I love how you guys are more geared to selling want a customer would end up being satisfied with after they've used it over time rather that just selling whatever you could push on them at the moment.
I have been considering getting a log splitter attachment for the the tractor I am close to buying. I am grateful for your comments, I'll just tow a self contained splitter. Not as neat a bundle, but I'll be happier with the performance. I tend to get impatient with slow machinery when I have a large job to accomplish. Thanks, Neil. You have taught me a great deal over the past year as I researched tractors and tractor related issues.
A 3 pt splitter is a great solution for me, I use 1 1/2 cords of wood a year, I use 80 hp 4 cylinder Deutz Allis to power it, uses less diesel than my FIL's gasoline powered machine and mine makes less noise, and it doesn't get hot, I usually split in the winter , never in the summer and one less engine to take care of, it's 20 yes old and still works great.
Thanks for the explanation on hydraulic flow rates. I was considering a splitter for my tractor but now I think a better option is one I can pull behind it. Love your channel.
Been there. Done it. Everything he said is spot on. One thing not mentioned is the fact that "self-contained" splitters have 2 stage pumps to get the high flow/quick cycle time and high pressure/more splitting power pumps that tractors just don't have. Spend the extra $200 bucks. Better yet, spend more to get a flywheel/kinetic splitter and drop your cycle times from 12-16 seconds to 2-3 and REALLY pump out the fire wood.
Lots of good points in the video and comments. Doing 7+ cords a year: would rather put the hours on a tool that can be moved with an ATV or pickup and costs
You are absolutely correct. I bought a large splitter designed to be hooked to a 65 plus HP tractor. They couldn't get it to work right. Sold it to me cheep. I used a Honda GX 390 at 13HP to run a 16 GPM 2 stage pump it push a large Cat. ram just fine. You gave good advice. .
We ran our splitter on a large farm tractor with a power beyond remote for over 20 years with no problems. We purchased a skid steer mounted splitter last year and we really enjoy it . A splitter should be used on at least a 80 to 150 hp machine with both the hp and hydraulic capability with power beyond remotes. I work as a heavy equipment mechanic and I have seen small tractors 40 to 60 hp machines ruin hydraulic pumps and remotes by running splitters and fence post pounders and other attachments without knowing the tractors hydraulic system capability.
They already exist. Most manufacturers who make these tractor log splitters, make plug in hydraulic units, and self contained units, where the tractor PTO just drives the pump. I've used both. I think the self contained PTO ones are much better. Keep your PTO shaft greased, and your away. The plug in hydraulic ones, are always a mess
I rented one like that a few years ago.. it had a huge hydraulic cylinder.. the pressure was insane, it would just build a build up... i cut a big chunk of hard maple cross grain with it
Oh, another thing often over looked is cylinder size vs shaft size. If you have a big cylider, you'll get lots of tonnage to split, but it will slow down your push cycle. If you up your shaft size, you'll speed up your return cycle and regain some of your total cycle time. A 5" cylinder with a 1" shaft (very uncommon, but possible) will have same power but a much slower complete cycle time than a 5" cylinder with a 4" shaft (more expensive, but possible). You generally don't need much power on the return stroke, so having all that area on the return piston is wasted.
Love the videos, but I have a question about this. I've seen a lot of PTO driven hydraulic pumps. Are there 3pt splitters that are setup with this type of pump, making them MOSTLY self contained (minus the power for the pump)? How does that change the argument for/against a Log Splitter for your tractor? And how do they compare in the budget department? One interesting point I notice is that it's one less engine to keep maintained. Especially since splitting is usually a once a season event (ie you aren't using that engine all the time so it tends to require more TLC to keep in optimal condition). Anyway, If you see this and respond, great. If not, hope everyone who does has a great day.
