wood splitter

[MarkV]

I've had an older Bush Hog 3pt splitter for the last 8 years. My thoughts for those considering a 3pt splitter would be to check your tractors hydraulic flow against the splitter specs to be sure you will be happy with the speed. You need a way to tap into the tractor hydraulics with a rear remote or a line looped into the hydraulics, like one used to attach a backhoe, with QC's. See if the splitter working height is comfortable for you when hooked to the tractor. The working height is what I didn't like. The semi bent position it put me in hurt my back after a few hours. Because I have two tractors I built a table that the splitter sets in bringing it to a more comfortable working height for me.

MarkV

 

[henrysMFGC2310TBL]

Thanks for the reply's. After some thought I am leaning towards a stand alone unit, I will let you know what I get.

 

[gwdixon]

Thanks for the reply's. After some thought I am leaning towards a stand alone unit, I will let you know what I get.

Mine is the 35 ton stand alone from Tractor Supply. It is under $2000. Works great, splits even dried out eucalyptus (aka concrete) 3 foot rounds, and cycles rather fast. Did 18 cords last fall without a hitch.

Whatever you get make sure it can split vertically. Lifting logs onto a horizontal splitter will destroy your back in no time (not everyone has a grapple like in a previous post).

I love tractor attachments but a splitter just doesn't seem to be as efficient as a stand alone. It is nice to be able to move things around with the tractor's bucket while splitting as well.

 

[Bedlam]

Here s the TSC version.
CountyLine SplitMaster 3-Point Hitch Log Splitter - 2153304 | Tractor Supply Company

I assume that the buyer has to purchase and hook up the in and out hoses.But doesnt seem like a bad price.

 

[Yota_85]

I have the Powerhorse that Scootr mentioned. Well, mine is actually the smaller one. The link he posted goes to the 24" $750, mine is the 18" $600 one. Actually, it does 19" logs.
Northern Tool - Powerhorse Horizontal Log Splitter ? 3 Pt., 13-Ton Ram Force, 3in. x 18in. Cylinder customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings


I highly recommend it with a tractor that does 10gpm or better total flow.
I use mine with a Kioti DK35se at a little about idle (1200-1400 rpms)

The two-direction splitting feature is sweet! Makes quick work of piles of wood....not having to wait for a recoil stroke.

If I had any complaints, they'd be that the two metal "ends" could be larger. If they were you could split 2 pieces (on top of each other) easier. You can now, just as long as the pieces aren't too big. Guess you could weld on larger pieces, though that'd cut down on the length of logs you could split a bit. (back to 18" ?)
Also it has no "stand" to place it down when you disconnect from 3pt on tractor. I'm working a making a stand for mine to make this easier. In the meantime, I put is on three dollies I got from TSC.

Also, at that low of RPM's the hour meter on the tractor crawls by.

 

[jbarker855]

I like my stand- alone unit for its economy. It's a 20 ton, run off a little Briggs and Stratton engine that is probably 3-4 hp. In 2 years, I have found maybe 3 logs that it couldn't split on the first try, and all I had to do was reposition them. It really sips fuel. I can run it for hours off one tank of gas, and I bet the tank barely holds a quart. I bet my tractor would consume way more fuel, even if it was just idling. My fuel cost for the splitter is negligible, even over the course of a year.
-Jay

 

[slotoro]

I have a Speeco 3PH splitter from Tractor Supply. I like the horizontal/vertical option and being able to raise the three point hitch to whatever height I want to ease back strain. The legs that come with it are not strong and bent the first time I used it. The splitter is better off without them. It does not come with hoses. You will have to purchase your own. The cycle time can be adjusted by the RPM's on your tractor. Great buy for ~$700.

 

[Youare]

A stand alone splitter gives you more options of where you can use the splitter and is easier to move around when not on the tractor. Both take up about the same amount of storage space.

Stand alone splitters generally have faster cycle times than 3PH style, a lot has to do with your tractors hydraulics. The cycle time of a splitter is an important consideration.

A 20 second cycle time may seem like a pretty quick turn around however, cycle times are figured when the pump is running on the first stage of the hydraulic pump, high volume low pressure. When the pump hits the second stage the pressure increases and the volume goes down which slows down the ram and increases the cycle time.

Using a powered splitter is a lot easier on the body. The price of wood splitters varies greatly. There are some very good splitters to be had at a reasonable price, so are a little more expensive. Depending on the amount of wood you plan to split and the time you have to do the work will dictate on how much you should spend.

Timber Wolf makes a good splitter but they are priced a bit higher than others you might in box stores. I purchased a Super Split 4 years ago, they are one of the more expensive splitters. I split around 12 full cords of wood every year and wanted to save time. With a 4 second cycle time, more like 6 or 8 seconds when the splitting gets tough, I can breeze through a pile of wood in pretty short order.

Really take a close look at what you want from a splitter and how much you are going to use one then look for the splitter that best meets you budget and needs.

Randy

 

[magicheater]

I have a small engine powered splitter and would not waste my tractor hours on splitting wood. Lots of times I leave the splitter by the pile and work other places with the tractor. Eliminates hauling the tractor to the pile when I need to split wood. The firewood process, although basically the same, can be different in how people approach it and where. Personally I am trying to reduce the number of attachments I have for my tractor. Having fewer that I can do more with is my plan.

 

[Ken Pike]

Google super split. I have an older one (bought used 5 years ago) with a 5 hp Commercial Briggs & Stratton motor. Mine was built/sold in Ottawa but they are only sold new in the US now I think. Have split over 20 cords of hardwood, some of it Rock maple that took 2 strapping 30 yr. olds to load for me. Way faster than ANY hydraulic splitter - stand-alone or tractor powered. It's All 2 guys can do to keep up with it. I tow it around with my lawn tractor in the cottage yard, or ATV or Ford 8N.