3 point mount / tractor hydraulic log splitter on a JD 2840

[mcole]

Hi,

I am contemplating the purchase of a used 3 pt mount log splitter that would run off of the tractor's hydraulics. I have read that the flow rate per minute of the hydraulics is important. From the specs on my JD 2840 it states that the pump flow is 23 gpm. I am thinking this would be a good setup. Can anyone help me confirm that? The log splitter I am looking at right now (unless it sells) is a North Star (1102?) for $450.00.



thank you for any guidance!

 

[Shaneard]

We used to use one behind a JD 730 two cylinder diesel growing up, it did alright but not as good as a self contained unit with a 2 stage pump. Dad eventually converted it to self contained, it's still in use today some 30 years later.

 

[mcole]

Thank you for the quick reply! I tried to look up the flow rate on the 730 but can't seem to find it (on a quick search anyways). Did the 730 have remote hydraulics or was the log splitter attached a different way? I found a video on YouTube that talked about the gpm of smaller tractors being around 6 gpm vs a self contained log splitters being 15 gpm. If the 2840 truly does have 23 gpm then it should work as well as a stand alone unit.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my question.

 

[oldnslo]

Mcole,
Something to consider is your tractor an open or closed center system.

Open center oil flows from the pump all the time.

Closed center is an on demand flow system.

The valve on the log splitter must of the same style as your tractor. Some valves can be converted from one style to the other.

The 23 GPM is at rated engine RPM. Run tractor slower and flow drops also.

At 23 GPM that splitter would cycle at a fairly good speed.

 

[Shaneard]

The 730 had factory remote. The older John Deere hydraulics only have one pump that runs everything, they may still be that way I don't know. It will run the wood splitter, it just may not have the power to split big knotty stuff. That's where the 2 stage comes into play. More GPM doesn't mean more power, if that makes sense.

 

[mcole]

Oldnslo,

Thank you for pointing that out; I wasn't aware of the the open vs closed. The specs on the 2840 show closed center / 2 valves. I also hadn't thought about the fact that I will have to rev up the RPMs to keep the hydraulics pumping at a decent rate. So the lever on the log splitter would control the on demand aspect of the hydraulic flow, correct? So I am getting more confident that this may work fairly well. This would be a lot easier if I could try it out first before buying it.

Thanks!

 

[mcole]

Thank you, Shaeard for the additional info and insight!

 

[Gafn]

I use a 3 Point mounted log splitter from Tractor Supply. Used it on my little Kubota at first @ 6 GPM - it ran slowly - but had more than enough power for the knottly stuff. I upgraded to a 35HP tractor now the GPM is 11, and it simply runs faster - on both tractors NEVER had an issue busting any log. That 2 stage - not sure if it really matters much... I have not found anything I could not bust...

 

[mcole]

Thank you Gafn! Thanks for sharing the pics too!

 

[ericm979]

You may have to modify the splitter's valve to work with closed center. Modern CUTS are open center so the valve will be set up for that. Many valves have a part that can be added or removed to switch between open and closed center. Some do not. If it was me I'd look up the valve and make sure it can be adapted.

23 gpm will be plenty. How large is the cylinder on the splitter? Cylinder size determines the amount of force (since pressure is in the same range on most systems).

The kind of wood you're splitting had a big effect on how easy it is to split. Straight grained wood splits easy but if the grain is irregular it can be a bear.