We made a 3pt splitter that has a self contained engine on it it makes it easier to use on my 2n 6n and 8n we also have one that has 3 planes of movement for our Bobcats
Thank you for the straight forward and honest answer. I thought of taking an old splitter that doesn’t work anymore and plumb it into the loader valve disconnect on my BX80 series. I can buy the fittings and just manually hook up when loader not in use. Would this be ok in your opinions.
you can, you'll need to bungee back the loader valve to keep the hydraulics flowing, this will generate a lot of heat going though all the piping and couplers. The better way to do it is loop off the Power Beyond (BY) port on off the valve body itself.
I think the biggest negative to either hydraulic or PTO operated log splitters is the fact that now you can't use your tractor for other uses, #1 of which is to hold log rounds at waist height for splitting. The other negative is using a +$20,000 tractor to replace a $1000 splitter. 40 hp diesel instead of a 6.5 hp gas engine. Makes no sense on any level IMO.
I tend to agree. It would be pretty sad to be man handling a big piece of wood up to the splitter mounted to a tractor with the tractor's bucket sitting out there uselessly.
I know it defeats the purpose and your point, but are there PTO driven units? I ask because for smaller walk behind tractors that's how it's done since there isn't hydraulic options.
Because Im sick of buying starter recoil parts for the one i have. I've taken it to have it tuned, adjusted and you have it, and it still eats a starter recoil. My "tractor" is not a 30k tractor but runs and starts easy for the kids to split wood while im still at work. A couple hundred dollars worth of modifications will be worth it in my case verse the yearly $100 to fix and tune...
You have talked me out of the attachment splitter... Can you comment on the splitters that use the PTO to spin a conical steel bit to split wood? Thanks for the great info.
Thanks for the heads up because I was looking at 1 at what we called Rural King. Tells me which direction I need to go I have a little 2230 I know it's small but like it said it's easy to move around on the back of the tractor and I could take it to where the woods at wouldn't have to drag something else out but I'll take your advice and buy me another unit that would do the job without the tractor thank you have a great day and
Great advice sir. Why pay almost as much as for a self contained unit, that won't perform as well as the self contained unit and will just run up the hours on your tractor. Would you give the same advice for a wood chipper? I.e. get a self contained one rather than one that attaches to your tractor? Thanks again for the good info. If I was in PA, I would certainly come to your place to shop for a tractor.
I think a three point mounted chipper is a different proposition to a three point mounted log splitter. The three point mounted chippers seem to be a step up power and capacity wise from self contained chippers at the same price point. Most three point mounted chippers run off the tractor's PTO so there are no issues with possibly stuffing the tractor's hydraulic system up. So with a three point mounted chipper you get a 30 or 40 HP chipper for a few thousand bucks versus a self contained petrol chipper with less than half that amount of power.
…. “Tractors that are made for continuous flow hydraulics are mainly closed center systems”. If hydraulic oil is continuously flowing, I’d assume the log splitter has an open valve and I would say it would work better on tractors with open center hydraulic system. 🤷♂️ please correct me if I got it wrong.
Question...you said that if it has a backhoe like my BX23S, the hydrolics is pumped from elsewhere....would that be better for the logsplitter cycletime & not so much wear and tear on the tractors mechanics?
Thanks for the info on the wood splitter. Tell me is there a way to run a Buzz Cordwood Saw with a 2 foot diameter saw blade off a PTO driven flat belt pulley? Some tractors used them in old days like Ford, Farmall, Case? Any info would help.
@@MessicksEquip Hmm, thanks, didn't think there would be much cost difference between a PTO log splitter and a stand alone. Know of any electric log splitters that work good? I only have use for a log splitter for maybe a few hours a year so buying one with a gas engine makes me wonder how good of an idea that would be?
Hi Neil, how would we be running a third function control valve off power beyond with ears welded onto the log splitter so it replaces the bucket on the backhoe. As the 4in1 FEL wouldn’t be used at the same time as the backhoe could we tee in to the FEL 4in1 there for better flow rates? Specifically BH77 on L3800 HD. Great videos mate.
