3pt. hitch woodsplitter

[clarksvilleal]

Check out Iron and Oak #TVH02...vertical and horizontal...bullet proof! The gold standard of splitters IMHO.

Iron & Oak Commercial Log Splitters - PRODUCTS

Merlin - I read the Iron and Oak spec sheet and now I'm confused. Does the Iron and Oak splitter come with a hydraulic pump that you attach to your PTO, or do you have to purchase that separately?

Also, what did the TVH02 cost?

Thanks,
Al

 

[Mudfarmer]

My wife me a Rankin three point hydraulic splitter for Xmas last year. Well actually she was tired of hearing me complain about my shoulders. Boy i will never go back. Make a pile of blocks and then have a marathon splitting and stacking day. Works both horizontal and vertical, but I seldom use the vertical.
MF

 

[gc2310]

I've had a WX350 Wallenstein vertical unit for about 5 years. We split about 4 or 5 cords a year. The speed is fine, gives a bit of a break so you don't kill yourself. It's easy to store, almost no maintenance and one less engine to worry about. We just sit on a log in front of it and roll the pieces in. No lifting.

 

[WV John Deere]

I use a PTO splitter, but I'm not going to try to make a case for it.

I think the argument goes both ways about not running the tractor to split wood. I just see it as adding 10-12 hours per year to the clock for firewood processing is not a big deal. It is a very capable machine why not just use it. That is why I bought it.

This is the reason I'm looking at a 3PH over a stand alone.

Will let you all know how it all turns out this fall.

Thanks for all the input fella's

 

[merlintractor]

Merlin - I read the Iron and Oak spec sheet and now I'm confused. Does the Iron and Oak splitter come with a hydraulic pump that you attach to your PTO, or do you have to purchase that separately?

Also, what did the TVH02 cost?

Thanks,
Al

Al,
Didn't mean to mislead you...I don't have a tractor mount, I have the trailered model BHVH2209FC with self-contained engine and pump. I was just offering up the 3pt hitch version of what I have. I really like mine. Sorry for the confusion. Just give the Iron and Oak folks a call for more info, they're good to deal with. Also, you can check out ArboristSite.com for a lot of info/opinions on splitters.

 

[clarksvilleal]

Al,
Didn't mean to mislead you...I don't have a tractor mount, I have the trailered model BHVH2209FC with self-contained engine and pump. I was just offering up the 3pt hitch version of what I have. I really like mine. Sorry for the confusion. Just give the Iron and Oak folks a call for more info, they're good to deal with. Also, you can check out ArboristSite.com for a lot of info/opinions on splitters.

OK, now I understand. Thanks.

Al

 

[RRILEY]

I have the 3 point hitch but it does not go verticle. I stack pallets and load up with pallet forks or FEL. I had long Hyd hose made and am thinking of making a mount on the carry-all to roll large ones if needed. In the picture I had already split the monster ones.

 

[spo307]

I know some like them and some dont and there are pros and cons to both but I am not a fam of 3PH splitters.

So I have to ask why are you considering one instead of a stand-alone.

There are several reasons I wouldn't want one.

First of all, your tractor has a 8.6GPM single stage pump and 2500psi. A decient splitter like a Speeco/TSC huskee will typically have a 16GPM pump @ 3000psi. Which is typically faster and have more force. (assuming the 3PH splitter isn't driven off the PTO.

Second reason is I see it as a big waste. To use a 37HP tractor to split wood isn't going to be as efficcient as a small 8HP gas motor. And I wouldn't want to run up the hours/wear/tear on a $25000 tractor when a $1200 splitter will do just fine, and probabally faster.

There are several good reviews of speeco splitters (same as TSC Huskee's) over on arboristsite as well as the rest of the web. We have had their 27 ton model for about 10 years @ 25-30 cord per year. We have had to do absolutly nothing to it other than regular maintenance/filters/fluids.

We also like to make a day in the woods of felling/cutting/splitting/and loading. With 2-3 people doing different things. A 3PH splitter ties up the tractor that we could be using for other things while someone else splits.

Just some food for thought. I am curious why YOU want one instead of a stand alone?? There must be a market for them or they'd quit making them. I have just never saw any benifits of them other than a few hundred bucks savings. But the added maintenance cost/wear/fuel/hours on the tractor would offset that in no time. Just my opionion though.

some good points

 

[lungdoc]

For the person splitting a few cords/year for their own use (not primary wood heating) like we do a 3 point unit has two major advantages: 1) It isn't another motor etc. to maintain, winterize etc. 2) It takes up very little storage space, as most are essentially just a 4' beam in dimension.

