Conical screw log splitters

I have been suddenly seized by an irrational desire to build a screw splitter for my old 8n tractor (which doesn't have enough output to run a hydraulic splitter) using one of those conical screw splitter heads that bolt on to a rear axle in place of the wheel.

Anyone used one? Are they as dangerous as they are reputed to be?

Oh, if anyone has an old one kicking around they'd like to sell, please let me know.

better top up your life insurance premiums

You wouldnt get me near one of those damn things.I remember seeing them in Mother Earth News,Field & Stream & other outdoor/homesteading mags back in late '70's-early '80's. I just figured they were outlawed years ago already.

Not many around now, thank God! Someone on here did have one for sale a while back. Was it maybe Highbeam? But I'd still advise to stay away from them.

My 2 cents:

My neighbour refers to it as the "screw of death" ( few scars on hands to prove ).

I think they are neat, but that spinning spike with no shroud and one mishap with a loose sleeve! No thanks......

I own an 8N (see avatar). Building one to go on the rear axle is crazy. Too much trouble getting the wheel off and on. There is actually Dearborn screw type splittler made for N tractors that runs directly off the PTO. No hydraulics, no belts, etc. They came with a frame that would hold the round in place so that it wouldn't spin around when you lose your grip. Too dang dangerous, regardless.

I seen some of them on ebay about a week ago..there were used and new ones. I wouldn't try one.

There is no way I would ever use one of those nightmares...

Make one up for your pto & 3pt hitch. Put a table on it, run it slow & don't wear gloves or loose clothing. Should be sweet! Be carefull, don't put Darwins theory to a test. I'd rather use one of them vs. an axe.

I'd rather use a dull hatchet...

Chicken

Slendo, post your question at YT (Yesterday's Tractors). You'll most likely get a huge response. Some pro and some con and some that will give you pointers just how to do it.

http://ytforums.ytmag.com/viewforum...&start=0&sid=f3afadf505cba97d446cea1abbc675ea

yup

Go ahead and ask Highbeam what he thought of his.....

Have you thought about converting a hydraulic splitter to work on a PTO pump?

Why not run a hydraulic pump off your pto?

I didn't catch the rear axle part. Mine runs off the PTO.

I think he really intended to modify the splitter to run off the PTO rather taking a wheel off the 8N.

I wouldn't touch one of those with a proverbial 10 foot pole.

Here's a youtube video of one in use. The push bar the man added to his platform appears to give him some leverage without having to bend over the splitter. It looks like the cone is set too low to the platform, causing him to have to make multiple passes to get good splits. If he could hit the round more center, it might split in one go. Also, very slow. Just doesn't seem worth the bother to me. I'll stick with my Huskey 35 ton. It will split anything the first time and burns a fraction of the gas that a tractor would.

That things is scary. Did anyone else notice where the cone is pointed, if you remove the log?

Peace,
- Sequoia

I don't know.... I can see the dangers.

yeah, **** that.....