Log Splitters: 3ph or gas? Hydraulic or PTO?

[rs191]

Looking for feedback from log splitter users. We use about 4 cords of wood a year. We had trees blown down and others felled, so I have maybe 12-15 cords to be split.

Should I save the hours on my BX2200 by getting a gas-powered splitter? Any (affordable) manufacturers to look for? Are Northern Tool splitters or the warehouse club products worthwhile?

If you recommend using the BX: hydraulic or PTO? Is a PTO setup better? I'm guessing that tractor engines and power transmission parts are engineered to run all day; for plowing, mowing, etc. Are tractor hydraulic pumps engineered to run all day, like a splitter would require, or more for occasional use (e.g., 3ph attachment lifting)? Maybe the PTO running a 10-15GPM pump is better than running the BX 5.5GPM pump all day?
thanks, Rich S.

 

[GregJ]

Rich,
I am in a similar situation. About 4 cords a year. After doing a bit of research, I decided to go with the gas powered splitter, primarily because then my tractor was available to be doing other things while splitting. It is also a lot cheaper for a stand alone Home Depot splitter. I have pallet forks for my tractor, so I can split a log and stack it on a raised pallet behind the tractor which saves steps, bending and the number of times I handle each piece. Handling firewood is "piece work", so saving any step in the process is a great labor saver. Firewood is now about 25% the work it used to be for me. Between my tractor, pallet forks and log splitter I have reduced my Advil consumption considerably. Hope this helps.

Greg

 

[Junkman]

Wood warms you three times..... once when you cut it, once when you split it, once when you burn it. Some people say 4 times, the last when you drag out the ashes.......

 

[Will_C]

Rich; I ahve to second what Greg is recommending. The extra hours on the tractor are a concern, (although you are probably only talking 10 hours or so a year.) I think you would enjoy the utility of having the tractor free for use when you are splitting. I have split wood into the FEL many times when the blocks were some distance from the wood pile. I know I usually split wood an hour or so at a time. I think hooking and unhooking a 3pt splitter would get a liitle old if you split like this.
Will

 

[Henro]

Hi,

I have no need for a splitter...but the logic here is clear...only one tractor...better to have an independent splitter and use the tractor to haul the split wood...

Now what if one had two tractors...???

I guess then a PTO powered splitter would make sense...since the second tractor could carry off the splittin's...

Am I missing anything or does this make sense?

 

[GregJ]

Henro,
It makes perfect sense. That's why I buy Lotto tickets twice a week.

Greg

 

[RichNJKubota]

I opted to use a gas powered splitter. Mainly because I got it for free from my nieghbor. However, not long after I got it the pump cracked ($100, 1hr) and I had to replace the fluid ($40, 2hr) and then the carb needed cleaning (1hr) and then the magneto failed($20, 1hr) and then the air filter disintegrated ($5) and a hydraulic hose broke (free, 1hr) and ... I hope you get the idea. The next thing that breaks I'm going to TSC and buying a 3pt splitter for $550.
Rich

 

[B21nut]

RichNkubota,
Your experience is unusual, most pf the small splitters are pretty decent. The main reason to get a stand alone splitter noone has mentioned. You will absolutely fall asleep and die and how slow a 5.5gpm pump will push your splitter it will take hours (depending on wood size) just to split one cord. Whereas the other splitters will probably be about 10 seconds or so.
John

 

[PhilNH5]

Rich,
I did not think the BX2200 could handle a hydraulic woodsplitter. Pump to small and no aux hydraulics at the back. You can run the kit that powers the BX22 back hoe but still have pump flow issues.

In looking at this same issue I found a PTO one made byIron and Oak If you follow that link you will see it is very pricey at $1381.

I rented an Iron and Oak splitter recently. It was built like a tank. Anyway it cost $55 for the day. A pretty good deal versus buying one at least for my needs.

Phil

 

[avclay]

Rich,
Good timing. I just had an inquiry on my gas splitter because the guy had a PTO splitter and got rid of it. It had plenty of power to split but the travel time of the boom was way to long.
I've got a 35 ton splitter with a Tecumseh engine. Its a hard starter which sucks when its cold, but it hasn't seen anything it couldn't split and the engine has never bogged on me. Trust me, I've thrown some stuff in there to challenge it too! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif