3pt or Stand Alone Splitter

WranglerX · May 11, 2021

Never understood the problem with dealing with small engines.... I have them on generator, pressure washer, standby water pump, lawnmowers, log splitter and actually riding mower, once a year I change the oil and tune up on all units ....They always start when I need them when even after setting for months not used and don't even have fuel problems.... Only really issue was voltage regulator on B&S engine in riding mower killed a battery on JD riding mower... .Also on two cycle side, 2 chain saw's, leaf blower weed eater........ Lot cheaper to service all the little ones (maybe $40-$50 for fluids and filters) than one "service" on tractor (last service was $400 for labor and all filters and fluids at dealer) ... Also my 90 pound soaking wet 74 year old wife can handle most of these devices and cannot/will not operate tractor...

MossRoad · May 11, 2021

I'd like to know what "having to deal with another small engine" entails to some folks? While I bought my current machine to do as many tasks as possible with the goal of reducing the number of engine powered machines, it certainly isn't a chore to deal with the ones that I have left.
Tiller
Lawn Mower
Generator
Log Splitter
Power washer

2-strokes:
Chainsaws
Weedeater/pole saw.

They each might take 10-15 minutes of maintenance per year.

dodge man · May 11, 2021

Like Mossroad, I have about the same list of small engines to maintain, not a bid deal. Likewise I didn’t buy my tractor to sit and gather dust so not that big a deal to use it to power a splitter.

My take after reading this how you handle the split wood on which is better, a stand alone or a 3 point. There is no wrong or right answer here.

Industrial Toys · May 11, 2021

Certainly a good quality little air cooled gas engine, kept out of the weather, should give you no trouble if you consider the implications with todays fuels.

It's the NOISE, that takes any joy (for me) in using them.

WranglerX · May 11, 2021

Industrial Toys said:
Certainly a good quality little air cooled gas engine, kept out of the weather, should give you no trouble if you consider the implications with todays fuels.

It's the NOISE, that takes any joy (for me) in using them.

Odd because my Chinese 6.5 HP (B&S copy) on my log splitter is quieter than my SCUT diesel cranking along at 2000 RPM...

ruffdog · May 11, 2021

When my dad needs help splitting wood, a stand-alone can be quickly hitched to the truck and towed over there. When I was young, we had a splitter beam that would be towed to the location with a garden tractor, then it ran off a PTO driven pump bolted to the tractor. At that time, we were burning lots of wood and it was mostly very large rounds. One person ran the lever and the other moved the wood. For a while we had the pump mounted on the front of the tractor and was driven off the engine. I liked it as it had a 3 second cycle time with a 4" cylinder....scary fast. The oil tank etc would get a bit warm and also it was too fast for my dads liking, so we went back to the PTO.

MossRoad · May 11, 2021

I'm fortunate in that my in-laws purchased a generic 20 ton splitter with a 5HP Briggs back in the late 70's or early 80's. They heated with wood until about 10-12 years ago. That's when we started heating with wood, so they gave me the splitter. It was maybe 30 years old when the BS engine blew a crank seal, and the pull starter, and something else (can't remember). Repair parts were gonna be about $40 as I recall. Harbor Freight had the 6.5HP bolt in replacement for $99. No brainer. It works great.

It's only a horizontal splitter. I'd like to have one that goes vertical. However, I'm still pretty strong and have no problems building a little ramp out of splits to roll larger rounds up on the splitter by hand. I could also do it with the forks on my little PT425 if I chose to, but can always use the exercise.

I try and split about 6 cords per year. That's the most we'll use in the coldest winters. Last few winters were pretty mild. So may only need 2-3 cords this year.

grsthegreat · May 11, 2021

DL Meisen said:
Odd because my Chinese 6.5 HP (B&S copy) on my log splitter is quieter than my SCUT diesel cranking along at 2000 RPM...

My tractor runs at just above idle while splitting. Running any faster does not speed up splitter

KennyG · May 11, 2021

grsthegreat said:
My tractor runs at just above idle while splitting. Running any faster does not speed up splitter

I've noticed the same thing. My tractor idles at about 1300 and is PTO rated at about 3000. After about 2300 rpm, the splitter doesn't move any faster. I've always wondered if there is some type of flow restrictor in rear remote circuit, but in an open center system, it doesn't seem like there should be.