PTO driven log splitter?

[fattyfat1]

i have seen many 3pt. logsplitters that use tractor hydraulics, but do they make one where the PTO drives a hydraulic pump so you don't have to use the tractors system?

 

[BobG_in_VA]

i have seen many 3pt. logsplitters that use tractor hydraulics, but do they make one where the PTO drives a hydraulic pump so you don't have to use the tractors system?

They do...you can actually take a 3ph hyd log splitter and put a pto pump on it. I use a pto pump on my BH. Saves the hyd system on the tractor (rear end will get quite hot if used a lot). Only thing is you need a resevoir to hold the fluid as in an engine powered unit. BobG in VA

 

[nosliw]

i think just biting the bullet and setting up a powerbeyond kit one time, then just plugging a hydraulic line in each time is a lot simpler than having to fumble with a driveshaft. and since hydraulics are already pumping in your tractor you might as well utilize them.

just my opinion.

 

[fattyfat1]

nosliw, i agree 100% but i have heard that log splitters are very hard on tractor pumps and most take a hydraulic capacity of 11 gal. per minute. my tractor is small with only 5.2 gal. per min.

 

[nosliw]

wow, 11gpm!

i think my 990 could BARELY muster that.

can i ask why a tractor-powered unit and not the normal lawnmower engine setup?

 

[greg_g]

nosliw, i agree 100% but i have heard that log splitters are very hard on tractor pumps and most take a hydraulic capacity of 11 gal. per minute. my tractor is small with only 5.2 gal. per min.

I've never once heard it said that splitters are hard on tractor pumps. I can't imagine why they'd be any better or worse than any other hydraulic requirement.

Anyway. Like all other implements, you size the splitter to the tractor. When the pump is at operating RPMs, pressure is a constant. What drives GPM from that point is the size of the splitter cylinder AND the time it takes to extend/retract. The more GPM you pump, the faster the cycle time.

//greg//

 

[fattyfat1]

can i ask why a tractor-powered unit and not the normal lawnmower engine setup?[/QUOTE]

because i'm a gadget freak. also i thought it would be cheaper.....not the case.

 

[wkpoor]

[I've never once heard it said that splitters are hard on tractor pumps. I can't imagine why they'd be any better or worse than any other hydraulic requirement/QUOTE]

Most things your tractor pump powers are fairly intermittant giving the system some cool time. And most tractors don't have much hydraulic reservoir volume. A splitter is very demanding on a pump an can create gobs of heat. The factory splitters sometimes have as little as 5 or 6 gals of fluid and after a few hours of splitting in temps above 50 degrees you can't touch the cylinder or tank. Imagine that heat on the fluid shared by the tranny. A separate pump and right sized reservoir will make a system capable of running year around and years to come without undo wear and tear on the tractor. And then theres always the issue of most CUT's don't have very large pumps to begin with.

 

[greg_g]

Most things your tractor pump powers are fairly intermittant giving the system some cool time. And most tractors don't have much hydraulic reservoir volume. A splitter is very demanding on a pump an can create gobs of heat. The factory splitters sometimes have as little as 5 or 6 gals of fluid and after a few hours of splitting in temps above 50 degrees you can't touch the cylinder or tank. Imagine that heat on the fluid shared by the tranny. A separate pump and right sized reservoir will make a system capable of running year around and years to come without undo wear and tear on the tractor. And then theres always the issue of most CUT's don't have very large pumps to begin with.

I think you're using an unreasonably small frame of reference. A TPH splitter does in fact represent intermittent use to the tractor's hydraulic system. It's only pumping under pressure while the cylinder is being extended. Pressure's relieved on the return stroke. Fresh (cooled) oil is picked up for the next pressure stroke.

And my tractors don't share; the 454 for example has a hydraulic sump that holds 6+ gallons of AW32, and tranny/diff/shuttle housings that share about 9 gallons of gear oil. The 354 holds proportionately the same. I've split huge pieces of ash/hickory/oak for hours on end, never ever once had a heat problem. Even the cylinder doesn't get hot, I lean on it regularly to rest between some of the bigger chunks.

So I gotta say - at least the way I've sized my splitter choice to my tractors - heat is not a problem for me. Nor is flow - I split everything with 1100-1200 engine RPMs. So I think it's also safe to conclude my pump isn't unreasonably overworked either.

//greg//

 

[MossRoad]

nosliw, i agree 100% but i have heard that log splitters are very hard on tractor pumps and most take a hydraulic capacity of 11 gal. per minute. my tractor is small with only 5.2 gal. per min.

