What is everyone's favorite pto driven splitter?

[giXXer]

How about we let this thread die? It's not at all what I was asking about. Apparently the only pto driven splitters just use the pto to run the hydraulics. That really has no interest for me. So, thanks all.

On the first page someone did address your question. They included a pic of a "screw type" splitter otherwise branded as a hycrack or in the US called a Unicorn. I believe this is what you are looking for. They are driven off of your PTO and split pretty well. I found mine cheap on Craigslist missing the anti-spin bar so the guy was scared to death of it. I doubt you will find one new in the U.S. as I believe they are either banned or no one wants the huge liability of making one. They are very simple, but also very unforgiving. There aren't any safety provisions or "dead man's" kill switch. If it grabs your sleeve or glove you're going to the hospital...if you're lucky. You'll notice I labeled mine "meat grinder" in my sig because it certainly has the potential. I only use mine when I take the tractor to the woods to get very large pieces that I can't man-handle. I cut everything into rounds and back the tractor up to the wood and split it into manageable sizes. After using it a few times it definitely has an application in my wood splitting needs, but my preference is using the Swisher hydraulic splitter. It's much safer, almost as fast, and it keeps my tractor free to move the wood.

My plan is to sell both of my hydraulic splitters and get a Super Splitter. I have never used one, but that, to me, looks like the way to go.

 

[wampum]

Here ya go! One thing I forgot to mention is the build price on a 3pt may not be any cheaper as that Prince pump cost almost double that of an engine on a stand alone unit. I did it for the speed and comfort. Besides I usually need the extra ballast on the tractor anyhow.

That is a really nice well built splitter.

 

[wkpoor]

How about we let this thread die? It's not at all what I was asking about. Apparently the only pto driven splitters just use the pto to run the hydraulics. That really has no interest for me. So, thanks all.

Sorry Old Cane, I have a bad habit of not reading carefully the whole thread before posting.

wkpoor, did you build your splitter?
if so, nice job. I like the hitch on the back.
why the quick connects on the pump?
so you use the pump for other attachments?
any problems with them leaking?

I will answer this question before I quit this thread. The only reason for the QD's are to make it easier to hitch up the splitter. The pump is quite heavy and it would be a 2 person job if you had to reach around from the side after attaching the lift arms. No they haven't leaked at all but did add considerably to the project cost wise.

 

[Old Cane]

On the first page someone did address your question. They included a pic of a "screw type" splitter otherwise branded as a hycrack or in the US called a Unicorn. I believe this is what you are looking for. They are driven off of your PTO and split pretty well. I found mine cheap on Craigslist missing the anti-spin bar so the guy was scared to death of it. I doubt you will find one new in the U.S. as I believe they are either banned or no one wants the huge liability of making one. They are very simple, but also very unforgiving. There aren't any safety provisions or "dead man's" kill switch. If it grabs your sleeve or glove you're going to the hospital...if you're lucky. You'll notice I labeled mine "meat grinder" in my sig because it certainly has the potential. I only use mine when I take the tractor to the woods to get very large pieces that I can't man-handle. I cut everything into rounds and back the tractor up to the wood and split it into manageable sizes. After using it a few times it definitely has an application in my wood splitting needs, but my preference is using the Swisher hydraulic splitter. It's much safer, almost as fast, and it keeps my tractor free to move the wood.

My plan is to sell both of my hydraulic splitters and get a Super Splitter. I have never used one, but that, to me, looks like the way to go.

Well, since people are keeping this thread going, I will too. You said someone answered my question. Well, not exactly. Maybe you got more out this then I did:

"Here's my PTO splitter. It was free from a guy too scared to use it."

Maybe my reading comprehension has dwindled over the years but I really must have missed the part where he told me what brand it is, the guy that he got it from and the fact that the guy has another one for sale. Maybe you can highlight that part for me. No, that's not a hycrack. It looks like a screw on a pto and nothing else. The hycrack indeed does has a safety stop unless this all lies:

Robust welded steel construction with high visibility enamelled finish
Hardened steel mandrel screw
Replaceable screw tip
Replaceable alloy wedge
Comes complete with PTO shaft, joint guards and chains
Operator guard rail and emergency stop device
Torque overload protection by shear pin
Heavy duty bearing housing
Grease points for bearings and PTO shaft
Comprehensive operating instructions


The only Unicorn splitter I've seen runs off of an axle on your truck or something weird. And if I knew how or wanted to make one, why would I be asking here?

Sorry I seem a litte pissy but I wasn't really expecting to see this thread again.

 

[Ductape]

Frankly...... most threads go off-track sooner or later.

Not worth getting upset about. Really, those are some of the best threads. If you aren't looking for a PTO splitter thats hydraulic, nor a PTO screw type splitter......... what kind of PTO splitter were you looking for?

 

[wkpoor]

Not worth getting upset about. Really, those are some of the best threads. If you aren't looking for a PTO splitter thats hydraulic, nor a PTO screw type splitter......... what kind of PTO splitter were you looking for?

Well there are splitters that are powered by a PTO power shaft but thats just a different way to spin a hydraulic pump.

