Thoughts on 3pt log splitters?

[Sawyer Rob]

I've had my tractor 25 years. At 50 hours a year that would be an additional 1250 hours on an expensive to purchase and maintain machine. It has NOTHING to do with whether tractor can handle it. That's a straw argument.

I've had this tractor over 40 years, here it is running my splitter

It adds one extra oil change every four years! That's about five extra quarts. IF, I had a little screamer powering my splitter, in four years it would take four quarts of oil, so I'm really only using two extra quarts with my tractor.

For two extra quarts I don't have to listen to a little screamer, I don't need to have a can of no E fuel around and I don't have to put up with dealing with small engine starting/running problems ect. ect.! Well worth the tradeoff for me!

BTW, what's a "straw" argument? We only grow hay on this farm. lol

SR

 

[Paul McILwain]

I have a home made splitter with a 1960’s 10hp single cyl Briggs. It has a double pulley with 2 B size belts to a sliding mandrel ( to tighten/ loosen belts) connected to a surplus aircraft hyd pump and 3 gal tank. Originally I used the hyd from my small 25hp gas tractor (satoh s650g) but too slow even at pto speed and with under slung exhaust blowing in my face soon switched to the Briggs engine. I have 3ph connectors and height adjustable 3 leg stand. I welded a trailer ball to the back of the splitter to take a trailer with me to the woods. I disconnect the tractor to use for skidding trees to the splitter. I carry my chain saws, gas and oil, chains etc in the bucket. At the end of the day just hook up the splitter and trailer full of split wood and head home with all the wood chips left in the bush. Even though the old Briggs just has wrap the rope around the pulley system it usually starts first or second pull. I have been using this setup since 1986 and has been flawless and at 84 still able to handle it.

 

[mx842]

I don't know; it just may be the way I look at things but to me why would I want to tie up my tractor to split wood when there are better ways to do it. I can split wood by myself with my home-built splitter, and I don't see how you could get any production doing it with your tractor without at least 2 people and three would be better. I would rather have my tractor to catch wood and get it out of the way and also getting wood up to the splitter where you can get to it.
Another thing is piling up hours on your tractor for something that could be done a better way. I guess if you only split a wheelbarrow or two of wood a year it may not be too bad, but when I start splitting wood for the year it can be a 2- or 3-week ordeal, and if you just figure splitting 8 hours a day that's adding 40 hours to your tractor for 5 days of work. When I get in the splitting mode, I'll split for at the very least 10 hours a day for 6 days sometimes 7 before going into the next week. Hours add up fast enough with just normal use.

 

[90cummins]

I’m unable to post a photo or video of my setup.
My splitter is setup so I can move with my pallet forks which are 3pt hitch mounted.
Having its own engine makes it more versatile and is certainly much faster than a PTO powered system.
Splitter has a 16hp cast iron Briggs engine driving a 28 gpm pump.
Cylinder is 4x24 and is extremely fast with a 7 second cycle time at a governed speed of 2956 rpm. I rarely run it at governed speed.

 

[mx842]

I use a 3PT splitter on my FEL with hoses to the BH connection. Use the BH to lift and cut 20-30 rounds then connect the splitter hoses and run at 1200 RPM. I can do a 1/2 cord in 3-4 hours. Also can lower the splitter to the ground to load large rounds. View attachment 4184791View attachment 4184792

Don't take this wrong but you just proved my point. I'm 78 and still can split a cord plus in an hour, by myself with my home-made splitter. That taking a break by getting on the tractor to move split rounds out of the way. Normally I work by myself but on rare occasions that I get a helper that loads my log lift and keeps the splits out of the way we can do 2 plus cords, 3 maybe in an hour depending on the type of wood. How ever this will work the hell out of one helper because he's constantly loading wood and keeping it out of the way as long as I pull the lever.

 

[WranglerX]

Lets see..... Wear out a $10,000 tractor engine or a $149 small engine...... Can buy awful lot of small engines for the $10,000....

https://www.harborfreight.com/brands/predator/engines/65-hp-212cc-ohv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-69730.html

Still running strong for 5-6 years now, it cost less than repairing blown B&S 5hp that was on splitter when I bought it used....

 

[scootr]

I've had this tractor over 40 years, here it is running my splitter

It adds one extra oil change every four years! That's about five extra quarts. IF, I had a little screamer powering my splitter, in four years it would take four quarts of oil, so I'm really only using two extra quarts with my tractor.

For two extra quarts I don't have to listen to a little screamer, I don't need to have a can of no E fuel around and I don't have to put up with dealing with small engine starting/running problems ect. ect.! Well worth the tradeoff for me!

BTW, what's a "straw" argument? We only grow hay on this farm. lol

SR

Aren't you afraid of wearing it out
Who ever thought a tractor attachment could invoke such a passionate discussion?
Next you'll be telling me to park the plow and pick up the shovel

 

[can do]

I have been considering getting a log splitter when I heard somewhere about a log splitter as a tractor attachment. Don't know why I didn't think of looking for that earlier. My question is this. Are they worth it? Some of the prices I've seen are on par with a stand alone splitter. I'm wondering if it is worth getting an attachment over a stand alone. Thoughts?

I've got one on my 1959 M-F 50 gasoline tractor, & have been using it for over 27 years without any issues I bought it from Northern Tool the only thing I've replaced on it are the hydraulic lines about 2 years ago my tractor is a 34 HP engine, & the log splitter is a 25 ton it's a little slow until the fluid gets warmed up. IMHO the only drawback is having your tractor dedicated too the splitter; I did buy a new tractor in 2018 a M-F 1526 4X4 diesel with a fel so now I have my M-F 50 dedicated too the splitter from fall too late spring.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Aren't you afraid of wearing it out
Who ever thought a tractor attachment could invoke such a passionate discussion?
Next you'll be telling me to park the plow and pick up the shovel

Naaaa, but I will tell you to park the plow and pick up a Howard Rotovator though! lol

I have three, no plow for me! AND that's a great rhyme... lol

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Lets see..... Wear out a $10,000 tractor engine or a $149 small engine...... Can buy awful lot of small engines for the $10,000....

https://www.harborfreight.com/brands/predator/engines/65-hp-212cc-ohv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-69730.html

Still running strong for 5-6 years now, it cost less than repairing blown B&S 5hp that was on splitter when I bought it used....

I can buy a lot of tractors for $10,000 dollars, I just bought this one for $1500 and it starts/runs perfectly!

AND it's already making me money; in fact I've made over $500 with it since I bought it!

SR