3 pth log splitter

RoyBrooks · Sep 17, 2003

I have access to a 3pth splitter would like to try it on my B6200. Does anyone run a splitter on something this small?Iit puts out 4 gpm at 2060 psi. I figured that it should stroke a 4" cylinder at 20 sec at 24". I would also like to know how others hook up the hydraulics. I thought I would just remove the hoses for the front end loader cylinder then hook the splitter hoses it the quick connects at the joystick valve. I assume that I would have to hold the joystick down to have fluid pass through the fel valve then go to the splitter valve. I would control the splitter from the splitter valve. I assume the splitter valve is a normally open in neutral? I also read about some concern about the size of the tractor resisvour? why would that be of concern? I assume that as the cylinder strokes the oil would be forced from the other side of the cylinder to the tank, as long as the tank could handle the difference from the rod diameter it should be ok ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thanks

markie61 · Sep 17, 2003

My tractor is almost 10gpm and the logsplitter is noticeably slower than a standalone unit. 4gpm is going to be real slow. The cylinder used up about a gallon of hydraulic fluid when I first installed it, so be sure to add after installation unless the cylinder is already filled. If you use your loader, you will have to bungee the control open then you can use the splitter valve.
Mark

Slamfire · Sep 17, 2003

Some splitters have an auto shut off on the return stroke.

Hoeman00 · Sep 18, 2003

Before I would run a splitter on my machine I would flush out all the old oil unless I knew for sure what it came from.
Use air to cycle the cylinder w/ the hoses off and in a bucket to catch the oil.

slowrev · Sep 18, 2003

Good one Hoeman, You don't know what kind of oil is in there or where it has been.

NewTexan · Sep 22, 2003

I built a verticle splitter for my old Case International 235 18hp that worked very well. I set it up to be used as a 3 pt implement. I would raise it up and back it up the the 16 ft trailer that the wood was on and split it as we unloaded it. To the best of me memory the Case had about a 4.5 gpm rate on the pump and used a power beyond with open center to run accessories. The unit did operate pretty slow but did a pretty dang good job. Make your splitting blade out of 3/4" plate (sharpened) and about 2" above the splitting edge weld an set of heavy plates to make your V for popping the log. This way you won't have to use a full stroke all of the time. It also helps to split the wood when it is frozen if you have some really tough stuff. By the way it is really hard to compare a tractor driven splitter with stand alone splitter. The stand alones have a two stage pump that senses pressure and engages pressure and speed changes.

Just my two cents. The splitter I built is still being used by my old neighbor and he says he would not take for it.

AndyMA · Sep 22, 2003

I've had a Northern Tool 3 pt splitter for over 10 years and it works fine. Speed is not a problem on my Ford 2120. I usually don't attach it to the 3 pt hitch so that I can use the tractor to move the wood. Quick attaches make it about a 30 second hookup.

Andy

slowzuki · Sep 22, 2003

Could use a cheapo pto pump to speed stuff up and would keep unknown fluid out of the tractors system.

Ken

hayden · Sep 26, 2003

Consider a Split-Fire. It's a very clever design that allows for splitting in both directions. This elimiates the biggest problem associated with low GPM hydraulic sources like a small/mid size tractor, namely slow splitter return cycle time.

I've got one with the 4-way splitter head and although I don't have a ton of air time on it, I'd say it works great. For reference, my tractor produces about 6GPM.

If you are doing heavy production splitting, the stand-alone faster units make sense. There is also alot of merrit in being able to transfer split wood directly to the loader busket on your tractor for transport, and you can't really do that with a 3PH model. For my occational use, I went with the 3PH splitfire.

RoyBrooks · Sep 30, 2003

I tried the splitter cycle time for 24" stroke on 4" cylinder was 35 sec out and 30 retract. I changed the oil in the splitter as recommended bought the proper fittings and hooked up through the loader valve. Worked great!! alot easier than slugging with the 8# maul. Since I got this working decided to try and adding power steering to the tractor as well.