Log splinters for tractors

[jack707]

I am having frustrations with the Ariens log splitter I bought. So I am wondering how reliable the splinters for the pto are and what brand is good.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

When you say "for the pto", do you mean like this?

The pto runs a pump that powers the splitter... Not cheep, but my Timber Wolf is a "top of the line" splitter.

SR

 

[jack707]

Yup like that

 

[TnAndy]

Just make sure you get a PTO pump type, not one you plan to run off the tractor hydraulics. They will run off the tractor system, but slow....most tractors don't have the volume or pressure needed to run a splitter. I went that route originally, but was disappointed by how slow it was, plus I didn't like it tying up my tractor.....like a big scorpion tail out the back. So I used the 3pt splitter as the guts of a stand alone version.....added a 16gpm 2 stage pump, tank, wheels, and a Honda GX240 to run the pump.

 

[jack707]

I looked on the hyd.hoses it said 2500 psi. So all I would need is a pump on the splitter to run the hyd??

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IF you want any speed, you need a decent sized pump, bigger hoses, valves with decent flow rating along with a decent port size in the cyl...

You see, it's all engineered to work together...

SR

 

[jack707]

IF you want any speed, you need a decent sized pump, bigger hoses, valves with decent flow rating along with a decent port size in the cyl...

You see, it's all engineered to work together...

SR

So what your telling me it's a lot of upgrades I have to buy. It would be cheaper with another gas engine.

 

[4570Man]

So what your telling me it's a lot of upgrades I have to buy. It would be cheaper with another gas engine.

You wouldn't have to upgrade anything except the pump. You wouldn't even have to do that, but your tractor hydraulics are low GPM. Unless you have multiple tractors I wouldn't use it for a splitter.

 

[jack707]

You wouldn't have to upgrade anything except the pump. You wouldn't even have to do that, but your tractor hydraulics are low GPM. Unless you have multiple tractors I wouldn't use it for a splitter.

okay I'm trying to understand this now I need the pump for the PTO to power the splitter....right?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You wouldn't have to upgrade anything except the pump. You wouldn't even have to do that, but your tractor hydraulics are low GPM. Unless you have multiple tractors I wouldn't use it for a splitter.

If the flow goes up (from a bigger pump) and you want to use that flow, you DO need more than just a pump...

I guess if you don't mind sloooow, then it won't matter much, the pump will just make more heat with the restricted flow...

No doubt, another motor to replace the problem motor is going to be the cheapest way out....OR fix the problem motor.

SR

 

[jack707]

OK thanks SR

 

[4570Man]

If the flow goes up (from a bigger pump) and you want to use that flow, you DO need more than just a pump... I guess if you don't mind sloooow, then it won't matter much, the pump will just make more heat with the restricted flow... No doubt, another motor to replace the problem motor is going to be the cheapest way out....OR fix the problem motor. SR

The implements on my CTL tell a different story. I have varying flow rates exceeding 20 GPM and on every flow rate the grapple cycles faster and it's plumed with like 1/2 od lines. I can't hear the hydraulics straining so it's not adding that much resistance. I know it's not hardly apples to apples, but most wood splitters I've seen have 5/8 od hoses.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Like you said, "not hardly apples to apples"

5/8 hoses does NOT mean bigger ports... Will the valve flow more?? How about the return line? Will it flow enough? Unlike a "grapple", a splitter is pushing fluid all the time, that = heat...

All of those things make a BIG difference when you want more speed.

SR

 

[TnAndy]

So what your telling me it's a lot of upgrades I have to buy. It would be cheaper with another gas engine.

If the engine on your current splitter is the problem, then replace it with a Honda engine. When I first converted my 3pt splitter to a stand alone, I used an 8hp Tecumseh engine....after about 8 years, I got tired of having to fool with the inherent carb problems it seemed to have, and replaced it with a GX240 (also 8hp) Honda that for the last 4-5 years starts right off, never a problem.

I bought the version with the electric starter, and never used it until this year when I finally broke the pull-start rope and was waiting on a replacement. Put a small, spare utility battery I had on it and kept on splitting.

 

[s219]

The Ariens splitters are not that great -- in fact, other than paint color they look like many of the MTD/Troy-Bult spinoffs, so I suspect they are one of them in disguise. When I was shopping for splitters, the Dirty Hand Tools models, the Countyline Models at TSC, and the NorthStar models at Northern Tool were the best ones that had their own unique design/manufacturing. Everybody else was a MTD/Troy-Bilt variation. So maybe you just need to find a better gas-powered splitter.

 

[jack707]

The Ariens splitters are not that great -- in fact, other than paint color they look like many of the MTD/Troy-Bult spinoffs, so I suspect they are one of them in disguise. When I was shopping for splitters, the Dirty Hand Tools models, the Countyline Models at TSC, and the NorthStar models at Northern Tool were the best ones that had their own unique design/manufacturing. Everybody else was a MTD/Troy-Bilt variation. So maybe you just need to find a better gas-powered splitter.

Since I bought the Ariens I had trouble with it. Just picked it up they put a new carb. on it it ran then stopped and the carbs. you can't adjust .

 

[rt014]

Can someone school me on the advantages of a splitter running off the PTO? I don't get it. Although I'm new to tractors, I split about 15 cord a year and don't see the sense of 1) tying up the 3 pt, and 2) running a big Diesel engine instead of a little stand alone gas engine.

 

[PILOON]

Just make sure you get a PTO pump type, not one you plan to run off the tractor hydraulics. They will run off the tractor system, but slow....most tractors don't have the volume or pressure needed to run a splitter. I went that route originally, but was disappointed by how slow it was, plus I didn't like it tying up my tractor.....like a big scorpion tail out the back. So I used the 3pt splitter as the guts of a stand alone version.....added a 16gpm 2 stage pump, tank, wheels, and a Honda GX240 to run the pump.

Not totally in agreement.
My home made one uses a 4" cylinder with 1 1/2 shaft on my Mitsubish 3 cyl MT180D taking hydraulics from the tractor pump.
OK, not that young any more but I find it fast enough for me.
I have it that on return it stops automatically but need to hold valve open while splitting.
I just have time to get a new log in place between cycles and don't mind the pause while splitting occurs.
Even with a helper it keeps up production.
Faster cycles IMHO could result in injuries.

 

[PILOON]

Can someone school me on the advantages of a splitter running off the PTO? I don't get it. Although I'm new to tractors, I split about 15 cord a year and don't see the sense of 1) tying up the 3 pt, and 2) running a big Diesel engine instead of a little stand alone gas engine.

No small engine to maintain.*
Great height adjustment and very mobile.
Easy to move when splits are piled waist high around you.
Generally very cost effective as there is no engine involved.

*Mine was idle for about 7 years and it took me a mere 5 mins to return to service last fall, and that stored outside merely covered with a panel of tin roofing material.

 

[coolreinfarm]

I like not hearing a small engine running full throttle and the noise and heat and exhaust right where I'm working. I'll stick with my 3 pt. splitter thank you. Also no maintenance. Works fast enough for me.