Splitting headache!

Farmwithjunk · Jan 3, 2006

I didn't want to hijack the thread just below on 3-point splitters, but I've got a question.

I've always borrowed my cousins splitter, or done it the old fashioned way. (maul/sledge hammer and wedges/axe/chiropractor visit(s))

In my old age, I don't see myself continuing this self-induced carnage.

I need (or maybe just want) a log splitter. With 3 tractors, I don't see myself buying another motor. SO---- 3-point splitter it shall be.

Until 2 days ago, I'd never even considered buying one.

Now, the $64,000 question is, how much can I expect to spend on one. (TSC? Northern Tool? any other suggestions...)

. . . A little background info. . . . I burn 12 to 15 ricks per year. Mostly white or red oak, some hickory, and some ash. I'm now cutting NEXT WINTERS WOOD.

ToadHill · Jan 3, 2006

Best price I've seen is at tsc for about $500.

Bedlam · Jan 3, 2006

Here is a link toone.
I have a three point hitch one ,runs off the tractor, its a bit slower than the standard engine one, but has done the job now for 19 years, Less maint without the engine.
AL

hunterridgefarm · Jan 4, 2006

Farm,
I have also look at a few 3-pt splitters. But since my BIL has the tow kind with motor I'll just use his.
One thing I noticed when I was looking at the 3-pt splitter was they would not stand up, so I would have to roll or lift the log onto the splitter and if I quartered the log that would be 4 lifts per log. With the ones that stand up I can sit on a log in front of the splitter and just spin the log instead of lifting.

But just beacuse I have not seen a 3-pt that stands up does not mean they don't make one, like I said I only looked at a couple.

I cut and split a hugh oak all day long Saturday for my FIL, he is in his mid 80's and I had to split it smaller than I normally would. Some on the logs had to be split as much as 12 times...that would have been alot of lifting if I had not of had a stand up splitter.

trlong · Jan 4, 2006

I don't have any links to add, at the moment but, I've seen numerous 3ph "standup" splitters. If I get a sec (at work right now), I'll try to find some links.

I have a monster (for the size of my 4115, atleast) home-made 3ph splitter I bought last year. It's horizontal. If I'd had the $'s, I would have gone for a vertical but, this one will have to do 'til I can afford to sell and get a vertical.

Tom

Farmwithjunk · Jan 4, 2006

I just returned (to work) froim TSC. They have a "stand-up" model 3-point splitter. It's almost $700. I've got a cylinder at home that might make a good splitter. (4-1/2" X 24") I might just make my own.

psuedofarmer · Jan 4, 2006

Now, the $64,000 question is, how much can I expect to spend on one. (TSC? Northern Tool? any other suggestions...)


i picked up a wallenstein (made in canada?) from my kioti dealer. paid $600 2 years ago.. runs off rear hydraulics.

no problems with other 12 cords split to date. in fact, putting it on the tractor this afternoon to get ready for next years supply of cordwood.

good luck!

pf

BigDogues · Jan 4, 2006

FWJ,
Here is an article that you might find interesting. Old, but interesting none the less.

greg_g · Jan 4, 2006

( I just returned (to work) froim TSC. They have a "stand-up" model 3-point splitter. It's almost $700. )

That's the one I've got, but I didn't pay $700. With my ag exemption and a small discount, I took one home for $590 (no hoses). Let me tell you, that vertical position saves a lot of wear and tear on my back. Once all the big sections are split down to <50 pound size, I rotate the splitter to the horizontal position and finish splitting them down to fireplace size.

I'm only a couple hours west of you, if you want to drive over some day and " try before you buy ".

//greg//

Farmwithjunk · Jan 5, 2006

I'm tax exemt also. Tax wasn't figured in on that price. They wanted $659 PLUS FRIEGHT. They didn't have one in stock so they wanted to charge me frieght to bring it from another store. The irony of that? The store manager lives about 2 minutes from store #2. He routinely picks up things and brings them to store #1, on his way to work.

The more I deal with TSC (or at least this particular store) the less inclined I am to buy from them.

What ever happened to customer service?

