New Kioti CK30 Owner

[Martian]

I wouldn't say brand matters as much as quality. I don't own a log splitter so I can't help you there. I would say to look at one that can split in both directions so you don't have to move the cylinder back to cut again - that way you are more productive

:welcome: to the forums also!

 

[grsthegreat]

i like my 3 point splitter running in one direction only. As its raising im bringing in the next log to split. Then i lower it to split , and on again.

This makes sure i keep all my hands and fingers.

 

[williekioti]

Congrats on your new toy Kiotiman. You'll be amazed what you can accomplish now.......or excuses you manufacture to fire it up.

I went the stand alone route for a splitter after much consideration. I finally decided that I wanted the freedom of the tractor's FEL to move large pieces around and to be able to load the bucket while splitting. I recently had to process a bunch of 30-40" dia hard maple and even with quartering with the saw the tractor saved my back much pain. Plus I occaisionally split in remote locations w/o the tractor present. I also wanted to be able to drag the splitter to camp (120+ mi from home) for firewood processing. I do understand the reasoning behind not wanting another drive train to maintain though and that did weigh into my decision making process. This is why no answer is fit all for everyone. I concur that the CK should run pretty much any 3pt splitter out there so I'd just look at build quality and possibly dealer support if that's important to you. I do recommend the ability to split horizontally AND vertically though. Horizontal is super fast for small/med wood to split and huck, vertical for the he-man pieces.

My CK has become an indispensible addition to my family......just beware of implement aquisition disease....

 

[Gittyup]

To the OP, you don't really need the PTO to run a splitter, if you have rear remotes (which I highly recommend). Tractor hydraulics should be plenty good for that, and you can keep the tractor at much lower rpms. With the PTO splitter, you have to operate the tractor at or near full rpm throttle. The difference in cost between a "pumpless" splitter and one with a PTO pump should just about pay for one set of rear remotes.

There are plenty of other attachments you can buy to use your PTO as time goes by and you accumulate them

 

[lockhaven]

I guess everyone has a different opinion on what is best. I do not like splitting with the splitter in the vertical position, unless you have someone handing the logs to you reaching for new logs and getting the split ones away requires getting up and down or standing and bending over. either one is a back killer for me. I like a stand alone splitter because it allows me to use the tractor FEL to carry logs and act as a platform while splitting. I do not lift any logs till they are split this way. As far as having another engine to winterize that is nothing, either fill up with stabilized fuel or run the last tank dry. No big deal either way. I seldom need to that anyway because as soon as a good day arrives I am splitting wood anyways.
It would be nice if the OP could try out each method to see which is best for him.