HF Three Point Log Splitter

[3RRL]

Good Afternoon Rob,
That is a pretty stout lookin unit, but Im curious if you are able to split everything with only 14 tons ? I know on my 27 ton unit that on some really knarly maple or birch that it actually slows down a bit, and if it doesnt split it, it actually cuts through it ! Have you had anything you cant split yet ?

Hi Scotty,
So far it's been pretty good having split all we had.
There was one big log that didn't split the first time. I rotated it to a better place and it split there easily. I wish I had more gpm flow, but it still works great for us even at only 14 tons. I can't imagine the power with 18 tons behind it? I too have had some wood cut off rather than split. Yours must be awesome at 27 tons!!!

 

[khamill2000]

How far does the HF splitter cylinder stick past the lift arms. I want to make sure it will clear my pto and drawbar

 

[dmoglesby]

How far does the HF splitter cylinder stick past the lift arms. I want to make sure it will clear my pto and drawbar

I just got my HF 14 ton unit in yesterday. It has 13.5 inches from the center of the drawbar to the back of the hydraulic cylinder bolts. It just barely clears the drawbar on my L3010. I have made some pictures and will post them later with some comments.

Mike

 

[khamill2000]

Thanks. I'll get out the tape and I look forward to the pics and to hearing how well you like it. Almost ready to pull the trigger on that one but they are back ordered until Dec. 14, so I will probably wait until after the first.

 

[khamill2000]

I just checked mine and I've got 14.5" at the pto shield and less at the drawbar. Looks like I may have to remove the drawbar to use this splitter. No biggie.

 

[dmoglesby]

As I mentioned my HF 3 point log splitter came in about 3 weeks ago and I had to wait while my local Kubota dealer ordered the wrong QD coupler for me twice before I got the correct ones to match my L3010 FEL controls. I had the splitter on my tractor using it for a dead weight while I hauled some gravel out of my creek during my wait and two of the bolts that hold the top link support sheered off just like they were cut with a bolt cutter. I replace all four bolts with Metric grade 8/8 bolts, the ones that came with the splitter were grade 4/8. The splitter arrived from HF in about 20 days and I met the delivery truck on the county road and unloaded it from the truck with forks that I fastened to my FEL. The unit assembled in about 20 minutes and the machining tolerances were good and every thing bolted together easily. Once my QD couplers came in I hooked it up and split a PU truck load of firewood with my wifes help in about an hour. The splitter worked great, not speedy, but neither am I after my heart attack. Based on my experiences so far, I can recommend this splitter, it seems to be well built, short of the under-rated bolts and should last a long time. Here are a few pictures that I took when it arrived.
Mike

 

[jinman]

The splitter arrived from HF in about 20 days and I met the delivery truck on the county road and unloaded it from the truck with forks that I fastened to my FEL. The unit assembled in about 20 minutes and the machining tolerances were good and every thing bolted together easily. Mike

Mike, thanks for the pictures. That's a really nice crate and packaging for the price of that splitter. I'm impressed.

Living where I do, I just don't need a sophisticated log-splitter. I don't burn a cord a year. The more expensive log splitters often just turn into "storefront decorations" here. That splitter would sell a bunch if more stores carried similar ones. Your post is going a long way to convince me that I can afford a log splitter.

 

[ayelvington]

MANY thanks for the photos! I want to put this on a BX-24 using the backhoe hydraulic connections. Can you tell me if the control valve is center-open or center-closed? Many thanks in advance.

 

[jinman]

MANY thanks for the photos! I want to put this on a BX-24 using the backhoe hydraulic connections. Can you tell me if the control valve is center-open or center-closed? Many thanks in advance.

I bought one recently that is identical to the one above. The valve is open-center. Go to the Harbor Freight site with the link below. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is a green box for downloading the manual for this splitter. It will tell you everything you need to know before making a purchase. I love mine, but pay close attention to the bolts on toplink bracket (2 on each side). I'd replace those with grade 5 or 8 M12-40 bolts. It doesn't take much to shear them off as dmoglesby mentioned above. I sheared mine off and had to replace them the same as he did.

Harbor Freight 3PH log splitter

 

[RobA]

I may get one of these. There is a Harbor Freight store 25 miles away. I can order from them for the same price with no shipping charges. And, it's in Delaware - no sales tax.