Opinions of a Screw Type log splitter

[tungularafishcamp]

That's interesting, operated from the relative safe distance of the tractor seat.

is there any chance the log could be spun if the screw bound some how?

You could also set up a bunch of rounds and just drive up to them and split them. unless they would spin and not split??

JB.

The logs are always long enuff that if they did spin the tractor tire would stop them. I have never tried doing rounds, for me it seemed easier to buck already split logs. You might have to make some kind of trap or cage to keep the rounds from spinning.
Rick

 

[Reg]

I am probably going to get a screw type for my Hydraulic Post Hole. I won't be near it so I am a lot more comfortable with the concept.
Question for those who have this device... Does it bind up ever? If so, how do you extract the screw?

And have you ever split a stump with it?

A post hole digger mounted one certainly sounds attractive.

As far as stumps go...
Yeah, it wood(pun) be nice, but.
I have an image of stumps having roots that flare out near the surface and would act as buttresses to support the main body of the stump from splitting apart.
You would also be drilling into end grain and I think these screws depend on drilling across the grain to bust the wood apart.

It might work, but I doubt it.

 

[easygo]

The Atom looks pretty good except for a couple of things.

1: for every piece of wood you split you have to press the clutch twice. First when you engage the PTO, second when it is done splitting the wood.

2:It seems that the U-joints on the drive shaft on the post hole digger get into some strange angles while it is getting screwed into the wood.

And an observation. All the wood the guy is splitting in that video appears to be cedar.

All that said It is a good thing that we have the option to buy something simple and effective to split wood. It can probably be adapted to work like the Bark-Buster. How much is it selling for? I can't find the price on their site.

 

[xtn]

I agree the angles look pretty extreme. But they are the angles required for full range of motion of the post hole digger and don't change just because you've mounted a splitter on it instead of an auger. And it's operating at lower rpms and loads than most other pto uses.

Think the price was low 300 range. Seems like way too much for what you get, but not too much for what it can do. It isn't a good choice for high volume splitting of fire wood. But for a guy like me who is going to bring it out a couple times a year to help deal with a big old fallen tree, it's very handy.

 

[easygo]

I guess $300+ for a piece of conical threaded steel is a bit steep but attached to the tractor it could make one heck of a wood splitter for many-many years. I have a Bark-Buster and the only thing that worries me is if something happens to the "screw". But not anymore, because now I know that similar products are available.

 

[davgreg]

I put mine on a post hole digger and split whole logs not just the rounds then just lift the log up and buck off already split pieces. Depending on the log size I usually get 6 or so feet from the end and split. After you cut the other side of the auger it drops off, u turn the log a quarter turn then auger in again and that way you split it into quarters or more if it is a big one. Welded a handle to the PHD so I can put it exactly where I want it from the seat. Wouldnt want anyone next to it as I was splitting, usually the logs are too big to spin but the smaller ones will spin til the tire stops it. I love my setup and would not want to go back to a regular splitter or ouch a maul!
Rick

Do you need apply any down pressure on this setup? Will it split an 8 ft oak log all they way? I am starting a firewood business next year and I am thinking of trying this set-up. I would have to purchase PHD also and then there will be the price of the atom splitter. I am just wondering how well it works.............?

 

[Renze]

Baling firewood:
wood splitter log splitter John Deere 14T hay baler splitting fast - YouTube

...the baler got harmed before the guy did:
baler wood splitter gone bad - YouTube

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

I have an old Pto drive Unicorn splitter that was basically shop made. I had a Stickler splitter.

The post hole digger version has only one big problem. Stationering the length of wood.
I like the european models with a partial table from ebay.
Occasionally something like twisty elm will not bust open it just splinters unwraps a bit and the cone hangs. Occasionally a length of wood will slip off the bar and rotate. Most all the time i use a 80 or 90 Hp tractor (idling) but when I use a 40 Hp it will occasionally choke off. The one thing I would want on the tractor that I dont have is a rear control lever to stop the pto when you on the ground. Mine are hydraulic activated and you must be at the side to reach it.
For commercial firewood you need a firewood processor w hydrualic splitter,

 

[tmajor]

I re-fabbed one of the old "back on" screw splitters, to work off the PTO. See here. I tried to copy the Hy-Crack. It works pretty good ... some of the nasty stuff is too much for it. While it will go through it, it doesn't always break it loose. It is relatively slow on some pieces and others, it's quick.

As far as "safety", I don't think it's particularly dangerous. You aren't working in the area of the PTO and the screw turns relatively slow. I don't recall what screw speed I was going for, but I geared it down a fair amount from the 540 rpm. Plus, I included a safety line, to kill the ignition. A method to disengage the PTO would be better, but couldn't see a method to do that on the Ford.

I wouldn't suggest it for "production", but to split those trees that fall on the truck, etc., it does the job.

 

[Renze]

I'm going to make me a splitting jaw on my backhoe. Something like this:
hasitokanal - YouTube

SIMATECH.LV woodcracker W600 - YouTube
For this latter, they Dutch importer wanted 6000 Euro... its just 250kg of steel. Even an industrial diesel engine costs less than that, per kg... So i'm going to make my own, for a fraction of the cost.

I need it to reduce the diameter of the logs to be able to fit in my wood processor:
Mottimaster L - traktorikäyttöinen klapikone - YouTube