 

[cantoo]

I don't think there are that many companies that make pto splitters. Seems to me that most are home built including the 2 that I have. Just a bunch of pieces and some welding and there you have it.

 

[slinger]

Most PTO powered splitters nowadays are hydraulic. The Barkbuster and a few other mechanicals are inherently dangerous as stopping mechanical inertia takes longer with those designs.

Even PTO powered firewood processors require hydraulics to operate the cutting/splitting.

There are a few videos on here somewhere where people have converted hay balers to split firewood mechanically. SCARY.

 

[giXXer]

Old Cane, you said "Apparently the only pto driven splitters just use the pto to run the hydraulics." I was simply addressing that and mentioning that someone included a picture of a screw type pto driven splitter in case you missed it. I didn't want to imply they answered your question, simply addressed it with a pic. I apologize for any inconvenience this caused you. I am also not very familiar with different brand names and all of the different features associated with them. I am familiar with a Unicorn because I own one and it is very similar to a hycrack less all of the safety features.

I think everyone's motives are simply to try to give you some help in your quest for information on a pto driven splitter, whether it is a hydraulic or a screw type unit.

If I was looking for a splitter and received information steering me toward a hydraulic unit it would be greatly appreciated because that is the appropriate solution for most splitting needs. There is a reason you don't find screw type splitters every day!

 

[sesmith]

In an effort not to let this thread die I'm attaching a picture of my pto splitter. Is it unsafe? Probably, but so is dropping trees in the woods for firewood. I wanted a pto splitter, but the old tractor in the picture doesn't have the hydraulic flow to run one. Pto driven splitters with their own pumps are fairly expensive. A screw type splitter was a good fit for me. I'm VERY careful around it, though, and it's a splitting animal. No cycle time, so it's fast...faster than any hydraulic splitter I've ever used and much faster than hand splitting, which is how I did it for many years. You can't find them new anymore (maybe that's for the best?). I found mine on ebay.

For me, it's been a "decent,easily obtainable pto driven splitter".

 

[bowtechmadman]

Gixxer guess us Michiganders think a bit alike. I have a screw type PTO driven splitter for my tractor and a swisher hydraulic unit. The PTO splitter gets used the same way...real big rounds that I can't manhandle.
Guess I'm in agreement w/ Ssmith...running a saw, dropping trees etc is also very dangerous. Take your time and use common sense and I don't think they are that dangerous. I do like to have a partner running the PTO when I'm utilizing it.

 

[craddock]

I have two tractors with wet lines on them. One is a john deere and the other is a rural king tractor ( jap). Anyways the question I have is that when I run the splitter on the John Deere the line shake very bad but when I run it on the Rural king they are fine. Anyone know why this is? It works fine on both but I don't like the way the lines are shaking.

 

[flxblx]

I have two tractors with wet lines on them. One is a john deere and the other is a rural king tractor ( jap). Anyways the question I have is that when I run the splitter on the John Deere the line shake very bad but when I run it on the Rural king they are fine. Anyone know why this is? It works fine on both but I don't like the way the lines are shaking.

Don't know if this is the problem or not.!!!!

Most JD's are made with Closed Center hydraulics.

Probably the Rural King is Open Center; probably with less flow rate.

Most hydraulic add on valves are set to run one way or the other. Some have a plug to change from one system or other.

 

[craddock]

I still don't understand. I heard something about possibly removing a plug in the splitter but nobody could tell me where or what to do. So I am still lost.

 

[Walt41]

Check out Bobcat woodsplitter on Youtube, it will ruin you for life, everytime you fire up your splitter or saw.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

if i could affordm it this would be my choice

5 second stroke splits on both strokes you can make 3 men sweat with this one

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/grd/1500297345.html

 

[abohac]

PTO Haybine pump

I see a few postings but most seem to prefer the hydraulic or self powered models. What is a decent, easily obtainable pto driven splitter?

I built mine from a pto driven haybine pump. Had to get a tank but the thing will split anything. It's a little too fast (not a 2 stage pump) but whatever you put in there is going to to split (or rip). Built the whole thing for about $800.

 

[isaaccarlson]

Does anyone have any ideas for putting a splitter on a 1947 John deere M????

I have been thinking of tearing the hydraulics down and upgrading the weak points and raising the pressure from a wimpy 800psi to more like 2800-3200 if that turns out to be doable. I will also be installing hydraulic couplers on the rear. It runs like a deere.

 

[blackdiesel]

i think hes looking for a 3pt mounted splitter ran off of a tractor pto via a pto shaft?? thats the only other kind i can think of (however thats very much like the pic posted in this thread, only with out a pto shaft..... not sure why that wouldnt work for the OP)

havent ever seen one on a splitter, but that is the way i have my processor hooked up... only it isnt hooked to the 3 point

 

[Steve NW WI]

Isaac, I'm not sure where/how the pump on your JD is mounted, but I'd imagine it's external somewhere, and not inside the trans like most newer tractors. You should be able to adapt a newer pump somewhere, might even find one to fit the original location.

I've toyed with the idea of running a PTO type pump off the belt pulley shaft on my M Farmall, since it runs 750 rpms wide open, and I could run the same speed splitting at lower engine rpms, or run the splitter faster at WOT.