which log splitter is best

[stevef]

I'm looking at inexpensive 3 point horizontal/vertical log splitters run by remote hydraulics on a Kubota M9000, the ones I'm considering so far are the huskee at Tractor Supply, the North Star at Northern and the Ram Splitter 3pt off the net. Does anyone have any long term experience with these brands or do you have any other favorites that I haven't found yet that are reasonably priced as I can tell you after researching that even without a motor some of the company's out there are darn proud of their products. I wouldn't mind spending up to a thousand delivered if the machine were stout I just can't find one setup for a 3 point that looks beefy enough for day in day out work. Come on guys over a hundred folks looked at this post and I got one reply. I really need to find something quick my tractor is being built out and I'm trying to have it delivered complete and ready to work. Thanks in advance Steve

 

[Dargo]

I looked and researched for weeks trying to decide which 3pt splitter was the cat's a$$. After all the research, notes, calls, etc., I went down to my local Home Depot and loaded up a (don't laugh!!) Yard Man tow behind gas powered splitter. It cost me something just under a grand, and I've split about 6 or 8 truck loads of wood with it no problem. About the time it runs out of gas and needs to be refilled, I run out of gas and need to be refilled with Gatorade or something! I guess I wimped out and took the easy way out. Oh well, I can hitch it to the back of my RTV, run off into the woods with my chain saw, and come back with a full 1500 pound bed load of cut and split wood. Works for me. Here is a pic. Oh yeah, note in the pic, the wood is only piled up to the bed sides. Driving up steep hills I dropped about half my load and didn't notice since I was having so much fun being amazed at how steep of a hill I could climb with a load! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[GareyD]

I got the 3 point splitter from Tractor Supply, l got some 25 foot hyd. lines and quick couplers when I bought it (don't like having the tractor tied down)...took it home and started splittin wood....

I've split 30 cords of mixed pine/hardwood in the last year...haven't had a minutes trouble outta the splitter.

It's not a real fast splitter, but will split anything you put on it...knots, twisted grain doesn't phase it....and still splits faster than I can by hand...plus....it splits without sweating near as much as I do!!!!!!!!!

As far as day in / day out durability....it's got a cylinder and a valve...you can rebuild them both for about $20 U.S. each /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GareyD

 

[markie61]

Ditto what GareyD said about the TSC splitter, execpt mine is attached to the rear remotes with 4' hoses. Generally, all positive except two things:

1. When vertical, the splitter is very close to the rear tire, thus decreasing your work space.
2. The little, spindly legs hang down and it is nothing to catch one. Fortunately, one of the two bolts holding it on usually acts as a shear bolt so the legs themselves don't bend. I'd pick up a couple extra nuts and bolts for the legs when you buy the splitter.

There was one company that sold a VERY heavy duty two-way splitter, but I can't remember the name. It was on a splitter thread about a year ago, so try doing a search.

Mark

 

[Youare]

This past spring I purchased a wood splitter. I considered a 3PH unit but the only one I could see locally was over $2,200. It was a very well made splitter and had several nice features, but it had to have a tractor to power it and when the tractor was a wood splitter it was not a trailer puller. The 3PH splitter extended quite far off the rear of the tractor and I could just see myself making a turn and doing a lot of damage to the truck, barn, or something else.

When I was shopping I did look at the Home Depot splitters, nice units at a reasonable price. I also looked at what other local power equipment suppliers had to offer as well as a loggers expo. It was good to see some unit in actual operation and ask questions.

I ended up with a stand alone unit that has a work table about 36" high, I do have to pick up each piece and place it on the splitter but most of the wood I cut into firewood is less than 24" in diameter. The end of the splitter table goes into the trailer I haul wood with behind the tractor allowing the split pieces to go into the trailer.

A stand alone unit allows you to use the splitter in places you may not have your tractor. I purchased a Super Split which is a non-hydraulic splitter with a cycle time of 4 seconds about 3 times faster than most hydraulics.

Randy

Randy

 

[Warwagon]

Steve, I have a 3pt model that I bought from my Kubota dealer and is from Rankin in Yakima, WA. It runs off the remotes on the tractor (L5030), it is stout and I have run some twisted and knotted Douglas Fir and it blasted right through it. Nothing I have tried to split it has stopped it. the best part is I can adjust the height and angle of the table to what ever conditions I am working with. Kevin