Wood Splitter: Self-contained vs Tractor Powered?

[Captain13]

You are describing a $6K+ splitter. That is a whole different universe.

Dan

I didn’t pay 6K. It’s a Timberwolf but I got it at auction in Atlanta several years ago for a great low price and it has been a great splitter. I had two before that, both self contained. The Timberwolf is a whole different universe, though. That’s a splitting machine.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I didn’t pay 6K. It’s a Timberwolf but I got it at auction in Atlanta several years ago for a great low price and it has been a great splitter. I had two before that, both self contained. The Timberwolf is a whole different universe, though. That’s a splitting machine.

Now we are talking $7-8K plus and $10K just over the horizon....

Dan

 

[ACDII]

3PT is fine IF your tractor has the output for it. If not, my B2410 doesn't, then you need a tank and PTO pump. That doubles the price of the splitter and puts it at the same cost as a self contained. My Woods BH70-x is all self contained, no need to rely on the tractors hydraulics to run the back hoe, would be the same thing if I were to get a splitter.

 

[TheOldHokie]

3PT is fine IF your tractor has the output for it. If not, my B2410 doesn't, then you need a tank and PTO pump. That doubles the price of the splitter and puts it at the same cost as a self contained. My Woods BH70-x is all self contained, no need to rely on the tractors hydraulics to run the back hoe, would be the same thing if I were to get a splitter.

You might be surprised at how fast your B2410 @7GPM is with the right valve on the splitter. I posted this a few days ago:

Log Splitter Valve with Regen

Dan

 

[ACDII]

That would require opening up the hydraulics and adding the lines though in order to hook it up, right now it only has the loader controls. I wouldn't even know what to look for in order to tap into the system.

 

[TheOldHokie]

That would require opening up the hydraulics and adding the lines though in order to hook it up, right now it only has the loader controls. I wouldn't even know what to look for in order to tap into the system.

Hookup is trivial. You simply put a quick coupler on the loader power beyond hose and daisy chain the splitter off that port. I ran my splitter off the loader valve on my B7200 for years before I finally added a rear outlet.

But it turns out I got the wrong hydraulic flow rate when I looked up the B2410. Its 7 GPM but 2.6 of that is split off for the PS so you only get 4.4 at the loader. That would be close to the flow on my B7200 and that was painfully slow. The valve with regen would help but you are still looking at roughly 20 seconds cycle time on a 4 x 24 cylinder. Not horrible but definitly slow.

Dan

 

[ACDII]

I could probably do that on the L4060. My B2410 has been too reliable the way it is, why jinx it. I am having 2 duals installed in the rear, and could probably have Power Beyond on that one too.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I could probably do that on the L4060. My B2410 has been too reliable the way it is, why jinx it. I am having 2 duals installed in the rear, and could probably have Power Beyond on that one too.

The L4060 implement flow is 9,5 GPM and would run a small log splitter.

Dan

 

[NorCalRick]

I have always used self contained. Had the Wolfe Ridge PRO-28C for a couple of years. Works fast and the log lift is a life and back saver

 

[dgtvrpepair]

I personally like my 3 point rear remote powered log splitter. I can run my l4760 at 1000 rpm and it is plenty fast and powerful. I don't have to maintain another engine. I split about 5 ricks a year. If I was selling wood I would want a self contained unit.

 

[Springer]

We had the same discussion when getting our splitter. I went with a used stand-alone.
I am glad I did since I use the bucket to kind of feed the splitter. I load it with cut logs and level the bucket to the splitter. Then I roll them out of the bucket right onto the rail. After they are split, I throw the wood into the Brinley.
Couldn't do that with a PTO set up.

 

[Quick]

Yep, I do kinda the same. 27 ton splitter about 1300 bucks. Transfer is level to bucket, moved and unloaded where ever ya need it at the height ya want.

 

[alexeaton]

Yep, I do kinda the same. 27 ton splitter about 1300 bucks. Transfer is level to bucket, moved and unloaded where ever ya need it at the height ya want. View attachment 69154 View attachment 69155

Having seen those pics, that seals the deal for me. I'm going to go with self-contained. I can definitely see the value of having a free tractor, and it barely costs more than PTO driven. Thx all! Alex

 

[Springer]

Yep, I do kinda the same. 27 ton splitter about 1300 bucks. Transfer is level to bucket, moved and unloaded where ever ya need it at the height ya want. View attachment 69154 View attachment 69155

You are pushing that 27 ton ram to its limit from the looks of it. That is what I have to do this weekend. Cold weather coming and I'll need about two cords to get through winter.

 

[Captain13]

Having the tractor free is key for me. I load the splits into the cage directly from the splitter and use the tractor to move the cage (liquid tote cages are what I use for storing.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: I'm going to go with self-contained. I can definitely see the value of having a free tractor,
So if I buy a 27T splitter, I get a free tractor too ??!!!!

GREAT, sign me up... wife'd just love a 5th tractor here....

seriously though has anyone who cuts/splits more than 2-3 cords ( that's REAL cords...NOT citibot cords) , looked into 'woodprocessors', even the smaller ones ?

 

[Quick]

You are pushing that 27 ton ram to its limit from the looks of it. That is what I have to do this weekend. Cold weather coming and I'll need about two cords to get through winter.

Most of it was from dead trees, so easier splitting. It strained a bit, but plunged right through. Got a lot done in a few days. (-:

 

[dan_m]

I have a self contained (25T cub cadet with a honda engine). It's good for another reason that I didn't see listed in any previous posts - It's easier to loan than a tractor + splitter to friends in exchange for future manual labor help on projects requiring more hands.

I've split sweet gum with the cub cadet - would not try that with an axe . Now I have Plenty of firewood for the outdoor firepit to schmooze the loanees for help building a firewood shed or help building a bridge over a creek

Dan