Newblue · Jan 5, 2006

You might try Timberwolf splitters. They have two 3PT. models, one with an optional hydraulic log lift. They are pricey though. I bought a stand alone model (TW-5) with the log lift for $6500. The log lift option itself is around $500. The website is timberwolfcorp.com.

hbaird · Jan 5, 2006

Can someone give me an estimate of how big a log I can split with the TSC splitter? My tractor has 5 GPM 2000 PSI hydraulics rating. I have a small, 4 ton DR spitter that will handle up to 12 inches. I have some 36 to 40 inch diameter 20 inch long trunk sections I would like to power spilt.
Harold

greg_g · Jan 5, 2006

( What ever happened to customer service? )

Agreed, I've never found that to be high on the TSC priority list. It always seems to me like their stores are grossly undermanned.

But your problem seems to be centered on one store manager. Both TSC stores here - and the TSC web page - have that Huskee TPH splitter marked $645. There is a corporate delivery truck that makes regular rounds of the stores. When one store asks another for some merchandise, it's simply put on that truck for routine route delivery. Only time freight's ever been mentioned to me is in the case of special order merchandise.

You might want to consider dealing with store #2 instead

//greg//

millsnhills · Jan 5, 2006

I hate to come in late with questions but here goes.

I have been looking at the 3Pt splitter as a lower cost alternative to the pull/tow behinds.

What is involved in getting the rear Hydraulics to work off of my JD4110.

What RPM must your tractor be running at to operate it properly.

Is it good or bad to run your tractor sitting still for long periods?

Thanks in advance.

MarkV · Jan 5, 2006

“In my old age, I don't see myself continuing this self-induced carnage” /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I know exactly what you mean! After using horizontal and vertical splitters this is what I do now and like the best. I have a BushHog splitter that is 3pt horizontal only and found it too hard on my back while hooked to the tractor. Now I have set it up on a stand at waist height and bring the rounds to be split to it with the loader. With the loader bucket half full of rounds I roll them out of the loader onto the splitter and stack the split pieces in the other half of the loader bucket. After that I drive to my stack piles and unload. With two tractors one stays as a power source hooked to the splitter and the other as the transporter. Even when I was doing it with one tractor it worked fine but you had to stop the tractor to hook and unhook the long hydraulic lines I had on the splitter. Very little bending and lifting this way and my back appreciates it.

MarkV

greg_g · Jan 5, 2006

( I hate to come in late with questions but here goes. )

Yeah, it never hurts to start your own thread in cases like this. But the answer is short. Unless your 4110 is fitted with remote rear hydraulic couplers, you won't be able to use a TPH splitter. If yes, then maybe you can repost the other questions in your own thread.

//greg//

dsutt · Jan 10, 2006

This thread made me register so I could post my $0.02 about splitting wood. Yup, it's a pain alright. Like many others I started with a maul, then a rented splitter and finally my own. Recently I upgraded to a tow-behind with a 4-way head on it. It's made by American MSR and is much better built than the TSC brands - but of course cost 3x as much too. I welded 4 more wedges on to make an 8 way and it's awsome how with one stroke, a 12" log becomes 8 and you are on to the next.
I solved the lifting problem by buying a wagon running gear for $150, building a bed on it with sides and filling it with rounds using the loader. I then tow the spliiter to one end, and (with the assistance of a leaf rake), roll the rounds right onto the splitter beam. My splitter has two "arms" that bolt onto the beam to help keep the log centered. While the ram is returning, I'm chucking pieces into the split pile. No more back pain! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Cliff_Johns · Jan 10, 2006

Welcome to TBN. Glad you decided to post. It's always informative and useful to hear how others do it. Sounds like you did some applied process engineering and came up with a good, fast procedure.

Cliff

BigDogues · Jan 10, 2006

I saw a fellow a few seasons ago that had a really neat rig. He had a small dump truck with high sides that was fed by a small rubber belted conveyor that went right down to his tow behind splitter. He would load the logs, (Had a loader if I remember correctly), split them and then his helper would toss them onto the conveyor. A very efficient operation.

Highbeam · Jan 10, 2006

I found this photo of a splitter on the cheap. It has a little catch that hangs on the top of the bucket. So you can split em right there in the bucket and also all angles and postions. Just another redneck splitter.