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electric log splitter versus a tractor driven one

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  • 21-08-2021 8:30pm
    #1
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭


    Hi all

    I'm in the market for a log splitter, and I'm leaning towards a new 8 tonne electric one like in the link below.

    8 Ton Vertical Electric Log Splitter & FREE Wedge for sale in Cork for €569 on DoneDeal

    We've a couple of tractors at home so I've the option of going for a tractor powered hydraulic one too.

    The electric motor powered log splitters seem to be fairly robust, well designed and safe to operate. I also like that the splitting table can be lowered to near ground level so that heavy rounds of timber can be rolled up onto the table rather than lifting them. I see some splitters are rated for 12 tonne and higher, but I think an 8 tonne splitter will be good enough for 99% of the rounds I'll need to split.

    Just from looking at a few youtube videos of cheap electric log splitters working it is surprising the lumps of knotty logs that they are able to split.

    Just wondering if anyone had any experience of an electric log splitter and tractor driven one and what their preference would be.

    Cheers



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    #2
    wrangler
    Registered Users Posts: 11,058 ✭✭✭✭wrangler


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058205180/electric-log-splitter-versus-a-tractor-driven-one

    My logsplitter has a 16 ton ram, thats a big difference when you need it



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    #3
    emaherx
    Registered Users Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭emaherx


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058205180/electric-log-splitter-versus-a-tractor-driven-one

    New factory made tractor splitters from reputable manufacturers have similar safety features too.

    Tractor one is handy if you want to split timber away from the yard and most will be more powerful than 8 Tonne. Having said that, the electric one looks a fine job for the price.



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    #4
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    Thanks for the replies. Yeah no doubt its great to have the more powerful ram when you need it, but was just thinking that an 8 tonne log Splitter should be fine.

    I think the best tractor powered log Splitter I've seen on done deal is the one in this ad, (picture 2) where the working table of the log Splitter can be put down at ground level so big rounds of timber can be rolled onto it rather than bursting yourself trying to lift them. The lift arms can be raised to have the splitting table at the operators waist height.

    https://www.donedeal.ie/otherfarmmachinery-for-sale/log-splitter/28797604


    https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/dormack-12-ton-log-splitter/28807965

    I like this log Splitter too, even though its twice the price as it can be run off a pto pump so a small tractor like our MF35 could be used to split timber rather than tying up up the other bigger tractor.



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    #5
    wrangler
    Registered Users Posts: 11,058 ✭✭✭✭wrangler



    this is the one we have, I find the wide table a huge help in that the logs don't fall on the ground when split, some have to be split two or three times so picking them up off the ground can be a pain also you can stack a few for splitting on the end of the table

    https://scontent.fdub5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/88056717_1322357987947824_5715615093081767936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=XWyDkm7W4ysAX8UpKPR&_nc_oc=AQkLZgC-RjW83WkRMDOYQhp6E2-eiLvuR7Q54YxGC1AAOnHCFmY-xsZhGLWPSmTRTzk&tn=mll7P1SLjUYDq9WT&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub5-1.fna&oh=77ef63a634d880e7387f50e02494eda5&oe=6147A5F6

    Post edited by wrangler on


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    #6
    MIKEKC
    Registered Users Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭MIKEKC


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058205180/electric-log-splitter-versus-a-tractor-driven-one
    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058205180/electric-log-splitter-versus-a-tractor-driven-one

    Have a similar one here for about 10 years. Excellent machine. Didn't know much about them at the time and was going to buy a bigger one .Seller told me that 8 ton was plenty big, which proved correct.



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    #7
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    Thanks for the reply Mikekc. The electric ones look like the 8 tonne one seem to be good value. Yeah was thinking they would have a long service life if minded and kept oiled.



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    #8
    the_pen_turner
    Registered Users Posts: 7,506 ✭✭✭the_pen_turner


    i bought a hartnett one a few years ago. its good. no faults with it.

    a while later we ended up with half a hydrolic one in a deal and finished it off . its a nght and day diference. the electric one hasnt been used since. its like a 2 wheel drive tracter v a 4 wheel drive tracter. both get the job done when the going is easy but when you need more you have it



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    #9
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    Ive no experience in using log splitters, but I suppose the tractor driven splitter has the advantage that the tractor can be revved up to provide more splitting power if needed but the electric motor runs at a constant rpm.

    I'd prefer to rent a log splitter for the day but for not sure if anyone locally would rent a log splitter out is prepared to hire theirs out due to insurance concerns



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    #10
    Suckler
    Registered Users Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭Suckler


    How do the 'screw' type splitters compare?