Oh I don’t know... but some how that does not sound O.S.H.A. Approved. Or as one Russian missionary once told his friends over there. They gave them a new nick name and ask him if it is an O.S.H.I.* approved method!
I love how you guys are more geared to selling want a customer would end up being satisfied with after they've used it over time rather that just selling whatever you could push on them at the moment.
+Justin Rinehuls we've been doing this for 65 years. We'd rather take the time to do it right then look for a short-term gain.
just wanted to say: you are doing a fantastic job showcasing product! Thanks!!!
Awesome video. I appreciate the honesty about "I will sell you one if you want one..... but it's not necessarily the ideal setup for a log splitter."
I have been considering getting a log splitter attachment for the the tractor I am close to buying. I am grateful for your comments, I'll just tow a self contained splitter. Not as neat a bundle, but I'll be happier with the performance. I tend to get impatient with slow machinery when I have a large job to accomplish. Thanks, Neil. You have taught me a great deal over the past year as I researched tractors and tractor related issues.
You also put less hours on your tractor.
A 3 pt splitter is a great solution for me, I use 1 1/2 cords of wood a year, I use 80 hp 4 cylinder Deutz Allis to power it, uses less diesel than my FIL's gasoline powered machine and mine makes less noise, and it doesn't get hot, I usually split in the winter , never in the summer and one less engine to take care of, it's 20 yes old and still works great.
Thanks for the explanation on hydraulic flow rates. I was considering a splitter for my tractor but now I think a better option is one I can pull behind it. Love your channel.
Been there. Done it. Everything he said is spot on.
One thing not mentioned is the fact that "self-contained" splitters have 2 stage pumps to get the high flow/quick cycle time and high pressure/more splitting power pumps that tractors just don't have.
Spend the extra $200 bucks.
Better yet, spend more to get a flywheel/kinetic splitter and drop your cycle times from 12-16 seconds to 2-3 and REALLY pump out the fire wood.
Lots of good points in the video and comments. Doing 7+ cords a year: would rather put the hours on a tool that can be moved with an ATV or pickup and costs
You are absolutely correct. I bought a large splitter designed to be hooked to a 65 plus HP tractor. They couldn't get it to work right. Sold it to me cheep. I used a Honda GX 390 at 13HP to run a 16 GPM 2 stage pump it push a large Cat. ram just fine. You gave good advice.
.
We ran our splitter on a large farm tractor with a power beyond remote for over 20 years with no problems. We purchased a skid steer mounted splitter last year and we really enjoy it . A splitter should be used on at least a 80 to 150 hp machine with both the hp and hydraulic capability with power beyond remotes. I work as a heavy equipment mechanic and I have seen small tractors 40 to 60 hp machines ruin hydraulic pumps and remotes by running splitters and fence post pounders and other attachments without knowing the tractors hydraulic system capability.
Ideal setup would be an independent hydraulic system with the pump driven off the PTO.
I completely agree
That's how my 8n is set up. It works great. Lots quieter than a Briggs too.
They already exist. Most manufacturers who make these tractor log splitters, make plug in hydraulic units, and self contained units, where the tractor PTO just drives the pump. I've used both. I think the self contained PTO ones are much better. Keep your PTO shaft greased, and your away. The plug in hydraulic ones, are always a mess
I rented one like that a few years ago.. it had a huge hydraulic cylinder.. the pressure was insane, it would just build a build up... i cut a big chunk of hard maple cross grain with it
This is how you build trust. In a word, "integrity".
Thanks for the frank discussion & information on this topic.
I saw one on auction and was thinking I would bid on it. This video saved me from a terrible mistake. Thanks guys.
Oh, another thing often over looked is cylinder size vs shaft size. If you have a big cylider, you'll get lots of tonnage to split, but it will slow down your push cycle. If you up your shaft size, you'll speed up your return cycle and regain some of your total cycle time. A 5" cylinder with a 1" shaft (very uncommon, but possible) will have same power but a much slower complete cycle time than a 5" cylinder with a 4" shaft (more expensive, but possible). You generally don't need much power on the return stroke, so having all that area on the return piston is wasted.
i have used pto driven spliters before and they are really heavy duty stuff. i did split logs with 3 feet diameter with it.
