3 point splitter--questions

[955er]

I have decided to purchase a ramsplitter 3 point splitter for my JD 955. I don't need the pros and cons of owning a TPH as opposed to a stand alone. Here are the specifics:

7.2gpm pump
2500 psi
installed remote power plate and couplings in back.

I do not know if I should buy the 20 ton or the 16 ton. The cycle time is around 25 seconds (I believe) for the 20 ton and 15 for the 16 ton. The opening on the 16 is 20 inches (adequate, I guess) and 26 inches for the 20.

Questions: Is the difference in cycle time a huge deal? Will the 20 ton ever really be a 20 ton given my 2500psi, or will I only get 15 tons out of it anyway? Will I be paying the extra money only to get the larger log opening?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[greg_g]

Get the 20 ton. That is an "up to" rating, and I think it's based upon something like 11 gpm @ 3000 psi. The actual force developed by the ram is determined by the pressure and flow speed delivered by your tractor.

//greg//

 

[955er]

Thanks for the comeback. Do you think that 7.2 gpm will be enough to handle the 4 inch cylindar on the 20 ton?

 

[FxdGrMind]

Cycle time is determined by GPM and PSI. So your cycle time will just be slower than advertized.

I got a 16T 3pt with PTO pump and holding tank last year. The Dang thing works faster than I can keep up with it at 1500 RPM on the tractor.
Makes Quick work of any pile of rounds!

Go for the 20 for the larger opening if you like longer rounds for less cutting.

Cheers and happy splitting!:thumbsup:

 

[955er]

Can't afford the pto pump. They are nice, though!

 

[greg_g]

Do you think that 7.2 gpm will be enough to handle the 4 inch cylindar on the 20 ton?

Yes //greg//

 

[TommyJD790]

955er

I got my Ramsplitter 16T splitter about a month ago. It runs off the power beyond remotes on my JD790 that's rated at 5.4 GPM. It isn't a speed demon, but when it comes to speed, it's me that's the limiting factor, not the cycle time.
The 16T has plenty of power, and if the log diameter is just right, I use the optional 4-way wedge and get 4 chunks off a log in one shot. That makes splitting quick.

TommyJD790

 

[kennyd]

Thanks for the comeback. Do you think that 7.2 gpm will be enough to handle the 4 inch cylindar on the 20 ton?

Sure it will, but just may be a little slow. PSI is what does the work, GPM just determines how fast.

 

[955er]

955er

I got my Ramsplitter 16T splitter about a month ago. It runs off the power beyond remotes on my JD790 that's rated at 5.4 GPM. It isn't a speed demon, but when it comes to speed, it's me that's the limiting factor, not the cycle time.
The 16T has plenty of power, and if the log diameter is just right, I use the optional 4-way wedge and get 4 chunks off a log in one shot. That makes splitting quick.

TommyJD790

JD790:

So your 16 ton is moving quicker than you? Any idea on the cycle time? I am not a speed demon myself, I just don't want to wait on it. I really want the extra opening on the 20ton. Moving from an insert to an outdoor central boiler this summer, so I need to step it up.

 

[nickel plate]

I have decided to purchase a ramsplitter 3 point splitter for my JD 955. I don't need the pros and cons of owning a TPH as opposed to a stand alone. Here are the specifics:

7.2gpm pump
2500 psi
installed remote power plate and couplings in back.

I do not know if I should buy the 20 ton or the 16 ton. The cycle time is around 25 seconds (I believe) for the 20 ton and 15 for the 16 ton. The opening on the 16 is 20 inches (adequate, I guess) and 26 inches for the 20.

Questions: Is the difference in cycle time a huge deal? Will the 20 ton ever really be a 20 ton given my 2500psi, or will I only get 15 tons out of it anyway? Will I be paying the extra money only to get the larger log opening?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I bought the 20 ton/26" opening Ramsplitter five years ago and have put about fifteen cords through it without a hiccup. My tractor's hydraulic system is 9 gpm and I run the splitter off of the tractor's remotes. At this time I am only feeding a wood stove (12" to 16" logs) which is our primary heat source.
The in-out cylinder lever will lock open to reload the ram and then shut off when fully retracted. This small interval gives you time to clear the ground drop zone, place another log on the table and start the next split.
The whole process is fast enough for me as I don't fully retract the ram due to the shorter stove logs that I work with.
Hint: Vary the table height occasionally to save over stressing your back.

 

[TommyJD790]

955er

I'm not sure of the cycle time. If I get out there this weekend, maybe i'll throw a few logs through and clock it. It really doesn't take the full stroke to split the wood. It probably only travels about 4 inches into the wedge and the log is split. Then I pull the handle back and as it's traveling back, I pick up the next piece.
By the way. I think I got a really good price for my 16T from Ebay.

Like "nickel plate" says above, one of the nice things about the 3pt splitter is that you can raise it to a comfortable height. It took me about a half a chord of splitting before I figured that out.

TommyJD790

 

[955er]

Thanks,

I think I will go with the 20 ton. Maybe a little slow, but I want the larger opening even if the speed is slower. I split a lot of large rounds as well, so I also need the vertical option.

 

[easygo]

I would go for the one that has a slightly larger opening or comes closest to the length of stick your boiler takes. So. I think you would want the larger one for that reason alone even if the cycle time is slower.