3pt woodsplitter vs Gasoline powered

[MeanOrangeL45]

Ayone have any experience with running the log splitter off the from like a skid steer type splitter? My l45 has front hydraulics so I could leave the hoe on and just use the quick attach on the front loader bucket.

 

[J_J]

Jeff Lary,

Your valve flow is 6.8 GPM's

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/2/9/1298-kubota-l2950.html

GPM's determine the speed of operation, and pressure determines the force applies to split logs.

A two stage pump can pump more GPM's for a given HP.

A two stage pump will use low pressure/high speed [ 650 psi ] most of the time to split logs, and auto shift the pump to slow speed and high pressure [2500 psi ]. The pump could shift back to low pressure after starting the split, so cycle time is variable.

The speed of the 3pt tractor log splitter is constant. The cyl may only develop low pressure until the cyl meets a lot of resistance such as a tough log. Then the pressure may build up to the relief pressure, and that is where they quote you the force in tons.

A 30 HP tractor could turn a 17.5 GPM pump, but probably only uses a 10 GPM pump.

4 in cyl---650 psi = 4 ton
"""""""""""2500 psi = 15 ton

"""""""""""3000 psi = 19 ton

There are also things to make log splitting more efficient, and one of those is the auto log splitter valve, once you set the two levers, the log splitter will split the log and return to neutral, giving you the time to get the next log ready. There are log lifts for those heavy logs.

 

[HunterWare]

I really wanted a 3pt splitter (size, fewer engines, less tanks of different fuel), but after thinking about it way too long I eventually needed on right away and just couldn't get around the worries it would be slow. I got the TSC 22ton, which has a faster cycle time than all the rest of the huskee/speeco units, and is faster than the Troy-Bilt's too. I split 6 cords over the last two weeks including maple, oak, poplar, pine, and spruce (24-30" rounds being about the biggest). There were some nasty knots and forks in there that were effectively ripped/cut rather than "split". The 22t did it all fine, although it grunted on some of it. I also now am spoiled and wouldn't want to go slower. Check on other forums (arborist, etc) and you'll see a string of glowing reviews on it. So it seemed (and still does) about the best deal going on a quality splitter. Oh, and if you ask nicely the manager will often give you the 10% off that you could get with a coupon. I read that around and that was my experience.

 

[dodge man]

I looked really hard at 3 point splitters. They almost cost as much as a stand alone, and by the time I added rear remotes, it would cost a lot more. I could have run my splitter off the loader circuit, but that seems like its less than ideal. I also have a BX which is pretty borderline for that kind of hydrualic needs. My stand alone was less than $1000 and is a 15 ton. It will split anything I can throw at it.

Its really nice to have the tractor free. I had my FEL bucket maybe a foot from the splitter down low and its really easy to just toss the split wood in the bucket for transport. Everyone splits wood in a different manner and moves it differently, so having the tractor free may not make any difference.

 

[arrow]

Point taken.

But I just guess, IMO, a 3PH splitter isnt a real smart decision. But I know some people must think it is, because they make em and sell em everyday.

But for me, It would probabally be closer to the 25-30 additional hours per year. Since we cut about 20 cord, and that takes ~15-20 hrs with a stand alone splitter. And since my machine is only 5 years old @ 300hrs, I am only putting on 60/year on average. If I had been using it to split all this time, I would have a 450hr machine instead of a 300hr machine. Big difference for me.

So for me, $700 for a 3PH that is slower, less powerful, and racking up 25-30 hrs per year, or......

an extra $300-400 for a faster, more powerful stand-alone unit.

Plus, when we cut, there is usually more than one of us. And there are far better uses for a tractor when cutting than just sitting there splitting.

But like I said, this is just my opinion. I am an advocate of a stand-alone unit given the small price difference. So whenever anyone asks, I am going to suggest it. I feel the benefits out weigh the small price increase BIG TIME.

Interesting fact on the time to split logs. When we were making firewood as opposed to mill logging or stem logging, we'd do about 25 cords cut and split per 40 hr week. If you are splitting around this amount in 15-20hrs, that meant all our other time went into walking the landing and cutting up stems and it seems it was about 50-50. Never stopped to think about that it takes about the same time to cut up the logs as to split them according to your figures. We seldom waited on the landing for the skidder to drop a new load and the skidder was usually ahead of us anyway so even that I think doesn't weigh into it enough to skew the figures that much. We were 3 to 4 guys most days where we would always have 2 guys at the landing. It seemed that cutting up the logs was so much faster but with walking around, unhooking and jostling cut rounds about I guess it does even out. A log gets split much faster than cut.Interesting..... well, to me it is.

