3PH log splitter or standalone?

crazyal · Aug 28, 2012

So there you have it. Neither way is wrong. A 3pt will probably be slower than a stand alone but as long as you have a remote it can be cheaper. Also there's no engine to maintain. If you want you can even upgrade a 3 pt to include a tank and a 3 pt pump so you can get good speed and utilize more of the power of your tractor. With a stand alone you're not putting hours on your tractor (more costly than putting hours on a small gas engine). Your tractor is free to move and load rounds. Speed is faster. But you have a separate hydraulic system to maintain and an engine to service.

NHmitch · Aug 31, 2012

I use a 3pt splitter, and it works great for me. The selling point was simple. I own the tractor, diesel engines are made to run, and mine has low fuel consumption, and I really liked the fact that I didn't have to worry about another gas engine, especially with the terrible things that result from Ethanol in gas. I also like to be able to fel my tree, chunk it, and then back up to it, split it, and its ready to be trailered and stacked. My splitter is a Ram Splitter PTO driven splitter that has a hydraulic pump, and a reservoir. It is very fast, only a 16 ton, and I have not met a log that I cannot split, including 30in oak logs. The other nice thing is that I can lower the 3pt, and load the log on. Speeco, and TSC sell a model that stand upright, and they work great, but they use your tractor hydraulics. I bought my splitter used on Craigslist, and I paid about what an entry level gas splitter would cost, but it was worth every penny, and it has the remotes on it. I am not sure that I have seen one that requires a separate set of remotes? I do like the gas operated splitters, and they both have their advantages, but I guess that I also felt that I bought my tractor to use with implements like this to make life easier, and it has not let me down. It also only takes up a very small area when I store it. I heat solely with wood, so the expense was very worth it for me, and it will pay for it self in one season, since I have split all of the wood that I need to heat for an entire ice cold New Hampshire winter, but if you are not heating with wood, or if you only need a cord or two, I would recommend either renting one, or getting an electric splitter. We used an electric splitter for several years, and I split about 4 cords a year with it, without an issue. You can rent a comercial grade splitter for about $80 a day at Home Depot. This is my splitter, and the company is: Ramsplitter Log Splitter Model 3PT Attachment, the Toughest Log Splitter on the Market

Splitter Mike · Sep 4, 2012

Dont forget the best reason of all to get a 3pt splitter over a stand alone. People with out tractors cant borrow it! :thumbsup: Check out a variety of them here: 3 Point Log Splitter | PTO Wood Splitter | Tractor Log Splitter Sales

chopped · Sep 4, 2012

They then want to borow the tractor to go with it lol

Splitter Mike said:
Dont forget the best reason of all to get a 3pt splitter over a stand alone. People with out tractors cant borrow it! :thumbsup: Check out a variety of them here: 3 Point Log Splitter | PTO Wood Splitter | Tractor Log Splitter Sales

lostcause · Sep 4, 2012

i've never seen the need for a log lift with my 3ph splitter. on the really large stuff i just lower the 3ph to the ground and roll the logs on. i have a 4" beam for my splitter, so it's easy to roll them on. i'm also in the camp of not worrying about a handful of hours to split several cord of wood per year. my splitter can stand on its triangular hitch frame and stores in a tiny amount of space. i also never have to worry about draining or stabilizing the fuel system since it doesn't have one.

94BULLITT · Sep 4, 2012

chopped said:
They then want to borow the tractor to go with it lol

and the truck, trailer, chains, and binders to haul it.

FatTire · Sep 4, 2012

I just got a PowerHorse (Northern Tool) 3 point, for the reasons stated above. At its sale price it seems like a good value, and it works well.

2458n · Sep 5, 2012

I agree with the idea of not telling anyone which ever model you get. The needy friends you will aquire is not worth it. This is one piece of equipment that really attracts alot of requests. My vote is for a stand alone.

Splitter Mike · Sep 5, 2012

lostcause said:
i've never seen the need for a log lift with my 3ph splitter. on the really large stuff i just lower the 3ph to the ground and roll the logs on. i have a 4" beam for my splitter, so it's easy to roll them on.

Its interesting you say that. Iron & Oak redesigned their 3 point unit last year with extra adjust-ability to go right flat on the ground. It eliminates the HV units and you get the wedge on the end rather then on the cylinder etc. Its a slick unit:

jimgerken · Sep 5, 2012

I asked this question a couple years ago. Got almost the same answers. Eventually I bought a 3ph version because I wanted less small engines around, based on all the issues with Ethanol. Also, the tractor has lower sound output and exhaust is further away from the splitting area compared to standing over a small gas engine. Also, raising and lowering the 3ph has advantages, about the same as one that swivels from horizontal to vertical. But in the end, the tradeoff was that the 3ph versions are slower because the tractor does not have a 2-speed pump. So, I went with a bidirectional splitter, 3ph mounted. Bi-directionals split in both directions, so are quite fast. Also, it waits patiently even in years I don't need to use it. No draining old gas, no oil changes, no loud engine droning away. Here is a pretty good thread on the subject:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/146167-powerhorse-3-pt-log-splitter.html
Good luck on your decision.

