3 pt hitch log splitter on 3940 hst

[gusman2]

It's a question on how well they work. Looking for fast return and splitting power. All I see in brochures is "depends on tractor". Anyone use this set up or recommend a separate splitter instead? Thanks mark

 

[superpickle]

I have debated getting a 3pt but ended up getting a regular tow behind splitter. Less hours, and I mean hours and hours on tractor. Cheaper maintenance and operating cost. And I don't have to take the tractor everywhere I or someone else needs to split.
RDS

 

[94BULLITT]

I think a standalone would be faster. The downside is it will have a engine to maintain.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

My tractor has flow similar to yours. I have a conventional 3-point splitter witha 4x24 cylinder. I upgraded my valve to one of these and it makes a huge difference: Prince LSR Rapid Extend Logsplitter Valve - Cylinder Services

Return is not speeded up but I can put in detent and not worry about stopping it before it retracts way past the log length.
The other option to speed things up is the dual split style. Powerhorse Horizontal Dual Split 3-Pt. Log Splitter — 20-Ton, 4in. x 24in. Cylinder | Log Splitters| Northern Tool + Equipment

Also if you go with a smaller cylinder model it will cycle much faster. It doesn't take 20 tons to split a log.

 

[Ken45101]

I have the Timberwold TW3-HD. Works well but I try to keep the tractor at medium RPM. This is on an M5040. I once tried hooking it up to my B2710. Ha! First time it hit the retract stop, it instantly stalled the tractor! Even at high RPM, the B2710 (around 20 pto hp) stalled.

I bought the pto splitter after my older tow behind, gas powered spiltter died for the second time in a few months. It's nice to have the tractor engine, which gets used frequently and starts with a key OTOH, as mentioned, there are advantages to having an independent splitter.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I guess the PTO pump was oversized for the hp of your B2710. If relief pressure is adjustable you could dial it down to about 1200psi to prevent snubbing the engine. The retract stop might not work though. A 5" cylinder will provide about 1 ton of force for every 100psi so 1200psi still gives you 12 tons of force.

 

[Bluegill2]

Most stand alone splitters have a 16gpm or larger pump, this is were the speed comes in (beside the size of the cylinder). Most tractors will be SLOW!

I use a Super Split. 2 second cycle time!

 

[jdonovan]

Looking for fast return and splitting power.
Anyone use this set up or recommend a separate splitter instead?

Then you DON'T want to power it off the tractor hydraulics.

Either get a stand alone self powered unit, or a PTO driven pump if you want to use the tractor as the power source.

I've got a timberwolf PTO powered unit, and its a VERY VERY nice splitter. Not the fastest I've ever run, but fast enough for my needs.

Stand alone vs on tractor will come down to use case. If you have multiple people then having the tractor free to move splits to the pile, bring in new logs etc might be a plus. If you're single-handing it then the tractor is tied up no matter what you are doing.

Most home owner tractors don't get that many hours per-year anyway, so an additional 25 a year running a splitter IMO is not going to do anything to longevity or resale vs the normal use it would be getting around the property anyway.

 

[millstreaminn]

I have both a tractor powered and a stand alone splitter. I've run the tractor mounted splitter on a Kubota L39, which has very capable hydraulic flow. Even then, I have to rev the engine higher than I want to get the same speed I get out of the stand alone. I kinda hate to run a 40 hp engine at 2200 rpm to split wood... I prefer the stand alone.

 

[Bluegill2]

I have both a tractor powered and a stand alone splitter. I've run the tractor mounted splitter on a Kubota L39, which has very capable hydraulic flow. Even then, I have to rev the engine higher than I want to get the same speed I get out of the stand alone. I kinda hate to run a 40 hp engine at 2200 rpm to split wood... I prefer the stand alone.

That is the way I feel. Most any size tractor will be overkill in hp and fuel use, but still not have the gpm flow/speed of a stand alone splitter.

 

[jdonovan]

That is the way I feel. Most any size tractor will be overkill in hp and fuel use, but still not have the gpm flow/speed of a stand alone splitter.

If you are using the tractors hydraulics, that's true. But if you use the tractor to power a PTO driven pump you can get 20 GPM @ 2000+ PSI.

