Back once again asking for more advise, this time log splitters.

[MossRoad]

There's two things I can think of that I don't want to run off of my tractor..

1. Log splitter
2. Generator

I often use the pallet forks on the tractor as a table to load large rounds onto the splitter, so I don't want it tied up for that.

And the few times I had to use the generator was when there was severe weather, and I needed the tractor for storm cleanup or snow removal.

 

[4570Man]

There's two things I can think of that I don't want to run off of my tractor..

1. Log splitter
2. Generator

I often use the pallet forks on the tractor as a table to load large rounds onto the splitter, so I don't want it tied up for that.

And the few times I had to use the generator was when there was severe weather, and I needed the tractor for storm cleanup or snow removal.

I load big logs with the forks and I keep the pile pushed close to the splitter. Sometimes I have another guy working and I’ll cut wood while the helper splits wood. I need the tractor to cut wood. The only way I’d have a 3pt splitter is on my B7200 with a pto pump.

 

[Brimfield]

There's two things I can think of that I don't want to run off of my tractor..

1. Log splitter
2. Generator

I often use the pallet forks on the tractor as a table to load large rounds onto the splitter, so I don't want it tied up for that.

And the few times I had to use the generator was when there was severe weather, and I needed the tractor for storm cleanup or snow removal.

X2

I use the bolt on forks to move wood or skid crates and I use the tractor for moving snow if it gets bad.

 

[dougtrr2]

I heat with wood and use 4-6 cords a year. I also run into pieces too big to pick up and put on the splitter. I don't like the vertical mode so for quite a while I would have the rounds in my loader and lift it up to chest high. Then I could pick them up and get to the splitter. I finally figured out a few years ago that I could set an 8' 4x4 on the lower web of the I-beam on my splitter and roll the rounds up. It works really well and is simple.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Deere Dude]

Here is my log lift. Roll on and roll off.

 

[oosik]

Back when I burned wood it didn't take too awful long to figure out that it was just a whole lot easier to work up smaller trees. Everything was just a lot easier all the way around.

I have Ponderosa pine - only. Many are in the 32" to 38" diameter category. Many of us know how difficult a 38"D x 16"L chunk is to handle.

Before I decided - nothing bigger than 20" - I would dig a trench with the FEL bucket and roll the splitter into the trench. With any luck this would bring the splitter beam level with the surrounding ground and no lifting required - only rolling.

 

[Rat Rod Mac]

Oosik, you are right. It is a lot of work. Day before the timber crew showed up I went around the edge of the fields brush hogging the corn stubbles down about 50 yards into the fields so when we fell the Ash trees that grew along the fields we could drive right up to them and not trip over the stubbles. Also brush hogged a large area for the timber guys to use as a staging area for loading the logs. I just used an old Massey- Ferguson Diesel 35 and a 5' Woods brush hog and it was 2 degrees out that morning. That was a long 3 hours. Boy that was cold. Especially with the field being a flat area, but on top of a hill. That wind was wicked. A lot of the trees are down in the woods and some (a lot) are in a ravine and the cut firewood will have to be carried up and out by hand. I think I will mention it to them and in the mean time I'll cut and clear all the brush and small limbs from the trees so they can pick out which tree they want to cut on and drive right up to them. We'll see how many weekends they show up. Maybe when they get enough for themselves they will help with the other guys (or maybe not). LOL. There are four guys involved here. Oh well, I'm going to get started on it and do what I can to get them cut up. Splitter could come in real handy though. See ya, RRM

 

[motownbrowne]

Back when I burned wood it didn't take too awful long to figure out that it was just a whole lot easier to work up smaller trees. Everything was just a lot easier all the way around.

I have Ponderosa pine - only. Many are in the 32" to 38" diameter category. Many of us know how difficult a 38"D x 16"L chunk is to handle.

Before I decided - nothing bigger than 20" - I would dig a trench with the FEL bucket and roll the splitter into the trench. With any luck this would bring the splitter beam level with the surrounding ground and no lifting required - only rolling.

I don't mind the big rounds so much. Not oak, anyway:

Splitting a big oak round - YouTube

 

[MossRoad]

I heat with wood and use 4-6 cords a year. I also run into pieces too big to pick up and put on the splitter. I don't like the vertical mode so for quite a while I would have the rounds in my loader and lift it up to chest high. Then I could pick them up and get to the splitter. I finally figured out a few years ago that I could set an 8' 4x4 on the lower web of the I-beam on my splitter and roll the rounds up. It works really well and is simple.

