Sawyer Rob
Super Member
The 3HD is ALWAYS on the high side...
SR
SR
Best wood splitter for the money
- Thread starter namesray
- Start date
Point taken, but I went brand new for many reasons, and I don't just use tractor to split firewood. When it runs, (I am having issues right now with hydraulic system, but under warrenty and getting fixed at dealers) it runs almost everyday for a portion and I need to count on it, as I am not as mechanically gifted as you probably are.
I looked used, but needed many other supporting pieces of equipment in my "upgrade, bigger is better plan" (went from older 30 horse light kubota to kubota mx5200 50hp tractor) so I needed heavier trailer, bigger bush hog, ssqa bucket/fork system, rear remotes, tire chains to fit, you get the idea, and I got it all cheaper then I could get used and hunting everything down used. I looked.
Now yes, I could have found an older tractor with the such and hunted down a trailer, fixed it all up with my lack of mechanical skills and took off, but not the route I chose. I mean come on, there are people who buy top of the line cab tractors and put 100 hrs or less a year on them doing things they could do with much cheaper and smaller equipment or hiring out even, but they spend 30 to 40k and go have fun. I put over 700 hours a year on my oldr kubotas (used the one a lot on mownig lawns) and the kubota mx series is not all bells and whistles either. Will probably average atleast 400 hrs a year on this mx if it stays running (I know ironic isn't it) so yes I went with new, with what I wanted on it because I will be on it quite a bit. And I will get some resale when I sell it. (I hope)
So yes you have "a deal" going for you, and I am looking for used splitters and processors as well as the new ones I am learning about here on tbn, but I am not finding too many used, and all this isn't even what this is thread is about. I am glad your 2 tractors are working good for you, wish for the past 2 weeks I had mine, but I am getting by. All the rain making your haying tough? The woods here was a mud mess this year up until this week.
Grateful11
Veteran Member
I can't complain about our TSC Countyline 22ton splitter. My wife bought it a few days before Black Friday last year and talked them into letting her have for the $900 BF price.
We took it to my brothers who had just finished cutting up a big White Oak and were splitting rounds close to 36" across in vertical. We used his B series Kubota tractor with a loader just to slide them up to the splitter. He had made a plywood riser about the same thickness of the bottom plate about 3 foot square and notched out for the plate and that helped a lot. It ran like champ and pushed it close to its limit but it split them.
We took it to my brothers who had just finished cutting up a big White Oak and were splitting rounds close to 36" across in vertical. We used his B series Kubota tractor with a loader just to slide them up to the splitter. He had made a plywood riser about the same thickness of the bottom plate about 3 foot square and notched out for the plate and that helped a lot. It ran like champ and pushed it close to its limit but it split them.
crazyal
Super Member
So this is my plan. If you are looking to just buy something then this isn't an option for you. I had posted earlier about changing the motor and pump to increase cycle time. What my plan consists of is replacing my 5.5 HP vertical shaft Honda with an engine from a riding mower, something around 18 HP. It'll burn more gas but I'll get electric start and can set up a remote choke, throttle cable. Of course this means I'll need a battery. Because an engine that large will have the ability to charge the battery it'll also have the ability to run lights. I'm planning on mounting a light pole with a pair of LED flood lights up near the tongue. Since I do lots of splitting in the fall when it gets dark quicker having lights will extend the amount of time I can split. With two lights spread apart from each other it should take care of any shadows. By having the choke/ throttle lever and start button next to the splitter lever shutting off the engine or idling it down when you need to step away for a moment is easy. Plus I'm always leaving my splitter on partial choke because I get involved in splitting and the choke isn't in a place that can be seen easily.
CDN Farm Boy
Veteran Member
Based on this, your math is flawed to me.
The TW3 should be cheaper than the 5 because you "can run it on the tractor you already have cause you have it for a bunch of other stuff already". If you want to count the whole cost of the tractor in on the 3, you need to do so with the 5. Otherwise you should only be counting a portion of its cost based on the hrs spent splitting vs not splitting.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Not to mention there are ooooodles of cheaper decent tractors for around $3,500.00, (or less) that will not only run the 3HD, but be VERY handy to have for "other" jobs! And both it and the 3HD have very good resale when/if ever needed...
IF you can't find one, I have one here, come get it...
SR
CDN Farm Boy
Veteran Member
That would just change the value. The math would still have to be done the same
Mikejeakins
Gold Member
I have a 25 ton Wallistien with a bolt on 4way wedge. I've had really good luck with it. They also have a firewood processor.
BoylermanCT
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2013
- Messages
- 1,499
- Location
- Barkhamsted, CT
- Tractor
- Montana R2844, New Holland TC29D, Hustler X-One
I bought a 20 ton 2 way Powerhouse splitter from Northern Tool last year for $900. Love it. It splits both ways, so there is no wasted time on the retract stroke. I found a guy in MA who custom builds 4 way splitter heads for this model that are also 2 way for $125. So I can burn through wood in both directions. The engine starts on the 1st pull every time, is quiet and good on gas. I've split 8 cords on it so far without a single issue.
What, if any, wood splitting unit would be appropriate for my Branson 2400h? It is a very compact tractor with 22 hp at the PTO and 8.3 total GPM hydraulic flow (hydraulics split between tractor and accessories - somehow). Thanks.
