Splitting headache!

[jeffinsgf]

I've been watching this thread, and others, plus Googling around the 'net looking for the best choice in 3pt tractor-hydro splitters. I understand all of the arguments against them -- mostly speed issues, which don't concern me -- but like FWJ, I just don't see buying any more motors to take care of now that I have my tractor.

I think I found the unit I am most interested in today. See:

Split-Fire SS230

It's most unique feature is that it has wedges at both ends, so you don't wait for the cylinder to return, you just load on the other side and then send the cylinder back the other way. Apart from that, the design looks very heavy and from what I can tell it seems a quality rig all the way round. It's a little pricier than some of the others, but I think it might be worth the couple hundred extra. Sells for $850 -- FOB Ontario. Factory guy said he could get one to me for around $150 shipping.

 

[rdbrumfield]

Being a bit of a scrounger I built my own. It is a three point and uses it's own pump run from the pto. It will split a 60" dia block 24" long. I seldom split anything over 48" anymore, but it sure takes the work out of it. The way I set it up is that I built a T knife so that the top of the tee is about 6 inches from the rail. By doing this I get two pieces off the bottom of the block without splitting the block as it stays in the tongs. As I eat the bottom from the block I will change the tongs and rotate the block as needed to finish it off. The best part of the system is the hyd winch and A frame that brings the block over the knife, no lifting required with this system, and I can drag the blocks right to the splitter from a reasonable distance, or pack the whole system to the log with the tractor.
Will put up some pics if anyone is interested. It is starting to get a bit rough, been splitting wood for 23yrs with it.

 

[Highbeam]

We need those pics. Thanks

 

[Bedlam]

Pictures would be great, sounds like a monster. cant wait to see it.

 

[jimmysisson]

I'm with Bedlam, let's see it! Thanks, Jim

 

[EdKing]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I found the unit I am most interested in today. See:

Split-Fire SS230 )</font>

Nice looking unit, the only reservation I would have is the 3 1/2 inch cylinder. Most other units have at least a 4 inch cylinder, which equates to more splitting power.

 

[inveresk]

I liked the double action of the Split Fire so got some quotes here in BC. Thet were pretty high:

Model # 245LS $2200.00 CAN.
Model # 255 $2700.00 CAN.

Much as I liked the splitters, I thought this was too much for a tool that has to perform a fairly basic task.

 

[rdbrumfield]

will get those pics out today. This week has been a bit hectic. Lost my mother in law. First day to get back to some normalcy. need to get it hooked up and show it in action

 

[rdbrumfield]

Ok, the following pics should show the simple design. Hope this can help someone. I built this around 1983 and has been used every year. For the most part I hook up my B5100 kubota for the pump as it has the 1000 rpm pto and has enough power to split anything I have come up against. I just set this up for pictures as you will notice that the 3pt isn't attached. As long as you don't put high sidepulls on the boom it is heavy enough to handle most wood freestanding. Just backing the tractor close enough to hook the pto makes it handier to use the tractor to bring logs to the splitter.

 

[rdbrumfield]

no 2

 

[rdbrumfield]

no3

 

[rdbrumfield]

no 4

 

[rdbrumfield]

I know that we all have different ideas about the knife and how many blades to put on. When spitting blocks the size of the double that is hanging, I like the tee so that I just split the bottom off as I go. If I have a lot of smaller wood I have welded onother verticle on top of it a couple of times, but mostly this setup works for me. Best part of the tee is that when splitting wood that is hairy-stringy, once it splits I lift the block away lower the block and push it through again behind the two left in the knife. I like that kind of wood, when dried the kindling is already on the split wood.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Wow, that's a nice design. Quite clever really. I especially like the idea of lowering the log slowly and chopping off the bottom.

Cliff