Doug in SW IA

I usually build a small ramp with pieces of split wood up to the horizontal beam and roll them up, too. However, once in a great while, I'll do someone a favor and remove a large tree fall from their yard, and some 36" + rounds are hard to roll up there, hence the forks. I can still do it by hand, but its my belief damage to my spine is cumulative. I don't have anything to prove anymore. And I have a really nice little forklift that can do it easier.

 

[4570Man]

I don't mind the big rounds so much. Not oak, anyway:

Splitting a big oak round - YouTube

That looked like a nice log. I’d have probably taken it to the mill. In either case there was a lot of wood in that tree.

 

[motownbrowne]

That looked like a nice log. I’d have probably taken it to the mill. In either case there was a lot of wood in that tree.

It certainly was. It belonged to my neighbor, and he wanted firewood, so he got firewood. He'd actually tried to deal with the only local mill left a few years ago and they essentially offered to come log his woods for no payment, so I think he was a little bitter about it. I don't know if they'd even take a yard tree like that. Then there was the fact that an 8' stick woulda weighed in the area of 4000#. My MX wouldn't even think about lifting that.

 

[RandyT]

I own a Iron and Oak 30 ton with the log lift. makes every other splitter on most peoples market look like childs play. that 12 second cycle time, and auto cycle valve makes things go quickly and smoothly. I don't use the 4 way wedge very much. Just doesn't work well for my operation. About the only other splitters that would in comparison would be Timberwolf or a true firewood processor.

 

[motownbrowne]

I own a Iron and Oak 30 ton with the log lift. makes every other splitter on most peoples market look like childs play. that 12 second cycle time, and auto cycle valve makes things go quickly and smoothly. I don't use the 4 way wedge very much. Just doesn't work well for my operation. About the only other splitters that would in comparison would be Timberwolf or a true firewood processor.

Did you add the auto cycle valve? I didn't think there were any manufacturers left putting them on their floor models.

 

[RandyT]

Did you add the auto cycle valve? I didn't think there were any manufacturers left putting them on their floor models.

I have owned mine about 10 years. It was standard on the commercial models. It looks like they have removed that valve from the new ones, From the demo video with the new valve setup I don't think it is nearly as fast as the old ones.

I can understand why they removed them. Good way to loose a body parts or two.

 

[dodge man]

I've only see one person mention it, but get a splitter that goes both horizontal and vertical. With it in the vertical position, you can just kind of roll/walk the rounds into the splitter and don't have to pick them up. I see them for around a $1000 for a cheaper one. I've got kind of a low buck one that only goes horizontal and it cost maybe a little over $500. Does great and if I get a heavy one I just lift it up close with the tractor bucket, but I do wish I had spend the money on one that goes vertical also.

 

[4570Man]

Horizontal only with a lift is a lot easier on your body than a vertical splitter. If you don’t split a lot of wood any splitter will get the job done. I split close to 200 rick a year and I’ll never go back to a horizontal/vertical splitter.

 

[MossRoad]

Horizontal only with a lift is a lot easier on your body than a vertical splitter. If you don’t split a lot of wood any splitter will get the job done. I split close to 200 rick a year and I’ll never go back to a horizontal/vertical splitter.

70 cords? Yikes! I do 6. :laughing:

 

[4570Man]

70 cords? Yikes! I do 6. :laughing:

It’s a part time year round project. And I pay help to do most of the splitting.

 

[aczlan]

Horizontal only with a lift is a lot easier on your body than a vertical splitter. If you don’t split a lot of wood any splitter will get the job done. I split close to 200 rick a year and I’ll never go back to a horizontal/vertical splitter.

I agree. I need to make a lift for our splitter one of these days.

Aaron Z

 

[Piston]

I own a Iron and Oak 30 ton with the log lift. makes every other splitter on most peoples market look like childs play. that 12 second cycle time, and auto cycle valve makes things go quickly and smoothly. I don't use the 4 way wedge very much. Just doesn't work well for my operation. About the only other splitters that would in comparison would be Timberwolf or a true firewood processor.

I looked into the Timberwolf/American and Iron and Oak as well. I found the Split-Fire to be more efficient and faster for my uses. I think so much depends on what you want or expect out of whatever splitter you choose.