Log Splitter

[American Bulldog]

I heat my house primarily with firewood, so I burn 8-10 cords a year, and I cut wood for others as well. Anyways, I am in the market for a log splitter, as my back just can't take the maul, and I don't have as much time. So anyways, I am just wondering why PT doesn't make a log splitter attachment. On my 1460, the pump is rated at 18 GPM, which is enough for a middle grade splitter. I would rather not have to purchase another motor and pump when I have it on the PT. I need something decent, not an entry level POS splitter. Any suggestions?

 

[3238dpw]

How about this link
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/43124-wood-splitter.html

 

[J_J]

Just use a PT receiver on this.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/150326-log-splitter-plans-8.html#post2078878

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...8d1093808625-wood-splitter-488033-1102_lg.jpg

 

[SpringHollow]

I have a splitter i could use on the PT but it makes no sense to run such a large engine to operate a splitter.

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have been planning to build my own this winter, but I got a heck of a surprise last week when the neighbors pulled up with one and split all my wood for me.

Now, in talking with them it turns out 4 of us want a splitter, but can't swing the $$$. But if we split it 4 ways, and look for one coming from a rental yard, we think it might come to about $150 apiece.

So, that is the plan. If you got great neighbors, might be a good thing to see if they want to go in on.

 

[American Bulldog]

I have a splitter i could use on the PT but it makes no sense to run such a large engine to operate a splitter.

Ken

That's kind of different thinking. My thought process is that it makes no sense to buy another hydraulic pump and gas engine when I have an extremely capable one on the PT. As far as fuel consumption, it will take forever for the Deutz to lose it's cost effectiveness. The splitter would be easier to move around with the PT anyway.

I did see that Timber Wolf has a skid steer splitter with a log lift available. I may inquire on that.

 

[SpringHollow]

Don't get me wrong - i hate the idea of having another gas engine to maintain. But with having to replace filters every 50 hours, wear and tear on all those pumps etc, just does not seem to make sense to me.

I converted my gas splitter to a larger pump with electric motor. It would take me 15 minutes to convert back. If i ever found I wanted to swap frequently, i would add some high flow disconnects.

Ken

 

[Youare]

I cut and split an average of 8 full cords of hardwood a year. This is our 36th heating season using wood only. Up until 4 years ago everything was split by hand but it was beginning to take too much time and inflict too much discomfort.

I purchased a Super Split wood splitter 4 years ago, I know they are a little more expensive than some of the other splitters out there today. About a month ago I cleaned up a log landing on my neighbors property, the logger left me some firewood for my efforts. Once I got every thing chunked and piled into 18" lengths it turned out to be a row of wood 60+ feet long and 4 1/2 feet high, I figure a little over 3 full cords.

This was an ideal set-up, I was able to start at one end and keep backing the splitter up until the whole pile was split. 50% of the wood needed to be quartered, 25% was just split in half, the other 25% was split into 6 or 8 pieces. I was able to split the all the wood in less than 3 1/2 hours with the Super Split all by myself, and use only one tank full of fuel.

I don't think a less expensive splitter would have done the job as fast so if you are going to split for other people time is important.

Randy

 

[MossRoad]

As a newbie to splitting (this is my 2nd full year of heating our home with wood) and regarding using the PT to power the splitter...

I was loaned (semi-permanently) my father-in-law's stand alone self powered gas engin log splitter. Normally, I tend to agree with wanting to maintain as few pumps, engines, etc... as possible and lean towards a splitter attachment for the PT. Had I not been given this splitter, I would have gotten a splitter powered by the PT.

A couple things to consider, however...

I am in the situation where my wood is gathered from our rural property and trailered to our home. I can pull the trailer up within 10' of our wood pile. I split right next to the trailer and stack on the other side of the splitter. So, I do not have to move the splitter ever and I do not have to use the PT to move unsplit logs or split firewood around. For me, having the PT power the log splitter would be very practical.

If you are in a situation where you need the PT to move lots of wood around DURING the splitting process, then it would not be practical, as you would constantly be needing to connect and disconnect the splitter.

Of course, with a PT that means a total time consumption of about 30 seconds to attach or de-attach an implement! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

So, I would suggest evaluating your firewood processing process and see if it will be more practical to have a stand alone splitter or a PT powered unit. If I wasn't loaned this self powered splitter and owned it outright, I would remove the BS engine and the pump and put QA disconnects on it and power it with the PT.

 

[American Bulldog]

I really appreciate all the input.

MossRoad, I definitely think a stand alone splitter is best, but I just figured I could save on cost perhaps. Generally I will split the wood wherever it is to be stacked, so there is not much back and forth with attachments. BTW, the PT 1460 with the light material bucket is awesome for hauling the logs out of the forest. It can get into places that the pickup truck or the Deere could not. 4 bucket loads to a cord.

