What's your opinion on this?

Hey folks. I am looking at buying a new wood splitter, and I have several options. So I am not asking about brands you like or dislike. I am asking your opinion on the different options I have.

#1 Gas
#2 Electric
#3 3-point, running off tractor hydraulics
#4 Quick Attach, running off Bobcat hydraulics

I have ruled out electric, although I think the quietness of them would be nice, I want to be able to split wood wherever I want to on my land.

I have ruled out the Quick attach because my Bobcat is so heavy there are many places and times I can not bring it to certain areas of the land.

I am also thinking of ruling out the Tractor (and Bobcat) options because I am not crazy about putting the extra hours on the machines engines. Although the hours per year would be minimum, probably less than 25 hours a year, I hesitate to put the extra wear and tear on those machines.

So I am pretty sure I am going to go with a gas splitter. Although a three point splitter would be less money and one less engine to care for.

What is your opinion on this?

 

3 point splitters are just "OK". It depends a lot on the hydraulic pump capacity of your tractor...which determines the speed. That, and they're usually horizontal only machines and low to the ground (back buster). I'd put one on the bobcat (more hydro capacity) before your tractor, but that's just my opinion.

They are less fuel efficient than a purpose-built splitter engine too. I'd worry about fuel more than the hours on the machine.

They do make some pretty awesome loader mount splitters, but you have to dig deep into the wallet for those. Don't watch a video of them or you'll forever be disappointed in a standard gas splitter.

 

They have some that are horizontal and vertical.

http://www.woodsplittersdirect.com/...ntalVertical-3-PT-Hitch-Attachment-w-PTO-PUMP

 

Good points. The diesel for the tractor is not cheap. And I won't be shelling out the money for one of those loader mounts that do a whole log, cut and split! LOFL

 

Those have built-in pumps so they'd be equally fast on any tractor, but for that kind of jingle you can get a splitter capable of pushing a multi-way wedge. Those in the link are only 20 ton.

 

This would be the way to go:

http://www.powerequipmentplus.com/S...ct-ads~30856&gclid=CIyvutT_iL4CFZNlOgodNVYAkA

 

I do have to say I am very impressed with how little fuel the Ford tractor and Bobcat use. Even when doing a lot of loader work or moving snow. Pretty efficient engines for all the weight they move around in addition to their own weight.

 

Those right there look like a pain in the azz to me. To have to move your machine around, or roll the log to it, and work with it upside down like that. No thanks.

 

I guess I should see if I could watch a video of someone running one of those who is experienced with it and see how fast they can work with them.

 

They make the same thing that is right side up (didn't notice I posted an upside down) that was more along the lines of what I was thinking.If I went with one of those upside down ones, it would have to be a multi-way. Once they are in half it would probably be a real PITA.

 

I am still looking around. LOL. Man, there are a lot of splitters out there. But there is only so many things you can change. I would like to go with something that is built a little stronger (commercial type - hydraulic hoses and fittings) in case I decided in the future to sell some wood and started to process more than my usual 10 cord a year I will use to heat the house (and DHW). I have also considered heating the camp with wood, when I have the time and feel like it, to save on the money for the pellets.

 

I have thought about using the loader to lift the big rounds up to a horizontal splitter. But then you have to fire up the machine each time you want to or get to some large rounds. I don't have a loader on the tractor. I have a loader on the Bobcat, but the Bobcat is so heavy there are times you don't want to drive in the grass because of the weight. (9600lbs) In order to not make ruts when the ground is soft from rain or thaw. I could always just do it all when the ground is frozen, which is when I usually do all my wood processing. I like the cold time because of no bugs and no heat. But, times like this year, I did not get it all done and still have a big pile of wood to split. LOL

 

^^^This^^^
Especially if you have a set of forks.

 

It appears that "one spike syndrome" is slowly setting in Gas… one foot spiked to the floor while you do circles with all of the possibilities…

I'll bet there's a 100 ways to do just about anything. Rather than starting with the gear, how about starting with you? What would be the most enjoyable way you can think of to get up to 200 lb rounds split and moved to your stacking area? Start there. In the end, when the money spent is long forgotten, you'll be a lot happier with whichever way you go…

 

With all the front end lifting capacity you have I think you need to decide whether you want to process onsite in the woods or skid logs and process at a single location.
Most tow behind models(if any) will not make it into the wet/uneven woods
I could envision a feeder table directed at a horizontal model fed by the bucket - or bucked directly onto the table w/pickaroon to pull towards you....at that point in time you might as well buy the processor attachment for the bobcat and skid with the tractor, putting up 10cord with one would be easy and selling down the road would pay you and the fuel easy

 

LOL. No, there isn't. Why not? Because they cost a chitload of money. Another thing I wish I had the money for. And what good would a thumb do me with splitting wood anyway? To pick up the big logs and set them on the splitter? Nope. We all think of ways we can do things with equipment. And that is all fine. But I have used quite a bit of equipment over the years. And something like that will just slow you down. Climbing in and out of the equipment. Not to mention the potential to bust your splitter all to hell with a mistake with the larger equipment.

I think the quickest way of splitting, for me anyway, has been rolling/backing the splitter right up close to your pile of rounds. Flip it up to the vertical position and roll your rounds into the splitter. Tossing the splits into the truck or wheel barrow for moving to the stacking place.

 

x2