Log splitter and a flying log - safety

[scott_vt]

Good Morning Code 54,
Bottom line is we are all glad that you are OK and didnt get more seriously injured !
Thanks for posting to keep us all more vigilant, rather than complacent !!

 

[m5040]

I respect the opinions of Sawyer Rob, but I doubt a more expensive splitter is the solution. The question is, "What does a better splitter have that prevents this from happening?"

That is the question. It would be nice to see pictures of the wedge on the offending machine. One of mine is a used 8yard wheel loader bucket cutting edge and the other splitter is a TSC variable angle wedge. The TSC wedge had a flat cutting edge that I sharpened. I don't think they engineered the flat cutting edge, I think it was just cheaper. When I compare the two, they are extremes, one being a slow/gradual spread, the TSC goes from a thin wedge to a 45 deg spreader. Neither of mine have ever thrown wood.
I think it is good for us to try and figure this out!

 

[John_Mc]

we are looking at purchasing a small processor.

What processor are you looking at?

 

[m5040]

One question Code54, did the wood fly (this is hard to explain) away from the wedge as the blade cuts through like when an axe is used to split, and the wood goes right and left of the axe head? (picture 1)

Or did it fly straight out along the path of the edge? (picture 2)

 

[Rockbadchild]

Well that a first for me... obviously it happens when splitting with an axe but never seen it with a long splitter. Also, never splitted oak trees. Ours bog down when under pressure so what we do is once it bogged down, we stop then tap it forward again, then it splits. I am really surprised of the velocity and force this log came out ... I am wondering what kind of pressure your splitter is working with and if that too much...

 

[dodge man]

Sounds like a freak thing to me. Glad you don’t need surgery.

 

[SPYDERLK]

To answer a few questions. I was splitting Pin Oak and it was cut a month ago. I have used the splitter since the "incident," and it is working perfectly, and the ram is moving slowly and smoothly. Nothing flew out and it is the same batch of wood. I believe it is an 11-second cycle time, so it is nothing too special. The wedge is sharp - actually sharpened the night before the incident along with a engine oil change. I found the split that hit me (it was easy since every other piece was stacked in the log rack) - no knots and no forks - just very straight grain. At the time, I did not hear the machine bog at all. I split around 4 cords so far this year and understand the bogging sound and always step back and away when I hear it. This was running smoothly. I did notice that one end was not perfectly straight but nothing too crazy.

I often wear a logging helmet, but honestly, this one hit me so hard that I am pretty sure the face screen would have easily folded in (still would not mind having it on). I told my wife I think I am going to wear my full-face motocross helmet from now on!

After going to the facial surgery center yesterday I found out I actually "shattered" the lower orbital and broken the sinus cavity a bit, but nothing too bad and luckly do not need surgery. The stiches are out and that will leave a scar above my eye but hey I am old and married so oh well. They even said my eyes are both still even so I would say all for all it turned out pretty well.

Im glad youre going to be OK. I have done a lot of splitting and been hit once with a part of the log that came upward. I wasnt hurt and it was obvious from the log what had happened to store energy for release upward. I am now alert for similar situations, and safer for it. It would sure be good to learn from your experience in a way beyond just general caution. Would it be possible for you to take some pics of the log pieces grouped back together loosely ? Might show something.
Thanks!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I respect the opinions of Sawyer Rob, but I doubt a more expensive splitter is the solution. The question is, "What does a better splitter have that prevents this from happening?"

A better designed wedge...

I don't know if all "more expensive" splitters have a better designed wedge and I never said that they do, but my Timberwolf does.

BTW, Wood flying off a splitter isn't a freak occurrence, at times my old splitters would do it.

SR

 

[shooterdon]

What processor are you looking at?

John,
I am looking at the Range Road Eco 3000. It is a "cheap POS" from China. Not commercial quality. But a number of decent reviews from folks doing up to 100 cords per year. I have visited a guy who has owned one for three years and has been very pleased with his.

There is a distributor about a 90 minute drive away. He stocks some parts.

I heat primarily with wood but am 72 and want an easier way to produce firewood. Looking for something I can use for the next 10 years. I plan to sell a bit of firewood as a side business. Figuring about 50-75 cords a year.

I plan to buy wood. Currently at $100 per loggers cord and that will produce 2.5 face cords of firewood. Selling price is $75/FC so a gross profit of $35/FC. If I can sell 50 cords a year, that works out to $5k of income. Not going to get rich but will pay for the processor in two years. Expected production rate is 1.5 to 2 face cords per hour. That works out to 75-100 hours of machine time to produce 50 cords.

If I was younger, I would look at a better unit, but they are over double the investment. BTW came close to getting a Japa in partnership with a buddy, but he cannot devote much time to a side business. With a Japa, or similar, it means going at it like a real business.

 

[CobyRupert]

I can understand the compression/ “spring” aspect if there was air in the system, but wouldn’t the air return to the hydraulic reservoir after a couple cycles? How would air get into the cylinder if the splitter has been running for a while.

I think the stored energy is “ inserted” into the wood by the wedge’s splitting motion. That it’s a function of the wedge’s shape and the type / condition of the wood. That is, whether wood “splits” or resists splitting and holds together, bending the split end of the stick outward.

 

[Fallon]

I can understand the compression/ “spring” aspect if there was air in the system, but wouldn’t the air return to the hydraulic reservoir after a couple cycles? How would air get into the cylinder if the splitter has been running for a while.

I think the stored energy is “ inserted” into the wood by the wedge’s splitting motion. That it’s a function of the wedge’s shape and the type / condition of the wood. That is, whether wood “splits” or resists splitting and holds together, bending the split end of the stick outward.

