Thoughts on 3pt log splitters?

[Carl_NH]

I use a 3PT splitter on my FEL with hoses to the BH connection. Use the BH to lift and cut 20-30 rounds then connect the splitter hoses and run at 1200 RPM. I can do a 1/2 cord in 3-4 hours. Also can lower the splitter to the ground to load large rounds.

 

[KennyG]

Why put wear and tear on an expensive tractor engine and get inferior performance to boot?

Because a lot of people are like me and put about 100 hours a year on the tractor. I expect it to outlive me. Performance is only inferior if the equipment isn't matched. I have only about 5 gpm but my splitter is a 13 ton 2 way splitter. With no retract stroke in the cycle, I have about a 10 second cycle time which is more than fast enough at my age.

As I have said before, I think a majority of people will prefer a stand alone, but for some of us the 3 point splitter is better. It's quieter, takes up less storage space and is zero maintenance.

There are other options. Back on the farm we had a splitter on a trailer we ran off the tractor remotes. I think it was about a 5" cylinder. We hooked it to a 100 hp tractor, ran it at idle and split like crazy. Again, used it for years with no maintenance except straightening the parts we bent when we dropped big rounds on it.

 

[uglydukwling]

I have a Bobcat mounted splitter like the one in post #30. I bought it because I had a lot of really big (up to 3 foot diameter) rounds that a local contractor dropped off. How to split them? Cut lengthwise with a chainsaw? Lots of wedges and a lot of hammering? Dynamite? The mounted splitter solved the problem. I can bring the splitter to the log and I don't need a crane to lift the log. With a gentle touch, I can even use the splitter as a grapple to pick up logs if I need to reposition them.

That said, I still find it more convenient to use the stationary spltter for any logs I can lift by hand.

I suppose this type of splitter could be mounted on a FEL if it had the Bobcat style mounting plate and an auxiliary hydraulic connection.

 

[shooterdon]

Good thread and shows why one size does not fit all. The right choice for you is not the right choice for everyone.

What this thread does is show you options that you need to evaluate wrt to:
What size rounds are you splitting?
Do you harvest your own wood and bring it home or harvest it on your property?
Do you buy logs or harvest your own.
How much wood are you going to split?
Do you work alone or with a helper?
What is your age and more importantly, physical condition.
How much do you want to invest?

 

[walnutman]

I have been considering getting a log splitter when I heard somewhere about a log splitter as a tractor attachment. Don't know why I didn't think of looking for that earlier. My question is this. Are they worth it? Some of the prices I've seen are on par with a stand alone splitter. I'm wondering if it is worth getting an attachment over a stand alone. Thoughts?

I wouldn't run my tractor to run a log splitter. Sure the tractor is designed for work but I would rather run a low cost stand-alone splitter and save the hours on the tractor. 1000-1500 gets you a real nice stand alone splitter that you don't have to take off and on. Get one that converts to vertical as I feel this is the best position especially for very big logs. Used are even cheaper and you have a ball receiver to cart it around.

Here is me doing nice size red oak....

 

[JackDaniels1982]

I love my 3ph splitter. I run it off a Zetor 7745 that has a 30 lpm pump, however, I generally run the rpms much lower and I'm only likely at 15-20. It has a bit of a smaller cylinder, with a thin wedge. I paid $750 Canadian for it and a snowblower (used obviously). I place it on a skid and leave it on the ground, as I find there is too much sway and bounce if I use it in the air. It is small and light enough that two or 3 people can load it in the back of a pickup (ie, no trailer). The tractor already has 9000 hours on it, so I'm not worried about that, and I appreciate not having another motor to maintain. The tractor sips fuel at 3 litres/hour. I've also run it off a 1025 JD without issues.

In theory, my only thing I don't like about it, is working so close to the ground. I should make a stand for it. However, it makes it easy for the larger pieces I commonly work with. I split 12 face cord last year with it. It just always works.

I use IBC totes, and generally have a second tractor around. However, if I don't, I can easily throw into 4 bins, which is time for a break anyway. I do expect them to be better value than a gas version, either by price or quality.

 

[akadave]

Pretty funny, how many hours a year do you guys think you would put on your tractor running a splitter??

50 hours a year would be one heck of a lot of wood splitting, are you guys saying you bought tractors that can't run 50+ hours a YEAR splitting wood?? What kind of junk did you buy??

I split more wood than most folks, and I bet you I average 50 or less hours a year on my tractor splitting wood.

SR

I've had my tractor 25 years. At 50 hours a year that would be an additional 1250 hours on an expensive to purchase and maintain machine. It has NOTHING to do with whether tractor can handle it. That's a straw argument.

 

[klm]

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/d/lone-jack-wood-splitter/7883106743.html

 

[scootr]

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/d/lone-jack-wood-splitter/7883106743.html

I replied to a local FB ad this morning about one like that for $500. Not worried about putting hours on my tractor. I bought it to work

 

[Fxfymn413]

I use a homemade stand alone splitter with an adjustable wedge and a log loader. Most years the neighbors and I split 15 to 18 cords of hardwood. We do about 1 to 1 1/2 cords a day so it would add almost a 100 hours a year onto the tractor to split with it.

I use the tractor to move logs closer to the splitter before they get bucked and to move IBC baskets of split wood so a 3ph splitter would not work for me.

One virtue of the 3ph splitter is you can lower it to load a large log, other than that I don't think they are as versatile as a stand alone model.