PhysAssist · Sep 6, 2012

jimgerken said:
I asked this question a couple years ago. Got almost the same answers. Eventually I bought a 3ph version because I wanted less small engines around, based on all the issues with Ethanol. Also, the tractor has lower sound output and exhaust is further away from the splitting area compared to standing over a small gas engine. Also, raising and lowering the 3ph has advantages, about the same as one that swivels from horizontal to vertical. But in the end, the tradeoff was that the 3ph versions are slower because the tractor does not have a 2-speed pump. So, I went with a bidirectional splitter, 3ph mounted. Bi-directionals split in both directions, so are quite fast. Also, it waits patiently even in years I don't need to use it. No draining old gas, no oil changes, no loud engine droning away. Here is a pretty good thread on the subject:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/146167-powerhorse-3-pt-log-splitter.html
Good luck on your decision.

As I already posted, we got a Troy-Bilt from Lowes last year.

What I didn't post was the fact that I added a $20 option in the form of a HF trailer jack w/ wheel, in place of the swing down leg that came on the splitter.

It allows easier manual movement of the splitter, and I have the ability to adjust the splitter to terrain and to my height for optimum comfort...

The Honda engine runs about as quietly as my diesel tractor runs at the RPMs I'd need to run a 3_pt splitter, and the exhaust is pointed down and away from any place you could operate the splitter from, with no fumes getting anywhere near me...

And it splits as fast as I can load it even only splitting in one direction.

Finally, there hasn't been a year when I haven't needed my splitter, it started right up this summer despite ethanol, requires far less oil at each change than I'd need to change my tractor's oil (remember splitting adds hours to the larger DIESEL engine requiring more frequent oil changes, more expensive fuel and more HP) than the 6-8 HP needed to run my 26 ton splitter....
FWIW,
Thomas

94BULLITT · Sep 6, 2012

PhysAssist said:
As I already posted, we got a Troy-Bilt from Lowes last year.

What I didn't post was the fact that I added a $20 option in the form of a HF trailer jack w/ wheel, in place of the swing down leg that came on the splitter.

It allows easier manual movement of the splitter, and I have the ability to adjust the splitter to terrain and to my height for optimum comfort...

The Honda engine runs about as quietly as my diesel tractor runs at the RPMs I'd need to run a 3_pt splitter, and the exhaust is pointed down and away from any place you could operate the splitter from, with no fumes getting anywhere near me...

And it splits as fast as I can load it even only splitting in one direction.

Finally, there hasn't been a year when I haven't needed my splitter, it started right up this summer despite ethanol, requires far less oil at each change than I'd need to change my tractor's oil (remember splitting adds hours to the larger DIESEL engine requiring more frequent oil changes, more expensive fuel and more HP) than the 6-8 HP needed to run my 26 ton splitter....
FWIW,
Thomas

I have a the same engine on a pressure washer. It seems pretty good.

DarkBlack · Sep 6, 2012

PhysAssist said:
As I already posted, we got a Troy-Bilt from Lowes last year.

What I didn't post was the fact that I added a $20 option in the form of a HF trailer jack w/ wheel, in place of the swing down leg that came on the splitter.

It allows easier manual movement of the splitter, and I have the ability to adjust the splitter to terrain and to my height for optimum comfort...

The Honda engine runs about as quietly as my diesel tractor runs at the RPMs I'd need to run a 3_pt splitter, and the exhaust is pointed down and away from any place you could operate the splitter from, with no fumes getting anywhere near me...

And it splits as fast as I can load it even only splitting in one direction.

Finally, there hasn't been a year when I haven't needed my splitter, it started right up this summer despite ethanol, requires far less oil at each change than I'd need to change my tractor's oil (remember splitting adds hours to the larger DIESEL engine requiring more frequent oil changes, more expensive fuel and more HP) than the 6-8 HP needed to run my 26 ton splitter....
FWIW,
Thomas

agree

grnspot110 · Sep 6, 2012

I prefer the 3-pt, vertical! I built this one for a 1958, JD-520, using the tractor hydraulics. Initial cost was $150. When I got my JD 790 CUT, I had to install a control valve on the splitter & long hoses to reach the loader bucket cylinder connections, adding another $100+ to the cost.