Ya. Air bleeds out of hydraulics pretty quick. A cycle or 2, sometimes up to 10. Unless you have a leak & newcair is getting in.

My expectation is this log didnt split for whatever reason & became the wound up spring powered by 15-25 ton of force. Like I said earlier the Hydraulic press channel has some scary but entertsining stuff on it. I guess this would point to a poor wedge not cutting well.

 

[dodge man]

I’m going to wear my loggers helmet from now on that’s for sure. I was going to the other day but it was cold out and didn’t want to take my stocking cap off. That woukd be a stupid reason to get hurt.

 

[turnkey4099]

A better designed wedge...

I don't know if all "more expensive" splitters have a better designed wedge and I never said that they do, but my Timberwolf does.

BTW, Wood flying off a splitter isn't a freak occurrence, at times my old splitters would do it.

SR

I am on me third one now. One homebuilt by me and 2 commercial home grade. All three have had chunks pop off and fly. Not often. I caught on right in the 'nads. Fun time. I have been doing around 15 cord a year but am slowing down now. Only cut about 7 cord.

 

[/pine]

Chances are that if manufacturers incorporated some sort of safety bar etc. to prevent this...a lot of operators would remove it...!

 

[two_bit_score]

I’m going to wear my loggers helmet from now on that’s for sure. I was going to the other day but it was cold out and didn’t want to take my stocking cap off. That woukd be a stupid reason to get hurt.

Sounds like one might need some body armor. That might be a business opportunity.

 

[Jack Yuan]

今天我用 25 吨的劈木机劈木头，因为我以前做过 1000 倍的劈木机。我有一块橡木，当我听到砰的一声时，公羊正像往常一样向前移动，然后看到一根原木在闪光中飞舞。当我醒来时，我仰面躺在原木堆中，鲜血从我的脸上滴落，看不清东西。看来日志击中了我。长话短说，在去急诊室之后，我的眼眶骨折了，缝了几针，还有轻微的脑震荡。

我的问题是，什么会导致原木像火箭一样从分离器上掉下来？我知道它承受着压力，但我从未见过 20 磅的圆木变成成熟的炮弹。我很幸运; 我戴上了安全眼镜（镜头被原木损坏了），但不确定我该如何防止它或我如何才能更好地做好准备。发生这种情况时，机器处于水平位置，您可以拾取原木并将其放入机器中。认为将它放在垂直位置可能会更好，因为如果它吐出一个，它至少会在地面上。

can you take a photo on your log splitter? We are selling log splitter in Germany, not in US market. I had experience to apply the log splitter's Euro safety standard. So I would like to see what problem on your log splitter.

 

[Jack Yuan]

Sounds like one might need some body armor. That might be a business opportunity.

The truth is that depend on how the dominator(s) is thinking. Different country uses their different safety standard, the ruler maker makes the rule, then all the manufacturers follow this standard, normally the ruler maker is the biggest company on the market. No manufacturer will add too much safety feature if the standard doesn't require, to save the cost and remain competitive.

 

[Code54]

You guys are sure making me happy I bought a better designed splitter, even if it did cost me more money!

My splitter has never thrown any splits at me, not even one time.

SR

I would have said mine never "threw" any out also, last Thursday.

Funny you mentioned body armor - I was just on Amazon looking at Baseball helmets. I always wear noise-canceling Airpods, so the Baseball helmet looks like it could be perfect with the metal faceguard and a pair of safety glasses. I do have a Stihl logging helmet I use cutting wood, but the faceguard is just a mesh that is not too sturdy. I think it would have folded in, and I would still have gotten my bell rung so I am thinking of something a little more HD.

I haven't been around the shop the last two days to snap a photo of the splitter, but this is the splitter I have:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-25-ton-log-splitter-126151799--1?cid=Search-Google-TSC_DYN-Dynamic%20All%20Site-All%20Site%20TSC&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=TSC_DYN&utm_content=Dynamic%20All%20Site&utm_term=All%20Site%20TSC&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sucBhDgARIsAFoytUt0h407-DnUbEBTcwQf2JM8yiPwV_9WFX4cSZlhUfcy0AlvGhguyeoaAuhREALw_wcB

It is in great shape, basically the exact same as new minus some paint wear.

I would snap a photo of the log, but I tossed it on the stacks of wood the other day when I went back out to split, so it is mixed in and buried now. I did look it over first, and there were no knots, vee, etc. Just as clean, smooth split. Maybe I should have kept it as a souvenir - LOL

I was standing right next to the log when splitting it on the table. The log was directly in front of me, my right hand on the control lever and my left hand on my side away from the wedge/log. It came up and out - part of the log remained on the table. I'm short (5'5"), so it didn't have to fly too high up! I think it was in a spin, but I'm not really sure about that. I only caught a flash of it before impact.

I hope that helps answer some questions

 

[Code54]

can you take a photo on your log splitter? We are selling log splitter in Germany, not in US market. I had experience to apply the log splitter's Euro safety standard. So I would like to see what problem on your log splitter.

I will get one tomorrow but I posted a link to it above if that helps for now.
Thank you for your input and ideas

 

[Zetorboy]

HI guys. I have a vertical hydraulic log splitter. I have been splitting wood for 15 years and have splited quite a lot. Only ounce did it kick out the log. I don't have real hard wood essence like Maplesugar tree wood, but, a spruce log can be realy hard, sometimes and can kick out. Be carefull guys. I usualy put my thign close to the log, in case it kick out. Zetorboy