3 Point Hitch log splitters have been around almost as long as tractors themselves. Originally most 3 point hitch splitters were fabricated from parts laying around on the farm. As tractors have modernized so has the market for log splitters. There are several companies that sell 3 PT hitch wood splitters, and with increased tractor performance they can be a cost-effective solution for splitting your wood. That being said, there are several factors that you should consider before committing to a choice.
Does my tractor have the performance to run a 3 PT Hitch Log Splitter?
Compared to most farm implements, log splitters use large cylinders to produce powerful splitting forces. This requires good flow, and good pressure for optimal operation.
Flow = Speed,
Pressure = Splitting Force
Good flow is between 10 – 18 GPM, and good pressure is 2700 – 3000 PSI. Tractors below 35 HP struggle to reach these numbers, mind you, newer tractors are leaving the factory with better specs every year. If you aren’t sure what your tractor has for flow and pressure, you can check the manual, call your local dealer, or look online (Tractor Data is a great resource). That being said, if your tractor has lower than optimal performance specs, a 3 PT splitter can still be used, just expect a slower cycle time, or reduced splitting force. If the tractor doesn’t have any flow or pressure to speak of, a PTO kit could be the better option to increase flow and pressure.
Are you okay with your tractor being tied to a 3 PT hitch log splitter?
Keep in mind, if you have a 3 PT splitter on the back, the utilization of the tractor goes down. Splitters are a longer implement, so using the tractor around the estate with the splitter on the back can be cumbersome. Furthermore, if you have a loader on your tractor, you can’t use both at the same time. That being said, if you know what you’re doing it only takes 3-5 minutes to attach / detach the splitter.
Do you really want to put hours on your tractor?
To some a valid point, but to many it’s not the slightest concern. You buy a tractor to put it to work and splitting hours is easy hours for a tractor. If you have more than one tractor around the estate / farm, it wouldn’t hurt to run it on the oldest / highest hour machine.
It is economical to run a wood splitter on a tractor?
Absolutely. Modern tractors are fuel efficient, and if you have good flow, a tractor can run just above idle so fuel consumption stays low. If you are running a PTO kit, if possible, run a low RPM PTO kit to keep RPM’s down. Keep in mind, with a 3 PT hitch splitter, you also has cost savings with maintenance. You're only maintaining the tractor, as the splitter is maintenance free.
All in all, 3 PT Hitch log splitters can be a great choice. Obviously, it really depends on your tractor’s performance, but it can be a simple way to split a ton of wood without breaking the bank on the initial purchase. It’s also one less machine you need to maintain, and with a bit of practice you can have it on and off the back of the tractor in no time.
Take a look at a 3 point hitch log splitter in action!
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