Looking at a couple of different wood splitters. My dad has had a timberwolf tw3 for quite a long time now, ive always liked it as its got a lot more splitting force compared to something you would pick up at a farm store. Anyways, I bought a new dk5010 and my original plan was to buy the same splitter. Recently I came across an Easton made ultra wood splitter. Seems stupid fast and definitely has my attention. What are your guys thoughts? Tractor mounted tw3, which BTW comes with pto kit so it doesnt run off the tractors hydraulics or the easton ultra stand up splitter?
Wood splitters
- Thread starter Darren33
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Lineman North Florida
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I would think that the tractor mounted unit would be just fine, I use a Speedco 3 pt hitch model and tractor hydraulics and it splits large live oak with no problem, a little slower than a stand alone unit but plenty fast enough to be efficient , so unless you are going to split wood for a living hydraulics work fine and I am sure PTO models compare to stand alone and everybody and there brother won't borrow it.
trueg50
Member
From what I've seen the tractor attached splitters tend to have long cycle times. From what I have seen though you can get a quite powerful tractor-attached splitter for less than what you would have to pay for a good standalone unit.
I like that I can use my tractor/cart to split right into the cart, then move that to the stacking area. I can also use my bucket as a log-lift for heavy rounds.
I opted for a kinetic splitter (Super Splitter) due to their speed and good history. I have only put a fraction of a cord through it, but I have been happy so far with its speed. I don't sell firewood, but my time is limited so the faster I can work the better. I also looked at the Eastonmade Ultra; their unit built to compete with the fast kinetic splitters. It looked good ("Into the woodyard" uses one), but it was over $1,000 more and I think was quite a lot higher for shipping.
I like that I can use my tractor/cart to split right into the cart, then move that to the stacking area. I can also use my bucket as a log-lift for heavy rounds.
I opted for a kinetic splitter (Super Splitter) due to their speed and good history. I have only put a fraction of a cord through it, but I have been happy so far with its speed. I don't sell firewood, but my time is limited so the faster I can work the better. I also looked at the Eastonmade Ultra; their unit built to compete with the fast kinetic splitters. It looked good ("Into the woodyard" uses one), but it was over $1,000 more and I think was quite a lot higher for shipping.
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shooterdon
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Splitting force is not as important to me as speed. You need to figure out what matters to you and look at the type of wood you will be splitting.
There is no one best answer.
There is no one best answer.
I did just look and seen that shipping is between $1200 and $1500 and was reading right now the wait time is extremely long. Think the cycle time is 8 seconds on the tw3 timberwolf and 4 on the easton ultra. Was also checking out the American conveyors and splitters tractor mounted splitter, they offer a p to kit option as well. Never heard of this company until I bought my tractor
4570Man
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Agreed. A fast cycle time is a lot more important to me than monster tonnage. When I’m sawing I usually cut half way through lengthwise on the challenging pieces. A few extra seconds sawing on 1 out of 50 pieces is way better than waiting a few extra seconds on every stroke.
Thats a good point on the type of wood. Some of it is simple but alot of it is pretty gnarly. Especially alot of the spruce I sell as camp wood. I think force behind the tractor would be far more important to me over the speed. Never really thought of it like that
4570Man
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The tractor splitter is cheaper and more theft resistant but I’d rather have the self powered splitter. I like to have help run the splitter while I’m cutting wood and I need the tractor to move logs. Maybe if I was strictly working by myself I wouldn’t care as much.
What are you running for a splitter?
4570Man
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Here’s what I have. The design is great. I’d buy the same thing again in a heartbeat. The actual tool is a complete POS though. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy anything from Ruggedmade.
shooterdon
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In my situation, buying a high end splitter ended up being a poor option. It made more sense to rent a processor. $450 for a two day rental every two years and I can split over 12 cords. I burn 6 cords a year. So cost is $250/ year.
I use a grapple to handle logs. I do not need to cut logs into rounds, or lift rounds onto the splitter. Easy and almost no labor to cut and split. No need for a “good” chainsaw, and no chains to sharpen/replace. The hardest part is stacking splits.
I am 71. It is unlikely I could process wood the normal way too much longer, so a mechanized option was my best option.
I use a grapple to handle logs. I do not need to cut logs into rounds, or lift rounds onto the splitter. Easy and almost no labor to cut and split. No need for a “good” chainsaw, and no chains to sharpen/replace. The hardest part is stacking splits.
I am 71. It is unlikely I could process wood the normal way too much longer, so a mechanized option was my best option.
trueg50
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Root Cause
Platinum Member
I am confused. You said you would buy again then said it was a pos? I am about to buy a splitter and ruggedmade was on my short list. Please explain why it is a bad splitter. Nearly all the reviews I have seen are postive. (for what that is worth!)
4570Man
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I would buy the design as in a horizontal only 4 way with a lift again. I wouldn’t buy anything made by ruggedmade again. I’ve broke everything there is to break on the splitter. And I paid $2700 a few years ago. The same model is $4400 now. At that price do yourself a big favor and buy a TW or Eastonmade.
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Root Cause
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Ok, thanks for clarifying.
WranglerX
Super Member
Personally I prefer stand alone splitter as it leaves tractor free to move split wood and unsplit rounds (by helper?).... As you get older you will find speed is not a necessity.... It all about users endurance....
PAULWILKIE
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I have one that I made on a I beam. K car axle. It has a 13HP engine and a 2 stage pump. Cycle time is 4 seconds
It is 2 slow with the tractor hydraulics. You want your splitter to be a stand alone unit. It will use less gas and the tractor can be used for other operations while you are splitting
