3-Point Hitch 3 pt. log splitter

[crystallake]

I've been wanting a 3 pt. log splitter to run on a MX5100 Kubota. Read almost all the threads here and know to expect it to be a little slow. My spec show pump capacoty 9.5 gpm with power steering 4.9. Am I wasting my time think this will work? I see much smaller tractors using them on Youtube but dont know anything about there hydraulics.

 

[Dave M7040]

I think most people who have gone down the route you are planning will advise to go the stand alone splitter route.
I found I put needless hours on my tractor and suffered with slow action and low output.
Buy a cheap engine (chinese) model and you will be much happier. When the engine finally lets go you and then drive it off the tractor hydraulics.
The stand alone unit will have a two stage pump to make each cycle much quicker.
Dave M7040

 

[KennyG]

Majority of people seem to prefer stand alones but I am very happy with my 3 point splitter. Three reasons - No maintenance, very little storage space and quiet enough I don't need ear protection while I'm using it.

I have only about 3 gpm available so I have a Powerhorse 13 ton unit. You could probably handle the 20 ton model. It may be a little slow, but it's a two way splitter so there is no wait for a return stroke. Actual throughput is equal to stand alone splitters, in my experience.

Each to his own.

 

[4570Man]

I prefer standalone splitters. No need to put hours on the tractor. I'm not that worried about hours, but they affect resale value. I don't want my tractor tied up splitting wood. Another advantage is I pay a guy to split most of my wood. I leave the wood splitter in the shed which is unlocked. He can come split wood whenever he wants. I wouldn't do that with a 3 point splitter.

 

[coolreinfarm]

I have a L3240 with a TSC country line 3 point splitter, very satisfied with the operation and speed, run engine between 1000 and 1500 rpms. I had the dealer set up the hydraulics the same as a backhoe connection. My reason for this setup after splitting wood for 46 years is not having to maintain another engine nor another hydraulic system. Not worrying about the motor sitting around for months on end and not starting when I need it is eliminated. The additional engine hours does not concern me since this is probably the last tractor I'll ever buy.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Am I wasting my time think this will work?

I love my 3 point splitter, but it's powered by a pump that slides on the pto, it's fast and extremely impressive!.

Would I go back to a stand alone? NO,

IF, "I" was worried about putting hrs on my tractor, I'd figure I made a poor choice in tractor buying and move it on down the road! Then buying one I wouldn't have to worry about!

To the OP, your tractor will do what you are wanting to do, it's just going to run the splitter sloooow...

SR

 

[4570Man]

I love my 3 point splitter, but it's powered by a pump that slides on the pto, it's fast and extremely impressive!. Would I go back to a stand alone? NO, IF, "I" was worried about putting hrs on my tractor, I'd figure I made a poor choice in tractor buying and move it on down the road! Then buying one I wouldn't have to worry about! To the OP, your tractor will do what you are wanting to do, it's just going to run the splitter sloooow... SR

But you have multiple tractors. Would you want a pto splitter if you only had one tractor? I wouldn't mind powering my splitter with my B7100, but I wouldn't want it on my primary tractor. 9.5 GPM is about the same as a store bought stand alone splitter. It won't be a speed demon, but not like a turtle either. My B7100 only has 14 hp at the pto, but that would turn a pretty decent pump.

 

[Billrog]

I've also been happy with the 3 point splitter for the last 20 yrs. Last tractor was a little slower than this one but being able to lower or raise it for large blocks is a plus and easy to move around or into the pile where you don't have to man handle the blocks much. Easy to store & no maintenance. I think they both have a place depends how much you wish to invest & what you expect from it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

But you have multiple tractors. Would you want a pto splitter if you only had one tractor?

I'll be honest with you... IF that was the case, it wouldn't be the case for long. I'd buy an older/used tractor, they can be found quite cheep. $3,000.00 will get you a decent tractor with modern features...

The problem with this site is, everyone "thinks" they have to keep up and only buy new tractors and that they have to be a CUT. lol

For the same money or less, they could have bought a much tougher farm tractor...

