3Pt log splitters

[Rowski]

My father is looking to get a log splitter to mount on the 3pt hitch. We have a local chain saw shop that sells Iron & Oak splitters. We like the looks of the TMVH03 (horizontal/vertical splitter that runs of from the tractor hydraulics. According to the specs the beam hieght for splitting in horizontal mode is 30" high.

My father claims that the 30" hieght is to high? I feel that working at 30" would be more comfortable?

Any thoughts?

This isn't for commercial work.

Thanks...

 

[Jim_Fisher]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I feel that working at 30" would be more comfortable )</font>

I agree with you.

I recently bought a three point splitter from Norhtern Tool. Mine is strictly horizontal and the height is adjusted by the three point hitch position control. I find that the only time I lower it from full height is to load a heavy log. As soon as the log is in place, I raise it. Much easier on my back.

 

[greg_g]

$965 will buy you a standalone gasoline powered splitter. Since you've already got the engine and the hydraulic pump, you'll save a lot of money with something on the order of http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&productId=200136074&categoryId=1465. Easier to mount/dismount too, and won't take up near as much storage space off season.

//greg//

 

[EdKing]

I purchased a Horizontal/Vertical log splitter from TSC, and according to the manual, the hieght is 42 inches. I find this hieght to be quite comfortable to work with. I am 6 foot tall an I only have to bend over to pick up the logs to place them on the splitter. The only time I use the splitter in vertical mode is when the log is to heavy to lift .

 

[Youare]

I looked at the Timber Wolf 3PH log splitter a few months ago. It had a PTO powered hydraulic pump so you didn't have to have any remotes to operate. The price however was a little on the steep side I thought.

I ended up purchasing a stand alone splitter, rather than putting the hours on the tractor engine and hydraulics I would rather put them on the 6 HP Robin engine, splitter is not hydraulic operated. Something in me does not like to hear the tractor sitting there at a high RPM not moving for any length of time.

The work table height on my splitter is just under 36 inches which is very kind to your back. Any real heavy piece can be lifted by the tractor FEL and rolled on if necessary.

I looked at the TSC splitter last week while visiting Florida and it was a nice looking unit.

Randy

 

[billbobtlh]

Get the stand alone unit. Then you can use the tractor to move the logs and loader to move split wood.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Get the stand alone unit. Then you can use the tractor to move the logs and loader to move split wood. )</font>

While this is true, it also means you have yet another small engine to waintain, winterize, and annoy you in general. Personally, I'd rather deal with one really high quality engine and run everything off that . . . but then small engines and me just don't get along all that well.

Cliff

 

[jgh]

20040701

Hmm, I have also seen the Northern Tool selections. The tractor remote powered ones are a bit lighter than the others. For example you cannot use a 4 way wedge with them.

They also look like they might have trouble with a very big log segment.

We've lots of Isabell wood to split. I've several "hydraulic pumps on wheels" so that is not a problem.

Has anyone actually owned a Timber Wolf or other "premium" splitter and found it worth the extra bucks, etc?

Those of you with Northern Tool/TSC pto or remote powered splitters, what is your advice? Anyone use Northern's pamphlet to build their own?

Jim
in VA
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Youare]

A friend of mine has a stand alone Timber Wolf that he has owner for around 15 years. In that time he has replaced the engine once (recently) and the directional control valve.

My mother has owned a Ditter hydraulic splitter for at least 16 years, it got a new engine last year. This seems like a good service life a splitter. Both split on average 12 - 16 cord of wood a year, this includes friends who borrow them.

I purchased a Super Split a few months back, they are on the expensive side. However, going on the testimony of those who use them the process 100+ cords of wood per year for over 15 years without issues I felt it was a good investment.

Besides the cycle times are very fast, 3 to 4 times faster than hydraulics. I still think the saying is true, you get what you pay for.



Randy

 

[DieselnHooters]

Your tractor needs to pump out AT LEAST 12-15 GPM for a minimal efficiency,otherwise you will need a costly PTO driven pump. I share a standalone unit with a farmer friend , he owns large AG tractors and even he finds a hydraulic driven splitter way too slow and his tractors flow something like 20GPM.

 

[dixiedrifter]

As an owner of a TSC log splitter I can tell you my experiences with it.

Cons:

1. The legs are very flimsy and easy to shear off the bolts that are holding them on.

2. Tilting the splitter into horizontal mode and back again is a PITA.

3. If you overextend the knife, it will cause your hydraulics dentent to kick out on the tractor thus causing you to stop what your doing and go re-set it.

4. Takes a lot of hydraulic flow capacity. Not too much of a problem, my Kubota M9000 flows I believe at 17GPM. I have a decent cycle time when fast idling about 1500RPM so revving up my engine is not really an issue.

Pros:

1. No separate motor to mess with.

2. Will split anything I can put into the cradle.


Things I would change:

First thing to go would be the entire hitch system. It sucks.

I would take a piece of square tubing, weld it on the bottom of the splitter and then attach a peice of round tubing on the end with a hole drilled thru it. The hitch would look like a 3pt hay spike hitch, with another piece of tubing on it. When the splitter is hooked up, all it would take is removing a pin and the whole splitter could be turned upside down. That would be tremendously easier than lifting logs, as all the operator would have to do then is to set the splitter on top of the log. Alternatively a bucket hook up could be done too with remote controle valves.

Considerations for smaller tractors:

Get a decent high output PTO pump, that way you can enjoy fast cycle times, and not have to rev up your motor. Saves wear and tear not to mention fuel.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your tractor needs to pump out AT LEAST 12-15 GPM for a minimal efficiency,otherwise you will need a costly PTO driven pump. )</font>

So does this mean that a lower flow will be slower, or that it will not split tough wood or that it won't work at all? If I'm not in a hurry ( or not splitting that much wood at a time) will a 3pt splitter using tractor hydraulics still work even though I only have 5GPM flow? Seems to me it would be too slow for most people (or people who need to split many cords of wood at a time.), but it would still work.

Cliff

 

[DieselnHooters]

it will work on 5 GPM,would still work on a lower cycle but painfully slow. You could use it on your tougher logs while splitting those easier ones with an axe, it will leave you plenty of time between cycles.

 

[EdKing]

My hydraulic flow rate is around 9gpm, and while the splitter isn't the fastest, it has split anything I have put on it, including some very knotty apple. It sure beats the heck out of splitting by hand, and is much faster.

 

[jim_wilson]

This may not be exactly what you are looking for but the best log splitter I have ever used was a Super Split. My father bought one of these about twenty years ago when he spent one summer in the firewood business. Very simple, very reliable, and very fast. You can keep two people working all day long on one of these things. They come in gasoline and electric versions. I am sure somebody who was ingenious could adapt it to PTO power. It might not be quite what you are looking for but if you are doing a lot of splitting it is the thing to have.

Super Split Page

 

[centell]

I agree with John. I run a log splitter on my 3pt. 3010 kubota. No problems. You don't have to run at high rpm's. I run tractor engine at 15 to 18 hundred rpm's. Ran it eight hrs. last year in one day and it took only $4.00 diesel fuel.