Powerhouse 3pt splitter

[Couple of Achers]

I have followed a number of older threads discussing the Powerhouse 3pt splitter but most of them end with I have just got one......
For those of you who have now had one for a time and have used it, could you give us an update at to your likes or dislikes. I am in the market for a 3pt splitter. I have already gone through the decision making of whether a stand-alone unit is better or not. Right or wrong, my interest is with the 3pt model. I really like the idea of the dual action splitting. Unlike others, I also like the lighter weight design of the unit. But with that being said, does the lighter weight compromise it's quaility. I have no problem with it being lighter weight as long as it is engineered properly to withstand the splitting power it is advertised to have. So for any of you out there that have a few hours on yours now, can you provide me with a review of the product? Thanks.

 

[CHDinCT]

I have the 18" model and like it very much for how much I split, which is not for heating my house 24/7. If you have enough GPM flow, consider the new 24" model. As some have noted, since it splits both directions, the wedge is not as aggressive as you'd find on a one-way splitter. Also, the stops on either end are on the small side and sometimes the wood will get pushed off of the stop (not often for me, but it's something to be aware of). Otherwise, the weight/quality of the material, etc., has been fine. I would not drop a huge round from 2' up onto the cradles, but for catching split wood as it comes off the splitter, the cradle on either side is fine.

 

[jimgerken]

I ordered the 4x24 last week. Its supposed to be here any day now. I WILL give a report once I get it hosed up and used a bit. Couple Archers: PM me if you want a demo, we live in the same neighborhood.

 

[OrangeJbird]

Is there a website?
I can't find a 3-point powerhouse? only electric models.

 

[Couple of Achers]

Is there a website?
I can't find a 3-point powerhouse? only electric models.

I have not been able to locate a web-site either. I just know they are available from a local retailer here. I am guessing they are made by a parent company. If someone knows who that would be, then we could locate their web-site.

Addendum: I think I found out what the problem is. It is Power horse, not power house. Apparently the powerhouse, is an electric splitter. Still can't find a website, but at least you can price them form the online places.

 

[jimgerken]

Power Horse is sold only by Northern. Northern has them built in China. The engines, on the standalone models, also named Power Horse, are Chinese copies of the Honda designs.

 

[CHDinCT]

Here are the links:

18" 3PH Model:
Powerhorse Horizontal Log Splitter 3 Pt. with 3in. x 18in. Cylinder | Log Splitters | Northern Tool + Equipment

24" 3PH Model:
Powerhorse Horizontal Log Splitter 3-Pt. with 4in. x 24in. Cylinder | Log Splitters | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[CHDinCT]

One other note. I don't think it says it in the spec's but the valve that came with mine is a Prince. Not sure I'd touch the Powerhorse models with an engine that's likely from China; not an issue for the 3PH models.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I ordered the 4x24 last week. Its supposed to be here any day now. I WILL give a report once I get it hosed up and used a bit. Couple Archers: PM me if you want a demo, we live in the same neighborhood.

I'll be watching for your review. I would be real interested in knowing how far apart the lower lift arm pins are, or if they can be turned inward. Since I would like to put it on my BX and the 3pt hitch is not full size, so the arms do not spread out as far as a real cat1 hitch, it is problematic for me to just order one not knowing if it will fit. Let us know. Thanks.

 

[CHDinCT]

I would be real interested in knowing how far apart the lower lift arm pins are, or if they can be turned inward. Since I would like to put it on my BX and the 3pt hitch is not full size, so the arms do not spread out as far as a real cat1 hitch, it is problematic for me to just order one not knowing if it will fit. Let us know. Thanks.

CA,

I turned my pins in, but on the 18" model, it will fit with the pins out. I had to open the hitch about as wide as it would go, and unscrewing those turnbuckles took forever, so I reversed the pins to make hook up faster. But like I said, it will fit with the pins facing outward.

 

[Couple of Achers]

CA,

I turned my pins in, but on the 18" model, it will fit with the pins out. I had to open the hitch about as wide as it would go, and unscrewing those turnbuckles took forever, so I reversed the pins to make hook up faster. But like I said, it will fit with the pins facing outward.

Hey, thanks. I just wanted to be sure it would fit. I actually prefer to turn the pins in when I can, for the same reason everyone else has. Those darn turn buckles. It's not that hard, just cumbersome to get them just right. And then trying to remember which way to turn them. Let's see, left hand thread, no right hand thread, or wait a minute here, which way did I just turn them?..........,

 

[NH-Rob]

Hey, thanks. I just wanted to be sure it would fit. I actually prefer to turn the pins in when I can, for the same reason everyone else has. Those darn turn buckles. It's not that hard, just cumbersome to get them just right. And then trying to remember which way to turn them. Let's see, left hand thread, no right hand thread, or wait a minute here, which way did I just turn them?..........,

That is why I like my Harbor freight quick hitch. I don't have to play with the turn buckles unless I am ussing my land plow and can't use hitch.

