Atom splitter and post hole digger

[Ooklaa]

I was thinking of buying one of these Post Hole Digger for Compact Tractors. and then adding a The Atom Splitter, 3 Ton Splitter to it.


Anyone with our smaller sub compacts have any experience?

 

[Ooklaa]

Sorry had a bd link.

 

[Ed of all trades]

It might work if the post hole digger holds up. Let us know how it works. Ed

 

[Ooklaa]

It might work if the post hole digger holds up. Let us know how it works. Ed

What will happen to the post hole digger?

 

[s219]

That looks slow, dangerous, and clunky to me. I don't see how you're going to come close to the productivity of a normal log splitter. Unless it's perfectly straight grained oak or similar, it's just going to result in a bunch of long sloppy toothpicks that will take a lot of cleanup work to make them usable and get them down to the right size.

I have seen the screw-type splitters in a more conventional table arrangement, where they are used to split an individual round like you'd do with a normal log splitter. Still very dangerous, but at least on that scale you have more control and can make neat/usable spits. But that post-hole version just looks like a dangerous farmer's kludge to me.

 

[Clipse3GT]

I heard that the Everything attachments post hole diggers shears the pins quite often. No sure if its just cheap pins or **** design...

 

[Ooklaa]

That looks slow, dangerous, and clunky to me. I don't see how you're going to come close to the productivity of a normal log splitter. Unless it's perfectly straight grained oak or similar, it's just going to result in a bunch of long sloppy toothpicks that will take a lot of cleanup work to make them usable and get them down to the right size.

I have seen the screw-type splitters in a more conventional table arrangement, where they are used to split an individual round like you'd do with a normal log splitter. Still very dangerous, but at least on that scale you have more control and can make neat/usable spits. But that post-hole version just looks like a dangerous farmer's kludge to me.

Not sure of stuff like this that why I like to post up. If i take a log cut it in the sizes my stove takes(like 20 inches) then use this atom to split width wise vs length. I see the log spinning as the atom goes into it. But where the danger, to the machine or to the operator?

 

[bamboozled]

I agree with the post above, why would you want to use something like this over a normal splitter? It doesn't seem to be any great cost saving, not when you can buy a decent splitter brand new for 1000 bucks.

Or actually for the 1500 (before tax and shipping) you are going to spend, you can get the higher capacity splitter from the likes of TSC or Rural King.

 

[exohomestead]

Ooklaa,

I've done a lot of wood splitting. About 20 years experience. We heat a 2500 ft2 home with only wood all winter. About 3-4 cords/ yr.

Responding to comments on the Atom Splitter page:

Split from the bark side or in the upright position - yes, sometimes convenient. However, if you're burning in a stove (18-ish inch logs), you'll always be splitting from the ends. It is far better to cut the logs first, then split them, and I don't see how the atom splitter would even work then (it would spin the log). I've split logs about 4' long on the side using my traditional splitter with the rail turned to the vertical arrangement.

It can also be used as a loading / moving tool in that you can use it to pick up and load a truck with heavy logs, or use it to transport your logs to another location on your property - now that is true. I am limited to about 4' logs that I transport with a manual hand dolly. If you want to transport one at a time with your tractor, this might be a good idea.

It will pay for itself in a very short time because you are now able to split those big knotty stumps even with the stumps still in the ground - I purchased a 30-ton traditional log splitter and it splits everything. If I use a file to sharpen the blade, it will even slice a log sideways, so knotty is no problem. I never thought of splitting a stump in the ground. The atom splitter might be good for doing that .. although with a GC2310 tractor I just back hoe out the stumps, now.

It is Ideal for those who have out-door furnaces. - read this to mean that you can split big logs, not cut logs. If you want to split logs longer than 26" long, you probably have to split from the side.

Would operating the atom splitter need two people, or would you be climbing on and off the tractor each time to position the log?

When you buy a more traditional log splitter, buy one that rotates vertical. It is WAY more comfortable to sit on a stool (or a fat log) and process logs from left to right across the ground in front of you as the hydraulic piston goes up and down. I have my kids stack logs on the left and take them away to stack on the right. Upgrading to a 30-ton splitter now handles logs that I wouldn't even want to lift onto a horizontal splitter rail. Plus, by having the rail vertical, there is no way for split logs to fall on the engine or hydraulic pump of the splitter.

 

[CobyRupert]

Looks like it might work as a fence post maker, but not as a firewood splitter. Who'd want to saw all those split pieces? I bet you can get that thing good and jammed on some knotty hardwoods. And get some interesting spins. I'd want to anchor the log, or have a protective bar/spin stopper, I saw a video where operator puts the post against a fixed object so it can't spin .