HF Three Point Log Splitter

[3RRL]

Good Afternoon Rob,
That is a pretty stout lookin unit, but Im curious if you are able to split everything with only 14 tons ? I know on my 27 ton unit that on some really knarly maple or birch that it actually slows down a bit, and if it doesnt split it, it actually cuts through it ! Have you had anything you cant split yet ?

Hi Scotty,
So far it's been pretty good having split all we had.
There was one big log that didn't split the first time. I rotated it to a better place and it split there easily. I wish I had more gpm flow, but it still works great for us even at only 14 tons. I can't imagine the power with 18 tons behind it? I too have had some wood cut off rather than split. Yours must be awesome at 27 tons!!!

 

[khamill2000]

How far does the HF splitter cylinder stick past the lift arms. I want to make sure it will clear my pto and drawbar

 

[dmoglesby]

How far does the HF splitter cylinder stick past the lift arms. I want to make sure it will clear my pto and drawbar

I just got my HF 14 ton unit in yesterday. It has 13.5 inches from the center of the drawbar to the back of the hydraulic cylinder bolts. It just barely clears the drawbar on my L3010. I have made some pictures and will post them later with some comments.

Mike

 

[khamill2000]

Thanks. I'll get out the tape and I look forward to the pics and to hearing how well you like it. Almost ready to pull the trigger on that one but they are back ordered until Dec. 14, so I will probably wait until after the first.

 

[khamill2000]

I just checked mine and I've got 14.5" at the pto shield and less at the drawbar. Looks like I may have to remove the drawbar to use this splitter. No biggie.

 

[dmoglesby]

As I mentioned my HF 3 point log splitter came in about 3 weeks ago and I had to wait while my local Kubota dealer ordered the wrong QD coupler for me twice before I got the correct ones to match my L3010 FEL controls. I had the splitter on my tractor using it for a dead weight while I hauled some gravel out of my creek during my wait and two of the bolts that hold the top link support sheered off just like they were cut with a bolt cutter. I replace all four bolts with Metric grade 8/8 bolts, the ones that came with the splitter were grade 4/8. The splitter arrived from HF in about 20 days and I met the delivery truck on the county road and unloaded it from the truck with forks that I fastened to my FEL. The unit assembled in about 20 minutes and the machining tolerances were good and every thing bolted together easily. Once my QD couplers came in I hooked it up and split a PU truck load of firewood with my wifes help in about an hour. The splitter worked great, not speedy, but neither am I after my heart attack. Based on my experiences so far, I can recommend this splitter, it seems to be well built, short of the under-rated bolts and should last a long time. Here are a few pictures that I took when it arrived.
Mike

 

[jinman]

The splitter arrived from HF in about 20 days and I met the delivery truck on the county road and unloaded it from the truck with forks that I fastened to my FEL. The unit assembled in about 20 minutes and the machining tolerances were good and every thing bolted together easily. Mike

Mike, thanks for the pictures. That's a really nice crate and packaging for the price of that splitter. I'm impressed.

Living where I do, I just don't need a sophisticated log-splitter. I don't burn a cord a year. The more expensive log splitters often just turn into "storefront decorations" here. That splitter would sell a bunch if more stores carried similar ones. Your post is going a long way to convince me that I can afford a log splitter.

 

[ayelvington]

MANY thanks for the photos! I want to put this on a BX-24 using the backhoe hydraulic connections. Can you tell me if the control valve is center-open or center-closed? Many thanks in advance.

 

[jinman]

MANY thanks for the photos! I want to put this on a BX-24 using the backhoe hydraulic connections. Can you tell me if the control valve is center-open or center-closed? Many thanks in advance.

I bought one recently that is identical to the one above. The valve is open-center. Go to the Harbor Freight site with the link below. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is a green box for downloading the manual for this splitter. It will tell you everything you need to know before making a purchase. I love mine, but pay close attention to the bolts on toplink bracket (2 on each side). I'd replace those with grade 5 or 8 M12-40 bolts. It doesn't take much to shear them off as dmoglesby mentioned above. I sheared mine off and had to replace them the same as he did.

Harbor Freight 3PH log splitter

 

[RobA]

I may get one of these. There is a Harbor Freight store 25 miles away. I can order from them for the same price with no shipping charges. And, it's in Delaware - no sales tax.

 

[RobA]

I thought more about this and will be ordering the HF splitter. I have a Kubota L5030 with rear hydraulic hoses for a backhoe. Is there anything special I need to do or get to hook up the splitter?

 

[jinman]

I thought more about this and will be ordering the HF splitter. I have a Kubota L5030 with rear hydraulic hoses for a backhoe. Is there anything special I need to do or get to hook up the splitter?

Rob, You'll need to buy hoses and quick-attach fittings. I found 4' hoses to be perfect and I chose 1/2" hose for the best flow. I found mine at Tractor Supply, but you might also order them from Surplus Center at the same time as you order your splitter so they will arrive close to the same time.

Also, my swinging drawbar was in the way of the rear of the hydraulic cylinder when the 3PH is lowered. I was able to swing it over and out of the way, but clearance in that area is a consideration. As large as the 5030 is, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Finally, if you can build a stand about 18" high to sit the splitter on when you disconnect, it will make the job much easier everytime you attach or disconnect.

