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3 point wood splitters

Started by Woodcutter_Mo, February 04, 2018, 11:22:03 AM

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Woodcutter_Mo

 Hello, I was curious about what people think of the wood splitters that mount on the tractors 3ph and run off the aux hydraulics. I've seen a few used ones for sale for pretty reasonable prices.
My thoughts are it would be one less engine to have to worry about, and my tractor is fairly easy on fuel and could be easily taken deep into the woods anywhere the tractor will go. The main problem would be extra hours on the tractor engine (though they would be easy hours) and the tractor would have to go where the splitter is to be used which isn't a big deal. And I could always convert it to be self powered later on if I wanted.

What are everyone else's thoughts on them?
-WoodMizer LT25
-592XP full wrap, 372XP, 550XP, 455 Rancher, RedMax GZ3500T
-Fixer-uppers/projects:
024AV, MS260, MS361, MS460, Shindaiwa 488, 394XPG

DDW_OR

Good concept, but what are you going to use to move the logs or rounds?
I have a 3-point splitter that is used to split what the Multitek 1610EZ cannot split. about 2%
"let the machines do the work"

47sawdust

There is a reason they are for sale at reasonable prices.The ones that run off tractor hyd. are slow.Unless you have multiple tractors I would pass.
Mick
1997 WM Lt30 1999 WM twin blade edger Kubota L3750 Tajfun winchGood Health Work is my hobby.

1countryboy

My thoughts: 
Do you have and extra (small hp tractor)  check out tractor data for fuel consumption. 
What is the hyd. capacity.

Or would it be better to put a loader and 3 pt carrier on that tractor and bring the wood to a splitter out of the woods?  and use a regular splitter

If you take tractor, with splitter deep in the woods then u need that truck to load firewood also deep in the woods.

In my case i do use a pto wood processor on an extra tractor that's dedicated to the unit.  I do not need a power unit on the machine. That's extra cost and another engine. 

I see that you have a dodge with a bale unroller?   I am making the assumption that you have some extra machinery available and bet u have a loader.  I bring my firewood to me in log form and process in a central location.   Advantage is that am close to extra equipment and the shop.  Main disadvantage is clean up of wood chip, bark etc.

List your pros and then the cons.
or
flip a coin.  :D

How much firewood
Ohio Certified Tree Farm, Ohio Centennial Farms, Ashland County Soil Conservation Award., USDA/ASCS/FSA forest management(TSI) 1963 to present, retired educator, NOT retired farmer and a real farm shop to fix all my old equipment.

jason.weir

running off the tractor hydraulics most likely be slow, unless you have high flow aux hydraulics.

If you get one that runs off a PTO pump you can properly size the pump so they are not slow, but they run @ 540RPM and that usually means the tractor is pretty wound up and won't be easy on fuel.

If you've got enough pto horsepower you could probably gear up the pump to 540 at idle or just off idle but you'd have to build that, it's not something you're gonna buy off the shelf.

-J


Tin Horse

I agree with "let the machines do the work". My back doesn't like lifting wood blocks off the ground anymore. I still use a custom built 2 way tow able splitter with a 13 hp honda on it. Had it for 30 years and it splits fast and any size nearly. Recently purchased a Bell 1000 processor and love it. Can set one or both leaving my Kioti 7320 free to load. From what I've seem PTO splitters are to slow. Check your flow rates.
Bell 1000 Wood Processor. Enercraft 30HTL, Case 580SL. Kioti 7320.

TKehl

We use one that runs off a PTO pump.  Tractor is left at idle and pump is oversized.  Can't say that is "right", and it's still not a speed demon, but it's as much as dad and I want to handle with my 8 year old running the lever. 

Ours the beam lays on the ground, so we spit a couple smaller ones the right size to make a ramp to roll the real big ones up. 

Best advice is to get one where the block moves and the wedge is stationary.  With enough travel, you can push a partial split on through with the next stroke.  When the wedge travels and a stick sticks, it can damage the cylinder.

