Argonne
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2005
- Messages
- 279
- Location
- Paris, TX
- Tractor
- JD2210, Ford 4400, Case IH 685, Terramite T7, JD 6x4 M-Gator
I'm in the market for a log splitter. I like the idea of a 3 pt splitter so that I can take it to the woodlot on the tractor, and I should be able to take advantage of the tractor's power and save money on a power source (and one less small engine to winterize every year).
There seem to be 2 types out there. Those that run on the tractor hydraulics, and those that have a PTO pump. The PTO models seem to be hard to find, and are expensive when you do. I'd like to keep the price under $1k.
I've found two models with attractive price tags and the power to split the Osage Orange I'm splitting. The Northern Tool offering, and the Ramsplitter.
The technical information on both is sketchy, but I e-mailed Ramsplitter and they say that with a 6 GPM pump on the tractor, the cycle time is about 20 seconds. The Northern Tool model has 3/4 the power at 15k tons, so I suppose it's cycle time is a bit faster.
So here's my question (finally). I have no experience with log splitters and I'm wondering about the significance of the cycle time spec. When they say that the cycle time is 20 seconds, is that the time it takes the ram to fully extend, extend and retract, or what? Also, when splitting logs, is it typical to need to make a full cycle, or is the job typically done in a half cycle or something?
The reason I'm so interested is that my JD2210 only has ~3 GPM available, and even if I go with the smaller Northern Tool model I'm having visions of having time for a coffee break between each log split. If so, I might need to spring for the expensive PTO type, or bite-the-bullet and have another small engine to babysit on a standalone model.
Any education anyone could give me on the subject would be appreciated.
There seem to be 2 types out there. Those that run on the tractor hydraulics, and those that have a PTO pump. The PTO models seem to be hard to find, and are expensive when you do. I'd like to keep the price under $1k.
I've found two models with attractive price tags and the power to split the Osage Orange I'm splitting. The Northern Tool offering, and the Ramsplitter.
The technical information on both is sketchy, but I e-mailed Ramsplitter and they say that with a 6 GPM pump on the tractor, the cycle time is about 20 seconds. The Northern Tool model has 3/4 the power at 15k tons, so I suppose it's cycle time is a bit faster.
So here's my question (finally). I have no experience with log splitters and I'm wondering about the significance of the cycle time spec. When they say that the cycle time is 20 seconds, is that the time it takes the ram to fully extend, extend and retract, or what? Also, when splitting logs, is it typical to need to make a full cycle, or is the job typically done in a half cycle or something?
The reason I'm so interested is that my JD2210 only has ~3 GPM available, and even if I go with the smaller Northern Tool model I'm having visions of having time for a coffee break between each log split. If so, I might need to spring for the expensive PTO type, or bite-the-bullet and have another small engine to babysit on a standalone model.
Any education anyone could give me on the subject would be appreciated.