Caution!! We had a fellow here that had someone else pulling the lever and had his hand that was still on the end of the round cut in half by the wedge. I always pulled my own after that.
logsplitter question
- Thread starter lynn patterson
- Start date
WranglerX
Elite Member
You must have a lot of trust....... One little mistake could cost someone a hand.... Most safety GURU's recommend only the person placing round in splitter be the one operating the control....
Tony H
Platinum Member
More info.
This company relabeled this exact unit for Tractor Supply Company County Line and the same unit (in red) for Husky. I have the County Line labeled on for 6 years now. No issues, splits great
ning
Veteran Member
I considered a 3ph splitter and found the prices to be pretty high.
Looked high and low and couldn't find any standalone units that weren't within 10% of the new price until I found one being sold on CL for $600 and jumped on it.
It has a huge ram, can go vertical which is great for large rounds (roll them over to it and then split) or do the typical horizontal.
Turned out it came with an almost-new Echo CS590 chain saw along with it; that's what I call a deal!
I didn't have to have the chain saw, though it's a bit stronger than my Stihl 031...
Works great for the couple of cords of oak I split each year. Could be faster (3ph probably wouldn't be, with my tractor's flow rate), could be less noisy (3ph would be better), could be less stinky (3ph would be much better), could burn less gas (3ph would beat it by a mile), but for the small amount of time it's used and what I paid for it, can't beat it.
Looked high and low and couldn't find any standalone units that weren't within 10% of the new price until I found one being sold on CL for $600 and jumped on it.
It has a huge ram, can go vertical which is great for large rounds (roll them over to it and then split) or do the typical horizontal.
Turned out it came with an almost-new Echo CS590 chain saw along with it; that's what I call a deal!
I didn't have to have the chain saw, though it's a bit stronger than my Stihl 031...
Works great for the couple of cords of oak I split each year. Could be faster (3ph probably wouldn't be, with my tractor's flow rate), could be less noisy (3ph would be better), could be less stinky (3ph would be much better), could burn less gas (3ph would beat it by a mile), but for the small amount of time it's used and what I paid for it, can't beat it.
Tony H
Platinum Member
I used a Maul for years. At 60 yrs old, I decided to go splitter. Tractor hydraulic type.. Home grown needed up bracket allows for vertical or horizontal work.
Underdog57
Veteran Member
She thought it was Alfalfa? (our gang)
CalG
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2011
- Messages
- 4,392
- Location
- vermont
- Tractor
- Hurlimann 435, Fordson E27n, Bolens HT-23, Kubota B7200
Just a random contribution to the perpetual wood splitter threads....
but....
I recently traded up from a Timber Wolf TW-1 to a TW-2.
The increased robustness, and rapid cycle time has made a WORLD of difference in splitting off the log pile. DAY AND NIGHT! for one or two person operation. (second person clears the splits away from the run off table.)
IF one were evaluating a splitter based on performance, Comparing the TW-2 specs would be a great starting off point.
It's not a processor by any means, but the unit is capable of working a young man to exhaustion (I'm not a young man)
I use the tractor and carry all to bring the rounds to convenient height when the logs are large. and a pulp hook for the lesser stuff.
The only thing I would add to the unit (besides a four way and the run off table) is a retraction length stop to trigger the kick off, and stop the push block at the cut length or the rounds. I've seen "videos" of efforts to this end that result in shearing off the cylinder threaded end, So, I just live with it until something comes up. Waiting for the retraction and stopping at the desired length might add 1 second to my cycle time. I often can use the rest ;-)
but....
I recently traded up from a Timber Wolf TW-1 to a TW-2.
The increased robustness, and rapid cycle time has made a WORLD of difference in splitting off the log pile. DAY AND NIGHT! for one or two person operation. (second person clears the splits away from the run off table.)
IF one were evaluating a splitter based on performance, Comparing the TW-2 specs would be a great starting off point.
It's not a processor by any means, but the unit is capable of working a young man to exhaustion (I'm not a young man)
I use the tractor and carry all to bring the rounds to convenient height when the logs are large. and a pulp hook for the lesser stuff.
The only thing I would add to the unit (besides a four way and the run off table) is a retraction length stop to trigger the kick off, and stop the push block at the cut length or the rounds. I've seen "videos" of efforts to this end that result in shearing off the cylinder threaded end, So, I just live with it until something comes up. Waiting for the retraction and stopping at the desired length might add 1 second to my cycle time. I often can use the rest ;-)
Attachments
-
IMG_20210806_123621868_HDR.jpg -
IMG_20210806_123603272_HDR.jpg
WranglerX
Elite Member
Was looking at what I remember as a DR 34 ton splitter at local hardware store a few days ago .... And it seemed to have a positive release mechanism to kick the control valve out of detent....
IT was simply a pivot arm ( with a adjustment screw) that when splitter head reached a certain point of retraction it just nudged the control lever ... THE splitter got my attending as it seemed to have control mounted in a way that the handle was in a vertical orientation instead of horizontal like mine, it also seemed to have better mount system to support the control valve than just using the nipple between cylinder and valve body...