 

[korydz]

I bought a Split-Fire 3PT splitter last year and am thrilled with it. I won't get into the 3PT vs. stand alone debate....I think my choice makes my position clear. I belieive they make a log lifter as an accessory for it as well.

The somewhat unique (well, not really unique, but at least unusual) design of these splitters is that they split on both strokes so that there is no wasted time waiting for the ram to retract. With a couple of people working, you can easily split a cord per hour, and that is with the modest hydraulic flow from a BX.

 

[FxdGrMind]

Stand alone or 3pt. either way it beats the heck out of maul splitting.

Just split 4 cords over the w/e for a neighbor. 1100rpm and PTO pump, just over an hour tac (B7800). Yup, I'm sore and sun burned. but it's good to have neighbors warm and cozy in the middle of winter.

So far for next year all the fire wood splitting has only added 4hrs to the tac. For thouse with 11-12 hrs /Yr... man either you are running high RPM or you have one HUGE stack of split wood!!!!
I wouldn't want a stand alone for my limited use... I'd have to find more work to justify it. Where as my 3pt... just sits and waits for me when I need it and the Tractor get's all the maint over the course of the year.

Now I need to start working on the stacking solution many of you have. Sure would help moving the piles arround so that I'm not re-stacking dry in front of wet every year....ARG

 

[Rod in Forfar]

There are pros and cons to both but I am not a fan of 3PH splitters. So I have to ask why are you considering one instead of a stand-alone.

I have split several cords of wood now with a 3pt hitch splitter attached to my 35 hp TAFE. In answer to your question? I like the sound of the Simpson diesel engine at 1400 rpm a lot better than a rasping gas single at 3600.

Last summer the TAFE consistently ran a rotary mower on 2.25 litres per hour at 1875 rpm. Fuel consumption shouldn't be an issue.

 

[mooseracing]

For thouse with 11-12 hrs /Yr... man either you are running high RPM or you have one HUGE stack of split wood!!!!

I know I put about 20hrs on a standalone, but I'm not rushing either. I have 10 cords required per year, so I know I have plenty to work with.

I'm planning on adding hydro's to my tractor this winter and picking up a 3pt splitter. One less engine to maintain, it's barely anything to the tractor. As it is I change the engine oil more often than needed

 

[955er]

right now on ebay they have a couple of split fire 3.5" 3pt splitfire splitters new for $1200. Expensive, but they are nice.

 

[LD1]

right now on ebay they have a couple of split fire 3.5" 3pt splitfire splitters new for $1200. Expensive, but they are nice.

Pardon me being lazy for not looking them up, BUT do those units come with their own PTO pump and tank.

That is the only way I would even consider a 3PH unit. Most tractors, dont have the GPM to run a splitter fast enough to be productive. Unless you get a much bigger tractor. And then it is not economical to run just to split wood IMO

 

[955er]

Pardon me being lazy for not looking them up, BUT do those units come with their own PTO pump and tank.

That is the only way I would even consider a 3PH unit. Most tractors, dont have the GPM to run a splitter fast enough to be productive. Unless you get a much bigger tractor. And then it is not economical to run just to split wood IMO

Indeed. Mine has 7.2gpm at 2500 psi and it is plenty fast. If it was 5gpm, or if the splitter had a 4" bore, it would be too slow.

These splitfires do not have a pto pump.

New Split-Fire 3203 3pt Log Splitter - eBay (item 230536756595 end time Dec-09-10 11:50:07 PST)

 

[LD1]

What makes them worth $1200

Splitters are very simple. They consist of 6 major components.

1. Beam
2. Cylinder
3. Valve
4. Motor
5. Pump
6. Resivor

Considering you can buy a complete stand alone unit for 1000-1200@ tsc, which are made by SPEECO, and spoken very highly of from many people, as well as my good experieces with one,

Why would anyone want to spend $1200 for a splitter that DOESN'T have Items 4-6.

Usually you cannot build a splitter for less than you can buy one for, But I think I could build a VERY heavy duty 3PH splitter for under $500.

Maybe im wrong, but it just doesn't seem like a good deal to me.

 

[Machold]

I have been warned away from the Speeco 3pt log splitter (selling at Princess Auto in Ontario); I asked the US company to verify manufacture; they said 100% engineered and assembled in USA, parts outsourced.

That tells me it's US branded and Asian made. I'll be giving serious consideration to Split_Fire, 100% Ontario made and designed.

 

[J_J]

The Super-Split log splitter is probably the fastest splitter around, and doesn't use hyd.

YouTube - Wood Log splitter

 

[Machold]

I prefer tractor driven splitter; don't like attachments with separate engines. Thanks for input; it's an impressive splitter.