3pt or Stand Alone Splitter

[Hoho223]

Folks - Looking for hands on experience with 3pt splitters
Weighing the benefits of one less engine to maintain, cost comparisons, etc. What experience can you share?
An option I considered is workflow. If I have a standalone splitter - I can cut, chip, and split in series instead of swapping out machines.

Have you found the 3pt which is about the same money as a stand alone to be a better choice?
i was looking at a northern tool 3pt (item# 11965) for $779,but it is no longer available.
The units below range from $950-$1,200 with 16-20 ton psi.

I am running a MF GC2310. My two other attachments are a backhoe and a chipper. My need for splitting is small 1-2 cords a year for the firepit and homestead cleanup (2 1/2 acres).

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

PJ

Boss Industrial 16 Ton 3 point splitter-3PT16T21

Order Boss Industrial 16 Ton 3-Point Log Splitter today from woodsplitteroutlet.com & receive free liftgate truck delivery. Fast shipping!

www.woodsplitteroutlet.com

16 Ton Tractor 3 Point Log Splitter (3PT16H)Default Title

Our 16 ton 3 point log splitter attachment for tractors are perfect for the small tractor owner.

www.woodsplitterdirect.com

I have a Bobcat CT120 (20hp) and I bought a DR splitter. It had a good travel time and it split everything I put on it. I really wanted one of the Tractor Supply ones but they discontinued them. I had the DR for a couple of years but it didn’t help me like I wanted it too. Also had to make a stand for it when it wasn’t hooked up.

 

[KennyG]

Firefighter, I have the same splitter on my JD 2320. For me it's ideal. Unfortunately, Northern Tool no longer sells that model, or even any 2 way splitters. I really don't understand why the 2 way splitters are not more common. I did a little searching and Brave still makes one but there aren't many choices.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My wife loves to run the splitter and that's a BIG plus,

We can let the splits fall off the end, or split into boxes that I build and move with a tractor, and that means handling the wood one less time.

SR

 

[kpsp50]

I had a stand-alone log splitter got tired of working on the engine every year to split wood built my own 3-point log splitter over 20 years ago and I'm very happy with it it splits anything that you put into it I prefer a 3-point over top of a stand alone just make sure it splits wood away from the tractor

 

[Flad]

If you don't need the wood for domestic heating , only for a fire pit or clean up cut your rounds shorter why spend money on a 3pl log splitter spend the money on a 4 in 1 bucket that way you can grab and hold your logs or branches at a comfortable safe work height and cut shorter lengths for your fire pit it would be faster as well as less handling not to mention far less stress on your back. you will find a 4 in 1 bucket will be a far better investment with year round uses.

 

[goldenwings]

Ive always burned wood as my only heat source. Started with a Stihl splitting maul and twisted wedges for the really big stuff. This was splitting roughly 3 to 4 full cords yearly. Eventually we aquired and outdoor wood boiler, and heating a lot more (garage/greenhouse) and I just cut everything into rounds that I could toss in there (10+ full cords). This was not the most efficient for drying so ended up having this same 3pt vs stand alone dilema for the same reasons.

I went the 3 point route and regretted it pretty quickly as it is unreasonably slow on a JD 2520 even at WOT. I ended up going a couple years worth like this wishing I had gone stand alone. Came across a free 7.5HP electric motor (I dont want another single cylinder small engine, they are all pretty terrible even on their best days with ethanol free fuel always, as they lack any real torque). I wish the motor I came across was 3450 and not 1750 RPM as i had to make a jack shaft for this setup, but its now unstoppable (have added an 12V fan/hydraulic cooler with a PID controller and a belt guard since photo). I purchased a 2 stage pump and lovejoy coupling and this thing rarely goes to the high pressure stage even for the gnarliest/crotch/stump (insert any north american hardwood here as ive split most).

Since this time as mentioned above, for this quantity even a stand alone splitter doesnt suffice and I now use a Halverson firewood processor that I modified to fit my Bobcat E42 and process that 10-12 full cords in a weekend.

 

[jkahan]

I use a DR RapidFire (kinetic) splitter -- game changer in terms of speed but a little more "high touch" (ie. maintenance) than a hydraulic one; the speed(especially the recoil speed) is noticeable. 7 years old and running well --

 

[fishdrivel]

Folks - Looking for hands on experience with 3pt splitters
Weighing the benefits of one less engine to maintain, cost comparisons, etc. What experience can you share?
An option I considered is workflow. If I have a standalone splitter - I can cut, chip, and split in series instead of swapping out machines.

Have you found the 3pt which is about the same money as a stand alone to be a better choice?
i was looking at a northern tool 3pt (item# 11965) for $779,but it is no longer available.
The units below range from $950-$1,200 with 16-20 ton psi.

I am running a MF GC2310. My two other attachments are a backhoe and a chipper. My need for splitting is small 1-2 cords a year for the firepit and homestead cleanup (2 1/2 acres).

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

PJ

Boss Industrial 16 Ton 3 point splitter-3PT16T21

Order Boss Industrial 16 Ton 3-Point Log Splitter today from woodsplitteroutlet.com & receive free liftgate truck delivery. Fast shipping!

www.woodsplitteroutlet.com

16 Ton Tractor 3 Point Log Splitter (3PT16H)Default Title

Our 16 ton 3 point log splitter attachment for tractors are perfect for the small tractor owner.

www.woodsplitterdirect.com

I have used both. The stand alone allows me to use FEL to carry logs o the splitter at the height of the splitter. I don't have to pick up logs, just roll onto splitter. Once split, the split wood goes straight into the bucket to tranport to where I want it. I'm too old to be doing things the hard way. Stand alone with Honda or Robin engines all are very reliable starters with very little effort and very little maintenance.

 

[oldpilot]

I bought a hydraulic log splitter from Sears (!) nearly 50 years ago and used it with great success on my father-in-law's International Harvester 28 horsepower tractor, which I then inherited and moved to our new home. I can't believe a stand-alone would have lasted half a century. Last year the IH died and I bought a Mahindra and paid about a thousand dollars to have the hydraulics added to the rear. (I think the original setup was about $250!) Haven't tried splitting with the Mahindra yet (probably this fall) but I have no reason to doubt that the splitter will last longer than I will.

It's really great to be able to split wood in the woods, so the mess stays out there on site.

 

[Industrial Toys]

3ph, motor driven, I never liked any of them. So I built one I liked. Aside from the auto cycle and length selection, I especially like the ease of storage, I can wheel it around by hand and attaches to SS mount in a minute or less. Plus the quiet of the Loader engine sitting at Idle. Probably the last splitter for me.