Log Splitter

[Ford850]

Update on my splitter.
I split approximately 2 cords Saturday using the Huskee 22 ton splitter, and it worked great. I'm 6' 3", so splitting usually gives me a backache as I'm hunched over a splitter for hours. These new splitters are great, being waist high makes a huge difference. Not even a slight backache. I split a good variety of wood including some large crotch chunks, and it grunted through without any problems.
Thanks again for everyone's advice.

 

[Leejohn]

Hi I use a PTO splitter that I geared up to just alittle over 3 to 1. I only need to run around 1500 to 1800 RPM saving on fuel and my tractor isn't running almost free at 2500 to 2700 rpm. My 950 JD I did that and sure didn't like too.
I also have a lift for the big stuff. When I split I load right into the trailer and it stays there until I burn it. I have 4 trailers that I made just for that.
If you want I have a few pictures here on TN in my pictures. If you look at the front of the splitter you can see alittle of the gearing set up. I cut my wood 12 ft. long and bring it home to cut and split. I have a trailer just for that in the winter time and in the summer I use it for a welding table.

Lee

 

[ovrszd]

Anyone have a design for a 3pt mounted one with a hydraulic cylinder for lifting the logs up?

I built my 3pt splitter but didn't add a log lift. I didn't want to inhibit the ability to split from either side. I do almost all my splitting in the timber and never know which side I'm gonna work from. If I've got a big log to split I simply lower the splitter to the ground and roll it on.

 

[ovrszd]

Hi I use a PTO splitter that I geared up to just alittle over 3 to 1. I only need to run around 1500 to 1800 RPM saving on fuel and my tractor isn't running almost free at 2500 to 2700 rpm. My 950 JD I did that and sure didn't like too.

I guess I don't understand gearing it up?? I built a PTO splitter and never run my tractor over 1500 rpm. My splitter cycles the cylinder in 4 seconds at that PTO speed so I don't see a need to turn the pump any faster.

 

[Leejohn]

My pump needs around 900 to 1000 rpm to get the gpm to get the right speed I wanted. I got the flow rate, (by rpm) from the MFG. and I went around 1/2 of the max. output of the pump.I forgot just what that was, but I still have the chart. If I ran it at 540 pto speed it would be real slow. Right now I guess my pto speed is about 300rpm and the pump is about 1000 rpm. I don't know the cycle time, I just run it the speed that I like for that day.
You must have a low rpm pump with a high gpm output. I tryed to find one and at the time couldn't. That would of made it alot easier.

Lee

 

[dknarnd]

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

And, a 5hp splitter is all you need. 5hp/22 tons will split any piece of wood that you can possibly muscle up to it.

I've got a Brave Industries 22 ton splitter with the Briggs engine. I've had it now since 2001 when I bought it new, and I normally split 5-6 cords of wood per year with it. And I haven't found it any more expensive to maintain than your average push type lawn mower. In my experience, I've had nothing but good luck with the Briggs engines, on whatever piece of equipment they have been mounted on.

Soapbox off

We have one of these also since the early 90's and it has been great, our version works either vertical or horzontal. I have changed the oil in it twice and hydraulic filter once. My brother leaves it attached to the back of his atv
and it sits out in the yard from September to November then in the barn the rest of the time. We don't even put stabil in the gas.

 

[ovrszd]

My pump needs around 900 to 1000 rpm to get the gpm to get the right speed I wanted. I got the flow rate, (by rpm) from the MFG. and I went around 1/2 of the max. output of the pump.I forgot just what that was, but I still have the chart. If I ran it at 540 pto speed it would be real slow. Right now I guess my pto speed is about 300rpm and the pump is about 1000 rpm. I don't know the cycle time, I just run it the speed that I like for that day.
You must have a low rpm pump with a high gpm output. I tryed to find one and at the time couldn't. That would of made it alot easier.

Lee

Oh,,, I see now. Dummy me,,, I just assumed you had a 540 rpm PTO pump. That's what my pump is with 22 gpm at 540 PTO speed. I'm not sure what my PTO speed would be at 1500 engine rpm. I'm also not sure what GPM my pump is developing at that slower speed. Like you, I just run it the speed I like.

 

[Leejohn]

I was wondering how you did yours all day and never came up with the PTO pump. I had forgot all about them until I looked at your post By the way where do you live? I see your from MO. and I looked at all your pictures. You have a nice tractor and Place.

Lee

 

[Ford850]

I finally got back to TSC to pick up a splitter. Thanks to all the advice on here, I saved some money. I bought the SpeeCo made Huskee, 22 ton, 11gpm, 6.5hp briggs, 4" cylinder, 14 second cycle time. They had just received a slightly different model with a wider beam and log cradle and didn't even have a price tag on it yet. But the model number was the same as the other 22 ton models on the lot so the price was the same. The paint was still tacky in one area, so it must be fresh from the factory. I put it to use right away. Started easily, ran reasonably quiet, and the speed was much better than I hoped for. Even the larger beam width that I was happy to get and thought I would need probably doesn't matter. It split every knot and crotched log I could find, and popped the straight logs like they were nothing. It actually works better than I thought the largest model would work. Thanks again for all the input on this. While I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to add to my tractor attachments (technically), I did add a ball to my drawbar to haul it when needed. And the $700 I saved by buying the smallest model splitter will now go towards a quick attach snow blade for my FEL.

Here's another followup to my log splitter purchase last year. It sat unused since winter until I pulled it out to start splitting again a couple weeks ago. 3 pumps on the primer bulb, and first pull it started. That little Briggs engine has never stalled even in the stringiest elm. This has been a great splitter and I am so glad I opted for the smallest one.

 

[xlr82v2]

850,

Good to hear. 5/6.5hp is plenty, isn't it!

I'm with you on the briggs engines. I just don't understand where the bad rap that they get comes from... I've got several Briggs engines, and they've all been pretty much bulletproof in my experience.

Now, we did just get a new push mower from Lowes... whether or not that thing has a plastic camshaft or other in it to keep costs down for the box store remains to be seen... but, it started on the very first pull of the rope as well.

I wonder if all of the 'problem' Briggs engines come from the box stores?

All of mine are honest-to-goodness Briggs, except for that new push mower, and not designed by the BigBoxStore Marketing department... so that might explain their trouble free nature.