I've run the tractor mounted splitter on a Kubota L39, which has very capable hydraulic flow.

The L39 is about 15gpm, which is good flow for a tractor, but still not great for running a splitter... and you only get the full flow at max RPM. At 2200 rpm, you're probably only getting 3/4 - 2/3's of that flow, and 10-11 GPM is not going to run a splitter very fast.

 

[YogiBear79]

I have a Ramsplitter that I am happy with for my uses. I connect mine to the loader ports.

I have the 12T version with the 3.5" cylinder. It is sized better for my tractor. I run the tractor ~1900RPMS, and can split everything I want to. My wood is mostly maple, cherry, white oak, various others. The average round is 18" diameter. It is fast enough for me working by myself.

I burn about 3 cords a year in the house, and 1.5 through camping and outdoor fires.

 

[alkabo]

I have a split-fire two way splitter on an L4400. I run at about 1500 rpm and have no trouble splitting oak wood. With the two way splitting it is as fast as my wife and I want to work. The split-fire is a very well made piece of equipment. As far as not being able to use the loader to move split wood I find it much handier to throw it into my old wood hauling spreader. The loader just doesn't hold enough wood. However I am splitting my wood out in the woods and then hauling it up to my woodshed. A lot less trips by using the trailer.

 

[Ken45101]

Running the PTO powered splitter at 1800 rpm is a bit slow on the cycle time but my matches *my* pace

 

[Dozernut]

I run a Speeco 3pt splitter on my L4610 off of the rear remotes. I run the tractor at about 1500 rpms. The only time the tractor grunted was splitting a 3' round Ash crotch piece. Is it fast? No, but it will outwork me and a faster splitter would be a waste. I only work at a slow speed. 30 to 40 years ago it may not have been fast enough. I do not have another engine to maintain which is fine by me.

A plus for my splitter is I can raise it and use the tractor to pull a large log into a better cutting site, then use the forks to raise the log to cut into lengths. Then I back the tractor up to the cut wood and start splitting. The RTV is the wood hauler, we back up close to the splitter for ease of loading. This works for me, whatever works for you. I know that this sure beats a splitting maul or a sledge and wedges.

 

[TomSeller]

On a gas powered splitter you can always run it off of tractor hydraulics if the gas engine konks out. A little re-piping is all.

 

[Ken45101]

I know that this sure beats a splitting maul or a sledge and wedges.

^^^ Yes! I am so glad I bought a splitter! Years ago, I used to split by hand. How dumb, LOL!

 

[Stonehaller]

TractorData.com list the L3940 hydraulic flow at 9.8 GPM. That is same as my Case DX45 and I run a 3 point splitter with a 3.5 inch cylinder. It has split all the maple, oak and currently some black walnut I have thrown at it without problems. It goes fast enough for me as I mostly work alone. I only split a few face cord a year so I prefer using the tractor than having another engine to maintain. Also, my Kelley Co. splitter, a lucky Craigslist find for $350, is fairly compact and does not take up as much room to store as a self contained one.

I would not recommend a splitter with a cylinder over 3.5 inch as you may be disappointed in the speed. Relief pressure on my Case is 2500 psi. A quick search online showed the L3940 relief pressure at 2490 psi, essentially the same as mine.

I thought I had a better picture, but all I could find was a poor cell phone picture of it on my L39.

 

[jinman]

I haven't seen much discussion of the quantity of wood you want to split. If you only split 2-3 cords per year for a decorative fireplace, then a 3PH splitter is a good choice: low cost, very functional, low maintenance, easily stored when not in use. If you are heating your house with wood and burn 4-8 cords per year, you need a serious stand-alone splitter because your time splitting and stacking is going to be significant. Those of us who have fire places for ambiance certainly don't need to spend $2k or more on a spiffy stand-alone, but if you heat with wood and spend lots of time splitting, then you need a splitter that works quickly and efficiently without wearing out your high-dollar tractor investment.

 

[grandpa1]

Have 3ph splitter from Northern Tool on L4610 that I like. Run about 1200- 1400 rpm when splitting firewood.