3 point log splitter questions

[PineRidge]

Yesterday the wife and I drove out to our local TSC store for some items that we needed. As I was entering the store I noticed that they had a large display of log splitters set up just outside so I slowed to take a look for myself. Don't have a need for one but I like to look at the machinery.

I quickly struck up a conversation with a gent by the name of Len. Seems he was interested in a 3-point log splitter that he wanted to match to a new 60 HP Kubota that he had just ordered. He wanted the best splitter that he could purchase for his Kubota without the hassle of needing to maintain another gasoline engine to run it.

We looked at the information provided with the log splitter and it stated that the performance of the splitter was subject to the hydraulic pump pressure of the tractor to which it was mated. There was no mention whatsoever of gpm needed for proper operation. It would seem to me that an even more important part of figuring the speed of the cycle time as well as the rated tonnage of the ram itself might be more critical to gallons per minute produced by the hydraulic pump of the tractor running it as opposed to the actual pump pressure. Am I wrong here, as this information supplied was confusing to the both of us.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. gpm will be a big factor on cycle time.. and psi will be a factor of strength of the splitter. A high gpm pump that develops very low psi may not work for a log splitter.. however a high psi pump with a low GPM would worrk.. if you waited long enough.

The factory remotes on a new utility sized tractor ought to be fairly decent... however.. lots of times people are only running lift cyls with them..e tc.

Soundguy

 

[dmp437]

Total displacement of the TSC unit is 1.3 gallons, so the GPM of the pump affects the speed. Speed is also effected by the size of the lines and the fittings that are used. Pressure developed by the splitter is based on the bore of the cylinder (4" in the case of the TSC unit) and the pressure developed by the pump (2750 PSI in the case of my JD).
Cycle time depends on GPM, PSI of the pump, and the shape of the wedge. With the TSC unit I rarely have to go full stroke, most of the time half stroke is adequate.

 

[Dargo]

I was going to make a joke of your remark that a "half stroke is adequate...", but I won't go there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Anyway, I found out that sometimes it is important to look up the characteristics of wood before you attempt to split it. I had a Catalpa tree fall over in a storm. I thought I'd cut it up and use it for firewood rather than "waste" the tree. Mistake. Catalpa must be Indian language for "does not split". /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I had to use a full stroke with the splitter and the last two inches of the logs would still hold together! I had to use a sledge hammer to knock the piece off of the wedge, then a chain saw to finish the "split". After about 1/2 hour and 3 logs later, I used my FEL. That is, I used my FEL to carry the rest of the wood into the woods and dumped it! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[paparammer]

Am I missing something here? Just retract the ram, put another log on the splitter and let the beginning of the second push the end of the first past the wedge.

 

[bczoom]

With the new horizontal/vertical splitters, it normally can't be done. Not enough room to fit 2 logs in and get by the framework/valve at the end of the cylinder. The horizontal only style could do that approach.

 

[PineRidge]

I figured that gpm and psi were the two factors that needed to be considered. I just didn't understand that the only mention in the Huskee splitter literature was psi. Even the sales rep at TSC wasn't sure which to recommend.

I just pulled out my New Holland sales literature and it lists pump gpm rates for models TC-18 through TC-45 but there is no mention of pump psi whatsoever so again I would think that gpm might be an even more important factor than psi.

 

[Dargo]

I cut my logs the max length that will fit in my wood burner. That happens to be close to the length that will fit in the splitter. Therefore, no room for a 2nd log. If you think I'm kidding about Catalpa logs, go find one and try to split it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I'm convinced the best way to split Catalpa would be with a chainsaw! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Ha, I just found a guide on splitting wood. It lists Oak as fairly easy to split, Hickory as easy to split, Ash as easy to split, Catalpa as "does not split". /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Figures!

 

[CTyler]

Zoom...................woosh....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Clue....
A line from Mike Meyers...."You may be a cunning linguist but I am a master debater."

 

[dmp437]

GPM determines speed. PSI determines force. The NH info only listing GPM and no pressure info is an oversite. The JD website lists both GPM and pressure, which they list at a maximum system pressure of 2500 PSI. NH's maximum pressure is probably very similiar.
Force, as in the "Ton Rating" of the splitter is found by multipling gauge pressure (PSIG) by the area of the piston. GPM has no effect.
Speed, as in cycle time, is determined by volume of the incoming fluid (in cubic inches per minute) divided by the cross sectional area of the cavity into which it is flowing.