 

[RobA]

Thanks. Good advice. I'm already plannning a stand for it - I hate wrestling with implements.

Did Tractor Supply have the hoses already made up with the proper fittings? I know what size fittings are needed for the splitter's hydraulic control valve but are the Kubota's quick attach fittings a standard size?

 

[Couple of Achers]

Thanks. Good advice. I'm already plannning a stand for it - I hate wrestling with implements.

Did Tractor Supply have the hoses already made up with the proper fittings? I know what size fittings are needed for the splitter's hydraulic control valve but are the Kubota's quick attach fittings a standard size?

Kubota's couplers are the standard 1/2 pioneer couplers. They are available everywhere. And a 1/2 MNPT hose fitting is what you need to screw into the back of the coupler. Most pre-made 1/2 hoses you find in the chain stores will have the MNPT fitting already pressed on both ends.

 

[schmism]

has anyone priced all the parts (new parts) to build one from scratch?

ive been wanting a 3pt one for a while but couldnt justify the price. I have never run the numbers to know weather or not a HF version has $200 in parts or $400 in parts. (you could see how that would affect the decision to buy a $500 HF verson or just build one from scratch)

 

[Matyac]

I have the HF 3PH splitter on order and would like to start modifying my tractor hydraulics so that I'll be ready to go when it gets here.

I would really appreciate it if someone who already has one of these would let me know the brand/model number of the control valve. I've downloaded the manual for the splitter but it doesn't have the information I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance.

-Scott

 

[jinman]

I would really appreciate it if someone who already has one of these would let me know the brand/model number of the control valve. I've downloaded the manual for the splitter but it doesn't have the information I'm looking for.

Scott, I'll be happy to try and see what the brand/model number of my log splitter valve is, but I think you will find it's specs similar to this valve. It's an open-center valve with 1/2" Female NPT fittings and rated at 2700 psi maximum with relief pressure set at 2200 psi. That's all you need to know to hook up most tractors.

 

[Matyac]

Scott, I'll be happy to try and see what the brand/model number of my log splitter valve is, but I think you will find it's specs similar to this valve. It's an open-center valve with 1/2" Female NPT fittings and rated at 2700 psi maximum with relief pressure set at 2200 psi. That's all you need to know to hook up most tractors.

Thanks jinman. I'd really appreciate the info on your log splitter valve. I'm most interested in the pressure rating for the valve outlet, which can be significantly lower than the inlet because the outlet is designed to route hydraulic fluid back to the tank at low pressure. I'm thinking about plumbing the log splitter valve in series just ahead of the 3PH (outlet from splitter would feed 3PH) and this would subject the outlet port of the log splitter valve to high pressure when the 3PH is actuated. A splitter valve with a power beyond port to feed the 3PH would be best suited for this arrangement.

-Scott

 

[jinman]

Scott, I apologize for not getting you the info yesterday as I planned. Right after posting to you, I got a call from a contractor doing a deck project for me. He was sending two concrete workers to build a large pad for me. They arrived shortly afterwards and I stayed with them all day. I, unfortunately, forgot to get the valve info for you. As soon as it is light enough this morning, I'll go out there and get the numbers/info for you.

BTW: By the nature of it being an open-center system rated at 2500 psi, it tells you it must be able to handle that much pressure on both the supply and return sides. It also has in the instructions to supply both a supply and return hose rated at 3000 psi. Needing a 3000 psi return hose is also a clue that the valve can handle that kind of pressure on both sides. The valve has an internal pressure relief when actually splitting that is adjustable. I'm not thinking that that valve is inline when the lever is at neutral, but it is normally set at around 2200 psi and may be exactly where your tractor is set. That would be the only thing I'd be looking for. Also, HF has a technical support hotline listed in the Owner's Manual. It's 1-800-444-3353. You might try that for more specific info.

 

[Matyac]

Scott, I apologize for not getting you the info yesterday as I planned. Right after posting to you, I got a call from a contractor doing a deck project for me. He was sending two concrete workers to build a large pad for me. They arrived shortly afterwards and I stayed with them all day. I, unfortunately, forgot to get the valve info for you. As soon as it is light enough this morning, I'll go out there and get the numbers/info for you.

BTW: By the nature of it being an open-center system rated at 2500 psi, it tells you it must be able to handle that much pressure on both the supply and return sides. It also has in the instructions to supply both a supply and return hose rated at 3000 psi. Needing a 3000 psi return hose is also a clue that the valve can handle that kind of pressure on both sides. The valve has an internal pressure relief when actually splitting that is adjustable. I'm not thinking that that valve is inline when the lever is at neutral, but it is normally set at around 2200 psi and may be exactly where your tractor is set. That would be the only thing I'd be looking for. Also, HF has a technical support hotline listed in the Owner's Manual. It's 1-800-444-3353. You might try that for more specific info.

Thanks Jim. I look forward to receiving the information. I hope the pressure rating is the same for both openings, though I've run accross valves that are not designed that way. Open center systems run at high flow and relatively low pressure when all the valves are in neutral position. Pressure builds only when a valve is actuated and only in the part of the system upstream of the cylinder doing work.

Thanks again for offering to get the valve information, and I hope your concrete project went well!

-Scott