Screw / Cone type Splitter (PTO)

[Highbeam]

Ah, that wedge is because of the goofy table setup. In the states we use long wood and in that UK shot they are running the short round into the screw vertically so that the wedge will align with the split. There is no reason, in fact it is inferior, to include a wedge anywhere near the screw on the bark buster design. I even wonder what happens when you try and put a 4" diameter round into that hycrack. Watch your fingers! That round could easily slap down clockwise into the table.

You are correct that on my splitter the log is leaned into the steel bar to prevent rotation. The round slides along the bar as it is sucked into the screw. You'll also notice the bar has a bend at the end to protect the operator from feeding his crotch into the screw.

That length of electrical conduit lashed to the ROPS is attached to the PTO lever to disengage the PTO. It works, it works fast, but you actually need to pull the conduit instead of the more natural push. I have used it when a short round has slipped off of the screw and begins to spin at PTO rpm.

Oh, in operation the screw is turning much slower than PTO540, the screw runs at about 1/2 speed or 270RPM and the engine gurgles along at half of pto speed.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Just get yourself a Fiskars and you will be a happy man.

Agreed.

Me and my Pro Splitter are much faster.

 

[tpmallofus]

What is this 'Friskars'?

I cheked up and it appears lighter than my current maul and its sharpness appears that it would only get buried in the wood, like some ax. Is there really some 'Friskars' difference

 

[LLigetfa]

What is this 'Friskars'?

LOL

Is that like BR's "dolmer"?

 

[firefighterjake]

What is this 'Friskars'?

LOL

Is that like BR's "dolmer"?

And let us know forget the very rare and endangered California "Condor" stove top and probe-style thermometer.

 

[tpmallofus]

RRRRight Fiskars / Friskars slip of the hand, better on the keyboard than at the woodpile, where the short handle of the Fiskars looks as if it could cause problems. Convince me!

 

[LLigetfa]

Convince me!

Ask the guy that put a dent in his forehead and had to go get stitched up. Can't blame that on the straightness of the handle, only the "short" aspect of it.

 

[Mr A]

This one looks safe, and pricey too.

A lot of videos from Eastern Europe using the spiral. I am healthy enough to swing an ax, but get some knarled, knotted old rounds that need to be dealt with. Looks like it makes easy work of it if you have to do it all day long, everyday. I haven't seen any dealing with difficult wood. I have seen them mounted on post hole auger attachment for the PTO, you could probably get rough with it then. This type of splitter on a drill press type of configuration, like a vertical splitter might be ideal.

 

[Pallet Pete]

My old neighbor used one since the 70's and never had a problem then one day he had a round stick ! It flailed around and flew off hit him in the right side of his face. 22 stitches later and 2 weeks off work he could see again ! Those things are scary especially without a safety shut off near by. That said this one looks like a major improvement and much safer over the old bolt on loose a lim style.

 

[Mr A]

these guys got it down.

 

[LLigetfa]

I have seen them mounted on post hole auger attachment for the PTO, you could probably get rough with it then. This type of splitter on a drill press type of configuration, like a vertical splitter might be ideal.

The slickest video I saw was of one on the front of a skid-steer Bobcat. It was just driving around stabbing rounds where they laid.

 

[ScotO]

This subject has been posted on here many times before. I personally think it is a very dangerous way to split firewood, imagine your t-shirt or shorts (or glove) getting grabbed by that screw. GAME OVER. Anytime you have unshielded rotating equipment with no immediate way to shut it down or stop the rotation, you are just asking for an accident. May not ever happen, but you have a good chance that it can and WILL happen. Just my .02 cents on the issue.

 

[Mr A]

You got a good point ScottyO. A lot of videos from Europe using the screw, homemade devices. It sure makes the work look easy, and quick. I especially like the electric operatiion, quiet.

 

[ScotO]

I think it would be OK if used in a 3-point setup where you were splitting rounds or logs that were not in the vicinity of a human being. The ones set up to do an entire log in one screw are cool and have their place. There is also the screw splitter in this video, now that is impressive!

 

[BrianK]

There is an ad currently running in our local Trader's Guide:

LOG splitter, Bark Buster, spiral type, w/gas motor, VGC, $750
http://www.recycler.com/details/-37126669/log-splitter-bark-buster-spiral-type-w-gas--

I'm tempted to go look at it and see it run, just for kicks.

 

[ScotO]

There's is an ad currently running in our local Trader's Guide:



I'm tempted to go look at it and see it run, just for kicks.

That's not far from me at all, Brian......where are you at in PA?

 

[BrianK]

That's not far from me at all, Brian......where are you at in PA?

I'm in Johnstown, grew up in Hollidaysburg.

 

[BrianK]

There's is an ad currently running in our local Trader's Guide:



I'm tempted to go look at it and see it run, just for kicks.

I'm wondering if placing the table under it decreases any of the dangerous aspects of the screw type splitters? Here's one I found in an image search:

 

[ScotO]

The table helps stabilize the wood, but the real safety concern is the screw. If it grabbed you or your clothing while its spinning you're in trouble!

 

[Mr A]

It's been a while, wonder if the original poster from Ireland found what he was looking for? I found the screw selling on ebay under auger type log splitter, about $300 with shipping from Poland. I would like to devise one that runs on a slide pushing into the round, rather than pushing the log into the screw, for safety reasons. I found a old heavy duty drill press stand on CL. Maybe a vertical press type splitter with the screw coming down on the round. For the original poster, the device on the YouTube video you posted is sold on Ebay, ships from UK http://www.ebay.com/itm/Screw-Type-...quipment_RL&hash=item256a9a32fc#ht_500wt_1054

 

[Mr A]

The table helps stabilize the wood, but the real safety concern is the screw. If it grabbed you or your clothing while its spinning you're in trouble!

According to this, the nanny state outlawed the BarkBuster in 1991, over 4 accidents. These things really do look effective, and all for safety, but not idiot proofing everything.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Bark-Buster-Wood-Splitter&id=2264600
Then there is the "Stickler" made in Washington State, mounts to your jacked up drive wheel of your vehicle. No recall? Guess not, it sells for $350. http://www.ebay.com/itm/STICKLER-SC...ultDomain_0&hash=item20c402ec12#ht_630wt_1139. I am fascinated by this. It is a wedge, but instead of pounding it in, it screws itself into the wood. The rotation taking the place of the impact force. There are some crazy splitters out there, like this guy
and some smarter ones too, like this guy, the Firewood god, damn, what a machine!-

a lot of the YouTube videos are from East Europe, not in English.

 

[MasterMech]

on the homemade processor, that thing sure does keep the Operator busy!