Verticals are nice, but will (most) always have the wedge on the cylinder. 

Ours has a lot of power, but still occasionally will stick a piece on the wedge.  Having a chain hook welded on the block to pull a stuck piece is worth GOLD.  No amount of beating with a sledge will pop it loose.  I've tried.   ;)

I keep thinking about one of the screw splitters mounted to the arm of the backhoe though.   :)
In the long run, you make your own luck – good, bad, or indifferent. Loretta Lynn

Gearbox

I will give my 2 cents . First if you don't have high pressure hydraulic system you will not be able to split as much as a stand alone with a 2 stage pump [3000 PSI] . Second with a PTO driven pump at low engine speed will you have enough HP at 1000 RPM to peg the output PSI without stalling the tractor . You can get a larger cylinder to make up for the lower PSI . Good luck with your quest .
A bunch of chainsaws a BT6870 processer , TC 5 International track skidder and not near enough time

JBlain

My dad bought a used 3 pt that ran off hydraulics and it was very slow. He sold it within a few months.  I bought a commercial grade 3 pt with a pto driven 20 gpm pump and love it.   It can split anything I throw at it at about 1200-1400 rpm which is know where near the rpm you need to turn 540 and much easier on fuel.  I didn't realize how slow the 2 stage smaller pumps on gas splitters are since I split a lot of ugly wood until I got this big single stage pump. 

Josh

thecfarm

I have one of those vertical,horizontal splitters. That critter gets used alot. I split the wood,than throw it in the bucket. Just saying. I have no idea what you have for trailers to put wood into. I have a 3 point winch to get my wood to the splitter.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Bay Beagle

I had a KELLEY 24 / 3 point splitter (runs off tractor hydraulics) - welded a platform for the wood to fall on, after the split, so I can split it again if needed (rather than picking it back up off the ground.  Ran that thing for 15 plus years - the advantage - I could lower it to the ground for those big boys.  Sold it a couple weeks ago ...... now I'm ordering a "SPLIT-FIRE" splitter, with "skid steer universal quick attach", to use on my front loader.  I like being able to hook up to a trailer, like mentioned above - and the Split-Fire splits on forward and return strokes, and I can lay it directly into a pile of wood, or laps.  Split-Fire has models for 3-point too.

Hilltop366

I got one, slow but way better than an axe.

I think I payed $400 second hand.

47sawdust

Lot's of good replies here.Everyone's needs are a little different.I'm on splitter #3 and hopefully the last one I buy.

I just got back from a snowshoe through the bush looking at what I'll be cutting tomorrow.Next years wood is drying,cutting for 2018 now.I'm poor but rich in the ways that matter most.

Good luck with the splitter.
Mick
1997 WM Lt30 1999 WM twin blade edger Kubota L3750 Tajfun winchGood Health Work is my hobby.

Woodcutter_Mo

 Thanks for the great replys so far. The tractor is a Kioti 45hp diesel. I'm not sure on the flow rate on the rear aux hydraulics, I will have to get the manual out and take a look. The tractor has a FEL and currently do use it to bring firewood out of the woods where I can't get the truck. This is the only running tractor we have right now.
The splitter would be mainly be for personal use for wood that doesn't want to split easily with the maul. I throw that stuff in a separate pile  ;D



-WoodMizer LT25
-592XP full wrap, 372XP, 550XP, 455 Rancher, RedMax GZ3500T
-Fixer-uppers/projects:
024AV, MS260, MS361, MS460, Shindaiwa 488, 394XPG

Kwill

Mine on my 8n works great. Its not slow. Any faster and I couldn't keep up.
Built my own hydraulic splitter
Built my own outdoor wood stove
Built my own log arch
built my own bandsaw sawmill
Built my own atv log arch.
Built my own FEL grapple

Woodcutter_Mo

Quote from: Kwill on February 04, 2018, 08:51:02 PM
Mine on my 8n works great. Its not slow. Any faster and I couldn't keep up.