As for speed of operation, no, it's not fast (but neither am I & I work alone), but it keeps up with me! ~~ grnspot

NHmitch · Sep 6, 2012

Honda makes a great engine, and that is a really good sized splitter. I think that they both have good points, and bad, and I am right down the middle. For me the 3 point works great, but I can also see the positive side to the stand alone. Thats actually a pretty good idea with the HF jack, and that might work well on the 3point as well, if you added three. Did you get the kind that rotates up, and locks in place? For the ethenol, in my gas engines, I use Star-Tron enzyme treatment, and its works so much better than stabil for me, and they sell it at Tractor Supply. I found it after I had to have a carb rebuilt on my snow blower when it wouldn't start in a storm with 20 inches of snow. A Branson Tractor dealer told me about it, and it is amazing stuff.

PhysAssist said:
As I already posted, we got a Troy-Bilt from Lowes last year.

What I didn't post was the fact that I added a $20 option in the form of a HF trailer jack w/ wheel, in place of the swing down leg that came on the splitter.

It allows easier manual movement of the splitter, and I have the ability to adjust the splitter to terrain and to my height for optimum comfort...

The Honda engine runs about as quietly as my diesel tractor runs at the RPMs I'd need to run a 3_pt splitter, and the exhaust is pointed down and away from any place you could operate the splitter from, with no fumes getting anywhere near me...

And it splits as fast as I can load it even only splitting in one direction.

Finally, there hasn't been a year when I haven't needed my splitter, it started right up this summer despite ethanol, requires far less oil at each change than I'd need to change my tractor's oil (remember splitting adds hours to the larger DIESEL engine requiring more frequent oil changes, more expensive fuel and more HP) than the 6-8 HP needed to run my 26 ton splitter....
FWIW,
Thomas

94BULLITT · Sep 6, 2012

NHmitch said:
For the ethenol, in my gas engines, I use Star-Tron enzyme treatment, and its works so much better than stabil for me, and they sell it at Tractor Supply. I found it after I had to have a carb rebuilt on my snow blower when it wouldn't start in a storm with 20 inches of snow. A Branson Tractor dealer told me about it, and it is amazing stuff.

I got a bottle of that to use in my cub cadet then I got rid of it and got the bx, I never used it. Next time I get some gas for the few little gas engines I have I am going to use it. Alot of places are selling it and dealers are recommending it. Lowes and Napa sell it to. They also have a diesel fuel treatment.

PhysAssist · Sep 6, 2012

NHmitch said:
Honda makes a great engine, and that is a really good sized splitter. I think that they both have good points, and bad, and I am right down the middle. For me the 3 point works great, but I can also see the positive side to the stand alone. Thats actually a pretty good idea with the HF jack, and that might work well on the 3point as well, if you added three. Did you get the kind that rotates up, and locks in place? For the ethenol, in my gas engines, I use Star-Tron enzyme treatment, and its works so much better than stabil for me, and they sell it at Tractor Supply. I found it after I had to have a carb rebuilt on my snow blower when it wouldn't start in a storm with 20 inches of snow. A Branson Tractor dealer told me about it, and it is amazing stuff.

Yes, once it's on the hitch it swings up out of the way and lock there.

I've been using stabil, but I will give the Star-Tron a try once We run out.

The reason I bought the Troy-Bilt was that the chinese HF gas engine I put on our little Heath-Kit splitter died the previous winter due the same etoh issue, and my wife (financier) wqs done spending on it after having replaced hoses, pump and motor all the year prior.....

jimgerken · Sep 7, 2012

Yea, "Honda don'y build no junk" as a good friend of mine used to say. Only problem with them is they are jetted small at idle because they are so efficient and they are trying to meet emmisions standards, that the idle jet passage ends up freakin tiny. The smallest obstruction, buildup or impurity makes it impossible to get running and idle without some choke being applied. With these engines on ethanol fuel, in an intermittant useage like a generator or splitter or garden tiller, you will get really proficient at cleaning the idle jet.
I have heard of Star-tron and rumor is, it is a great product. I have not had to try it yet, since my approach has been to move away from small gas engines and centralize my power source at the tractor engine as much as possible. That way, especially with the generator application where I don't have time to fiddle with idle jet cleaning when I need backup power, i hook up and spin it up with the tractor which will always start and has fuel and backup fuel (because it is my primary mover, and it is diesel so lower maintenance). Total combined trator-operating hours spent splitting and running the generator in the past year has been less than ten. Ten tractor hours, or even 30 tractor hours per year, is insignificant in the life of the tractor engine.

pat32rf · Sep 8, 2012

I ordered my tractor with power beyond, thinking that I might want a splitter, dump trailer, or some other hydraulic gizmo. Since then I've had two people offer to store their homemade 3pth splitters in MY back yard. One is an upright, the other horizontal. Neither one has been on my 3pth in years, but both get used every summer. I think the original owners have long since forgotten about them. One owner hires someone to do his wood, the other has bought a standalone.