Northern or TSC 3pt woodsplitter

[RichNJKubota]

I looked at the TSC splitter but did not choose it because of how close it would be to the rear tire. Also I usually split wood with another person. One splits while the other stacks. Having one side of the splitter up against the tire would not allow another person to help as effectively. So I ordered the Northern one. The one that stays horizontal. So far I've used the splitter a couple of hours. It works great. No problems. Hooked it up to a rear remote and tied the remote lever with a bungee. Running the tractor at about 1600 RPM is about the right speed on the splitter for me. I can only move wood so fast anyway.
I built a tricycle kind of dolly for the splitter. The front wheel is a single swivel. The rear tires (under the 3 pt arms) are 10" and the front swivel is 8". This way I lower the splitter onto the dolly, unhook the 3 pt and hoses then roll it into the storage area.
I also did not want another engine to maintain. Having a 3pt splitter allows me to buy an electric motor, pump, etc and use it with a nice quiet electric motor.

 

[stevenf]

I agree Greg, all of the TSC splitters whether 3pt or gas powered have the exact same channel. I'm working on my honey now to get the TSC one as it looks like the one. I skidded a bunch of downed live oak and walnut trees into our yard at the ranch but haven't cut them yet because if I get the splitter I can cut them up to 24" but if I'm going to split them by hand another season I'd prefer them to be 16" to 18" that 16lb maul gets heavy after an hour or so and I start losing the power to muscle it thru the longer stuff. I'll just need to find a way to cobble a drink holder to the side of the cradle and I'm set. I wonder whether they make a 4 way wedge that would work after looking at it I'd guess not since the wedge moves and it sucks up between some stripper ears but even a single wedge will be a pleasure after 5 years of splitting with a maul.
Steve

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( have the exact same channel. ... the wedge moves and it sucks up between some stripper ears )</font>

Reflecting on the design, I think a cup holder would be easier to fabricate than a 4pt wedge.

When I mentioned the flimsy legs above, I forgot one other minor aggravation; bark that falls into the channels get pushed ahead of the wedge. Care has to be taken not to permit accumulation, else it becomes wedged at the end of the channel

//greg//

 

[stevenf]

I wondered about the channel doing that maybe I could bore a hole on either side of the channel for it to fall out of or cut the end of each side off a little bit to make clearing it just a matter of grab and go instead of having to work it out from under the angle iron.
Steve

 

[greg_g]

Think it's just one of those "live with it" designs. The benefits of the log carrier feature essentially outweigh the incidental problem of jamming it up with bark.

I don't see any reasonable way to reverse-engineer an escape route for debris. I simply brush it out of the channel about every 4th stroke.

//greg//

 

[stevenf]

Greg, I had one last thought before I go buy the TSC one this weekend on how I might find one on the cheap, I called all the firewood places around town and asked if they had any splitters for sale none of them did but they all recommended the TSC one above the Northern one, they said they hold up better with less problems and parts are easier to come by if something should go wrong. None of them used the 3pt style but out of 7 firewood places 4 of them had the largest Huskee type gas engine one in their wood yards, the others had larger commercial units. If its good enough to be used commercially its got to be good enough for my needs.
Steve

 

[stevenf]

Well with mud in my face I have to admit I did it yesterday but the outcome of my splitter purchase was not what I had invisioned. I stopped by Lowe's of all places on the way to work yesterday morning and they are getting out of the Troy Bilt/MTD log splitters in our area. They had a 27 ton demo sitting there the original price was $1499 on sale for $1199 on clearance for $999 and when there Lawn Equipment specialist saw me looking at it she said if your interested in it I'd make you a great deal. I asked how great and she said she'd take $800. Needless to say I have a new splitter it is nice I took it home and in an hour split at least a cord of wood. Yes I do have another small engine but it has a commercial duty 7hp Briggs on it and it ran the entire time on one tank of gas so I am quite pleased, I do miss my tractor sitting there humming but now I can drop the bucket on and have a nice big cart to haul the split wood with. Besides if the gas engine ever poops out I'm pretty sure I can have hoses made up to fit the splitter and tractor remotes and be back in business for minimal money.
Steve

 

[jimmysisson]

Steven- what are the cylinder and pump stats on that new splitter? I'm guessing a 4" cylinder to get that much tonnage and a 7 hp engine. I'm having trouble with mine with a 4" cylinder and 7 hp Briggs and a 13 gpm inline pump. A full 32" forward and back stroke with warm oil takes 25 seconds. How fast does yours cycle with no load at governor speed? Thanks for the info, I'm trying to formulate a game plan for speed!
Jim

 

[tillerkiller]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( They have changed the design... )</font>

In my best Homer Simpson voice "D'oh!" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The log splitter that I saw was a Swisher, not a Speeco. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

oops.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[meanstreak]

sounds like a good deal on the splitter , our lowes has a 20 ton with a 5.5 hp motor for 999, maybe i'll make them an offer.