wood splitter

[totouchantler]

Can anyone give me an honest recommendation for a wood splitter. I'm not sure if I want a three pt or a tow behind. What should I look for as far as a ton ratting and HP for motor if not recommending a three pt. I burn about 20 face cord a year. Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

[coolreinfarm]

I have a 3 point from TSC, it was cheaper than a tow behind and I don't have to maintain another engine and hydraulic system. It will out split me which isn't saying much since I have been splitting wood for 46 years. It's connected to a L3240. Happy shopping!

 

[civilian]

Dad and I have been splitting 20 face cord each for over 30 yrs. He started with a 2 pt splitter behind a JD MT. Its hydraulics were not enough. So a 8hp used engine, coupling, pump and wheels were installed. Engine rebuilt a few times and finally replaced with a new engine. We always had loggers cords (102" long) delivered which works for his length of wood, 6 pcs at 17". I burn with an outdoor boiler which could take longer pieces. 102" cut with 3 cuts makes the pieces too long for the boiler, 4 pieces at 25/26" would work, but the splitter cylinder has a stroke of 24". Darn! So I cut 20" for 5 pieces. But the take away is what length of wood do you need to burn, and make sure the splitter can handle it. As far as 3pt or separate unit, which engine would you rather have a lot of hours added to it. I would rather run a $600 8hp engine than a $10,000 tractor engine. Yes another piece of equipment to deal with.

 

[4570Man]

According to your profile you don't have a tractor. That sounds like a pretty easy choice. I prefer a stand alone splitter. It wouldn't bother me a bit to use my B7200 to power a splitter with a PTO pump, but that tractor will probably be sold in the future. I need my other tractor handling wood not driving a pump. I paid $3000 for my B7200 and if only driving a pump that little diesel would last way longer than four $800 dollar motors. I don't know that $800 will even buy a comparable HP motor. I would hate to rack up needless hours on my much more expensive lower hour tractor, but it wouldn't bother me if the B7200 ran 12 hours a day. Since my other splitter got stolen I'm going to build another one. It will be stand alone with a big enough motor to pump about 20 GPM. It will also be vertical only with a log lifter.

 

[oosik]

When I used wood for heat I had a stand alone splitter. It was a 25 ton Didier. I needed the tractor to pull the wood trailer back to the wood shed. I would just leave the splitter out in the field and only bring it in when all the wood was split.

I'm 100% Ponderosa pine here and some of the knotty rounds really gave the splitter a work out. Most of the pine I fell was 26" to 32" with an occasional one up to 38".

 

[Huskerfan]

In a one tractor setup, I'd consider NT's Northstar 37 ton with 4 way splitter. Built like a tank with an easy starting Honda engine. Park it after towing it to the site, than use your tractor and fel to pull the trailer with split wood and the fel with pallet bucket to bring the logs to splitter. The pallet forks can then be used as a platform to cut your logs to the right length with a chainsaw before splitting.

 

[Ed of all trades]

In a one tractor setup, I'd consider NT's Northstar 37 ton with 4 way splitter. Built like a tank with an easy starting Honda engine. Park it after towing it to the site, than use your tractor and fel to pull the trailer with split wood and the fel with pallet bucket to bring the logs to splitter. The pallet forks can then be used as a platform to cut your logs to the right length with a chainsaw before splitting.

I too like the Northern Tool splitter. Had a twenty ton and liked it. Sold it when I moved to a place that I did not need it. Bought another one when I needed a splitter. To me they are much better than the Happy home owner splitters for the same money. Ed

 

[civilian]

I don't know that $800 will even buy a comparable HP motor.

I should note that $800 engine was bought prior to 2002 and is still running today. Jon

 

[4570Man]

I should note that $800 engine was bought prior to 2002 and is still running today. Jon

I meant an engine comparable to the HP of my B7200 which is 17 hp. And even at $800 I believe my little diesel will still run long enough to provide a lower $ per hour operating cost. Not to mention the diesel will burn less fuel than a cheap gasoline motor which would be a substantial difference over the course of several thousand hours.

 

[JRobyn]

Wife and I really like her 22ton ELECTRIC. Built identical to similarly rated gas or 3-pt, just with an electric motor. It NEEDS a solid 20A circuit and a HEAVY 12g extension cord if you MUST use an extension (not recommended).

LS22E Timber Brute Eco Split - 22 Ton 12 Volt Electric Full Frame Log Splitter - Swisher

But we like the quiet and not having yet another small engine with ethanol/carburetor problems every year. Street price is about $1500.

 

[4570Man]

I would like an electric splitter, but lack of adequate electric supply puts a damper on that.

 

[mccash40]

Here in the Northeast, I burn hardwood only. I have an older 27 ton Troybuilt with a Honda motor. It has served me well for 9 years now, with just a few parts replaced. (Filters, etc.) I split a log truck load every year with it. (now watch the darned thing break)

 

[alkabo]

Love my split-fire 3-point splitter.

 

[ultrarunner]

Picked up a used 22 ton Duer made in Washington State... paid $600 with a new Briggs motor.

It's been a real trouper and tows easy.

I generally like to split vertical and place the large rounds in front of it with the loader... easy on the back for me to be down in the dirt and roll/pivot the rounds under the ram...

Two people working it makes for good production.

 

[Budweiser John]

Love my split-fire 3-point splitter.

Ditto. My Split Fire splitter is a stand alone with a log lifter and gets a seasonal workout splitting mostly hard wood up to 36" in diameter.
Hasn't let me down in the last ten years.
B. John

 

[FatTire]

What is the largest diameter (and species of wood) do you split? Not much of what I split is real heavy, so I got a Northern Tool 3 point horizontal 2-way. They no longer sell the 2-way splitters, but they have a horiz/vert 3 point that is on sale now for $699. I don't mind the hours on my tractor, its really pretty easy duty for a diesel engine.

 

[alkabo]

I've split oak up to 36 inch diameter with my split-fire 3 point. Lower it to the ground to quarter it then raise it to a comfortable height to finish. I really like the ability to raise the 3 point to a comfortable height for working. I can stand straight up while splitting.

 

[rswyan]

This one is posted on our local craigslist:

 

[Adiredneck]

We pull approximately 30 full cords off my property each year for three homes. My TSC splitter sits in the woods around 6 months of the year. We just move it from one log pile to another. Zero problems in the last 9 hrs. Only time you have to mess with it is the first time you use it in the spring. Squirt a little gas on the plug and off she goes. Change the oil with synthetic every 2-3 years. Replaced the hydraulic filter once.

We use the tractors to pull the trailers to the house. The thing is, we spend months doing firewood on Saturdays. If you had other 3pt / drawbar chores to do in that time, you would have to keep hooking and unhooking the splitter.

 

[AStanton]

I had problems with Speeco Splitters. I finally got wise and saw what the local hardware store was renting--Iron and Oak. I bought one of those and have over 100 hours with no problems. This unit is a "fast cycle" and cycles in less than 8 seconds. The only disappointments are the design and lack of free accessories. The splitter cost over $2,000 and I had to purchase a log stripper for $100--it didn't come with the splitter. Also in the horizontal mode, the gas tank is begging to get wacked by a split log. I shield the tank with a piece of plywood. A more permanent solution is to bolt on an iron plate. Nevertheless, I've been happy with this splitter.