Using a 3 point Log Splitter on my John Deere 1023E

[DeereGirl]

I need some opinions from you guys. I'm new to the thought of using a log splitter of this type. I'm used to a standalone gas splitter. However, I have a barter opprotunity that sounds pretty good.
I have the opprotunity to pick up a Speeco 3 point Log Splitter. Here's the description that I've been given and pictures look really good:
"I bought this on CL a few months ago for $450 and only have split a half dozen logs. I believe I am the 3rd owner, but none of us has used it very much. The splitter is designed to operate using the hydraulic system of a class 1 or 2 tractor with a 3 point hitch system. Also, you could connect it to a stand alone hydraulic pump. It works perfectly. There is some deterioration on the covering of the 8 foot hoses but they do not leak. I installed a brand new "open" type hydraulic control valve ($140) and new quick release connectors ($40). It includes legs, but I have not used them. They seem to be selling new for about $850 (which may or may not include shipping). New they usually do not include hoses and connectors (+/- $100). "

My questions are as follows:
1. Are spitters of these types worth the money?
2. I understand that they work of the hydrolics of the tractor, will there be any reason why mine will not be able to handle it?
3. I'm sure there should be more questions asked but I'm not familure enough to know which ones. Is there something else that I should be thinking of?
Here's a PIC:

Any help would be great. If this is a good offer, I would like to jump on it.

 

[greg_g]

Your 1023 hydraulics may not result in splitter performance consistent with your expectations. Pg12 on the manual for this splitter has pressure versus flow rate versus cycle time charts. If you don't have a copy, you can download one here. Then look up the hydraulic pressure and flow numbers in your 1023 manual. Comparing the splitter charts with the tractor data will give you splitting tonnage and cycle time.

//greg//

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

If I had a chance at a splitter like that at a good price, I would scoop it up in a minute.

My tractor rate of flow is about 5gpm so too slow for a direct hook up.
If I'm going to have to run the motor at PTO rpm I have thought of running a PTO driven pump with an oil tank.

Also I would convert it to a rear facing vertical only splitter on the 3pt hitch so I could add a trailer hitch for a two wheel trailer.

Good luck

 

[DeereGirl]

Ok Guys.... Here's what the specs are on the JD 1023e... thoughts?

 

[J_J]

If the cyl is a 4 in cyl, and 2 in shaft. and tractor hyd pressure of 2000 psi, the splitter would be rated at about 12 ton. That will do most jobs.

Since the flow to the valve is low, Prince makes a LSR-3060 log splitter valve which will speed up the splitting time.

http://www.princehyd.com/Portals/0/products/valves/LSR3060Flyer.pdf

Your tractor should be able to use this PTO pump below, and provide faster speeds and more power.

This pump can supply about 7 GPM at 2250 psi.

Surplus Center - 3.6 CU IN PRINCE HC-PTO-7A PTO PUMP 540 RPM

You should check your log splitter valve relief setting, and make it equal to the tractor relief setting.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Looks like it must mount sideways on the 3 pt. I'd rather have it fore/aft. and push the logs off the rear. This way I can drive forward to clear the wood. I also prefer a 4 way wedge for 90% of my splittting. It's 3x as fast this way. To me it looks like you have one choice as to which side to stand on plus the wood falls at your feet/in the loading area.

I posted a pic recently in another thread of teh Wallenstein unit that I use.

Agreed on the pump/reservoir given the low hydraulic flow of your tractor.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a splitter that I used on my BX22. I believe it is a 18 ton....? My BX had a flow rate in the 6gpm range. All that said, it worked fine for me. Cycle time was in the 13-16 second area and had plenty of power to split anything I could fit into the opening, other than big knots. It is no speed demon and would not be efficient for commercial work, but I could be shoulders deep in split logs in about a hour and barely break a sweat.

 

[greg_g]

If I'm going to have to run the motor at PTO rpm I have thought of running a PTO driven pump with an oil tank.

It shouldn't be necessary to run at PTO rpm when the splitter is powered by tractor hydraulics. You only need sufficient engine revs to spin the pump up to its max gpm rate. I haven't used my 3730 for splitting yet. But behind my previous tractor, 1100 rpm is all it took to run the SpeeCo at its rated capacity.

//greg//

 

[J_J]

greg_g,

What was the rated GPM capacity on your splitter.

The cheapest log splitter valve will handle about 25 GPM.

I am confused by your 1100 engine rpm statement, with 2600 engine rpm available .

If you run it at 1100 rpm, you would only pump about 3 GPM, although that might be enough.

 

[DeereGirl]

Thanks to all... I have not hear back from the person who offered yet. The splitter was on Craigslist for $400 and my snow blower is on there for $600. I was probably willing to go down to $500 but still not sure. Like I said, the person that made the offer has yet to contact me back. I'm still wondering if I should hold out to see if I get a cash offer. Then I can either put it towards a splitter or some other attachments for the tractor. My most recent purchase was a box scraper. I love it!

