NorthernTools splitter
I bought their splitter in Sept 2000 for my NH TC40D. Their catalog description is pathetic. It DOES include a control valve (though it doesn't have the auto-return when done feature), and so all you need are two hoses, a couple of 3/4" pipe elbows, and quick connectors (and any reducer couplings). Both hoses are 1/2" two-wire, with 3/4" male pipe fittings (got these from Northern Tools as well).
For the past 7 years I have rented a towable splitter from the rental store, and because I was paying by the day, felt compelled to do all the splitting in one very long day (2 people slaving, unable to stand up the next day). Although not as fast as a dedicated splitter, I got the job done just fine, and was able to spread out the work....cut some, spit some, stack some, take a few days off, repeat.
I split about 5 cords of mostly maple this year, spreading the work out over a two week period. This is the greatest benefit of owning your own splitter!
Now, the details about the NorthernTools splitter:
- It is very wide at the bottom of the 3-point hitch (~33" but 39" at the end of the lower pins), wider than any other implement I have, almost rubbing on my tires. So no rough-riding. You don't want to be pushing logs around in the woods with this thing attached! Plus it is kind of long, so you have to watch where you are going.
- The vertical height of the 3-pt attachment seems wrong for a CAT-1 hitch. I have a hydraulic top link, which at its shortest length is about 1/2" longer than the standard top link. As a result, the splitter isn't level unless when at chest high. When I put the hitch down to the ground to load those huge logs, it has a 10 degree slant downwards. No big deal, and actually an advantage, as the weight of the log sliding against the wedge keeps the log in place. At normal splitting level, there is probably a 5 degree slant down. It wasn't worth swapping out my hydraulic top link to see if that would decrease the angle.
-It is very powerful. The huge 24"+ base cuts didn't slow it down a bit. The rental units would choke at this point.
-It is 1/3 slower than dedicated units. I attribute this to less gpm. Even the rental-type units turn out 14 or so gpm, and my tractor only 9.8 (in theory).
-The control valve is very robust, so after about an hour, you get tired of pushing it back and forth. So I added an 18" copper pipe cheater bar which fixed that problem! Again, you have to push both ways, and because it is a bit slow, it seems to take forever (those arms are a bit rubbery after a while!).
- I run it off of a second rear remote valve (the first being for the hydraulic top link), which is controlled by a center-open valve in the fender. Center open (as far as my limited knowledge and experience can determine) means that if you let it go, there is neither "in" or "out" pressure on the piston. It stays where you last put it by pushing the lever up or down. While a center-open valve works great for the top link, it doesn't work so well with the splitter, which has its own control valve. To solve that problem (don't tell anyone), I jam the seat belt end into the slot in the fender to keep the valve all the way open (works great!). That pushes the hydraulic pressure to the control valve on the splitter. The only downside is that to lower/raise the 3-pt hitch, I have to release the valve on the fender.
-The 3-pt hitch doesn't go down far enough to attach it, so you need to raise it about 12-18". It is only 200 or so lbs, so I put it on a nursery cart and roll it around that way.
-Keep the neighbors away...no borrowing! This is a very expensive log splitter to run when attached to an expensive tractor! 30-40 hp tractors with an attachment + loader rent for $250 to $325 per day, while a splitter alone rents for $75/day. And, of course, none of the other neighbors' tractors have rear-remotes, so it is useless to them.
So the bottom line for me? It is a good long-term investment because I only split at most 6 cords per year (I cut the trees down myself), and seasoned cords go for about $130 around here. The rest of the time, it is idle. Frankly, I have enough other engines to worry about, so this is one less engine to maintain. Plus, it is small and easy to store. I like using the tractor's hydraulic supply as well (the PTO-driven splitter models have their own pump and tank). By the way, the splitter piston and hoses didn't drop the hydraulic level any noticeable level.
If you are in the log-splitting business, then by all means, go for a better unit. But then you would also be looking at automatic feeders, cutters, etc., and be spending $50K. For the price and what I need it for, the NorthernTools splitter was a true value.
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Edited by Kent on 12/14/01 01:56 PM (server time).</FONT></P>
