Log splitter buying ?

[Ken45101]

Shop Troy-Bilt 27-Ton Gas Log Splitter at Lowes.com

After doing a lot of looking around and reading on here I went with the Troybilt 27 ton log splitter from Lowes. It has a Honda engine on it, which is something that I really like. I've come to the conclusion that I wont buy another small engine unless it's a Honda. It is the standard that all the others compare to. They even say that they are almost as good as Honda, but I have yet to see any claim to be better.

If I were doing it again, I believe that is what I would do. I agree about the Honda engines, at least that is the reputation.

One significant advantage of the 3pt splitters is the ability to use a 4-way or 6-way wedge. Very useful if you are splitting bigger rounds, instead of retrieving and redoing a single round several times, more of it gets done in one pass. There are not too many stand alone splitters that can handle a 6 way wedge. OTOH, you probably need a log lift to get the rounds up into the bed.

I will say, although I probably wouldn't buy it again, the Timberwolf 3pt works very well when I have help keeping it fed. But running that big 50 or 90 hp
diesel at 2400 rpm is a waste when I'm working alone as I usually am.

Ken

 

[iamaumnbn]

I recently purchased a "Dirty Hands" 22 ton splitter from lowe's . They put them together and fill all the hydryalics and engine oil. So far the unit hasn't missed a beat, starts easily and splits everything I put on it. I only split 2-3 cords a year. I got the unit on sale plus a military discount and local taxes for $940.00 out the door and loaded onto my truck. Look them up online.

 

[Dead Horse]

I have a 100 HP tractor and it is VAST overkill to run a splitter. I run it off a Kubota 3710....... 35 HP..... vastly more torque than needed. I will overload the hydraulic pump into PRV mode way before I even notice a drop in rpms of the 3710's diesel engine. 100 HP tractor is just going to use 3x as much fuel and you will get nothing out of it.

The hydraulic system on the Hesston 100-90 I have puts out about 2500 PSI, pre PRV actuation, essentially the same as what the hydraulic system on the 3710 puts out.

If I had to use my big tractor to run my splitter, I would have purchased a stand alone splitter instead. The 3710 was the perfect size tractor for me to run a TPH splitter, not the least because the exhaust pipe is pointed towards the front of the tractor, rather than out back towards the work station.....

 

[TomSeller]

I skid all logs to a cutting yard immediately in front of the wood shed..

Doesn't this end up getting dirt all over the wood and result in dull chains?

 

[Dead Horse]

Doesn't this end up getting dirt all over the wood and result in dull chains?

Technique, brother...... all in technique.

 

[TomSeller]

Technique, brother...... all in technique.

I noticed your pile of logs looks remarkably free of dirt, so you must have it perfected. Do you drag them high?

 

[KennyG]

I have been going back and forth on this for a couple years. We have a little larger 100hp tractor with good flow, would the 3pth cycle reasonably quickly at a lower rpm speed or does anyone know if it would be the same as some of the other equip where it needs to be revving fairly high? Thanks

Brent

We had a splitter we ran off an old Allis Chalmers that I think was in thee 80 hp range. We just let it idle and it quickly split everything we could throw at it.

 

[Garandman]

I'm in the market for log spiller . Which is better a 3pt or a engine type. I ve been looking at tsc at thier 22 ton county drive engine model and at their 3 pt model for $749. Any suggestions please. Thanks

So, whadja get?

 

[1026mrg]

What is better depends upon preferences. Will echo the other posters in that the stand-alone splitter will not tie up your tractor.
Also, it is a lot easier to get going when you don't have to remove & add attachments.... just crank up the engine and go.
Finally, from an efficiency standpoint, to me it never made a whole lot of sense to run a large, tractor, diesel engine to do the work
that can be done more efficiently by a small, gas, lawnmower sized engine (i.e., stand alone).

Check out Timberwolf. Honda engines. All other components made & assembled in USA. Great splitters. Everyone I know who owns one is very satisfied. Their entry level is a 20 ton splitter that is more than enough for anyone who is splitting for their own use. You can also by the four way wedge as an add-on. It just slips over the welded wedge.

We are in New England, heat primarily, but not exclusively with wood. I only need to run it a few times a year to split what we need for the season.

 

[TBarD]

I took a different approach - a 20 amp 10-ton electric splitter (Boss ED10T20) for regular use during the winter, and later I will probably add a gas-powered standalone splitter for production use up in Colorado to fill the wood shed. The electric splitter is quiet and essentially maintenance free, can be used indoors if desired, and ideal for splitting already split and cured wood into smaller pieces for daily use.