I assume yours being on an 8n that it is PTO driven?
-WoodMizer LT25
-592XP full wrap, 372XP, 550XP, 455 Rancher, RedMax GZ3500T
-Fixer-uppers/projects:
024AV, MS260, MS361, MS460, Shindaiwa 488, 394XPG

Kwill

Quote from: Woodcutter_Mo on February 05, 2018, 09:15:48 AM
Quote from: Kwill on February 04, 2018, 08:51:02 PM
Mine on my 8n works great. Its not slow. Any faster and I couldn't keep up.

I assume yours being on an 8n that it is PTO driven?
no sir. Front mount pump
Built my own hydraulic splitter
Built my own outdoor wood stove
Built my own log arch
built my own bandsaw sawmill
Built my own atv log arch.
Built my own FEL grapple

btd

I use a horizontal three point splitter on a 45 hp kioti, I bump the throttle up a bit over idle and it is reasonably fast and has alot of power. For real big wood I simply lower the splitter to the ground split into manageable pieces then raise it back up where it is easier on the back and continue. Works good for me.

Woodcutter_Mo

Good info, I generally keep the idle at 1100-1200+ anytime its parked and the hydraulics are being used such as the loader being raised or 3 point raised with weight on it so that should work good for me. What model is your Kioti? Mine is a '04 DK45 with the 12 speed shuttle transmission, has been a good tractor overall.
-WoodMizer LT25
-592XP full wrap, 372XP, 550XP, 455 Rancher, RedMax GZ3500T
-Fixer-uppers/projects:
024AV, MS260, MS361, MS460, Shindaiwa 488, 394XPG

hedgerow

 I ran a home built splitter on a 3010 JD for years just used the tractors hyds. It had a 5 inch cylinder and would keep two people busy. I googled your Kioti and it shows it has a 16.8 GPM pump which shouldn't be to bad for speed and it is nice to drop it to the ground for the big ones.

btd

2012 DS4510, 13 gpm pump. Green wood doesn't stand a chance, twisted seasoned beech gives it a workout but the tractor has the power (run off remotes, not pto) but the cylinder could probably stand to be rebuilt.

overclocking

To clear up a lot of mixed information I just wanted to add my experience.

3pt splitters are not slow. Its possible if it connected to the remotes then it would be, but most of the ones I see are pto driven. These are much faster then any regular splitter I have ever used and much more capable of splitting big wood.

I use a timberwolf tw3 with log lift and 4 way wedge and using a conveyor 2 cord an hour is average with two people.
Some of these splitters will split 3 ft or larger hardwood log 4 ways without blowing your back out.

I have a video I made somewhere of the tw3 lifting and 4 way splitting 40 inch round cherry logs with minimal effort.

Since using the 3pt unit I have never even thought of firing up the old pull behind.

Kwill

I like mine. Its nice not having another gas engine setting around several months out of the year not being ran.
Built my own hydraulic splitter
Built my own outdoor wood stove
Built my own log arch
built my own bandsaw sawmill
Built my own atv log arch.
Built my own FEL grapple

Woodcutter_Mo

 I definitely like the idea of not having another engine sitting around. Most of the 3 point splitters I've been seeing do run off the remotes. As long as it's not super slow, would be fine with me. I would prefer one that worked both vertical and horizontal but all of the splitters I see that can work vertically have the wedge on the cylinder for obvious reasons. I wonder if a person could make the wedge and plate removable as to be able to swap them around?
-WoodMizer LT25
-592XP full wrap, 372XP, 550XP, 455 Rancher, RedMax GZ3500T
-Fixer-uppers/projects:
024AV, MS260, MS361, MS460, Shindaiwa 488, 394XPG

Gearbox

What is slow 20 seconds ? That is 3 blocks a min. 180 blocks an hour . Try splitting 180 blocks an hour for 4 hours by hand with a mall . What is slow ?
A bunch of chainsaws a BT6870 processer , TC 5 International track skidder and not near enough time

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