PTO Log Splitter

[Chap]

So I have a brand new wood stove sitting in my house waiting for much cooler temps to come so it can be fired up. I also recently bought a John Deere tractor from my neighbor. Put these two things together and it seems I might be in the market for a PTO driven log splitter. So I am hoping some of you might have some opinions on good PTO log splitters and/or what to look for in a good PTO log splitter.

 

[volunbeer]

The costs are much higher when I researched this a few months ago for the PTO splitter. I spent far less for a 27 ton DHT on sale at Lowes than I would have spent on a PTO splitter and so far it has been a champ. Just my .02, but changing implements is a pain and changing the oil (and wear and tear) on my tractor as recommended (every 50 hours) is expensive. The gas powered splitter seemed to come out on top by every measure for me and I expect to use it for a long time. I also like having the use of my tractor bucket when splitting wood to lift up rounds so I don't have to bend over and you can stack wood in the bucket for transport if you are stacking somewhere else.

Just my .02, but get a gas powered splitter and use the money you saved (and will save) to buy another implement!

 

[Ashful]

I also toyed with the idea of buying a PTO splitter, but dropped the thought once I looked at the numbers. I was able to buy a 22 ton Huskee (Speeco) splitter that splits everything I need, without putting any hours on my tractor, and keeping the tractor free for moving wood to/from the splitter. The splitter only cost me $1000, which is less than the cost of most PTO splitters I was considering, and it really does an excellent job.

 

[Chap]

Guys thank you for the responses. What you both said about using a gas powered splitter instead of a PTO driven one makes a lot of sense. So I went onto Craigslist to see what might be available used in my area (the answer was not much, South Carolina does not seem to be much of a wood splitting/wood burning place) and I came across a Troy Built 33-ton splitter for $1300. It says it has been "barely used" and is in "like new" condition. Of course I will need to verify all of that, but does that sound like a good deal? Is 33-tons just too much splitter? I own a BlazeKing Ashford and being in South Carolina I will not be burning as many cords as most of you.

 

[blades]

can by new for less, DHT 20 ton for one might even be able to have it shipped to your door if no dealer close. 33 ton over kill plus high on price for used. Various places will have sales on them 20 tons at around a the 800-900 dollar mark in another month or so. do not know what big box stores you have in your area.DHT and Speeco are both good names with customer service to boot. That Troy Built is a MTD product. Known for maximizing the profit at the expense of the product.

 

[volunbeer]

I guess I did not ask if you had a bucket, but if not, you can get (or build) a rack that hooks onto the back of the tractor that would move a sizeable amount of wood to and from the splitting area. It's nice to be able to handle the wood up off the ground. I am confused why PTO splitters seem to cost so much more than splitters with their own engine (and wheels). Seems like they would be cheaper, but that is not the case. My neighbor and I have discussed building one (he is a welder) that could split big rounds on the ground with his skidsteer - that would avoid the sledge and wedge routine, but realistically we have so many trees on our own property it would probably not be necessary. I am surrounded by forests and have a John Deere Gator so I can cut down deadfall pretty easily although a pile of cut rounds that I can pull trailer up to is still hard to pass up!

I echo the sentiments above also - that is a very heavy duty splitter. There are plenty of people here who get by with a 20 or 22 ton and if you watch and get one new at Lowes or HD they will stand behind it so the idea of a warranty makes anything other than a really good deal on craigslist a better option for me. There are lots of reviews online for just about everything so if you find one that interests you check those out and you will have a good idea of what you are getting and what to expect.

Try to find a place with ethanol free gas near you and use that instead of the crap the government has forced on us - I really believe it will make my gas powered tools and equipment last longer!

 

[Ashful]

I am confused why PTO splitters seem to cost so much more than splitters with their own engine (and wheels). Seems like they would be cheaper, but that is not the case.

Economy of scale, my friend. Figure at least 100x sales volume on Briggs and Stratton powered units, versus PTO-powered units.

 

[Chap]

Once again thank you guys for steering me straight. Lowe's currently has a DHT 22 ton on sale for $999.00. With my veteran discount of 10% that brings it down to right at $900 with the hydraulic fluid included and filled.

Volunbeer, I do have a front end loader on the tractor and will definately be using it to move the wood around.

I have several cords of wood cut into rounds and stacked, but I really need to get it split (already late for burning it this winter...sigh...need to find an alternative) so it can start drying out. With that in mind I will probably be going to (S)Lowe's this weekend to pick up the splitter.

Next project after the chicken coop/barn, that I am currently working on, will have to be a wood shed.

 

[Ashful]

Focus on your faster-drying species first (softwoods & ash), split small, stack single rows in the open wind. That'll give you the best drying that can be had, for the rest of this summer.

Don't even think of splitting any oak now, for burning this winter.

 

[Chap]

Yeah unfortunately I have quite a bit of white oak in there from when they cleared our house site for the build. I do have some pine mixed in there also and will get that split small and drying ASAP. I am not sure what other soft woods I might have in the mix of trees that were dropped. I am just now learning to identify tree species.

 

[Ashful]

You should split the oak and set it aside for the following year (or two), as much as possible. If you're in a real pinch, a piece or two of oak on top of a load of dry pine will get you by. Just remember, you want your average MC% under 20, so for every heavy wet piece of oak you'll need several pieces well under that mark.

 

[jlightning]

My father in law and I split wood together every year w/ me using a 20 year old 22 ton speeco splitter and my father in law using a pto splitter off of his jd farm tractor. The speeco wins in every catigory of usefullness...more power, easier to set up, faster, and can split vertical or horisontal. He also has an issue that if he works the pto splitter too hard it trips the hydrolic and he has to reset it.