Log Splitter

[jamestaylor72]

I'm in the "Go with the self-powered splitter-- why put the hours and wear and tear and tear on your tractor and waste all that extra fuel?" crowd.



Soapbox off

Exactly !!! That was my reason for buying a self powered splitter too. Bought the 22 ton husky from TSC, and have no complaints thus far !!
Just my '02 cents .

JT

 

[Youare]

Before I purchased my stand alone splitter I considered a 3PH model. Using the splitter anywhere but home ment driving the tractor and splitter to the location.

My splitter has a 6 hp. Robin engine which stores fine and starts easy. This is the 3rd season of wood splitting for it and I have split near 10 cord already this year. I do like the freedom the stand alone unit offers and it is much easier to move around than a 3PH model is when not connected to the tractor.

I have a non-hydraulic SuperSplit and really like it a lot.

Randy

 

[bjcsc]

I would add that I wanted a splitter for fireplace splitting ( a cord or two per year), and I've got 13+GPM flow at my remotes. I don't know if you guys are calling face cords "cords" or not, but if I was splitting 10 real cords/yr I would forget about a 3pt. splitter and get a good stand alone.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I looked at every type of 3pt logsplitter (that works off of remotes) there is and could not find one with all the features I wanted. I wanted:

Horizontal/Vertical Capability
I-beam construction
Beam Running front to back, not side to side
Prince Valve
Cradles to catch split pieces
4way splitting wedge capable
Log stripper
Parking Stands to keep it off the ground

So, I made my own. In fact, I made 3 because I had to buy a 20' beam. I sold one last January, kept one for myself, and have the other one for sale. If you're interested, let me know. Here's a couple pics of what it looks like (behind the MF of the guy I sold one to) in case you may want to just build your own:

Looks to be VERY well designed. The stripper is a nice touch. Is the extra one painted green and yellow??

 

[Diesel-ME]

I love my tractor-powered American CLS brand (see: Splitter ) unit (purchased at my local dealer). On my NH TC55 it splits ANY size/shape log nicely at 1700-1800 RPM max and I get a reasonable cycle time. I can split for hours and hardly notice a difference on the fuel guage....

I like having the engine noise away from where I'm working and would much rather inhale some occasional diesel than work right on top of a gas engine all the time.

I also like being able to set the I-beam right on the ground and roll huge chunks of wood on to the beam for splitting. When dealing with smaller sticks I set the height of the beam where I feel most comfortable. Mine is a horizontal unit.

As for the hydraulics on my tractor, I have a remote with detent setting.

What ever you get - i will be better than swinging a maul all day

Your mileage may vary, Paul

 

[Ford850]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I think I will rent a splitter a couple times to try out some of the sizes first, and then make a decision. I do split more wood currently, and at 2 locations about 10 miles apart. I think I will only be splitting wood at my home in the future, and maybe only a couple cords (true cords not face) by then. Renting might get me through for now and then I might opt for a 3PH unit. It sounds like the 3PH splitters work fairly well, and are half the price. That would probably only add 5 - 10 hours of engine time to my tractor per year. I'd have to agree it is more enjoyable to listen to the diesel purr than the small engine whine.
BJCSC - That's a slick splitter you made. Is that a Northstar kit? Is it a 4" or 4.5" cylinder?
Thanks.

 

[bjcsc]

BJCSC - That's a slick splitter you made. Is that a Northstar kit? Is it a 4" or 4.5" cylinder?

Thanks. Yes it is, it's the 4". I used a 6" 25# (wide flange) beam, and 1/4" flatbar and channel for the cradles, and 1/4" tube for the stand feet.


KennedyDiesel: Of course!

 

[MikeD74T]

I decided against a 3pt splitter because my FEL makes too good a wheelbarrow. Having a standalone splitter doesn't tie up the tractor as I often bring cut to length from the woods in the bucket to the splitter which is right beside the woodpile. With a 3pt the wood would always be on the wrong end of the tractor. MikeD74t

 

[KennedyDiesel]

What about setting the bucket alongside the splitter, chucking it full, then moving the wood? I have skid steer attach on mine and it works great for this.


I'll probably go 3pt, but if I were to do it solely at home, I'd probably go electric. I have a neighbor with a 10HP electric that offered it's use any time I need it. I'll demo a used 3pt, and the electric and see how it goes.

 

[BarryinMN]

I picked up a PTO powered splitter this Spring 6" cylinder and wicked fast (Prince pump is over 30 gpm) splits anything with tractor at low idle.