3-Point Log Splitters?

[jeff9366]

If you have a tractor/loader, so you can move billets from the woods to your driveway, consider a 110 volt or 220 volt electric log splitter.

electric log splitter site:tractorbynet.com


I'm planning on buying an electric super split. They aren't exactly cheap, but they are quite a bit faster than the single wedge hydraulic splitters, machine odor free and they are quiet.

 

[Jims1025R]

The three point splitter I made acts vertically with the "anvil" so to speak resting on the ground, or up on a cut log if I want. The reason being that if I need to split a log so large that I cannot lift it, I can walk it into position. I have split 28" diameter maple in it, It took a few passes, outer ring first then again inner ring, but it worked. I could have never lifted and positioned such a log by myself on a horizontal splitter. The other factor being that no matter how big I split, it does not fall anywhere, it's already on the ground. If my back is sore, and the logs are small, I set the anvil plate on a sawn log, so it's up off the ground 16".

I have seen commercial three point splitters which are hinged, so they would work either vertically or horizontally. If you will never split logs heavier than you can lift, horizontal splitting is not a problem...

 

[crazyal]

How much wood do you plan to split in a year? I have a cheap splitter from Lowes with a Honda engine on it. I've owned it for about 17 years now and other than changing the engine oil and hydraulic filter I haven't done a thing to it. It starts up either on the first or second pull. I split up to 6 cords a year and more than half is split so an 80 year old woman can handle them. So it's got lots of use. It works out to over 350 hours now. I would say, for me at least, anything more than 2 cords a year is enough to buy (or rent) a stand alone splitter unless you just split small amounts at a time spread out over the year.

 

[mike0000]

I don’t split too many rounds this big, but dropping the splitter to the ground sure helps my back.

Mike

 

[Rich B1]

I have a Speeco 3pt splitter and a NH TC21D for power. No loader, so I haul my wood to the wood pile with a trailer.

Yes, the splitter is a bit slow with 4.9 GPM. But the way I arrange my splitting process, it works for me. Unload from the trailer, split, stack, repeat. The ram has time to cycle while I am doing something else. One thing I don't do is fully retract the cylinder between splits. I try to be consistent in the length of each round, so only retract the cylinder enough to have the wedge in place for the next round to drop in.

The Speeco splitter is hinged so I can use it to split exceptionally large rounds on the ground. I like that feature.

I do about 3 cords/year. IMO, the little bit of extra run time on the tractor being a power unit beats maintaining yet another engine.

If I was doing more or I had to use the tractor to move the wood with a loader, I may have a different view on the whole thing. But it works for me. It just may not work for everyone.

 

[AchingBack]

View attachment 730665
I don’t split too many rounds this big, but dropping the splitter to the ground sure helps my back.

Mike

This makes me think about removing the stand from the beam on my splitter. Mine can split vertically but it is a hassle to reposition it.

 

[WranglerX]

I avoided having my tractor tied up with splitter when I need to move up to 36 inch rounds into splitter (in vertical orientating) .... Bought a abused 22 ton splitter for $200 and it need carburetor for B&S engine and found out I could buy an new HF Predator (6.5 HP) engine for less ($139) than all carb parts needed for the B&S... So with new hoses and new engine and tires and using old frame and cylinder and control valve I have about $550 invested..... And I can replace motor several times cheaper than cost per hour/cheaper than the wear on tractor....

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I would like to see the pile of wood my 3-point splitter would make, to wear out my tractor, I couldn't burn it all in three lifetimes!

Stage all of your big rounds on a trailer with your tractor's loader, then turn your tractor around, and roll those same big rounds using a board, right onto your 3-point splitters beam and split them!

Works for me every time!

SR

 

[WranglerX]

If you have a tractor/loader, so you can move billets from the woods to your driveway, consider a 110 volt or 220 volt electric log splitter.

electric log splitter site:tractorbynet.com


I'm planning on buying an electric super split. They aren't exactly cheap, but they are quite a bit faster than the single wedge hydraulic splitters, machine odor free and they are quiet.

But a 300 ft. extension cord is not practical (voltage drop) where I do my splitting and then the cost of buying and maintenance on a generator to run a electric splitter............

 

[dodge man]

For me it was about cost. I’m not sure why but it seems like you can buy a stand alone for the same money as a 3 point splitter. My stand alone was a cheaper one though, probably $700 or a little less.

Maintenance of a stand alone gas powered? Mine is 15 to 20 years old. I change the oil every couple of years and have changed the hydraulic fluid twice. The only problem I had is when mice ate some wiring which wasn’t a hard fix. I’m guessing the average maintenance time per year is less than a hour.