Go look at all those log splitters sitting in front of TSC or any home improvement store. They put out nowhere near 11GPM. They only have 6 or 8 HP engines. Our PT425 tractor puts out 8GPM at 2500psi and that is with a 25HP engine.

 

[montanaman]

Go look at all those log splitters sitting in front of TSC or any home improvement store. They put out nowhere near 11GPM. They only have 6 or 8 HP engines. Our PT425 tractor puts out 8GPM at 2500psi and that is with a 25HP engine.

Not exactly true. The gas engine splitters have a two stage pump and do have pretty good GPM but not while building pressure. They can get the ram out there pretty quick but once it hits the log, one stage of the pump shuts down and they go into low flow, high pressure mode, so to speak.

I have to agree that the TPH splitter shouldn't present any big problems to a tractor hydraulic system. If your tractor is one that barely has hydraulics to begin with and very small tank, then a PTO would be worth thinking about and it will no doubt be faster.

I guess I'm getting old because I've used a TPH splitter on a tractor with a 5 gallon pump at about half throttle and after about 20 minutes of working, it's as fast as I want it to be!

I also agree that on must logs, the amount of time there is much pressure on the hyd system is not too long. There is a lot of cylinder travel time where the fluid is just moving the cylinder with little to no load.

I check the hoses on mine about the time when I'm done using it and they have never been above just warm.

Ken

 

[unit40]

I'm debating getting a splitter for mine. It would have to be a PTO powered unit. The pumps put out generally 10-20 GPM I think. Timberwolf and Iron and Oak brands are two that I can think of.

 

[kkesler]

I bought one of these Woodline units which have a PTO driven pump.

eBay: NEW 3 pt. Logsplitter Woodcutter w/PTO 1 yr. WARRANTY! (item 330074497664 end time Jan-11-07 18:01:34 PST)

Been happy with it. Splits most logs at about 1/3rd throttle on my BX2230, had a couple of small problems and the seller was real good about taking care of them.

 

[dmccarty]

I bought a hydraulic tractor mounted splitter from TSC last fall. Its a Hardee/Speedco brand I think. I looked at some of the higher end splitters and just could not see why they cost more than the TSC unit.

My tractor has a Power Beyond Kit to run a backhoe. No way in heck that the wood splitter works the tractor hydraulics harder than the backhoe. Not even close.

The TSC unit split everything I threw at it including forked knarly trunks. Most of the time the splitter is just moving back and forth. The wood splits pretty quick. Usually after the first inch or so of travel.

I think the only way to hurt the tractor hydraulics is to hook the hoses up backwards. We had a conversation on this last fall.

Later,
Dan

 

[rdbrumfield]

This is my idea of a pto driven log splitter. No picking of blocks. As you can see the knife just splits two pieces off the bottom as you eat the rounds up. It will handle up to a 6' dia block. I have it hooked to a 50hp JD, but I like to run the pto with a 20hp Kubota and use the high gear in the pto.

 

[MossRoad]

Not exactly true. The gas engine splitters have a two stage pump and do have pretty good GPM but not while building pressure. They can get the ram out there pretty quick but once it hits the log, one stage of the pump shuts down and they go into low flow, high pressure mode, so to speak.

I have to agree that the TPH splitter shouldn't present any big problems to a tractor hydraulic system. If your tractor is one that barely has hydraulics to begin with and very small tank, then a PTO would be worth thinking about and it will no doubt be faster.

I guess I'm getting old because I've used a TPH splitter on a tractor with a 5 gallon pump at about half throttle and after about 20 minutes of working, it's as fast as I want it to be!

I also agree that on must logs, the amount of time there is much pressure on the hyd system is not too long. There is a lot of cylinder travel time where the fluid is just moving the cylinder with little to no load.

I check the hoses on mine about the time when I'm done using it and they have never been above just warm.

Ken

You are correct. I forgot about the 2 stage pumps. They are fast, but weak until it builds pressure. Then they are slow. I find plenty of specs on the high speed but no specs on the low speed on any of the manufacturers' websites. So I went to Northern Tool's website and they sell several two stage pumps. Most of them list two sets of numbers....

11.0 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 2.9 GPM at 2500 PSI
13.6 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 2.9 GPM at 2500 PSI
16.0 GPM at 650 PSI -- only 3.5 GPM at 2500 PSI

As I said in my previous post, they are no where near 11GPM... that is, when they are doing actual work.