Love the videos, but I have a question about this. I've seen a lot of PTO driven hydraulic pumps. Are there 3pt splitters that are setup with this type of pump, making them MOSTLY self contained (minus the power for the pump)? How does that change the argument for/against a Log Splitter for your tractor? And how do they compare in the budget department? One interesting point I notice is that it's one less engine to keep maintained. Especially since splitting is usually a once a season event (ie you aren't using that engine all the time so it tends to require more TLC to keep in optimal condition). Anyway, If you see this and respond, great. If not, hope everyone who does has a great day.
Not a typical setup, but would help with the flow problem.
My in-laws had a splitter that hooked up to their green machine. They used it a lot.
It worked great because it was being used on a big tractor.
Just subscribed. I've watched a bunch of your videos. Very informative and helping me to make wise decisions.
Well that answers my question. Thank you.
Forgot one big advantage for the three point hitch splitter. You don't have to lift the wood as high to get it on the splitter.
I love this channel.
Great, thanks for the honest answer!
The PTO mounted pump is the solution though more expensive.
Thanks for the straight scoop.
What about the quick attatch front loader one's that use the third function from power beyond
We made a 3pt splitter that has a self contained engine on it it makes it easier to use on my 2n 6n and 8n we also have one that has 3 planes of movement for our Bobcats
Love the channel and honest review
Thank you for the straight forward and honest answer. I thought of taking an old splitter that doesn’t work anymore and plumb it into the loader valve disconnect on my BX80 series. I can buy the fittings and just manually hook up when loader not in use. Would this be ok in your opinions.
you can, you'll need to bungee back the loader valve to keep the hydraulics flowing, this will generate a lot of heat going though all the piping and couplers. The better way to do it is loop off the Power Beyond (BY) port on off the valve body itself.
I think the biggest negative to either hydraulic or PTO operated log splitters is the fact that now you can't use your tractor for other uses, #1 of which is to hold log rounds at waist height for splitting. The other negative is using a +$20,000 tractor to replace a $1000 splitter. 40 hp diesel instead of a 6.5 hp gas engine. Makes no sense on any level IMO.
I tend to agree. It would be pretty sad to be man handling a big piece of wood up to the splitter mounted to a tractor with the tractor's bucket sitting out there uselessly.
wow. thanks. very informative.
Don't forget self contained log splitters have 2 stage hydraulic pump.
I like how honest he is.
Only some do.
I know it defeats the purpose and your point, but are there PTO driven units? I ask because for smaller walk behind tractors that's how it's done since there isn't hydraulic options.
I have a towable log splitter, why run a $30,000 tractor all day vs a $1200 log splitter?
Because Im sick of buying starter recoil parts for the one i have. I've taken it to have it tuned, adjusted and you have it, and it still eats a starter recoil. My "tractor" is not a 30k tractor but runs and starts easy for the kids to split wood while im still at work. A couple hundred dollars worth of modifications will be worth it in my case verse the yearly $100 to fix and tune...
You have talked me out of the attachment splitter... Can you comment on the splitters that use the PTO to spin a conical steel bit to split wood? Thanks for the great info.
Wickedly dangerous, none of my vendors sell them
Thanks for the heads up because I was looking at 1 at what we called Rural King. Tells me which direction I need to go I have a little 2230 I know it's small but like it said it's easy to move around on the back of the tractor and I could take it to where the woods at wouldn't have to drag something else out but I'll take your advice and buy me another unit that would do the job without the tractor thank you have a great day and
Great advice sir. Why pay almost as much as for a self contained unit, that won't perform as well as the self contained unit and will just run up the hours on your tractor. Would you give the same advice for a wood chipper? I.e. get a self contained one rather than one that attaches to your tractor? Thanks again for the good info. If I was in PA, I would certainly come to your place to shop for a tractor.
