Log Splitter decision...

[dcs13]

Im going to purchase a log splitter this summer. I'm really leaning on a 3 point version to use my tractors hydraulics for the power. (63 horse with remotes already) I dont heat my home with the logs, its more for those occasional fires and for the outside fire pit. I have plenty of oak available on my property to split. Im leaning towards the 3 point version so I dont have to deal with a motor that wont get used very often. I dont want to be cleaning carbs just so I can split some wood... So, anyone see a flaw with my logic and what brand(s) are good to look at ? thanks

 

[jack stand]

I understand your thinking with the limited use. I normally would recommend that the guy with a tractor not tie up a great "tool" to support the splitter not to mention running a $500 gas engine with a $150 pump vs. putting hours on a $15,000 or more tractor, but this is for guys that are heating or at least supplementing the heat.
I'll mention a few considerations that I'd be considering,
Resale down the road of a 3pt splitter
A small inexpensive 120v splitter.

 

[finn]

The 3 Pte splitter sounds ok for your use. Typically they are slow, and it complicates using the loader to move rounds and splits.

for what it’s worth, I picked up a splitter of a long defunct brand, built in Toledo in about 1984, with an ancient 8 hp Briggs. Got it probably ten years ago.

I bought a Harbor Freight engine to repower it, but the ancient Briggs starts on the second pull after sitting for a year.

The HF engine is still sitting in the box.

 

[nadogail]

A maul and a splitting wedge will warm you before you light your fire.

 

[ericm]

Is your oak difficult to split? Most of the oak species here are, and we also have Eucalyptus which can be very hard to split. I got a splitter (not 3pt) with a 4.5" cylinder specifically to split these species.

The larger cylinder will be slower when powered off the tractor. Even a 63hp tractor won't have as much flow as a decent standalone splitter (mine's 16 gpm, most CUTS don't do much more than 10). The tractor also does not develop as much pressure as most standalones, which lowers the force that can be applied to the wood.

 

[Boilerhouse]

Personally. I use my 10 hp log splitter as a stand alone, and use my Kubota tractor to pull logs from the pile. move around heavy blocks, or load up some splits and move them to the shed. However i cut and split 9 cord per year. If you are doing significantly less, than I could see that a PTO splitter would not be an inconvenience.

 

[James-W]

I would have to agree with "jack stand" in that a small 120 volt splitter would be a good idea. If you were splitting a lot of wood then I could see investing in the larger splitter mounted on the tractor. But for the occasional campfire and/or a fire pit, the small splitter should be more than sufifient.

 

[NUTTSGT]

"its more for those occasional fires and for the outside fire pit"

I might consider renting one for the day. No upkeep, storage or worry about theft. Have all your wood cut and ready to be stacked. Rent the splitter and spilt it all in one day. When you're done, gas it up and take it back.

 

[ratdoggy]

I was going to buy one for the occasional fires and for the outdoor fire pit. I ended up renting one at Home Depot. Cheaper and less stuff to worry about

 

[glennm]

I heat with wood and have a stand alone plus an electric splitter in the garage. It is surprising how good the 120v splitters are. You won’t split big twisted stumps bit straight grain pieces are easy. I keep the electric one in the garage (no fumes) and split larger chunks down for fast fires or to make kindling as required. I wouldn’t want one on my tractor, use the tractor for too may other things

 

[Verado1250]

When I split, I stack my wood into racks/pallets I made and use the tractor to move them. Thus, using a stand alone is the only way I'd go. Plus, I don't want to put unnecessary hours on a tractor. My splitter has a 5hp. industrial Briggs on it and it splits about 3-4 cords per year, been chugging along for over 32 years. All I do is change the oil every year, and have changed the air cleaner just once during this time. Still on the original spark plug.

 

[gungatim]

By a lot!

 

[greenskeeper]

I'd go with a stand alone unit

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you end up buying a stand alone unit, make sure to use 90REC gas or something else ethanol free.

Yes, it's worth the extra cost.

 

[dwasifar]

You would be surprised how much those little electric splitters can accomplish. I've split up many cords with one. Their main drawback is they're slow.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go the rental route
failing that, your logic is good