I burn about 4 to 5 cord a year, so owning a stand-alone is better for me. I have a 31-ton splitter and it gets the job done for me. As with anything where renting or buying is a question, I guess it depends on how often you'll need it; once or twice occurrence? - rent, needed off and on over the course of years? buy.
ericm979
Elite Member
If you rent you need to work straight through for a day to get your money's worth. And then there's the time to pick up and drop off the unit. If you own a splitter you can go split for an hour or two whenever you have the time. So it depends on how you can structure your time. I can get a couple hours pretty easily but an entire day is harder. And you may get tired during that day.
Stand alone splitters usually have more hydraulic flow and can reach higher pressures than your tractor can. (for example my tractor does 10gpm at full engine rpm with a max of 2400 psi while my splitter does 16 gpm and can hit 3200 psi). As a result the stand alone's cycle time is shorter and it can push through gnarlier wood. I've used the full capacity many times. Add to that the fact that a new stand alone splitter costs only a few hundred $$ more than a new 3pt splitter, and in the summer dry season I can leave it out in the wood lot so I can just walk back there and get to work instead of pulling whatever is attached to my tractor off and hooking up the splitter each time, and for me it's no contest even with an additional engine to maintain. Your needs may vary however. That's why they make both kinds.
Stand alone splitters usually have more hydraulic flow and can reach higher pressures than your tractor can. (for example my tractor does 10gpm at full engine rpm with a max of 2400 psi while my splitter does 16 gpm and can hit 3200 psi). As a result the stand alone's cycle time is shorter and it can push through gnarlier wood. I've used the full capacity many times. Add to that the fact that a new stand alone splitter costs only a few hundred $$ more than a new 3pt splitter, and in the summer dry season I can leave it out in the wood lot so I can just walk back there and get to work instead of pulling whatever is attached to my tractor off and hooking up the splitter each time, and for me it's no contest even with an additional engine to maintain. Your needs may vary however. That's why they make both kinds.
WranglerX
Elite Member
I have to wonder what problems are incurred that most people don't have time or energy to deal with "another small engine" to be maintained... I have at last count I believe 8 small engines on property and biggest thing is oil changes once a year in the 4 cycles... The two cycles I just clean and adjust as necessary biggest issue is keeping all the engines fueled.... The real time consumer is sharpening chain saw chain... Spend more time in a year doing that than time spent maintaining all the small engines...
Alan46
Veteran Member
I have had a Dirty Hand Tools 22 ton splitter (no longer in business)
for six years! I like the idea of having it on hand for maybe 4 hours at a time. We burn about seven cords a year. No more hand splitting for me! TSC has what's seems to be the same splitter with a couple of upgrades. I paid 1,000$ six years ago on sale. Change oil every spring easy peasey.
for six years! I like the idea of having it on hand for maybe 4 hours at a time. We burn about seven cords a year. No more hand splitting for me! TSC has what's seems to be the same splitter with a couple of upgrades. I paid 1,000$ six years ago on sale. Change oil every spring easy peasey.PILOON
Super Star Member
3-point does have some advantages.
Easy to move when the split pile is cumbersome.
Easy to adjust to your comfortable working height.
Very mobile.
Very little or no maintenance.
(Actually could be called 'plug and play'.)
Do you use a second tractor to haul wood to and from the splinter or do you do all that work by hand ?
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 16,050
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
He has multiple tractors but he fails to mention that when he’s preaching how great they are.
K5lwq
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2017
- Messages
- 3,171
- Location
- Mineola, TX
- Tractor
- Kioti LK2554, Branson 4815C, Satoh Beaver, Speedex
That is my vote. 3pt splitter and another tractor to carry the wood. Sounds like a good plan to me. 
3pt splitter.
My logs are all stacked with grapple from whatever I cut last and I split in one place. Generally split vertically. Don’t need a tractor to jockey anything around as it is already where it needs to be.
Hate the idea of another dang motor to maintain. Only a handful of chords per year at max.
My logs are all stacked with grapple from whatever I cut last and I split in one place. Generally split vertically. Don’t need a tractor to jockey anything around as it is already where it needs to be.
Hate the idea of another dang motor to maintain. Only a handful of chords per year at max.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
I use my loader tractor to "stage the rounds" up off the ground by cutting over a trailer or wagon,
then I use a smaller tractor to split with. That way I don't have to take the skidding winch off the loader tractor and put the splitter on it.
I could easily get by with one tractor to do it all, but I don't have to, as I've made so much money with my smaller tractor it is more than FREE, several times over. lol
Sometimes I split right into my "self unloading" trailer,
It works REALLY good!
Sometimes I split right into half cord boxes I build,
IF I didn't have the smaller tractor, I could easily get by with just the loader tractor to do it all.