I think a three point mounted chipper is a different proposition to a three point mounted log splitter. The three point mounted chippers seem to be a step up power and capacity wise from self contained chippers at the same price point. Most three point mounted chippers run off the tractor's PTO so there are no issues with possibly stuffing the tractor's hydraulic system up. So with a three point mounted chipper you get a 30 or 40 HP chipper for a few thousand bucks versus a self contained petrol chipper with less than half that amount of power.
I thought he was going to say that it would add hours to the tractor, which leads to faster depreciation.
REALLY appreciate this info! Thanks!
Thank you. Very informative!
great video, I was just looking to buy one but not now.
Nailed it. My father in law’s rear remote splitter cannot keep up with my 11 second cycle time self contained.
Who the hell cares!
…. “Tractors that are made for continuous flow hydraulics are mainly closed center systems”. If hydraulic oil is continuously flowing, I’d assume the log splitter has an open valve and I would say it would work better on tractors with open center hydraulic system. 🤷♂️ please correct me if I got it wrong.
Great info, thank you.
Can you get a high flow splitter for a skid steer?
Thanks. Good food for thought.
can you use the BH connections for a log splitter?
Yea, better idea than the remotes. Just make sure you plumb it right. You can damage your tractor if you dead-end the PB port.
All great info keep it up ! Curt
What about the split fire dual splitter for skid steer?
Put it on my BX tractor ? What you think
If the wood is splitting good I'm a lot faster busting wood by hand with a go devil I just use the splitter for the tough notty wood
Question...you said that if it has a backhoe like my BX23S, the hydrolics is pumped from elsewhere....would that be better for the logsplitter cycletime & not so much wear and tear on the tractors mechanics?
Yes, you can use the backhoe loop for a splitter
Thanks for the info on the wood splitter. Tell me is there a way to run a Buzz Cordwood Saw with a 2 foot diameter saw blade off a PTO driven flat belt pulley? Some tractors used them in old days like Ford, Farmall, Case? Any info would help.
I have an old deerborn mounted to my 8n You need to find a right angle gearbox with the flatbelt pulley its not high production, but it sure is fun
@@paulrobbins3362 ok thanks! Just thought Kubota had something like that.
So with backhoe ports in the back, what is the flow rate on that? on a L3040?
Why didn't you mention the type of log splitter that uses the PTO to drive an auxiliary hydraulic pump? I'd think that would be the way I would go.
Significantly more expensive, and only marginally faster
@@MessicksEquip Hmm, thanks, didn't think there would be much cost difference between a PTO log splitter and a stand alone. Know of any electric log splitters that work good? I only have use for a log splitter for maybe a few hours a year so buying one with a gas engine makes me wonder how good of an idea that would be?
@@wildbill23c Perhaps you could rent a log splitter.
Hi Neil, how would we be running a third function control valve off power beyond with ears welded onto the log splitter so it replaces the bucket on the backhoe. As the 4in1 FEL wouldn’t be used at the same time as the backhoe could we tee in to the FEL 4in1 there for better flow rates? Specifically BH77 on L3800 HD. Great videos mate.
Yes, T the line
Messick Farm Equipment cheers
Great video!
Do you carry the screw type splitters that would mount on a mini excavator? Seem to be everywhere overseas.
we do not.
Unless you have a TLB model......
Hook the driveshaft to a giant blade and throw logs at it lol
Oh I don’t know... but some how that does not sound O.S.H.A. Approved. Or as one Russian missionary once told his friends over there. They gave them a new nick name and ask him if it is an O.S.H.I.* approved method!
why dont they make one that runs off the power take off
they do, but they are expensive.
th-cam.com/video/OzRcLvyHt4c/w-d-xo.html
No. It’s stupid to do that. It’s a waste of money. Just get a regular log splitter
All I heard was "buy the more expensive one so I can make more money"...
Good video and great advice.