screw type log spliter

[J_J]

It is usually the operator that is the unsafe part. There are plenty of videos on YouTube to show the correct operation. It also shows some mounted on a skidsteer that you never have to touch the wood until it is all split. So, opinions vary. Some of these screw type splitters have been around over 50 years.

 

[Willl]

Go to the 'safety' portion of this forum and count how many posthole injurys/accidents there have been.
Now count the number of screw splitter accidents.

Not a good comparison you say ?

OK, fair enough, show me 1 screw-splitter type accident anywhere in the world !

 

[sal64]

looking at this video if he trips and falls on the screw he is done, were ir he triped on a wedge spliter he would be ok and live. YouTube - Kegelspalter, Brennholz, screwsplitter, firewood

 

[carpenter383]

If you bolted one of these to a car or truck axle you would have to lock the wheel on the other side from turning. Not only would it murder the differential, you have to remember with one wheel held stationary the spinning one will now turn twice as fast. Also if it's an automatic transmission you will have to run the motor at a high enough rpm to keep the cone from stopping while splitting. I would say they both look dangerous but a pto powered unit would be safer.

 

[PILOON]

My take on the screw splitters is they LOOK more dangerous than they really are. All in the perception of the device.
I'd like to rig one up to sit on the bench, run off an electric motor, and break down larger split pieces when I want some kindling or smaller pieces of firewood. Would beat using the splitting maul on the concrete garage floor.
I used to use one and had no problems with it, or close calls.

But, if'n ya don't like 'em, then don't use 'em.

My buddy has one bench (well kinda a table) mounted (came like that) and he runs it with an electric moter which replaces the origional gas engine.
Seems safe enough as the log can't rotate due to the table and it handles 16-18 inch lengths nicely.

Did see the origional wheel driven ones and man those were scary!

 

[bobodu]

How about if you had a feed table of some sort??

 

[Renze]

Ya, I am one who hates rules, lawyers, ect. But I am with you and cannot believe they still sell these death traps. I bet there have been a few limbs lost.

Chris

One of the German comments on that vid, spoke about a man in hungary who lost an arm to it. When you trip over a piece of bark with a 50 pount bark in your hands, you're doomed.

These splitters are perfectly safe if you use them on a backhoe, skidsteer or frontloader, safely inside an operator cab, with your hands free to stop the PTO or hydraulic motor when it starts slinging around.

For use as shown in the video, they are no safer than a wood chipper without feed rolls (so you have to push the wood in manually)

It might be handy though, as a 3pt unit to split the big logs that are too heavy to carry on our 12t hydraulic splitter... Or to bust some stumps, which can then easily be pulled out of the ground in pieces.

 

[sizzami]

go on you tube and search them they have a bunjch of videos of guys using them they make me cringe, I saw one where the guy using it had only one arm ,coincidence?

 

[20 20]

I say it is just like any other piece of machinery, it's only as safe as the operator. I probably will never own one, becaue I have a hydraulic splitter. I would operate one if the need were there.It would be no different then an old style saw mill or any of the other odd machines out there that have been used for YEARS by SENSIBLE folks.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks 20 20.
This thread needs some common sense.

Think a chain saw is more dangerous than a screw splitter.
Or maybe getting behind the wheel of a car?
Or walking across the road?
Or using a table saw?
Or the skate boarding jockey's.
The list can go on and on.

The screw splitter just "looks" more violent than it really is. IMO
Each to their own. Don't mean to put anyone down who decides the screw splitter is not for them.
And YouTube vids are put up to "entertain" and to show off. Kind of like mini reality shows ("hey guys, look at this") .

 

[sal64]

this would be the safest way to cut firewood. YouTube - John Deere 1270E harvester in the forest

 

[vpd66]

I noticed that most of the youtube videos from Europe of the screw type splitters use a table that is only 4-5 inches below the screw. I think this is a safer way of using this type of splitter. You still have the problem of falling on the screw, but you also have the chance of falling on a running chain saw also. Bottom line, its only has safe has the user.
Vince

 

[Renze]

Thanks 20 20.
This thread needs some common sense.

Think a chain saw is more dangerous than a screw splitter.
Or maybe getting behind the wheel of a car?
Or walking across the road?
Or using a table saw?
Or the skate boarding jockey's.
The list can go on and on.

The screw splitter just "looks" more violent than it really is. IMO
Each to their own. Don't mean to put anyone down who decides the screw splitter is not for them.
And YouTube vids are put up to "entertain" and to show off. Kind of like mini reality shows ("hey guys, look at this") .

The difference is that you hold the chainsaw by its handles and hold it away from your body. The screw splitter, you have to move heavy logs towards it and have no chance turning it off when something goes wrong.

But all right, a hydraulic splitter can be a ***** as well, sometimes it shoots a piece of wood when it slides over the table, or you just held the log upright with your hands in a clumsy position...

 

[easygo]

Does anyone know if the screw splitter is available in the U.S.? I for one like how simple it is compared to the hydraulic splitter. My neighbor has a badly mangled finger that is a testament to dangers of hydraulic splitters.

 

[bobodu]

My neighbor has a badly mangled finger that is a testament to dangers of hydraulic splitters.

Mine does too....but he WAS wearing a helmet.

 

[sal64]

i dont think its avalable in the us becase of the liability i agree that a chainsaw is just as dangerous but there is no other option to fell a tree.

 

[AndyMA]

Probably no more dangerous than a large wood chipper with power feed..

You're kidding right??? Rotational devices are the most dangerous type. I've had 2 of these given to me and never used one. I scrapped them as they as so dangerous that I would not even give them away.

andy

 

[sal64]

check out this spliter YouTube - Scheitholzmaschine

 

[Matt_Jr]

I ride motorcycles in the rain through rush hour traffic at night, climb on the roof during heavy rain to clear the gutters, drive on steep twisty roads when covered with ice and snow, jump my 4 wheeler in the woods, and all kinds of stuff that could get me killed or injured. I have no problem using a screw type splitter. I'd use it in a heart beat. Heck, one of these days I even plan on making one of those things if I can't buy one. Like my mother use to say "Boy, sometimes you're just too hard headed for your own good." Maybe she's right.

 

[Willl]

anyone have one

I believe Highbeam does.