 

[Couple of Achers]

That is why I like my Harbor freight quick hitch. I don't have to play with the turn buckles unless I am ussing my land plow and can't use hitch.

I have too many implements with different spacing to use a quick hitch. The landscape rake, the rough cut, the chipper, the tiller the dethatcher, boom pole and so on all either have different spacing or are not quick hitch compatible. Some are adjustable, but only one, I think. Some were designed for CUT and some for SCUT. Plus then to have to take it off to put on the backhoe (BX23) is problematic as well. The best thing I have found for hooking all these items up with is Pat's system. You still need to mess with the turn buckles, but other than replacing them with something else, there's not much I can do about it, except just do it.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Power Horse is sold only by Northern. Northern has them built in China. The engines, on the standalone models, also named Power Horse, are Chinese copies of the Honda designs.

At the end of each description on the NT web site are the letters U.S.A. Are they making a false claim?

 

[jimgerken]

I recieved the 4X24 Powerhorse 3-point splitter late Friday. Had time Sat to open the box and start assembly. Instructions were obviously written by an American, in English, with excellent diagrams, and no bad translations or other languages included. Hydraulic valve had USA company name on it, but might have been made in China. Hoses were Parker, made in USA. Cylinder way too buried inside mechanism to get a look at it, but is gland type, not tie-rod. Frame very well built, good looking welds, accurate enough looking everywhere. Looks stout enough to do the job. Paint is good, although they sprayed right over the weld splatter in places instead of filing it off first.

I started looking at the included 3-point frame stuff and doing some measurements and stuff. I wanted it to be quick hitch compatible, and to use it at two heights above the ground: zero (to allow rolling big logs onto it with the help of a small shallow ramp), and about 30 inches (measuring the height of the working surface of the splitter). The included 3-pt frame was not quick hitch compatible due to the upper mount details, and did not allow lowering it to the ground, in fact it would be about a foot off the ground with my tractor, and then it would raise to almost four feet max. So I began fabricating my own 3-point frame for it, to lower it a foot, and to extend it back away from the tractor a foot, and quick hitch-able of course. Pretty much finished that Sat night. Started thinking about operator position then, and realized that the postion they provided for the valve mounting was going to force me to bend way over to operate it when I am using it setting on the ground. And, it kind of bugged me that the recommended mounting position was way out the back, making it vulnerable to damage from possibly backing into something when its on the back of the tractor, and forcing 9 foot hose lengths from the tractor. So I decided to mount it to the side of the new upper link. This raises it about 15 inches, so its at a good compromise height for both the zero and 30 inch working positions. Also, this makes the hose routing much simpler and shorter. I am going to be able to use the two hoses they provided, and get two more made to complete the hookup (they don't provide the two tractor hoses). I should be able to get far enough tonight to prime the metal parts, then I will get some pics to post. I should be splitting by Friday. Pics soon, operating report next week.

 

[jimgerken]

Went out last night and bought the two hoses and other fittings and couplers I needed to adapt it to my tractor. Got home in time to finish the fabrication, degrease it and prime it. I took some pics, but uploading pics doesnt seem to be working right now.

 

[jinman]

At the end of each description on the NT web site are the letters U.S.A. Are they making a false claim?

It's a fact of life that very few products assembled or sold in the USA do not have some Chinese parts in them. In the case of Northern Tools and Harbor Freight, if you remove everything having Chinese parts, all that's left in the store is the echo.

 

[jimgerken]

It's a fact of life that very few products assembled or sold in the USA do not have some Chinese parts in them. In the case of Northern Tools and Harbor Freight, if you remove everything having Chinese parts, all that's left in the store is the echo.

I like that "all that's left is the echo".

The people in the Northern store told me all "the Powerhorse splitters were made in China". The website says USA in places. I called the Powerhorse tech line and asked. She said "the splitter parts are made in China and assembled in Faribault Minnesota". I am guessing the main weldment came from China, valve from an American company but probably made in China, hoses made here, all of it was tossed in a box in Faribault MN.

 

[jimgerken]

Finally, photo upload seems to work again. From these pics, I think you can see it would be difficult to attach to the 3-point if you flipped the pins to the inside of the brackets.
This is all the stuff I didn't need to use.

 

[jimgerken]

Here is the tack-welded bracket I fab'ed to mount the splitter lower by about a foot, back from the tractor about a foot, and allow quick-hitching. First pic shows splitter raised to top, producing a working surface about 29 inches off the ground.