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    #11
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    I wouldn't buy a screw type personally, as they don't look to be the safest type of splitter to use, risk of entanglement etc



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    #12
    wrangler
    Registered Users Posts: 11,058 ✭✭✭✭wrangler


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117788659#Comment_117788659

    most tractors have the same pressure ticking over as revving, revving up only increases spped of flow



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    #13
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    https://youtu.be/jObB6caU5J4

    Still researching which log Splitter to buy but I thought this was an interesting video about log splitters being used on tractors



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    #14
    jaginsligo
    Registered Users Posts: 142 ✭✭jaginsligo


    That video makes some good points. I was looking at buying a splitter last year but there's no power where I store the timber so I was thinking of a tractor 1, I only have a mf 135 & it's not plumbed for a return valve so instead I hired a petrol splitter. I was lucky, got it out of season & got it for both Saturday & Sunday for the price of 1 day. I was organized & ready & split a serious amount of timber in 2 days, won't need one again for a couple of years again. Don't think I'd bother buying one now

    Might be an option for you.



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    #15
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/15-ton-logsplitters/28783477

    These log splitters look like they are good value..



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    #16
    Bass Reeves
    Registered Users Posts: 18,182 ✭✭✭✭Bass Reeves


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117873942#Comment_117873942

    Did you ever work beside a petrol engine for 2-3 hours. As well petrol engines require maintenance. I go for an electric one before I'd go petrol. it in NI it more than likly +vat

    Slava Ukrainii



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    #17
    zetecescort
    Registered Users Posts: 5,036 ✭✭✭zetecescort


    No idea on the pros or cons but you can get splitters that have their own pump driven by the pto, like a hedge cutter. More suitable for smaller or older tractors I think



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    #18
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    https://www.donedeal.ie/otherfarmmachinery-for-sale/log-splitters/26057222

    Ended up buying a Tusk log splitter lately (like the one in picture 2 of the done deal ad) to run off the tractor hydraulics. Seemed to be the best option for our set up. The dealer said he had lots of guys offering electric splitters as a trade in but he didnt want anything to do with the electric log splitters. I haven't got to try it yet but it certainly seems to be very well constructed. The main shaft that the wedge slides on is made of heavy box steel rather than RSJ making it much stronger. Its something I hadn't thought of until the dealer pointed it out.

    I plan to do some guntering and make up a 4 way wedge to slot over the wedge and also make up a frame to bolt on or slide onto the splitter to give extra space so that a few big rounds can be rolled on and then raise the lift arms so that the splitter is at a comfortable working height.



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    #19
    jaginsligo
    Registered Users Posts: 142 ✭✭jaginsligo


    That's not a bad price, let us know how u get on with it as I'm half thinking of get one & torn between tractor or electric



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    #20
    wrangler
    Registered Users Posts: 11,058 ✭✭✭✭wrangler


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095089#Comment_118095089

    make sure you get one with auto return on the spool valve, It's a pain in the arse holding the handle whille it returns to the top,

    I only bought mine a few years ago and was disappointed when I discovered the auto return option, It also had a safety device on the spool valve which ended up in the ditch the first day. It's a carroll , the table is high and 4ft wide. It's a great logsplitter



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    #21
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095089#Comment_118095089

    Yeah I thought it was good value... I didn't look at or price any other makes of log splitter. Tusk seemed to be only brand to offer this configuration of splitter. I'd imagine prices will increase soon to reflect the rising cost of steel. I'd looked at buying a second hand electric one too but in the end the tractor driven hydraulic one was the best option for me



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    #22
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    Got to use the new Tusk log splitter at the weekend, very happy with it. I just see from the donedeal ad that they have gone up by 50euro to 850euro for the model I bought. Handy to be able to lower the lift arms to the ground and roll the big heavy rounds onto the splitting table rather than lifting them.



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    #23
    divillybit
    Registered Users Posts: 504 ✭✭✭divillybit


    https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/major-log-splitter/29744254?campaign=23


    Good looking used Major log Splitter here on donedeal. I think these configurations are the best if there's big heavy rounds to split. Even though the splitting table is vey small on this one a bigger table could fabricated and welded on.



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    #24
    Count Mondego
    Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭Count Mondego


    For those of you with the hydraulic splitters, do you have to tie up the hydraulic control lever? If so, is that bad for the tractor to leave it on for a few hours?



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    #25
    patsy_mccabe
    Registered Users Posts: 10,687 ✭✭✭✭patsy_mccabe


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119633602#Comment_119633602

    It depends how the hydraulic circuit works. You should have a hydraulic valve on the splitter with Pressure to Tank (P to T) in the center position. If so, then the pump on the tractor just pumps around in an open loop back to tank with no pressure generated. If this is the case, then it is no harm.

    Remember, in an open center hydraulic system on the tractor (most old tractors have this), the pump is constantly working anyway, when the engine is running.

    If you hear pressure being generated when you let go of the splitter valve, then that is not good. You are working the tractor pump tru a relief valve.

    Post edited by patsy_mccabe on

    'When I was a boy we were serfs, slave minded. Anyone who came along and lifted us out of that belittling, I looked on them as Gods.' - Dan Breen



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    #26
    Count Mondego
    Registered Users Posts: 963 ✭✭✭Count Mondego


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119633735#Comment_119633735

    Thanks Patsy,

    I have no clue as to the hydraulic circuitry of the tractor, it's a 10 year old Zetor Proxima 75. When operating the malone post driver it only works when the handle in the tractor is pulled up, then the oil flows out to the driver and you can work the levers out there.



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