 

[mooseracing]

I would try it out but I have my Hoe on now and that has got me to thinking that at this time of year I usually do have the hoe on and I would have to take it off to use the splitter. Somthing to ponder I guess.

I split all my wood near where it is being stacked, so depending on the 3 point splitter you look at, it could be a stand alone unit with longer hydraulic hoses to hook to your tractor.


I'm in the happy 3pt club, but I also built my hydro system so it is sized for my needs. I do about 10 cords a year, so about 10-12hrs, that is nothing for the tractor. I see quite a few used 3 pt'ers for sale in the $200-500.

I moving up to a flywheel one of these days.

 

[LD1]

I split all my wood near where it is being stacked, so depending on the 3 point splitter you look at, it could be a stand alone unit with longer hydraulic hoses to hook to your tractor.


I'm in the happy 3pt club, but I also built my hydro system so it is sized for my needs. I do about 10 cords a year, so about 10-12hrs, that is nothing for the tractor. I see quite a few used 3 pt'ers for sale in the $200-500.

I moving up to a flywheel one of these days.

Around here, the used 3-pointers run closer to the $500 mark.

And most used stand-alones are in the $700+ range. And thats not even for a store-bought factory-built unit. NO, that $700 only gets you a POS homemade junker with a 20+year old motor, tie-rod cylinder that is too short (16-18"), horizontal ONLY, and the axle CLEAR at the end, so it is tongue heavy as all get out. And all rusted to boot. People must think these things they cobble together are gold. I bet they dont know they can get a good TSC huskee, that is probabally faster, looks better, vertical capability, and a warrenty for only a few hundo $$ more.:confused2: I wouldnt give more than $300 for most of the ones I see for sale for double that.

 

[bubbacuse77]

I'll throw a plug in for the 3pt splitter. I only do 2 to 3 cords a year. Just enough to clean up the dead fall in the woods and burn in the livingroom fireplace. I just built this one pictured this year for about $300. It has a 4 inch cylinder and a prince lsr 3060 valve. Cycle time is about 11 sec max to run a full split on a piece of oak. I only have to down shift the valve to get the initial purchace in the wood and then with this valve you just shift it forward to double the speed.

Like others I don't really worry about the extra 2-4 hours a year I put on my tractor for splitting.....that is why I have it.

The two main reasons I own a 3pt is that I can easily take it into the woods and split the tree in place instead of carring all the logs out. I live on some hilly terrain and getting logs out can be tricky. The other and most important reason I like the 3 pt is no one can borrow it unless they have a tractor already set up to handle it. Everyone I know that owns a stand alone model has it constantly borrowed out to everyone.

 

[Haywire]

LD, I built one that somewhat resembles that, except the cylinder is 4x24, the old lawnmower engine is electric start and 18 hp and the pump is a Barnes 28gpm 2 stage. It's got a 7 second cycle time. It's got a catch table and torsion axles. My wheels are back like you describe for a reason. I wanted them out of the work area. Didn't like the way the wood bounced off the plastic fenders of the speeco I had been borrowing. Yep, it's tongue heavy, but that's why there's a trailer hitch on the end of it.

Ian

 

[LD1]

LD, I built one that somewhat resembles that, except the cylinder is 4x24, the old lawnmower engine is electric start and 18 hp and the pump is a Barnes 28gpm 2 stage. It's got a 7 second cycle time. It's got a catch table and torsion axles. My wheels are back like you describe for a reason. I wanted them out of the work area. Didn't like the way the wood bounced off the plastic fenders of the speeco I had been borrowing. Yep, it's tongue heavy, but that's why there's a trailer hitch on the end of it.

Ian

Well, if thats your preference, so be it.

Our splitter doesnt have fenders to worry about. And there is a lot of time we move it around or spin it around a little in the barn where it would be impossible to hitch to. I like the balance. Not to mention, having the vertical capability requires the axle to be more centered as well.

But most of the ones I refer to on c-list dont even have a jack:confused2: Just kinda looks like a crappy splitter when the wedge/beam is on a downhill angle and on the ground.:confused2:


The following picture is an example of kinda what I am talking about. Allthough it is a little more balanced than some I have seen. But the price is the biggest thing. The guy is asking $1150:confused2: 8HP briggs, horizontal only, and looks to only be a 3.5" or 4" cylinder. No offense if this is someone on heres. But for the price???? Good luck and I hope he gets it, But when you can buy a factory built one for less, have the warrenty, vertical, etc, I have to ask, why would someone buy this for $1150???? I would love to be able to cobble something like that together and get that kind of price. But personally, I dont see more than ~$500 TOPS there.