Log Splitter Attachment

[scottbrrtt72]

Hi All,
I tried sending this post out yesterday but for some reason it didn’t go through. Anyway, I have a JD 790 with a backhoe. Has anyone made a 3-point hitch log splitter? If so, how difficult was it. Can I use the hydraulic lines in the back that run the backhoe for the log splitter (obviously with the backhoe removed)? Any ideas or suggestions would be great….thanks!

 

[Justaplain]

Check out Northern Tools. They sell one. I put mine on a couple of saw horses with long hoses and then I can toss the wood right into the bucket and go where I want. I move it with a chain and FEL. bcs

 

[Caretaker]

Scott,

Welcome to the board ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

First, your 'power-beyond' connector for your backhoe should work very well at running a wood splitter /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Second, building a wood-splitter is not too difficult a project. I got the plans from CADPLANS for their model 211 splitter. It's a good design, but I haven't built it yet - for a couple of reasons. First, my neighbor has a stand alone unit that he keeps letting me borrow (and it usually comes with help to run it !!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif). Second, Stand alone units are inexpensive enough that I don't think you can economically justify building one yourself - the parts cost approach the cost of a built unit from Walmart, etc. 'Course, if you can scrounge, and are looking for a project, it's a different story... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Unfortunately I'm WAY too busy to take on another project like that right now . . /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

SSB Tractor has a 3-point unit that appears to be based on the CADPLANS design. Last time I looked the cost was $990 plus s/h. I think they're in upstate NY - the s/h to NH might not be too bad, and/or possibly you could go pick it up.

btw, what part of NH are you in ? I'm over near VT border, near Claremont.

Hope this helps,

Caretaker

 

[scottbrrtt72]

Thanks for all the input. I wasn't sure what the cost would be for an I-beam, weld on ax head, and the hydraulic set up, etc.

I know Northern tool sells one for $400.00 but really wasn't sure of the quality. The reason I state this is because a good one at the local Home Depot sells for 1k plus. Granted it has an axle, wheels and a Honda motor, where this one in Northern tool does not.

Anyway, I am always looking for more projects and I have a lot of wood to split.

As to where I live in NH, I am 10 minutes East of Manchester. We actually have a camp in VT. It is in Windam near Townsend. Great place!! Thanks for the info!

 

[hayden]

I just got a SplitFire 230-4. It's a 3PH splitter, but it splits in both directions so the return stoke is not wasted time. It also have an interchangable standard head and 4-way head. I haven't used it yet, but will report back on performance when I do.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've decided to build a non-tractor powered splitter rather than buy. I'm gathering (or scrounging) parts and components now. After renting units and borrowing others, I know how I work and the features I want. A really good one will cost way more than $1K.

For an 8" x 8" x 7' "H" beam I paid $40. It will have a 5 inch ram and generate about 30 tons of force. I want to just split and not worry about the size of the log.

Scrounging the parts and metal and paying someone to weld it together for you will get you a way better piece of equipement than the el cheapo junk sold at the lowest price.

I dont know what you call a lot of wood to split. This last winter I cut and split about nine full cords of oak, maple, elm, and ash. I didnt plan on it, but it was free for the taking. Anyway, the splitter my neighbor offered for me to use was at least a 20 year old home made piece. It way out performed one I rented before that.

Know how you work. Think about a design. Be creative about sources of components. Small out of the way junkyards are treasure troves. Put pen to paper and calculate the real cost to build versus buying.

 

[gmason]

any pictures of your Splitfire? Couldn't find it with a Goggle search.
thanks
gary

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Look at www.split-fire.com. I own a model SS244 3-point splitter. It works well and is unbelievably fast and strong. You just can't beat splitting both ways. Can post pics later if wanted.

 

[scottbrrtt72]

Well, I have done my homework on the log splitter for my 3-point hitch. I am learning a great deal on hydraulics, which will help me in later projects. I found out that my rear hydraulic lines will push a hydraulic cylinder, however, my machine only pumps out 9.9 GPM of hydraulic fluid at rated idle speed. One individual I spoke with stated most log splitters operate at 20 GPM and when the cylinder rod hits the log it slows way down to 1 or 2 GPM (does anyone have additional information on this)? So, I will definitely see a difference in speed (slow) and possibly power if I use my tractor as the pump. I also learned they make a hydraulic pump for the PTO witch pumps out 21 GPM. The bad things about this are it is expensive and I would need a separate reservoir to match the GPM. Below are the expenses from Northern tool. If I would need a PTO pump I would not build the log splitter. The local Home Depot has them for $899. From what I have mentioned in the post, would it be worth building using the tractor as the pump? Any advice would be helpful!

P.S. I got the steel for basically free.

With Pump:
PTO Pump $349.00
Valve $63.99
Hydraulic cylinder $124.99
Hydraulic tank $89.99
Hydraulic lines $75.00
Steel $50.00

Total: $752.97

Without Pump:
Valve: $63.99
Hydraulic cylinder $124.99
Hydraulic Lines $75.00
Steel $50.00

Total: $313.98

 

[Hoeman00]

The two stage pumps u are refering to use low hp motors.
Your 9.9 GPM is constant so it doesn't move as fast before it contacts log or after it has opened the piece of wood up, but it will still be about the same overall time between the two splitters.
If splitting tough stringy wood the tractor driven might be faster than a small motor driven one.
When I split wood that is easy to split (oak,cherry,ash,maple w/o knots)as soon as it opens up I back up and rotate chunk 90 degrees and bust it into quarters so u are only using 2-3" of stroke and making lots of pieces.
Use a smaller diameter cylinder for more speed but u lose splitting tonnage.
Go w/ a 4" or so and a large rod diameter(2-2.5") and this will speed up return.