SR
Last edited:
dodge man
Super Member
I’m not sure how long I have had my splitter, 15 years maybe. I’m not sure how much time I’ve spent maintaining the engine and hydraulics. I change the oil every couple of years and the hydraulic fluid twice. The worse thing was when I had to fix some wires from mice damage. On average I’ve probably spent less than an hour a year maintaining it.
Alan46
Veteran Member
You're the man! Work smarter not harder bro!I use my loader tractor to "stage the rounds" up off the ground by cutting over a trailer or wagon,
then I use a smaller tractor to split with. That way I don't have to take the skidding winch off the loader tractor and put the splitter on it.
I could easily get by with one tractor to do it all, but I don't have to, as I've made so much money with my smaller tractor it is more than FREE, several times over. lol
Sometimes I split right into my "self unloading" trailer,
It works REALLY good!
Sometimes I split right into half cord boxes I build,
IF I didn't have the smaller tractor, I could easily get by with just the loader tractor to do it all.
SR
️
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I'm embarrassed to admit that I have never changed the oil, or done any maintenance on my log splitter. I should do the same for my Honda generator. I doubt that either have 100 hours on them in the ten years that I've owned them, but after ten years, I'm sure that the would appreciate some fresh oil, a spark plug and air filter.
PILOON
Super Star Member
On oil changes, one small engine maker actually advertised an engine that never needed an oil change. Guess they had a short life engine.
But then many lawn mowers rot apart long B4 the engines quit. Also if you are not a DIY type the labor costs to have a mower professionally serviced on an annual basis might just justify a 'throw away' mower.
LOL, many, many years ago I made nice $$'s performing annual mower tune ups @ $25. per unit.
(I did specify plugs/points and blade sharpening with all else extra.)
It was surprising how few folks were mechanically inclined in suburbia.
But then many lawn mowers rot apart long B4 the engines quit. Also if you are not a DIY type the labor costs to have a mower professionally serviced on an annual basis might just justify a 'throw away' mower.
LOL, many, many years ago I made nice $$'s performing annual mower tune ups @ $25. per unit.
(I did specify plugs/points and blade sharpening with all else extra.)
It was surprising how few folks were mechanically inclined in suburbia.
KennyG
Elite Member
I have a 3 point splitter. I haul the rounds to my woodshed and split into the shed. Works for me.
shooterdon
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3,018
- Tractor
- 2019 LS XR4140 HST Cab; 2020 Kawasaki Mule SX; 2021 Bad Boy 54" ZT Elite
The OP needs to handle one or two trees a year.....Size...or lack of it...matters. I doubt he needs to own a splitter.
Now maybe those trees are 30" DBH and all tough hardwoods...then size matters...LOL
BTW, I learned a lot from Sawyer Rob...both what to do and what can be done better. His system is worth study if you burn a reasonable quantity of wood. It costs me $250 a year to process 6 full cords of wood and my fiancé and I can cut and split it in under 8 hours. It takes longer to stack than process.
Here is 15 hours of "work" the first time we used a processor. There are four stacks total...cost us $450 to process two years of wood (12 cords)...no engines to maintain, no chains to sharpen/replace, no rounds to pickup, no splits to move off the splitter table. She did the cutting and splitting and all I did was sit in an A/C cab and move logs.
My way is better (for me) than Sawyer Rob's but the student should always be better than the teacher....LOL
Now maybe those trees are 30" DBH and all tough hardwoods...then size matters...LOL
BTW, I learned a lot from Sawyer Rob...both what to do and what can be done better. His system is worth study if you burn a reasonable quantity of wood. It costs me $250 a year to process 6 full cords of wood and my fiancé and I can cut and split it in under 8 hours. It takes longer to stack than process.
Here is 15 hours of "work" the first time we used a processor. There are four stacks total...cost us $450 to process two years of wood (12 cords)...no engines to maintain, no chains to sharpen/replace, no rounds to pickup, no splits to move off the splitter table. She did the cutting and splitting and all I did was sit in an A/C cab and move logs.
My way is better (for me) than Sawyer Rob's but the student should always be better than the teacher....LOL
KenEtch
New member
Stand alone with vertical capability. Buddy & I bought 26 ton with Honda engine 10 years ago, $400 each. Can be easily transported & used multiple locations, his house or mine, or somewhere else. Very little engine maintenance, stays inside out of weather, powerful. Most importantly either of us can split a few hours at a time on either schedule, AND we're getting older, me 75 & my buddy in mid 60s, so renting for a day & killing ourselves is no longer happening. The convenience of splitting on your time schedule is priceless. Lastly, I didn't have a tractor 40+ years ago when I started cutting splitting firewood so 3ph wasn't an option. When I rented a splitter years ago I killed myself trying to get everything done in a short time, splitter was unfamiliar, not always reliable, weather turned bad on rental day, .... Your situation and age are all factors in decision making. Remember ethanol free gasoline along with fuel stabilizer makes your engine perform excellent year after year. No need to drain fuel between uses even for months on end.