Youare, I have heard a lot of great things about the SuperSplit. It is definitely in my price range. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a log lift. I cut a lot of 18-20" diameter stuff, and I can't lift it myself. The SuperSplit looks a little less rugged than a big hydraulic splitter. In all the videos I see the thing wobbling all over as it splits. Maybe it is just because it goes so fast.

 

[SpringHollow]

My back always tells me never to get just a horizontal splitter but then i do not even think about splitting a log smaller than 10 - 12 inches and most of mine are 24" long. I have very little wood in the 10 - 16" diameter range. So either it does not need splitting or it is starting to get heavy. I lift them when i have to but i don't want to have to too often.

Ken

 

[Youare]

I really appreciate all the input.

Youare, I have heard a lot of great things about the SuperSplit. It is definitely in my price range. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a log lift. I cut a lot of 18-20" diameter stuff, and I can't lift it myself. The SuperSplit looks a little less rugged than a big hydraulic splitter. In all the videos I see the thing wobbling all over as it splits. Maybe it is just because it goes so fast.

The one thing I will say is the splitter is plenty rugged. You will notice some movement of the work table as a heavy log is put on it but that is not an indication of weakness. The working parts of the splitter are solid. When I first looked at them almost 20 years ago I thought they would be prone to breakage and wouldn't last. I was at a Forest Products Expo five years ago and watched an electric motor powered one work. I asked the salesman what parts have poeple needed to replace. A guy behind me in the crowd spoke up and told me he has had one for 12 years and sells an avarage of 100 full cords of wood a year and in that time he has had to replace the V-belt that powers the flywheel.

I looked at a used one that had 15 years of service with a guy who did around 150 cords of wood a year, he had two of them, with no issues. The work table is at a good height to work from. The really big pieces could be rolled on from the bucket of your tractor.

The Timber Wolf has a nice log lift, I know four people who have them. I really like the faster cycle time of the Super Split.

Randy

 

[RegL]

My back always tells me never to get just a horizontal splitter but then i do not even think about splitting a log smaller than 10 - 12 inches and most of mine are 24" long. I have very little wood in the 10 - 16" diameter range. So either it does not need splitting or it is starting to get heavy. I lift them when i have to but i don't want to have to too often.

Ken

I use an old 3pt splitter with my 1430. I don't even have an attachment plate welded on it. I just grab it with the grapple bucket. Two bottom pins in the bucket and clamp down on the top link with the middle grapple tooth. It works good with big logs you can't lift because you can lay the splitter on the ground. You can even dig a little trench to lay the splitter beam in so the top of beam is flush with the ground. Than it's easy to roll the log onto it.

 

[J_J]

American Bulldog,

The single or the dual log splitter on your Pt-1460, would be awesome. You have more than enough hydraulics for them. Just add a log lift, and make little wood out of big wood.

 

[J_J]

Here is a 360 degree splitter, so you can cut trees down., plus any other position.

 

[SpringHollow]

HI RegL,

I have done it your way with the horizontal splitter on the ground. I found a vertical splitter was much less work for me. I have a padded bucket that i sit on or i crouch down on my heels. Just roll the log on and split, turn and split some more. Less bending/lifting because you are grabbing the top of a 24" log and just spinning/waddling it.

If I split smaller stuff, i would tilt the splitter horizontal for the small ones. But I use the small ones whole. I would consider a horizontal if i built a large splitting table that i could load with the tractor but that would still be more work unless i had multiple people helping.

Ken

 

[RegL]

Ken,
You have the best idea yet. Multiple people helping. Wish I could find some. Might through in there younger also.
Reg

 

[American Bulldog]

Thanks for all the tips. JJ that dual unit is pretty clever.

I talked to Timberwolf and their unit really seems like the best one. I can get it with a log lift, and a hydraulic 4 and 6 way wedge on it. I guess that the pressure on the PT, listed at 3000 psi, is higher than most skid steer pto's. The Timberwolf is rated for 3000 psi max. The biggest drawback is the resale value. If I buy a Tiberwolf TW-5 and keep it in like new condition, I can sell it for 75% of what I paid. The skid steer attachment with a PT QA plate on it would be a bit tougher. I would be lucky to get 50% of what I paid.

One advantage with the PT is that the pump can still put out the GPM even at 3000 psi. Typical hydraulic splitters have two stage pumps, and the GPM number is only on the first stage, at much lower pressure.

I need to give Terry a call a verify the specifications from the website.

 

[American Bulldog]

Actually JJ I looked and the Dirt Works are only rated for 2500 psi.

They may have a regulator available though.

 

[American Bulldog]

So here is an update:

I cut and split about 1 1/2 cords today, and I used my brother in law's splitter. I wanted to make a nice stack behind the house and didn't want to split it there, so I filled the PT's light material bucket straight out of the splitter. I then drove the PT around the house and stacked the wood out of the splitter. Besides the splitter being a piece of junk, the process went pretty well. It dawned on me that if I get a PT mounted splitter, I will lose the functionality of the bucket. I think that I am better off with a self contained splitter after all.