log splitter choices?

[Ford850]

I have found two tractor powered splitters locally -- the Speeco at TSC and a Swisher unit at Rural King. They both run 4 x 24 cylinders, both operate either horizontally or vertically. The Speeco is 6 feet long, the Swisher 80 inches. The only major differences seem to be in the 3 point attachment method, the stand, and the fact that the Swisher can rotate 90 degrees on the vertical axis while in the vertical position so you can stand either behind the tractor or sort of next to it. Neither one looks like it can stand alone while working, which is something I would like since I have remotes on both front and rear of the tractor and would like to use the loader to move big pieces to the splitter, then hook it up and split them right next to the bucket.

The Swisher is made in USA, I don't know about the Speeco. Swisher makes a lot of trail mowers and such. I never heard of Speeco until I started looking at splitters. The Speeco is $700 and in stock while the Swisher is $600, but I can't see one since they don't stock them but will happily order one for me -- 3 to 4 weeks wait time after order.

I don't need the thing right away, so I have plenty of time to shop around. You guys all seem to like your Speeco units, but does anyone have a Swisher to talk about?

daTeacha,
When I was researching splitters, someone mentioned that the TSC brand were made by Swisher, and not the best quality. I found that TSC were now SpeeCo and seemed to be built very well for the money. I can't say that Swisher is a poor choice since I haven't used one, but I did compare them from both Speeco and Swisher web sites and the speco looked like it was better built. I ended up with a stand alone Huskee (SpeeCo) and could not be more impressed with it. I have split mostly tree tops out of logged woods, so the logs are full of crotches. It has yet to stall or fail to split any log. It is a 4" cylinder 6.5hp briggs model - their smallest one. The 2 stage pump really makes a difference.

 

[sjcmba]

Wayne:

I am in eastern NYS...about 10 miles east of Albany. I frequent the Tug Hill area and am familiar with Black River where American splitters are built. They do a real nice display at the Woodsman Field Days in August.

I was looking at one of the competitor's 4 way wedges and was wondering about inverting the wedge like they do?? I would have to remove the top strap on the 4 way...but that would be easy. I will have to look at it when I have some time. That may remedy the problem with the uneven pieces. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Scott

Sjcmba, just wondering if you live close to their factory? We have a camp up near South Colton on the Raquette, but I puchased mine down in New Hampshire. Like you I find the 4 way wedge good for certain size logs, but the bigger stuff it is easier for me to split in half then work on each have to get it down to size.


Wayne

 

[Piney Woods Rooter]

I just posted this on another forum:

I bought the Speeco 6.5 HP, 22 ton unit from Tractor Supply on sale the day after Thanksgiving and it's a great splitter. It's all welded construction, except where the tow bar bolts on and the one bolt that holds the wedge in position (one bolt makes for easy wedge removal for sharpening!)

I split a 28" base Red Oak that blew over during Rita (not rotten, but on the ground long enough to become very difficult to split) and the splitter had no problems with it at all. I definitely recommend this log splitter!

I read most of the info on this site and Arboristsite.com and it seems that a lot of people are very satisfied with the "bang for the buck" quality of the Speeco/Tractor Supply horizontal/vertical 22 ton units. I can't imagine needing a cylinder larger than 4" unless maybe you'll be using a 4-way wedge.

I was also considering a 3-point splitter but decided I could put the tractor to better use hauling logs and split wood.

The Split-Fire unit from Canada looks like an excellent (and unique) splitter but the price of the splitter and the cost of having it trucked down was just too much to swallow.

Good luck. Deciding what to buy is pretty frustrating.

PWR

 

[horsinaround]

I have a Tractor Supply Splitter, which is Hydraulic.
Tractor Supply Company - COMPLETE 3 PT. LOG SPLITTER
Not bad at all, its split any log we've put on there, knots and all. If you do get this one, or a hydraulic one let me know, there's a trick you have to do to get the controller on the splitter to control the splitter for real.
It fits right on the 3 pt hitch and can stand on its legs and split horizontally for those smaller logs and then you can pull a cottar pin and have it split upright for the logs you can't lift.
Works great. We ouput like 30 - 50 cords a year.

I got the TSC 3 point splitter used out of the paper. It was hardly used at all. I brought it home and hooked it up to the bucket curl control for my loader and tied the lever over. Apparently the previous owner changed the splitter valve from a open center to a closed center. In the manual from Speeco it says that a "closed center spool kit" is included. Does any one know what this is? What do I have to do to change it back to open center? Any help would be appreciated.

Also, what is the trick to get it to control, as mentioned above?

Thanks.

 

[Bill Barrett]

One more for the Speeco, it's US made. As far as the spool thing, I would make darn sure you know what your doing when you hook it up. Wrong hook up is bad for everything, main thing is the tractor pump. I had to use the open center valve on the splitter to work with my hook up.

 

[horsinaround]

So did your splitter come with two different valves? One open center, and one closed center, or just a kit to convert the open center to closed center. What did the kit consist of?

 

[greg_g]

No "kits" were involved with the particular unit I got from TSC. But I now notice that Bill said his is a SpeeCo. Mine looks absolutely identical, but it's a Huskee.

What his photos don't show, is what you plug the splitter hoses into existing hydraulic remotes on your tractor. Those remotes have their own control valve. If you don't have at least two pre-existing hydraulic remotes AND a control valve already on your tractor, the price of buying a TPH log splitter goes up considerably.

I simply plug my TSC splitter into two of my tractor remotes, then use a bungee cord to hold the remote valve open. From that point, the splitter is controlled from the control valve mounted on the splitter cylinder.

//greg//

 

[Bill Barrett]

So did your splitter come with two different valves? One open center, and one closed center, or just a kit to convert the open center to closed center. What did the kit consist of?

Mine was shipped with open center spool installed in the valve. It also came with a closed center spool and instruction to change.

 

[horsinaround]

Any idea how to get an open spool?

 

[Bill Barrett]

Any idea how to get an open spool?

I would call Speeco.