Two way log splitters

[Gil Case]

Both Northern and Dr offer a two way 3pt log splitter that is supposed to run on less than 11 gpm. Supposed to be super fast since there is no return.
Has anyone used one and do they work as advertised? Ends up about $800+ with shipping.

 

[namesray]

i haven't ran those models, but do run a 3ph "split fire" 2 way log splitter. i love the thing and it iss way better then my mtd 25 ton towable splitter i used to have. the split fire models are commercial grade. i can split about 3 face cord an hour with my setup. not super fast, but a heck of a lot faster then that self return mtd i use to have. here is a link to their web site with videos. http://www.split-fire.com/

 

[94BULLITT]

i haven't ran those models, but do run a 3ph "split fire" 2 way log splitter. i love the thing and it iss way better then my mtd 25 ton towable splitter i used to have. the split fire models are commercial grade. i can split about 3 face cord an hour with my setup. not super fast, but a heck of a lot faster then that self return mtd i use to have. here is a link to their web site with videos. Manufacturers of high quality, custom engineered wood splitters, log splitters and wood chippers. | Split-Fire Sales Inc. Quality Built. High Performance. | Split-Fire - Your Best Choice

I have been thinking about a splitter also. Which model split fire do you have? Will it split everything you need it to? What kind of tractor do you use it with?

 

[KennyG]

I have the Northern two way 13 ton 3 point splitter. It's matched pretty well with my JD 2320 (3.4 gpm hydraulic). It has about a 10 second stroke time in each direction. It works faster than I can. :thumbsup: I think the 20 ton version would require a little more flow than I have.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. I've split some fairly large oak in the extend direction. It will stall on big stuff in the retract direction, so I always split full rounds in the extend stroke. Mine seems pretty well made and I like the log tables. I have the power beyond and it wasn't too expensive to get a couple of hoses made for it.

 

[greg_g]

There's a way to match a splitter with a tractor. Pressure equates to tonnage, gpm equates to cycle time. Your CK20 hydraulic system is rated at (max) 2000 psi @ (max) 7.66 gpm. Assuming you purchase a splitter with a 4" cylinder, 2000 psi will push it up to 12.6 tons. Then 7.66 gpm pump @ 2000 psi will cycle a 4x24 cylinder in about 21 seconds.

Moral of the story is "don't overbuy". No sense spending money on a splitter that has capabilities that a CK20 can't deliver.

//greg//

 

[namesray]

I have been thinking about a splitter also. Which model split fire do you have? Will it split everything you need it to? What kind of tractor do you use it with?

i have a split fire 3203 model, 14tons. it just has the one way knife on it, not the 4 way. i run it off my kubota b7800 30 hp tractor off the loader valve. it takes approx 10 seconds to go the full length from one end= 24". tractor at 2000rpms has 6.6 gpm flow. splits better then my 25 ton mtd i just sold. a lot of the time the block of wood is already split before it reaches the end of the stroke, so cycle time is reduced somewhat. i split about a face cord every 25 minutes about. (full cord in one hour. wood is 16" long and split for indoor fireplace size.)

i chose the 3ph model because i like the ability of the 3ph to set any height i want to work at. the self contained towable models are limited mostly to the height off the axels. just 3" difference it working height makes a huge difference for my back. i do between 200 to 300 face cord a year. (split fire is commercial grade and requires no maintenence, which i love=no extra engine to maintain.) also since it splits both ways, i always have a "table", place to set the next block of wood to split=no waiting for the cylinder to "retract". just reverse the split. and another big thing between the 3ph models and the selfcontained models is i don't have that annoying engine rattle right close to me for hours on end that is on the self contained model. the engine on the tractor (3ph model) is way up front and that diesel just hums along=much more peaceful. i don't like the 4 way splitter knifes due to the lack of control on splitting sizes you get from them. the single knife works great for me as i need to get good, consistent sizes for my customers to get top dollar in my area. a 4 way would be nice though if doing it for yourself and not fussy. i don't think my size tractor would handle the 4 way knife (model 3403 and 4403) very well anyway. it might though as i was first concerned about dropping from 25 tons to 14 tons, but i will tell you the design of that split fire (14 tons) splits everything my 25 ton mtd did, and splits it cleaner and much quicker too.

 

[Gil Case]

Greg G, thanks for the tech info, I had trouble finding the psi. I guess I had better stick with the 13 ton models. The only problem is the two way 13 toners are only 20" max length of log. The 20 ton are 26".
The one way Speeco that TSC sells is rated at 12.6 tons with 8gpm and 2000 psi- it takes a 26" log. It has a certain charm because although it is one way, it goes horizontal and vertical. Pretty cheap too at $650.
Since I am retired, (and old), maybe speed is not the most important determinant. Cycle time nears 28 seconds.

 

[KennyG]

I agree that cycle time is the not the most important thing, but 28 seconds would be way too long for me. That doesn't sound reasonable.

 

[greg_g]

I have the SpeeCo from TSC, it works like a charm. The reason the cycle time is a little longer is because it's a 24" cylinder situated to accept a 26" chunk. As I said, 24" cycle time at 7.66 gpm is about 21 seconds. That extra 2" is actually 4" when you count both directions. That probably accounts for the longer cycle time.

But I'm retired too, and appreciate a comparatively slow cycle time. The trick to shortening cycle time however, is don't let the ram retract any farther than the length of the next chunk. If you only split 18" sections for example, stop the ram before it fully retracts. If you don't trust your eyeball, they make horseshoe shaped cylinder stops that you slip over the ram so that it won't retract all the way back into the cylinder.

//greg//

 

[kiotiken]

My 2 cents is that you don't need a 2 way splitter. I use a Honda powered 20 ton, one way splitter. Other than the biggest, most knotted logs, they all split long before the ram reaches the end. At that point I retract just enough to turn or add the next piece. With a 2 way, you either have to go the entire cycle or use it as a one way.