Screw the splitter!

Okay, so I'm looking at these rigs, partly since I'm looking at upgrading to a tractor with a live PTO.



This is Highbeam's rig, in case you didn't recognize it.

So, from those who have actually used these splitters... what's the skinny? Are they a viable option for the hand splitter who's debating buying a splitter to use primarily on the ugly, gnarly stuff? Do you put the screw to the end or the side of the round? If the end, how do you keep it from taking off and spinning if it grabs or doesn't split?

Inquiring minds need to know...

There are many vids on YouTube. You stick it in the side, not the end. And it literally screws and splits itself apart.

Kinda scary... But at the same time. They work.

I thought Highbeam had a YouTube vid? Maybe I didn't find it?

Here is a decent one. Other than the music

I tried one out that a friend was given. The one he had mounted to the rear axle of the truck. It was SLOW and dangerous, not to mention inefficient.

Not saying they don't work, but you GOTTA have your head completely "in da game" when you're using one of those splitters. I posted a video last year of a couple clowns using one of those Stickler splitters (screw that attaches to your car axle), they were drinking beer while splitting! Had a couple of close calls during the short 3 minute video, plain stupid. Anyway, if done responsibly, I think you'd be OK. But If it were me, there is no way I'd be wearing long sleeves or gloves while operating it. One of the cardinal rules in any machine shop is you are not supposed to wear any clothing that can come in contact with rotating equipment. I'd also want a controller for the PTO RIGHT THERE AT THE SPLITTER AREA, so if something did go wrong, you could disengage it immediately.

Havent seen one of those since the late '70's.Last time was an ad in Mother Earth News or similar mag.Honestly I thought they were outlawed.

http://albany.craigslist.org/grd/3251632068.html

http://www.hycrack.co.uk/

http://www.theatomsplitter.com/cms/

They would also be outlawed on our property.


You may use one several times and never get any harm....but it takes only once.

I don't think they were ever outlawed but I think the original company went broke because of getting sued several times from accidents happening.

Over 30 yrs now (2/3rds of my lifespan) I've safely operated chain saws of all sizes,several tractors,skidsteer loaders, most every hand held or stationary power tool found on a commercial construction site and/or cabinet/furniture shop. But that thing scares the crap outta me.Someone pulls on my property with one of those,I'll tell them to leave.

That thing could some serious bodily harm

I'd probably be willing to use this at a distance but wouldn't get my hands near it.

Even Highbeam will tell you that thing is scary. Why not a hydraulic? Are you looking for speed?

BTW: Live PTO won't make a difference with that splitter. Your not planning on holding the clutch in while splitting are you? (That'd be quite a feat in itself.) Last time I checked even "dead" PTO tractors could run stationary implements in Neutral with the brake set.

Actually, the one in the video posted by DexterDay looks at least as safe as most of the 100 year old woodworking equipment in my shop. Then again, I'm one of those rare birds who runs a 16" jointer with a clamshell cutterhead.

Interest was cost and space, not speed. A hydraulic log splitter is another motor, another machine, and more space in the garage. If you already have a tractor with a 3-point and PTO, seems this could go on a shelf until needed.

I'm upgrading to a tractor that has a live PTO... not for the purpose of this splitter, but just saying it has a live PTO. My previous tractor had no rear PTO, only front PTO for mowers, snow throwers, etc.

My opinion only, copied from another thread.
There is a thread in The Gear forum, page 3 "Real men ply with unicorns".I have one also.It is very fast in non stringy wood.I have split red oak side by side with 2 guys, one with a maul, the other with a hydraulic splitter. I out-split both of them combined.But I probably was working harder than the both of them. It's a real workout partialy due to the speed. In stringy wood, it will go through it, but the 2 halves will still be strung together, you have to wrestle them in half by hand or finish them with an ax, maul, or hatchet. All pto driven implements can be dangerous. If you get hung up in the pto, you are going to be in trouble. My friends call mine the "Screw of Death". I prefer the slow and steady hydraulic splitter.

Not sure which will hurt worse; when the auger enters your body cavity or when your body is spun around in a circle and your head hits the ground every .8776 seconds. I would not even watch someone use one of those things, let alone buy one to use.

I've posted this before, but it's relavent here so we'll do it again.......this splitter DOES have a purpose, it is shown in the video below. (note: Operator is in the cab and nowhere near the business end of that damm thing!) Watch the video.....very impressive!

Now THAT is something I could find a use for.

Yes, one can do some amazing things with big equipment.

Mine is made by a company called "Bark Buster" so you can search that name for the various recalls or whatever.

The splitter is very fast in nice straight wood. Not so fast in stringy/knotty wood. Note the hatchet in the photo near the operator's right knee for cutting the strings.

It is my least safe machine. The bar running parallel to the screws axis is what keeps the split from spinning though if you aren't careful the round can slide off the bar and turn into a big propeller. That's another common accident with this machine, two broken wrists and a broken jaw.

You must pick up each round. That's fine for little stuff under about 18" but when you get the big rounds this machine is a handful. When you lift a round that big onto it, you can't see the screw so you just hope that you don't get screwed in the belly or below the belt.

I am planning to buy a huskee 22 this year and retire the bark buster. It's only really superior in the right wood. It's always less safe.

Oh it only screws in, no unscrewing. So if you get this thing into a huge knot and it is stuck then you must be creative to get the screw out.

Damn... okay. You guys have me talked out of it. I surely thought Highbeam was going to show up and call you all a bunch of wussies!

What about a hydraulic tractor mount? They make versions that run off the PTO pump and/or the tractor hydraulics if your tractor has a big enough pump.