Screw Type Log Splitter

BillyBoy · Jan 19, 2004

I'm thinking about buying a 3 point screw type wood splitter at an upcoming auction. Has anyone used this type of splitter. What are your thoughts and how good do they work. I'm concerned as it seems that these type of splitters are no longer made. Why? Thanks for your help.
Billy Boy

theonlybull · Jan 19, 2004

i've never used one, but all i know about them, is that they work. and they've killed alot of ppl... personally, i wouldn't buy it

Deerlope · Jan 19, 2004

Yep, there are about as handy as a screen door in a submarine. I never want to be closer than 500 ft when anyone is using one of those. Pieces fly like crazy.

Junkman · Jan 19, 2004

They do work and work well. They are like carrying a loaded gun... fine as long as you know what you are doing with it and respect it. People many times buy tools that are perfectly safe to use and get killed with them because they don't understand and respect the inherent dangers of using such a tool.

hillslider · Jan 19, 2004

I have used them......work good and fast. They are dangerous though. The one we used worked to fast for me. It was a good day when we replaced it with the hydarulic ram type splitter.

fishman · Jan 19, 2004

My brother in law has a pto screw splitter that he has taken very good care of. Incidentally, he makes a living at a Dana axle plant and he's very good at what he does. But he still didn't notice that the bar you brace the log against was rusted from the inside at a weld. No brace, and he had 50+ pto hp whipping a log around in a circle. Now he escaped with only a severely bruised arm and was thrown a good distance. Very very lucky.

I'm pretty sure he's going to fab himself a hydraulic ram system for his tractor by next year.

There is no margin for error with the screw-type splitter. The thing made me nervous from the first time I saw it.

Youare · Jan 19, 2004

I have an old "stickler" screw type log splitter. To use it you jack up, block up, and remove the left rear tire from your pickup truck and bolt the splitter on in place. You aslo have to block the remaining wheels so the truck will not roll away when you operate the splitter.

It works great on 4 foot or longer wood. If any one is intrested in owning one of these I will be glad to give it to anyone who wants to pay for the shipping.

The theory of operation was fine but there are just too many chances to do yourself serious harm. I used it quite a bit for a while on my pickup and a few months later had to replace the spider gears in the rear end. Can't say for sure if the problem was caused by the splitter use.

Randy

AV8R62 · Jan 19, 2004

I saw a Kubota screw type spliter demonstrated at a county fair 20 years ago and it was the most impressive wood spliter
I have ever seen. it was fast and would split anything.
I always wondered why they never became more popular

EdK · Jan 19, 2004

A co-worker and good friend lost his dad to one a few years back. The man was a career shipyard welder/part-time farmer/operated circle sawmill (read no stranger to machinery).

I believe you can get away with using one if you stay alert but putting in time performing mundane tasks does cause the mind to wander...

Mosey · Jan 19, 2004

They claim it's safe on their web site, so it must be safe!

http://www.thestickler.com/

I've never heard of this type of splitter before seeing this thread. From what I see on the web site above, I wouldn't go near one of these things. This thing is goofy and looks very dangerous!

Dave___in___CT · Jan 19, 2004

"QUESTION. Is the Stickler safe to operate?
The Stickler is designed to be used as a power tool and it warrants the care and respect given when using any power tool. We strongly recommend that you carefully read the operators manual and view the accompanying video prior to first time operation.Under any circumstances, when properly set-up, the Stickler is much safer to operate than the chainsaw used to cut the logs into rounds"

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Jan 19, 2004

I have an original "UNICORN" screw type 3 point splitter that I used on my L1500DT (grey market similar to a L225 ) Kubota. It worked great till a short piece of wood got past the bar that is supposed to stop the wood from spinning. If you've ever seen video of a helicopter crashing in slow motion, you can get an Idea what I <font color="red"> </font> experienced. The wood would hit the ground on every pto revolution and the tractor would lift off the ground about a foot each time !! I first ran away fast , but then went back and shut down the tractor before it snapped off the pto shaft or did any major damage. As luck would have it, the <font color="red"> splitter </font> is still in excellent shape.............Yours for $100 + shipping AFTER you sign a disclaimer with more pages than Donald Trump's pre-nuptial agreement...............Tom

CTyler · Jan 19, 2004

I have only seen pics of the screw type splitters. I can tell you I'd make a tire balancer or something out of the ones that connect to car/truck. Connected to a tractor with a Hydro would be a lot better but still kinda dangerous.

Does the 3pt type connect to the PTO? I'm assuming yes....Eeek!

Don't know if they have these but I'd think a hydraulicly operated screw type would be ok. Something that stops when you take you hand/foot off the valve. Of course it would have to turn(not spin) real slow as well with an agressive screw.
Now you need a hydraulic motor which probably makes it spendy.

Then again a ram type with a 4-way head would probably just as good. Don't know, have only used a regular ram type and the manual type spliters.

BillyBoy · Jan 19, 2004

Thanks guys! I think I'll pass on the screw splitter and save my money for a hydraulic setup. You've been very helpful!!
Sincerely,
BillyBoy

boustany · Jan 19, 2004

Oh, man I watched that video they have on the website, and I have to wonder what their liability insurance is.

My brother, who spent many years as a machinist and so on, explains to me that rule #1 around rotating equipment is 'don't wear gloves' (he told me this this after explaining how he had warned an operator not to wear gloves and the next day the guy got half his hand ripped off by a milling machine when it grabbed his kevlar glove)

Besides being beaten to death by a log, or having part of you ripped off, I guess its perfectly safe. I guess thats what the safety switch is for - to turn off the machine so they can peel you off the machine.

JimMc · Jan 19, 2004

Isn't that the thing they used on Ben Hur to cut the spokes out of a competitor's chariot. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

tomnky · Jan 19, 2004

I had one of the "Unicorn's" as well and they are One dangerous piece of Equipment /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
She found a home when I sold My B2150 ,threw it in to get rid of it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RockyMnt1 · Jan 19, 2004

Youare,

Please check your PM.

Thanks

botaman2 · Jan 20, 2004

I have one,which I no longer use,because I no longer burn wood.I have in the past though,split many cords of wood.I never split my wood any shorter than 4'. When the wood is 4' the metal arm previously mentioned in another post,does not come into play the end of the log simply hits the groung.I always ran mine at a slow speed.I can honestly say that I never had any close calls.(maybe I was lucky?) To sum up,I think they work great,just be cautious.

mrcaptainbob · Jan 20, 2004

Saw the video.....saw the piece of tree the guy was rocking on. Zero stability. Leaning OVER!! the spinning piece. What looks like his kid helping him. A tragedy waiting to happen.