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Build it horizontal,high enough so you don't have to bend over at all when you are using it. Then make a table to catch the split pieces, so you don't have to pick them up again. And finally, put a hinged table on the side, with a hydraulic cylinder under it. I did that ten years ago, and my back thanks me every time I pull the valve and lift some big ugly thing up. Any piece that I can roll onto the table extension when it's down will come up when I pull the lever. Look at pictures of some commercial units to get the idea. Some of the portable bandmills also use the same system. As far as running off the PTO instead of a small engine, if I never again had to mess with one of those noisy, vibrating , unreliable pieces of junk, I wouldn't miss it. I have six tractors of various sizes and descriptions, and if I can't get one of them to start, then I shouldn't even be thinking about splitting wood. One warning, unless you like breathing exhaust, use a tractor with an upright exhaust, or get some hose to lead the fumes up and away from your work area. If you have another tractor with a loader, it's real handy to stick the bucket right under the end of the splitter and catch the pieces when they come off, not quite as good as a conveyer, but better than handling them again. A four or six way wedge will save lots of time, but you should be able to change back to a single for really tough pieces. With the splitter as high as I recommended, you need to be very careful where you stand. I make it a habit to be beside the cylinder, rather than beside the wood. I have seen pieces fly over ten feet when they let go suddenly. Another good accessory is a pair of shin-guards.
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