SR

 

[bironacad]

I have a three point splitter. I had a stand alone splitter. The three point splitter is a little slower but so am I, lol, it doesn't seem to bog down on old elm logs either. I like that I can lower it or raise it to the task at hand. Lowered to the ground I can roll the big diameter logs onto the saddle keeping my bad back out of the equation. I can also set the height so that I don't have to bend down to operate. So what am I saying? It is what suits you that matters.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[crystallake]

Thanks to all. The one I am looking at locally is from Tractor Supply and sells for $750. What brand have you that use a three point type used?

 

[LD1]

You can always look at one of the rapid extend regen valves for a 3PH splitter to help with cycle time.

I prefer stand alone, I dont like tying up the tractor. To each his own

 

[KennyG]

Thanks to all. The one I am looking at locally is from Tractor Supply and sells for $750. What brand have you that use a three point type used?

I have a Northern Tool PowerHorse splitter. Unfortunately they seem to no longer carry the bi-directional model that I have which is a great advantage. They do have a one direction vertical/horizontal model. I've been quite happy with the quality of mine. I think DR Power may still have a two way 3 point splitter but I don't know of others.

Keep in mind that most of the 3 point splitters don't come with hoses so you will have to plan on getting those - the cost can be significant.

 

[alkabo]

I have a split-fire log splitter on an l4400 and love it. It is a very well built unit that is bi-directional. Being 3-point I don't have to worry about friends and family wanting to borrow it. It just seems like (things) happen when loaning out equipment.

 

[xring100]

I have a split-fire log splitter on an l4400 and love it. It is a very well built unit that is bi-directional. Being 3-point I don't have to worry about friends and family wanting to borrow it. It just seems like (things) happen when loaning out equipment.

I'll second the split-fire. I also added the log lift. My tractor has a max of 17.1 GPM auxiliary flow. I run the tractor at a speed that yields ~10 GPM and it's sufficiently fast to keep 3 people busy.

 

[brown40]

Sometimes the tractor feels like the perfect tool for the job, and other times it feels like a swiss army knife: works enough to get it done, but not as good as a dedicated tool for the job. I have a 3pt splitter, and its slow but works great. I only have 13.9 gpm flow on a 2" ram.
If money and maintenance time weren't issues, I'd have gone the stand-alone route. I am happy to avoid another motor to maintain, but would have liked to have the unit adjust to vertical and horizontal settings, have wheels/be portable (600# vertical one is nerve wracking to walk around with) and be faster.

 

[LD1]

When you speak of 2" ram....are you talking cylinder bore size?

Or are you talking diameter of the rod, Which is "almost" and irrelevant number when talking about splitters.

If its a 2" ram, that wouldnt split 90% of what I get into, on tractor hydraulics with ~2500psi thats about a 4-ton splitter. But I am inclined to think you probably have a 4" cylinder, as a 2" cylinder with a 13.9GPM flow is gonna be pretty quick, but just about worthless to split.

 

[KennyG]

But I am inclined to think you probably have a 4" cylinder, as a 2" cylinder with a 13.9GPM flow is gonna be pretty quick, but just about worthless to split.

Actually, with 13.9 gpm, a 4" cylinder would be pretty quick. Rough calculation makes me guess about 4 inches/second which is faster than I would want a splitter to run. The real world is a little slower but with a real 13.9 gpm available, a splitter with a 5" or even a 6" cylinder would run OK.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I have a plain 3-point splitter from Northern - they don't sell that model any more - that does the job running off tractor hydraulics. I upgraded to a regen valve which helps, especially running off my Belarus which only flows about 3.5gpm.
If I was buying today it would be hard to pass up the $750 dual split at Harbor Freight.

 

[brown40]

Yes, you're right it is a 4" cylinder with a 2" bore... the model I picked up takes up to a 36" log and travel is 2-3" per second. It is a good old splitter and glides through the birch, ash and maple I've fed it. Pretty happy with the speed on the downstroke, just could feed it faster if it had automatic and/or accelerated return.