screw type log spliter

[jones6780]

Just search for Bark Buster Wood splitter. The Feds recalled them back in 91. See below for an article I found.

The Bark Buster Wood Splitter was a screw type wood splitter that first came on the market in the 1970's. These splitters came in two different models - some attached to a PTO (power take-off) drive on a tractor or truck, while others were simply individual units powered by gas.

In 1991, the federal government placed a recall on Bark Buster brand log splitters. The Consumer Protection Safety Commission warned people against using this product, as they had found it to be very dangerous after investigating customer claims. Models from up until the 1998 version were all considered unsafe, with the potential to cause serious injuries to a persons arms, hands, fingers or legs. At the time of the report Bark Busters had caused four major injuries and one death. Since then, these wood splitters are no longer made - though other brands of auger-type log splitters do exist.

They were considered unsafe because of three key features that were missing. The first was that there was no easily accessible power switch. Along the same lines, the bark buster had no kill switch or "dead man's switch" that could be used to turn off the device in case of an emergency. Finally, the wood splitter didn't have an effective guard to help protect people's bodies from the dangerous auger, which led to people's clothing getting caught.

It's important to learn a lesson from the Bark Buster. If your going to use and auger-type wood splitter or log splitter, be sure that at the very least it contains basic safety functions. It is a powerful tool and deserving of respect and care - anything less can be injurious or fatal.

If you would like to read more articles or reviews or check out our full line of wood splitters please visit us today at Wood Splitter & Log Splitters - Electric, Hydraulic we may be able to help you "split" your time in half.

Article Source: Michael Hirsch - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

 

[mr.offroad]

I don't know how many of you have actually owned and used a Bark Buster, but I've had one for many years and split hundreds of cords of firewood without incident. First off, you don't have the pto spinning full steam. You can leave the tractor just above an idle, so the screw turns pretty slow, not whirling as some think. Secondly, I can put my gloved or bare hand against the tip while it runs, and it doesn't catch, the tip is designed that way, plus there's a guard that prevents you from walking into it. Thirdly, it's designed to split 16" or longer wood, not long logs. Fourth, the wood CAN'T catch and start spinning if used the properly.There's a pipe that you rest the one end of the log on before you press the other end against the screw, and it prevents the log from spinning.
I can split wood TWICE as fast as my brother with a hydraulic splitter, without even trying. I just think too many people look at them and run scared.

 

[ToadHill]

I used one for many years until the pipe to catch the wood broke and the spinning wood almost broke both my arms. Use it with care!

 

[J_J]

I would have to say, that it is as safe as the operator. Just about like anything, it has an acceptable risk. What generally happens is that someone will get a new device, and without really knowing how it is supposed to work, they go for it. The lack of knowledge of the devise makes it unsafe for that person. I have seen them mounted on the hub of a truck, tractor, and if used correctly, they work. Probably if you ask 10 men to operate that splitter, 5 would do just fine, 3 might think it unsafe and not use it, and 2 people would use it and get seriously hurt. Again, knowledge or lack of it will make the difference.

 

[Mundy]

I have a 5 HP bark Buster sitting in my barn. Its been there for years. Looks like it was only used a few times. Are they worth anything?

 

[Highbeam]

I don't know how many of you have actually owned and used a Bark Buster, but I've had one for many years and split hundreds of cords of firewood without incident. First off, you don't have the pto spinning full steam. You can leave the tractor just above an idle, so the screw turns pretty slow, not whirling as some think. Secondly, I can put my gloved or bare hand against the tip while it runs, and it doesn't catch, the tip is designed that way, plus there's a guard that prevents you from walking into it. Thirdly, it's designed to split 16" or longer wood, not long logs. Fourth, the wood CAN'T catch and start spinning if used the properly.There's a pipe that you rest the one end of the log on before you press the other end against the screw, and it prevents the log from spinning.
I can split wood TWICE as fast as my brother with a hydraulic splitter, without even trying. I just think too many people look at them and run scared.

Yes sir I have one and I too have split many many cords with it and haven't been hurt. I have a healthy fear of the device and use it while sober and alert. I find it extremely fast at splitting wood and very effective though the wood doesn't split up as pretty, more strings. I would love to have a hyrdo splitter just so that I can split and throw into the tractor bucket and honestly, to make it a safer deal.

Yes they work, they are more dangerous than hydro splitters, but they work very well and they are not so dangerous that you shouldn't use them. Just dangerous enough that you need to be more cautious than with other tools.

 

[J_J]

These two have a better design by using a platform.

YouTube - Hydrocut screw log splitter

YouTube - Tractor powered (PTO) log splitter by HyCrack

 

[mr.offroad]

Yes sir I have one and I too have split many many cords with it and haven't been hurt. I have a healthy fear of the device and use it while sober and alert. I find it extremely fast at splitting wood and very effective though the wood doesn't split up as pretty, more strings. I would love to have a hyrdo splitter just so that I can split and throw into the tractor bucket and honestly, to make it a safer deal.

Yes they work, they are more dangerous than hydro splitters, but they work very well and they are not so dangerous that you shouldn't use them. Just dangerous enough that you need to be more cautious than with other tools.

There ya go. Well put!

 

[davygp38]

hello all thinking of building one of these log spliters .anyone have one, are they very dangerous?YouTube - Kegelspalter

I did not know they had Dutch red necks. They sure know how to "get er done" Must have one big wood stove:laughing:

 

[Mike058]

These two have a better design by using a platform.

YouTube - Hydrocut screw log splitter

YouTube - Tractor powered (PTO) log splitter by HyCrack

It's interesting that the screw doesn't have to penetrate the center of the log-it can do the job just a couple of inches from the end.