log splitters for a 8 n ford tractor

I might split 1-2 chords a year, so speed & fuel cost is not an issue for me. I am into the original idea the designers of these tractors had, to make them the power source for tools whenever possible. This idea tended to keep tools simple & inexpensive(I like that too).

Having said that, I don't think the designers ever saw a hydraulic log splitter in the N's implement line-up. It's just another example of how far ahead of its time the N was.

Using the tractor's internal pump & a 4" cylinder w/ a 20" stroke on the splitter you will get about 9 tons of ram & almost a full minute cycle time. If you add a pto pump you'll likely double the pressure & half the cycle time.

Personally, I can live w/ the slow cycle & I'll spend the savings on more old implements.

How much wood will you be splitting?

Jeff

• Fisch log splitter

I agree with everyone who said you'd be better off with a independently powered splitter. This is a not so good photo of one my son and I built last year. It can be trailered by the front hitch or carried by the three point hitch if you need the tractor to get it to hard to reach places. That's what I was doing when this photo was taken. Then you can leave it there if you want to. It is completely independent of the tractor.

By the time you buy a pto pump and all the stuff you can build one of these (for less) and be much better off. A splitter running off the 8N's hydraulics alone will be so slow you won't use it but once. In addition I don't think you want your 8N sitting there running all day powering a splitter. If the cost of the 6.5hp engine is a problem the one I have was less than $300.00 new. The splitter was mostly built out of scrap steel and cutoff's I got cheap at the local welding shop. I don't know the ton rating on it but it's split anything we could feed it. We've been happy with it.

I have found what looks like a really good PTO driven pump splitter with a 20-ton rating manufactured by a company out of NC. They are expensive, but their sales rep says that it's designed with an N series in mind. They will also ship for free. Talk to Steve Winter. Their link is below.

You can also google for a company called Timberwolf. They make a similar product (PTO driven pump).

Based on what's on the boards, you want to avoid anything that runs off the N's weak hydraulics. You might want to check with one of the fellows here, ZANE, who I think sells a hydraulic pump kit. You might be able to adapt it to this use.

Also, depending on how much wood you use, it seems that the fuel economy of the N will be less than a new Briggs, so you might want to consider that aspect too.

Good luck!

Colin, Minnesota

• RAM Splitter

A typical log splitter pump will flow 10 to 15 GPM's, which is 10 times the flow of the N's hydraulic pump.

Tractor Supply has one for PTO at about $650.

Having another engine sounds kind of silly, yet, such a unit probably wouldn't cost more than rigging up a PTO pump for the 8N tractor, unless you had access to a used pump.

I wasn't suggesting you "waste money". I was suggesting that adding an auxillary PTO hydraulic pump AND buying a splitter would cost more than simply buying a splitter with an engine already on it.

If what you are really asking, is how to add a functioning hydraulic system to your "N" to use with other things besides the splitter, have you checked out ZANE's "Live Thang"?

Or, for PTO pumps, reservoirs, and valves, check out surpluscenter.com.

I used a splitter with a 8-10 hp B&S to run the hyd. pump. I think I would prefer a PTO driven pump. Then you dont have another engine to look after. steveormary