Log Splitter

[yugo]

SPaulson- I'd like to put my 2 cents worth in. One thing that concerned me, when I was buying a log splitter was - why would you want to run a several thousand dollar tractor at relatively high RPMs with no load on the motor half the time, so why not save the extra wear and tear, and expense on the tractor. For several hundred dollars more, you can have a stand alone splitter, and save the tractor. Yugo

 

[erosol]

I must agree. I would go with a stand alone like the one I bought for $500 at Walmart, MTD 21 ton, 5.5 hp engine. The three point will put hours on the tractor, need engine & hydraulic oil changed sooner, and just wear and tear on something I paid thousands for. Also the extra work to hook it up. I just set the choke and pull the cord, it starts on the first pull and I'm ready to work. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RonL]

Most people put one to two hundred hours on a tractor per year. At that rate most tractors will last at least a lifetime. If you spend a full day splitting wood ( 8 hours ) you can probably split a years worth of wood for your personal use. Eight additional hours per year is insignificant. If you are selling wood that may be different.

RonL

 

[beenthere]

Good idea on the FEL that way. I like to use my tractor for doing other jobs around the splitter while splitting, such as bringing the 'large' rounds over to the splitter at the right height to just roll them onto the beam. Also, sometimes have the pallet on the forks to load with split pieces right off the splitter, then move the pallets to the drying space for 2-3 year storage.

I have seen splitters on the front before, but upside down. Then driving to the 'round' to drop the splitter over the top, split from the tractor and move to the next one. For the large 'rounds' that I went through last month, that would have saved some time not having to roll them into the bucket to lift them up. Of course there are the ones that tip up vertical to split the big ones too. Lots of choices, but usually only can have one of several options.

I posted a pic of yours with some reduction in size to reduce them to fit on my screen. Don't have one of those 'big screen' monitors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CTyler]

I have a L3130 went thru the same decision in fall 2004. The L3130 has a max of 8.3 GPM which would work but would be slow. Was looking at a couple differnt ones and decided to buy the 30 ton model from Harbor Freight. This was after talking to a couple other people that have them.

The unit has a OHV BS engine that starts right up everytime and a 15 or 16 GPM 2 stage pump. Most of the time its running in the first stage and hasn't struggled with anything.
You can also use it horizonal or vertical.

To me having a splitter you can run veticaly is a must. There is now way I can pick up 3'+ logs to split them. Just scoot or roll the log into the splitter and go.

I have been happy with this splitter, have only split 6+ cords of wood with it so far.

 

[rmlucasco]

"To me having a splitter you can run veticaly is a must"

My largest trees are about the size of the one in the pic & I enjoy the exercise. If need be, the splitter can be placed at ground level and large logs rolled onto it.

As for tractor wear & tear. I'll use this about 10 to 15 hours per year. Given that this is a recreational vehicle, the purchase of which I'm trying to justify, I don't view that as a concern. I see the point about bringing the wood to the splitter but in many instances it is easier & more practical to bring the splitter to the wood. Every setup that I looked at had advantages & disadvantages.

This one looked like the most fun & I liked the color. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jwnge]

Has anyone checked out the wallensteins? They have several models and are built on 2 rectangular beams which look like they would stand up to some serious abuse.. very well built. We got the vertical 3 pt hitch one when buying tractor.. It has around a 14 sec. cycle time which seems a little slow , but is average for a splitter. Besides , any faster and it would wear me out... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif John....wallensteinsplitters.com

 

[SPaulsen]

I went back and forth on the same issue. It finally came down to ease of getting the splitter to remote locations and not having to maintain another motor. I would have been just as satisfied with a stand alone. When I am tired of splitting, I just raise the splitter and use the loader to put the firewood into my dump trailer to haul closer to the house. Trust me....When I was paying for the splitter, I changed my mind with the dealer 4 or 5 times. The dealer told me to bring it back if I wasnt satisfied and he would let me purchase the stand alone with no penalty for the previous purchase.

 

[casingbill]

I prefer a stand-alone splitter so that the tractor is available to move logs, clear debris, and load my trailer while still splitting wood. I don't know the specs of the hydraulic pump in your tractor, but many CUTs have difficulty supplying enough volume to make the 3pt splitter cycle time reasonable.

I looked at a lot of splitters. Timberwolf seems to be the standard to measure all other splitters against. But you pay dearly for the best. I chose to buy a Yard Machines (MTD) splitter with 6.5 HP and 26 ton capacity. I bought mine slightly used (for $800), but the big box stores sell a similar splitter for about $1300. I have split almost 100 cord of oak/maple/ash this year and have had no problems. I am very happy with the choices I made regarding the splitter and would recommend the same to others.

Hey, do you still have this log splitter?...I have the same one and need to replace the engine..again. I can't find a model number on it and engine was already replaced with one off a lawnmower...I've been searching for a while and thought I'd give this a try. Thanks.

Bill

 

[studor]

I have used a Wallenstein,SurgeMaster,Splitfireand home- built,two and four way splits,and tractor mounted and stand alone. Hard to go wrong with any of them. Having it on the tractor gives you a good excuse not to lend it to anyone . Having it stand alone lets other use it if you want them to. One element to be taken into account is storage space. Most failures I have experienced on splitters were because of deterioration of hoses etc by the elements or because the operator forgot to check fluids. Try to keep it inside or at least undercover.
I now use a stand -alone (two way that goes horizontal or vertical) hooked to an ATV and block and split right at the tree site. I have the tractor with a trailer next to the splitter and chuck the split wood into the trailer or FEL. (Did I mention that splitting is best with two people?) If I run into anything I cannot split or is too big to lift I have a new outdoor fire spot on my property!