I would sure like to be able to split some of the huge rounds that I have without having to pick them up. I have seen something like this, but only available for skid steer mounting. Any chance there might be a unit available to mount on a sub compact tractor? The available units rely on the vehicle hydraulics. Mine only has a fraction of the flow available, so, would need a PTO driven auxiliary pump like on my sketch.

If a picture is worth a thousand words; my sketch ought to be worth, maybe a couple hundred.

What about a conventional splitter with a log lifter?

Love it!
Make the fixed head in an "X" shape, plus the whole unit movable like a plow blade, and you'd really minimize the times you'd have to leave the cab.

I've got one.

I still need to roll them on to the lift, sometimes with precarious balance. Now split, I have two halves to deal with that may still weigh 100# ea.

might have a little more control if you fitted to the front end/ loader mount somehow. and then just replumb so that you didn't have to get off to operate it

That is a great idea...but:

I really don't want to be designing and fabricating anything. I am hoping that I can simply buy something with little or no modification. I have more projects started already than I will finish in my lifetime.

Thoughts on a vertical splitter?

I have a horizontal splitter, but since we put in an outdoor boiler we really don’t split much as the door on the boiler is around 18x24 fits most anything we have access to

If I can find something like my sketch, It can be raised and lowered with the 3 point. I'd just need to raise the unit... back up to the log...lower it over the log and throw the valve. In my sketch, I show the valve mounted on the frame, but, in practice would be mounted within reach of the seat.

I would love to mount it on the loader, or in place of the loader. It such a thing exists, I would be just as happy.

I have considered vertical splitters. I think for some of the heavy stuff it would beat what I've got. They are even available as a 3point pto driven unit. I am not ruling it out, but, would prefer the upsidedown option.

I have a 3 point log splitter which hooked straight to the JD tractor hydraulics. Even used the tractor valve lever instead of buying another one. I used a newer railroad track rail for the beam. I made mine so I could set it on the ground or raise it to working height using the tractor 3 point lift. On big stumps too heavy for lifting I would set my splitter on the ground and roll the big stumps onto the splitter. It helped if you would use small dia round limbs to kinda make a ramp to help roll the pieces up. Once they were split a time or two they were manageable. I see some store bought one where the beam and cylinder pivot from horizontal to vertical to split the big stumps a time or two. The design you have would work great for what you intend but what about the smaller stuff. If you could make your main beam rotate from right side up too upside down that would be a super splitter !!

I am not hoping for versatility here. Just brute force splitting of the huge stuff laying on the ground. The smaller stuff gets either burnt as is or split on my conventional unit.

I kind of passed over that thought the first time I read your post. You're right that would make a super splitter.

The reservoir is the only component that cares about gravity. A hydraulically actuated turret could easily work, as long as the reservoir is taken into consideration.

Maybe I should sell splitters; not firewood.

or 6 splits like this!

Grandpa made a vertical one for a friend that ran off the John Deere hydraulics from a 4640 and it was really slow compared to a “direct hydraulic” type, to me that means no quick couplers, as far as going from a skid steer hook up to a three point if you cant find an adaptor it doesn’t take much to make one, because you can buy the part that goes on the skid loader and just weld your connection points to it to connect to your quick coupler. As far as the pump goes hub city used to make one otherwise force hydraulic should have something as well.

Here is one of the adapators I’m talking about.

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-st...1zpCg5wIVEfDACh1kcQ-NEAQYCCABEgJkG_D_BwE

Well, I did a little research and didn't find that adaptor. BUT, I did find a skid steer mount that replaces the bucket on my loader. With that I ought to be able to use the skid steer unit. I'll still need to run a 10-12 gpm pump on the pto for power. I consider that to be a minor modification, so, for maybe three grand and a couple hours work I should be in business.

EDIT:
Thank you Bob_Iowa. that 3 point to skid steer adaptor is exactly what I need. With the splitter mounted in the rear, I still have the loader bucket or forks available to stage logs

Thank you guys. Once again you've come up with some great ideas to bail me out.