- [email protected]
- 01246 529020
- Chesterfield
BY OXDALE PRODUCTS
When choosing between a petrol log splitter and a PTO splitter, the decision doesn’t just come down to which one is “better”; it also depends on how timber moves through the operation. Petrol log splitters and PTO splitters are both capable solutions, but they offer different logistical strengths that may suit one user’s needs more than the other.
This blog will take you through the five decision factors you should consider before settling on one instead of the other. They include: access, tractor availability, fuel/power, mobility and firewood workflow.
A good place to start when deciding between petrol and PTO log splitters is the practicality of owning one machine rather than the other. Taking into account your current usage and facilities, one may be more suitable than the other. Understanding the difference between the two will help narrow down your choices.
Petrol log splitters are machines with a self-contained engine and hydraulic system, which doesn’t require the support of a tractor or mains connection. They are ideal for contractors who need a remote or mobile splitting solution. Independence and flexibility are the standout characteristics of a petrol log splitter.
PTO log splitters require a connection via a tractor’s PTO linkage, meaning you need a compatible tractor on hand to power them. However, where operations revolve around the tractor to begin with, they are incredibly handy machines to have at your disposal. For farms or estate teams with established workflows, an easily attachable PTO log splitter can be a worthwhile investment.
Walking through the practical scenario of mobile firewood splitting can help you determine which machine would be more suitable for your operation.
PTO and petrol log splitters boast different levels of mobility, with being able to reach the timber with your tractor being a major consideration. Tractor access might be limited on woodland tracks, in tight yards or on customer sites, which might be when a petrol log splitter is best, thanks to its independence. With that being said, should access still be possible, you should consider a PTO and its benefits.
If you own a tractor but are likely to need it for another job, you’re going to need a splitter that can perform independently. Your tractor may still be needed in the splitting process, but not for splitting. Instead, it can be used for timber extraction, trailer movement, loading and moving processed firewood. Where the tractor can remain dedicated to splitting is when a PTO makes sense.
Power and fuel setup is a big consideration you need to make when choosing between a petrol log splitter and a PTO splitter. As an independent machine, a petrol splitter uses a separate fuel supply thanks to its self-contained operation. However, this comes with additional engine maintenance, which may put a strain on your available time.
PTO log splitters, on the other hand, use tractor power and don’t have a separate splitter engine. Should you have a tractor at your disposal, there are plenty of reasons to consider a PTO log splitter.
How you plan to use the splitter can dictate which is most suited to your current operation. In your current or planned firewood setup, will you need a splitter that needs to be mobile? Does it need to be mobile enough to reach tight spaces inaccessible by tractor? Or are you planning to use it on a contract splitting basis at multiple customer sites?
Petrol log splitters generally suit operations where the splitter needs to move independently; however, they can also be the most suitable option for those who want to fix it to a workshop or within their yard. PTO log splitters rely heavily on tractor access, so in spaces or areas where your tractor already travels, you can easily add a splitter to improve your firewood operation.
Essentially, the way to look at the two options is: which setup keeps firewood production moving? The best splitter is the one that creates the fewest bottlenecks in the process of timber arriving, timber is split, and then the logs are moved or loaded. Which one of these machines makes this process easiest and most efficient?
Where independence is of paramount importance, we recommend a petrol log splitter for unbeatable access and flexibility. Where a tractor is available and accessible where it is needed, we recommend a PTO log splitter. It is important to remember that productivity and how the machine makes your operation more efficient should be the biggest deciding factor.
Browse Oxdale’s petrol and PTO log splitter ranges or speak to the team about the right setup for your workload. Get in touch today.
Explore some of the most frequently asked questions around PTO and petrol log splitters for firewood preparation.
Yes, thanks to its independent operation, you can reliably use a petrol log splitter in woodland.
Yes, you need a tractor with a suitable linkage to use a PTO log splitter, as the tractor is what powers the splitter.
In some cases, a petrol log splitter can be the best solution, especially when needed in tight spaces inaccessible by tractor.
A PTO log splitter can be cheaper to run than a petrol log splitter as it harnesses the power of the tractor, instead of requiring its own fuel source.
