Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[John_Mc]

Saw a post recently about a few wood splitters. What do you guys think of the split fire 3 pt model? Its a neat tidy package. But I'd have to get a princess pto pump if I were to get one of those as I don't say the tractor has enough flow

You will want the PTO pump kit, if you are running with your Mahindra 2816. The hydraulic flow on that tractor (7.8 GPM) is just too low for getting a good speed out of the splitter.

I've always thought that was an interesting design. (Be aware that you will have higher splitting force available on the extension stroke of the cylinder than on the retraction: something to keep in mind when splitting really gnarly stuff.)

Personally, I prefer a stand-alone splitter, but that's really just a matter of personal preference: mainly a question of one less engine to maintain vs being able to use your tractor for other things while the splitter is in operation.

I also like a horizontal splitter with a fixed wedge and moving anvil, so that it pushes the wood out the end. With that, I can set it up to push the wood right into my trailer. The moveable wedge and fixed anvil design does have an advantage when resplitting: the wood stays right there (at least if the splitter has a well-designed work table/cradle). With the fixed wedge, you have to pull the pieces back for resplitting (that process is also helped by a well designed work table).

Really, most of the issues are just a matter of how you prefer to work when splitting.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Pictures never seem to tell the whole story. Here are 2 big stumps. I had about 10 in all. I picked the smaller ones up with the 4 in 1 and dragged the biggest ones my tractor couldn't pick up.

I put them in a circle in an area outta site, I call it Stumphenge.

 

[hunt4570]

View attachment 675117

Pictures never seem to tell the whole story. Here are 2 big stumps. I had about 10 in all. I picked the smaller ones up with the 4 in 1 and dragged the biggest ones my tractor couldn't pick up.

I put them in a circle in an area outta site, I call it Stumphenge.

My tractor (used) came with a 4 n 1, never could get the hang of it, traded for a grapple ..

 

[Sawyer Rob]

With the fixed wedge, you have to pull the pieces back for resplitting (that process is also helped by a well designed work table).

I don't pull them back, as you can see, they aren't far away,

and I just roll the bigger piece over backwards, back onto the beam as it's just sitting there on top of the wedge. It's very fast and easy to do.

Having the splits go off the end of the table is a BIG PLUS in my book,

way less handling of the splits that way,

SR

 

[KennyG]

According to the splitfire specs, you should get about a 15 second stroke time with 7 gpm. I have a small PowerHorse two way and I get about 10 second stroke with about 4 gpm. Of course, my stroke is only 18 inches and the it's about 10 tons, but it works fine for me. The two way design makes a slightly slower stroke acceptable. I'm in the minority that really likes a 3 point splitter, but I wouldn't trade mine for a stand alone.

 

[Oldpath05]

Believe my flow rate is only 7 gpm if I remember right. Believe most call for 10-11. I know princess use to sell 11gpm pto pumps...but then I'd have to get a tank etc etc. If I had other uses for the hydraulics I'd get the tank/valves and pump . But right now, work is not looking good after this covid crisis. We always used a 20 ton splitter, tow job. I do like the two way action and compact build of the split fire though.

By the time that guy moves the bock back and forth my ram is already back with auto return and ready to split again with no sliding a heavy block back&forth. Split-Fire 343 3 Point Hitch 2-Way Log Splitter with interchangeable 4-way wedge - YouTube

All said and done I think your looking at 3-4k and remember right now work is not looking good.........
Bolt-On PTO Kit - Split-Fire 3-Point Hitch Log Splitter

 

[Oldpath05]

THe tractor hydraulics would certainly power it. If the PSI is high enough you'll get the rated splitting force. The problem is that a compact tractor's low flow rate will make for rather slow splitting. If he's going to be happy with this on a typical compact, he's really going to want the PTO kit.

Sounds to me 3point splitters are not the way to go on compact tractors, probably mine isn't big enough. One would think that tractor manufactures would build their tractors to be able to run splitters..

 

[ptsg]

Over here, people who split firewood for a living will often just buy an old and cheap 2WD tractor that sits in the yards, running all week long with a 3 pt splitter with PTO pump attached.

Some of these tractors may even have something broken in this transmission but as long as the engine and PTO works, everything is good. Other will burn engine oil as much as they burn diesel. :laughing:

These tractors can be often found in the neighborhood of $2000 to $3000, sometimes less. Which is not much considering the productivity of a 3 pt splitter and the price of fuel, if the splitter had it's own gas engine. Diesel is about 50 cents cheaper than gas here.

 

[Oldpath05]

You will want the PTO pump kit, if you are running with your Mahindra 2816. The hydraulic flow on that tractor (7.8 GPM) is just too low for getting a good speed out of the splitter.

I've always thought that was an interesting design. (Be aware that you will have higher splitting force available on the extension stroke of the cylinder than on the retraction: something to keep in mind when splitting really gnarly stuff.)

Personally, I prefer a stand-alone splitter, but that's really just a matter of personal preference: mainly a question of one less engine to maintain vs being able to use your tractor for other things while the splitter is in operation.

I also like a horizontal splitter with a fixed wedge and moving anvil, so that it pushes the wood out the end. With that, I can set it up to push the wood right into my trailer. The moveable wedge and fixed anvil design does have an advantage when resplitting: the wood stays right there (at least if the splitter has a well-designed work table/cradle). With the fixed wedge, you have to pull the pieces back for resplitting (that process is also helped by a well designed work table).

Really, most of the issues are just a matter of how you prefer to work when splitting.

And thats the best selling point of all, no moving heavy blocks back and forth, split, let one half fall into tray, let the other half fall on splitting beam and go again.................

Wood splitter crane - YouTube

 

[Oldpath05]

I don't pull them back, as you can see, they aren't far away,

and I just roll the bigger piece over backwards, back onto the beam as it's just sitting there on top of the wedge. It's very fast and easy to do.

Having the splits go off the end of the table is a BIG PLUS in my book,
way less handling of the splits that way,

SR

Your book is wrong your still stacking then in the boxes..... That big block has to be brought back four times and then you already let some go by thats to big and needs to be brought back to be recycled, while your at it bring half the ones thats already in the box or give me a refund...........