pto log spliter

[89cummins174]

Hi every one. I am new to the site and like everything i seen. My dad ans i got a kubota BX24 last year and with the rising cost of everything we are going to be burning more wood to help offset the cost of heating the house. I did a search and saw the PTO log splitters and would like to go that route to 1 use my BX more and 2 it must be more fuel efficient then the Sunbelt log splitters I have rented in the past. well i just want to say thanks in advance. Shawn

 

[89cummins174]

i was looking at the ramspliter model for price reasons. the iron oak is a little bit out of reach for me. are the ramspliter log spliters good???

 

[mpowrd]

We got the Ramsplitter 16-ton 3-point mount splitter for our BX24 and have been very happy with it. I do the splitting by myself, and I can just keep up with its cycle time.

I'm running the splitter off the backhoe connections, and at 2500 rpm, the total cycle time to fully extend the ram and fully retract it is around 22 seconds.

It has split dry oak rounds and logs I have up to about 16" in diameter with no problems. Only when there was a knot from a branch right at the wedge end did it stall out.

Overall, the unit is real solid and the price is decent at $595.

Just be sure to specify that you're using it on a BX and ask for 3/8" hoses with 1/4" quick connects to fit the BX.

 

[89cummins174]

thanks for info mpower its good to know that they have quality equipment

 

[Youare]

Before you purchase a 3PH mounted splitter ask yourself, would you want to use the splitter at some location you would not or could not drive the tractor to.

A stand alone splitter is some times less expensive to run than using the tractors power and allows you to use the tractor to bring unsplit chunks to the splitter and take them away.

Stand alone splitters generally have faster cycle times than those run off of the tractors hydraulics. I went the route of a stand alone splitter. I use about a quart of gasoline to split a cord of wood, I bet running the diesel engine at PTO speeds for 45 minutes to an hour would use more fuel.

Just my two cents.

Randy

 

[crossfire190]

I also use the Ramsplitter 16 ton unit. I find that it works very well for my purposes. I have a BX2350 and run it off of the loader ports. The cycle time is a bit slow, and much slower than the stand alone units, it is fine for me as I work alone. The unit is well built. There is a long standing debate between the stand alone and 3 point units, one being thatit ties the tractor up and you cannot use the loader to fetch and place the logs on the splitter. However, with the Ramsplitter unit you can lower the splitter to almost ground level and roll the bigger pieces on it. I would like to add a log cradle at some point, as it would help stabilize the pieces as they are being split. For the price, I think it is a good deal.

 

[nh DRAGON]

I went with the standalone with the log lift and the front tray. All I have to do is put the front bucket of the BX or the JCB under the end of the table and the splitter loads the bucket by its self. It is made by American and high enough so you are not working bent over.

 

[atgreene]

I have a homemade 3 pth wood splitter that runs off a 21 gpm pto pump.

One advantage is I can run it off any tractor, whereas a stand alone is bound to not start when you need it after a few years. I always have a tractor that will run.

As for fuel, my 45 hp Kubota runs about 2 quarts an hour of fuel when running it. I set the pto on 750 mode and idle the tractor back.

Here's a few pics, I was feeding it with the excavator while a friend ran the splitter.

 

[89cummins174]

thanks alot guys for the great opinions. i think i am still leaning towards the tractor mount one. yeah its nice to have a stand alone and the front bucket to load but then i would be running to motors and like atgreene said the stand alone is bound to be unreliable in a few years. but thanks again for the reply

 

[89cummins174]

crossfire190 which one from ramspliter do u have. the horizontal or the combo one???

 

[The Salt Pig]

I went thru the same thought process this year (living in Maine) as well. Although I thought running the splitter off the pto would be more economical, in the end I decided that I would need the ability to take the splitter to other locations and while I have a trailer for my tractor, the gate wouldn't close with the splitter attached and additionally I preferred the ability to use the tractor while splitting.
Again it is a personal decision, just wanted to add my two cents.

Bx2350 w/ FEL
60" MMM

 

[Youare]

i would be running to motors and like atgreene said the stand alone is bound to be unreliable in a few years.

Form my experience and the experience or others I know with wood splitters the life expectancy is generally better than 10 years without a problem. Whether you run a stand alone of a 3PH splitter there are many parts that are the same to wear out or break. The only significant difference is the power source and maybe the hydraulic pump. The cylinder and control valves are the same.

Consider the extra use you will expose your tractor hydraulic system to, is a new pump or control vales any less expensive for a tractor than a stand alone splitter?

Many people are pleased with both types of splitters. The splitter I have does not work with hydraulics and is powered by a 5.5 hp. gasoline engine. I would much rather listen to that run at half throttle then to hear my Kubota sit there and run at 2500 RPM while I split wood. Plus, the splitter I have has a cycle time that is quicker than what my tractor hydraulics could ever produce.

Randy

 

[nh DRAGON]

We got our new splitter because we are using it more and with the new advances, Log lift and load table, It makes it quicker an easier on our backs than the old one. But I still have dads 1980 wood splitter with the 7hp Briggs and it still runs fine. If you take care of your stuff there is no reason it will not last 20 years or more easy.

 

[mpowrd]

If crossfire190 has the same 16-ton Ramsplitter PTO unit as I have, it's this one: http://www.ramsplitter.com/3pt16%20-%201.pdf

Horizontal only, but as crossfire said, you can lower it to almost ground level and I've rolled an oak round almost 24" in diameter onto the beam that way.

 

[crossfire190]

I have the horizontal model.

 

[AndyinIowa]

Although I am big on keeping as few prime movers on the property as possible, I am in the 'have a separate splitter' camp.

1. My total operating costs are considerably lower vs. running the BX2350 engine.

2. Multi-tasking in the timber is much easier when you have separate units and multiple people working. If you only process firewood alone, you can't multi-task as easy.

3. If you choose a pto splitter, I don't recommend a grapple unless the tractor is 'highly' articulated.

4. Can't run the chipper and splitter at the same time!!!

 

[gotcha]

Before you purchase a 3PH mounted splitter ask yourself, would you want to use the splitter at some location you would not or could not drive the tractor to.

A stand alone splitter is some times less expensive to run than using the tractors power and allows you to use the tractor to bring unsplit chunks to the splitter and take them away.

Stand alone splitters generally have faster cycle times than those run off of the tractors hydraulics. I went the route of a stand alone splitter. I use about a quart of gasoline to split a cord of wood, I bet running the diesel engine at PTO speeds for 45 minutes to an hour would use more fuel.
Just my two cents.
Randy

I have a stand alone splitter and have had it for almost 40 years and have done nothing to it except to change the oil and air filter. Starting in the winter can be difficult, but I just throw a tarp over it with a spot light for 1/2 hour and away it goes. The above comment is correct with the cycle time and I use my BH to left the real big and heavy logs up onto the splitter. I have a single log grapple and can put the log where it has to go and move it around as needed for each split. It is very easy to move to other jobs or into the woods for on the spot working. The cost to change the oil and filters is far cheaper than changing the Kubota's. Just my 2¢
The Gotcha Man