong before.

Downloading the manual was the first thing I did. It doesn't have a specs page.

Edit: Whoops, there's the cylinder spec, listed as a feature. I missed that.

Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[studor]

I have their gas powered 24 ton and am happy with it -- the welds are all good and has a lot of steel in it. There 3pth model looks pretty solid -- I'd be tempted to phone the technical line and see if they have gpm and speed ratings.It does look pretty solid in the picture -- did not see a weight but I think its probably pretty heavy - - price seems pretty reasonable
Steve

 

[J_J]

Does anyone have any experience or first hand observations regarding the Harbor Freight 3PH log splitter? I have not been able to view one at the local store.

This is the one I am referring to.

Thanks.

I have the 3 ph log splitter from Northern Tools, paid about $375 years ago. that I use on My Kubota B9200 HST. I have been thinking about modifying it for my Pt-1445, which has a 13 gpm flow. If you get the chance to see one, look at the welds and who makes the cylinder and valve. You can buy the warranty, but on things like that, similar parts can be found to repair whatever.

 

[schmism]

based on a 4" diam ram. and 3000psi tractor operating pressure.

(pi * 4 * 3000) / 2000 = 18.8495559 tons force.

a 42 ton force splitter would only need a roughly 6" dia piston

 

[Oleozz]

Have you checked out the Tractor Supply 3 point splitter? They are made by Speeco, use a 4x24 cylinder, can go horiz or vertical, price is around $660. I am seriously considering one since I can't find a good used gas powered splitter. My tractor pump is about 10 gpm.

 

[SnowRidge]

based on a 4" diam ram. and 3000psi tractor operating pressure.

(pi * 4 * 3000) / 2000 = 18.8495559 tons force.

a 42 ton force splitter would only need a roughly 6" dia piston

My tractor's pump is rated at 2,250 PSI @ 8.9 GPM, so

(pi * 4 * 2250) / 2000 = 14.137 tons, which matches their rating.

 

[SnowRidge]

Have you checked out the Tractor Supply 3 point splitter? They are made by Speeco, use a 4x24 cylinder, can go horiz or vertical, price is around $660. I am seriously considering one since I can't find a good used gas powered splitter. My tractor pump is about 10 gpm.

I have looked at them on the web and here on TBN. The stand that comes with it looks really, really flimsy.

Swisher also makes one, which has a stand that looks like it might be a bit more substantial. Their sales department says that either Lowes or TSC can order them. They suggested TSC, saying that TSC had a SKU for it.

 

[SnowRidge]

I have the 3 ph log splitter from Northern Tools, paid about $375 years ago. that I use on My Kubota B9200 HST. I have been thinking about modifying it for my Pt-1445, which has a 13 gpm flow. If you get the chance to see one, look at the welds and who makes the cylinder and valve. You can buy the warranty, but on things like that, similar parts can be found to repair whatever.

The only three point splitter that I can find on the Northern web site these days is the Powerhorse brand, which they make themselves. It has a 3x18 inch cylinder and can't handle more than a 19 inch log. It's just too small.

They have a larger model that they sell with an engine and pump, but they don't seem to offer it in a 3PH version.

 

[lhfarm]

I have looked at them on the web and here on TBN. The stand that comes with it looks really, really flimsy.

Swisher also makes one, which has a stand that looks like it might be a bit more substantial. Their sales department says that either Lowes or TSC can order them. They suggested TSC, saying that TSC had a SKU for it.

I have a TSC splitter for I'd guess 10 years. Used it with my Ford 4000 and now my TC40DA. The stand does the job and keeps the splitter at the proper height. That was really important on the 4000, where the 3pt would leak down pretty quickly. The best feature is to be able to flip the splitter up for very large logs. I know I've split some big logs that I couldn't lift, by rolling and pushing them under the splitter. If you have any large trees to work with, I would consider it a must have feature.

On a side note, it is my wife's favorite attachment. I load and she runs the splitter. We've got pretty fast at it.

 

[SnowRidge]

I have a TSC splitter for I'd guess 10 years. Used it with my Ford 4000 and now my TC40DA. The stand does the job and keeps the splitter at the proper height. That was really important on the 4000, where the 3pt would leak down pretty quickly. The best feature is to be able to flip the splitter up for very large logs. I know I've split some big logs that I couldn't lift, by rolling and pushing them under the splitter. If you have any large trees to work with, I would consider it a must have feature.

On a side note, it is my wife's favorite attachment. I load and she runs the splitter. We've got pretty fast at it.

Do you know who made that splitter for TSC? If I understand correctly, it wasn't Speeco back then.

 

[SnowRidge]

This is the three point splitter I would really like to have. ToolFetch.com has it at $1279 delivered. I just can't justify the price.

 

[Tororider]

Wallenstein 20T 3 Point Logsplitter Log Splitter WX310 - eBay (item 7560986571 end time Oct-21-08 19:52:13 PDT)

We have Wallenstein's chipper and are very happy with it. We were able to find it cheaper from our local John Deere dealer than online. More expensive, but well built.

 

[Oleozz]

The Iron and Oak and Wallenstein both have great reputations and are built like tanks but just to much money for me. One of our local TS stores has a 3 pt splitter on stock, I am going to look at it soon and will report back on its sturdiness.
Any ideas on the price of the Swishers?

 

[SnowRidge]

$700 or $800, I think. You could also inquire at TSC while you are there, since they are supposed to have a SKU for it. They should be able to give you a price.

 

[lhfarm]

Do you know who made that splitter for TSC? If I understand correctly, it wasn't Speeco back then.

I don't know, but the design appears to be unchanged from the picture on the TSC site. Same frame, same cradle design. The only difference I can see is color (mine is red).

I'm sure you could beef up the frame without a lot of effort.

 

[natem]

That one from harbor freight looks just like the one I bought from northern tool last year. I love It works great. Plenty of power. I think they had wanted at least a 14gpm pump. Mine does 11gpm and runs it fine. Just look out for that top link on the splitter its self mine has bent badly and will need to be strengthened. But other that I like it.