 

[DeereGirl]

Everyone has given me much to think about and I appreciate it!

 

[etcallhome]

I would connect it to the tractor and give it a try. Run tractor at idle see how that works if not happy try bumping rpm up a couple of hundred rpm , no need to run at 3200 but keep trying till your at 2400 . 2400 would be the fastest I would try main reason manual says no higher than 2400 for BH .

 

[greg_g]

I am confused by your 1100 engine rpm statement, with 2600 engine rpm available ..

My splitter is the same SpeeCo 3 point that's being discussed. As I said, the specs are on pg12 of the manual - which you would have found had you followed the link I provided above.

Regarding the 1100rpm, that was the engine speed at which tractor hydraulic pump developed its max pressure and flow. It would build from idle to 1100, then remain constant all the way to full throttle. Didn't matter where I set the throttle above 1100, it didn't change either the splitting power or the cycle time. Nor did the splitter ever bog down the engine at that speed. Hence, 1100 rpm saved both fuel - and wear&tear on the associated tractor components.

//greg//

 

[fdmars]

Greg_g You bring up an interesting point as to RPM, do you think the 1100 rpm to generate max hydraulic flow is the same # for a 2305? I never knew about this, though when I use my log splitter I was never at full throttle. Thanks Fred

 

[J_J]

My splitter is the same SpeeCo 3 point that's being discussed. As I said, the specs are on pg12 of the manual - which you would have found had you followed the link I provided above.

Regarding the 1100rpm, that was the engine speed at which tractor hydraulic pump developed its max pressure and flow. It would build from idle to 1100, then remain constant all the way to full throttle. Didn't matter where I set the throttle above 1100, it didn't change either the splitting power or the cycle time. Nor did the splitter ever bog down the engine at that speed. Hence, 1100 rpm saved both fuel - and wear&tear on the associated tractor components.

//greg//

The link you provided gives me a 404 error.

Explain how a direct driven gear pump keeps pumping at the same GPM at 1100 rpm, if you increase engine rpm.

Was your pump maximum GPM figured at 1100 rpm or at 2600 rpm?

Looking at the figures below on the GPM of the log splitter, I would suspect that the splitter would have a shorter cycle time with more GPM's.


http://www.speeco.com/whitepapers/3PTHITCHLSMANUAL.pdf

Go to last page.

It also says that the ideal GPM should be in the range of 8 to 15 GPM for this splitter.

 

[KennyG]

Not sure how Greg's setup works but I found that my splitter on my 2320 maxs out on speed somewhere between 2000 and 2400 rpm. Taking it on up to 3000 rpm doesn't change the speed. I'm not sure why but I thought it might be a restrictor in the splitter (not necessarily the valve) to limit the speed for safety. From experience I know that with a splitter on a large tractor (100+ HP) there's no point in running above idle. You have all the speed and power you can use there.

 

[ovrszd]

Cycle times of 13-16 seconds would stress me. Sounds like a LOT of time spent watching a cylinder slowly move......

I built a 3pt splitter using a PTO pump for my Kubota B2910 because I didn't thing the tractor hydraulics would run it fast enough to suit me. I had a one-way stroke time of 6 seconds and still felt like I was waiting.

 

[greg_g]

Not sure how Greg's setup works but I found that my splitter on my 2320 maxs out on speed somewhere between 2000 and 2400 rpm.T aking it on up to 3000 rpm doesn't change the speed.

Same as yours. Except it was a 45hp tractor. More power, bigger pump I guess. The output of mine was flat from 1100 to the 2650 throttle stop.

//greg//

 

[Tomtint]

Cycle times of 13-16 seconds would stress me. Sounds like a LOT of time spent watching a cylinder slowly move......

I built a 3pt splitter using a PTO pump for my Kubota B2910 because I didn't thing the tractor hydraulics would run it fast enough to suit me. I had a one-way stroke time of 6 seconds and still felt like I was waiting.

That is about the same time I had. 6 seconds each way +\-. like I said, if you are just splitting for your own stockpile, it was adequate for me. If I was doing it for profit, I would get a faster splitter. 4,5,6 splits a minute was just fine for me.

 

[J_J]

Greg_g You bring up an interesting point as to RPM, do you think the 1100 rpm to generate max hydraulic flow is the same # for a 2305? I never knew about this, though when I use my log splitter I was never at full throttle. Thanks Fred

JD 2305

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 3.4 gal [12.9 L]
Pressure: 1987 psi [137.0 bar]
Valves: 2
Pump flow: 2.9 gpm [11.0 lpm]
Total flow: 5.2 gpm [19.7 lpm]
Steering flow: 2.3 gpm [8.7 lpm]

Your pump flow is only 2.9 GPM at 3000 rpm, and 1987 psi.