I just ordered a new John Deere 2520. I am considering getting a 3 point hitch log splitter also. What would be the best one for this machine given the hydraulic flow is a total of 10.5. 5.5 for steering and 5 for implements. I'm not sure I can use a 20 ton and am concerned the 16 ton will not be powerful enough. Any help or first hand experience would be appreciated..
3-Point Hitch 3 point hitch log splitter on a 2520
- Thread starter Campjd
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beenthere
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:welcome:
My thought is why tie up the tractor. The speed the splitter cylinder will move likely will be a disappointment. Pretty slow.
But life is full of trade-offs, and hope you get some good numbers here before buying the splitter. Maybe a demo of the splitter before you buy would be good, if that is possible.
My thought is why tie up the tractor. The speed the splitter cylinder will move likely will be a disappointment. Pretty slow.
But life is full of trade-offs, and hope you get some good numbers here before buying the splitter. Maybe a demo of the splitter before you buy would be good, if that is possible.
Yeah I have heard the cycle time can be slow. The convenience of not dragging a tow behind may make up for the loss of speed for me. I only use the wood for a fireplace and camp fires. So I'm not burning a lot of wood. This is more for fun and relaxation....
KennyG
Elite Member
I don't know what splitter you are looking at but I have the Power Horse 13 ton on a 2320. The cycle time really isn't an issue because of the 2 way splitting design. It's about 10 seconds for mine which is as fast as I want to work.
The 13 ton has done well for me in the extending direction. It's a good bit weaker retracting so I have to be sure to make the first split extending. There are a lot of reasons to prefer a tow behind, but I like the portability, easy storage and low maintenance of the 3 point unit.
I'm not sure how they get the gpm rating for these splitters. With 3.5 gpm available, speed seems to max out at about 2300 rpm on my tractor. A 20 ton should have a 4 inch cylinder instead of the 3 inch mine has and it would seem that your 5 gpm would give similar speed on the 20 ton to what I get on the 13 ton model.
I suggest seeing if you can find someone who has used the specific splitter you are considering.
The 13 ton has done well for me in the extending direction. It's a good bit weaker retracting so I have to be sure to make the first split extending. There are a lot of reasons to prefer a tow behind, but I like the portability, easy storage and low maintenance of the 3 point unit.
I'm not sure how they get the gpm rating for these splitters. With 3.5 gpm available, speed seems to max out at about 2300 rpm on my tractor. A 20 ton should have a 4 inch cylinder instead of the 3 inch mine has and it would seem that your 5 gpm would give similar speed on the 20 ton to what I get on the 13 ton model.
I suggest seeing if you can find someone who has used the specific splitter you are considering.
beenthere
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Campjd
For "fun and relaxation" I'd suggest going the easy route and buy a splitting maul.
Seriously, by the time you get the splitter out of storage, hooked up to the 2520 and a small amount of wood split, then clean it up, unhook it, and store it out of the way.....you would have a fair amount of wood split by hand.
Having fun and relaxation.
For "fun and relaxation" I'd suggest going the easy route and buy a splitting maul.
Seriously, by the time you get the splitter out of storage, hooked up to the 2520 and a small amount of wood split, then clean it up, unhook it, and store it out of the way.....you would have a fair amount of wood split by hand.
Having fun and relaxation.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
while the tractor is parked, splitting wood. All the flow will go thru the impliment...yoi wont be steering or moving.
should work great. My old JD870 had only 8.1 gpm flow, and my 3 point splitter worked GREAT.....as fast as i needed it to go. And i still have all my fingers to prove it.
I built my own, so im not sure of tonnage. i am using a 4" x 24" ram, with a 2" shaft.
Mine too hooks up in a few minutes. hose = cleanup.
Believe me, you dont want something moving too fast when YOUR fingers are next to a 20 ton anvil. Mine does a nice clip, and i can usually put up a seasons worth of wood in 8 hrs of splitting, spread over a few days. It works as fast as i want it to. I only have to move it 4-5 inches into the wood to split it, then cycle it out 4-5". I dont cycle it all the way open. just as high as the next piece of wood.
should work great. My old JD870 had only 8.1 gpm flow, and my 3 point splitter worked GREAT.....as fast as i needed it to go. And i still have all my fingers to prove it.
I built my own, so im not sure of tonnage. i am using a 4" x 24" ram, with a 2" shaft.
Mine too hooks up in a few minutes. hose = cleanup.
Believe me, you dont want something moving too fast when YOUR fingers are next to a 20 ton anvil. Mine does a nice clip, and i can usually put up a seasons worth of wood in 8 hrs of splitting, spread over a few days. It works as fast as i want it to. I only have to move it 4-5 inches into the wood to split it, then cycle it out 4-5". I dont cycle it all the way open. just as high as the next piece of wood.
Last edited:
KennyG
Elite Member
Campjd
For "fun and relaxation" I'd suggest going the easy route and buy a splitting maul.
Seriously, by the time you get the splitter out of storage, hooked up to the 2520 and a small amount of wood split, then clean it up, unhook it, and store it out of the way.....you would have a fair amount of wood split by hand.
Having fun and relaxation.
It takes me about a minute to hook up my splitter with the power beyond and quick hitch. Clean it up? Are you supposed to clean up attachments? :laughing:
This is all great info, thank you all!! Im pretty sure i will be going with something smaller than 20 ton
Kennyg: at what rpm are you running your 2320? Do you find it struggling with larger wood. Also, do you use it with the imatch quick hitch?
Kennyg: at what rpm are you running your 2320? Do you find it struggling with larger wood. Also, do you use it with the imatch quick hitch?
KennyG
Elite Member
I did some tests and found that the stroke didn't speed up past about 2300 rpm so that's where I run it. The PH 13 ton has a max capacity of 19 inches and my stove only takes 16 inch logs, so I don't split anything very long, making it easier. However, I started off splitting some old twisted grain wood I couldn't split by hand and it split that with no problem. I have yet to find something I couldn't split in the extend direction.
KennyG
Elite Member
Also, I have the Harbor Freight quick hitch. The Powerhorse isn't exactly QH compatible so I'm using the adapter link. However, I've got a simple mod in the planning stage to make it fully compatible.