 

[TomSeller]

Some other brands I recall being mentioned on TBN are:

Wallenstein
Splitfire
Northstar

I have the 30 ton Northstar with the Red Honda GX engine on my list.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

On my 4608 MF, it is running almost idle at 1100-1200 rpm.
Not a log I can't split.

 

[ovrszd]

I have a 100 HP tractor and it is VAST overkill to run a splitter. I run it off a Kubota 3710....... 35 HP..... vastly more torque than needed. I will overload the hydraulic pump into PRV mode way before I even notice a drop in rpms of the 3710's diesel engine. 100 HP tractor is just going to use 3x as much fuel and you will get nothing out of it.

The hydraulic system on the Hesston 100-90 I have puts out about 2500 PSI, pre PRV actuation, essentially the same as what the hydraulic system on the 3710 puts out.

If I had to use my big tractor to run my splitter, I would have purchased a stand alone splitter instead. The 3710 was the perfect size tractor for me to run a TPH splitter, not the least because the exhaust pipe is pointed towards the front of the tractor, rather than out back towards the work station.....

HP is not the reason some guys might run a 100HP tractor on a 3pt splitter. Hydraulic pressure also is not the reason. The reason is hydraulic flow which translates into cylinder speed.

Everyone's idea of a fast splitter is different, which hopefully won't turn into an argument as it usually does.

I built a 3pt splitter and ran it on my little Kubota B2910. But I used a PTO pump. I hate waiting on a splitter.

Someone mentioned stand alones not having a 4-way wedge. Mine does. So it's not exclusive to a 3pt model.

I say go big or stay home. I have a 42 Ton splitter with hydraulic log lift, hydraulic 2way/4way wedge. I waste no wood and can always find a way to split a piece regardless of how knotty.

 

[ovrszd]

I noticed your pile of logs looks remarkably free of dirt, so you must have it perfected. Do you drag them high?

Wouldn't that be "carrying" them Tom.

I can't do the drag em thru the mud/dirt/snow thing. You'll end up shoveling some of that crap outta the ash box in the end.

 

[TomSeller]

Wouldn't that be "carrying" them Tom.
.

Well, I don't know, he said he skids them. I often cut trees at the edge of a field so I can grapple them back to where I want them, but that doesn't work well in the woods unless you cut them short or have a wide roads between the trees. I thought maybe he skids them with the tractor end up high and just gets the ends dirty.

 

[ovrszd]

Well, I don't know, he said he skids them. I often cut trees at the edge of a field so I can grapple them back to where I want them, but that doesn't work well in the woods unless you cut them short or have a wide roads between the trees. I thought maybe he skids them with the tractor end up high and just gets the ends dirty.

Yep, whenever possible I carry logs with the Grapple as well. Also block them using the Grapple. No more bending over, cutting into the ground, etc.

Yeah, I'd like to see his skidder as well.

 

[1026mrg]

Someone mentioned stand alones not having a 4-way wedge. Mine does. So it's not exclusive to a 3pt model.

Most decent stand alones do offer 4-way wedges. Not at all exclusive to 3pt models.

 

[1026mrg]

. Also block them using the Grapple. No more bending over, cutting into the ground, etc.

Best combination I have found is grapple plus a sawbuck.
After felling & limbing, cut trees into 9' lengths. Skid them out to trail.
Carry 9' log lengths with grapple. Pull grapple up to 6' long sawbuck divided into 18" compartments.
Roll logs one at at time off of grapple and onto sawbuck. Overhang evenly on both sides & cut 9' log into
six 18" fire log segments. Wash, rinse, repeat. The sawbuck really helps. Logs are well supported, no kickback.
Also dividing into 18" compartments helps to get relatively uniform fire log lengths without taking time to measure.

Grapple plus sawbuck works very well for us.

 

[ovrszd]

Best combination I have found is grapple plus a sawbuck.
After felling & limbing, cut trees into 9' lengths. Skid them out to trail.
Carry 9' log lengths with grapple. Pull grapple up to 6' long sawbuck divided into 18" compartments.
Roll logs one at at time off of grapple and onto sawbuck. Overhang evenly on both sides & cut 9' log into
six 18" fire log segments. Wash, rinse, repeat. The sawbuck really helps. Logs are well supported, no kickback.
Also dividing into 18" compartments helps to get relatively uniform fire log lengths without taking time to measure.

Grapple plus sawbuck works very well for us.

You actually wash and rinse your logs?? That's so cool. I've never heard of that. But then, I've never heard of measuring the cuts either. Yep, my woodpile is not pretty.

 

[murphy1244]

Most decent stand alones do offer 4-way wedges. Not at all exclusive to 3pt models.

Matter of fact TSC sells a 4 way that drops on my 35 ton splitter. Go big or go ???