Log splitter and a flying log - safety

[scootr]

Or a goalie mask ?

 

[jmc]

Or a goalie mask ?

And 65 years ago, catchers' masks were pretty sturdy. Might be plastic by now...

 

[Code54]

I am using a goal tenders helmet with the steel face guard after the last incident.

 

[ponytug]

I am using a goal tenders helmet with the steel face guard after the last incident.

That or a full face football helmet seems like a great choice. I've had a couple of friends who had their face crushed in pretty random accidents, and the surgeries and rehabilitation were pretty extensive, with some parts like sinuses not readily candidates for full reconstruction.

All the best, Peter

 

[JeepHead]

That or a full face football helmet seems like a great choice. I've had a couple of friends who had their face crushed in pretty random accidents, and the surgeries and rehabilitation were pretty extensive, with some parts like sinuses not readily candidates for full reconstruction.

All the best, Peter

Yeah after seeing the force that split came off at, I realized then that I never want to chance that again!

 

[oosik]

Over the years I burned wood - I split 95+ chords. I never had a split kickback or blowback on the splitter. However there were those times - driving the wedge thru a big tough pine knot. Put the hammer down and step back behind the tractor. Let the splitter fend for itself.

I had two pine trees kickback - two times - when felling. Tree split in half - from the chainsaw cut - up about 30 feet toward the top. The top half of the split tree came roaring forward - like a bolt being shot from a crossbow. A good helmet would have been where my remains would have collected. If I had been standing directly in front of those trees.

Further checking showed both trees had a large crack - running up the tree. Caused by something - UKN to me. Maybe - lightning.

 

[anomad]

So this very thing happened to me this weekend. Was splitting some white oak and it popped and the split went flying away from me with such force that had it hit me in the face, very bad things would've happened. I have split probably 200 cord with this splitter over the last 3 years and it's the first time it's ever happened. I was googling what sort of helmet could be used in this situation because I can't see a forestry helmet with the flimsy face shield protecting my face. That's how I found this post. Anyways, anyone got leads on a forestry helmet that has a more stout face shield?

I've been looking at the Milwaukee BOLT hard hat solution that came up in another thread. They offer an ANSI Z87.1+ rated face shield for it. The BOLT also gets a very high rating from Virginia Tech.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've seen guys using full face shield motorcycle helmets when splitting...

I've never seen my splitter do that and I'm convinced it's because of the design in the wedge.

SR

 

[dodge man]

A couple of times I have had splits go flying. Never hit me or up towards my face but I can see it happening.

 

[DarkBlack]

I've seen guys using full face shield motorcycle helmets when splitting...

I've never seen my splitter do that and I'm convinced it's because of the design in the wedge.

SR

Could be. My wedge is a very wide angle, with a dull edge.
Occasionally on certain hard, dry pieces, it’ll pause for a moment at the start of contact, and then, Pow, the wood splits apart violently. There’s no air in the hydraulics, but there’s enough flex in the hoses, when the pump stages, to allow a very brief pause in the wedge, while apparently the pressure builds.
I imagine, a slim and/or sharp wedge design would be less likely to do this

 

[fatjay]

I still split by hand. Log splitters aren't cheap.

 

[shooterdon]

I still split by hand. Log splitters aren't cheap.

I split by hand until I was about 60. If you heat with wood, a log splitter gets to be affordable. It gets even more affordable as you get older.

 

[gsganzer]

I bought a Champion splitter right at the end of last season, when they had them on clearance. At the time, I fed an indoor and outdoor fireplace at out old place, and I have access to all the standing dead oak I can use. Our expectation with our retirement home is that it would also have wood fireplaces or wood stoves. NOPE! Our retirement place has (2) ventless gas fireplaces (one inside and one outside) plus a fire pit.

I have to admit; I love the indoor gas fireplace. It throws out a ton of heat at the touch of a button, and I won't part with it. I'm not giving up hope though. We're building a game/trophy room and it will have a wood burning stove, plus the outdoor fire pit. I'll make use of it yet. Last time I was at the deer lease, I saw a huge pecan had uprooted in the bottom land. I'll chunk it up and bring it home to split and burn. Great wood to burn and cook over.

 

[ponytug]

Pecan BBQ, yum!!!

All the best, Peter

 

[gsganzer]

Pecan BBQ, yum!!!

All the best, Peter

Actually have 2 pecans that are down from the storms. Great grilling wood!!!

 

[fatjay]

I split by hand until I was about 60. If you heat with wood, a log splitter gets to be affordable. It gets even more affordable as you get older.

I heat with oil and wood, but soon it'll be heat pump.