Hydraulic options for 3 point log splitter

[Newbie7100HST]

Another fun looking splitter set up I've seen is that corkscrew cone thing that's spin on a PTO shaft. By fun I mean fun in the same way as a race car with no breaks lol.

The Belarus is the hunt camp tractor. Clearing trails, filling potholes and back blading. We even picked up a plow for it and put in a couple of feed plots.
It's an ugly old beast but it gets the job done so I always have to say nice things about it to keep on its good side.

 

[jambx]

A Tractor Driven Splitter - been there done that (Harbor Freight which actually worked pretty good........but) - I sold it and went with a Speedco - completely frees up the tractor, its fast - much more enjoyable to run, I tow the splitter next to the wood - then tow a trailer which hauls the split wood to the area I stack. Yes another engine to maintain - oil and a filter not the end of the world for convenience. Tractor splitters sound great however the cost savings (even if there is any) isn't justifiable in my mind. Look at the Speeco line - terrific unit.

 

[alkabo]

I've had a 3-point Splitfire for 6 years and love it. It may not be the fastest splitter but neither am I. With the splitting on both strokes it keeps my wife and I as busy as we want to be. I've split forks where it just cuts thru them so plenty of power and in my opinion when you are working with as dangerous a machine as a splitter is the faster you go the more likely you are to make a mistake and get injured.

 

[Newbie7100HST]

Well, sometimes decisions get made for you by someone else.
I was at TSC on Sunday to pick up some play sand and saw a 25 ton Forest King log splitter out front tagged "$500 as is - leaks oil" TSC sells these "assembly required" and it looks like the original purchaser stripped out the hydraulic reservoir drain plug. I spoke with the young lad working the yard and he said he backed it out a bit, wrapped some Teflon tape and tightened it back up - that seemed to fix it. So for $500 plus tax I'm in business, plus I didn't have to assemble it and it came full of hydraulic fluid.

Its certainly not a high end splitter, has a 6.5 Kohler motor. though - not a no name Chinese motor. Cycle time is slow but I can live with it for that price.

Got it home, works fine, I'm happy