Screwy Log Splitters.........

[AlchemyAcres]

I used to think that using log splitters was S-L-O-W and for wimps. LOL
Now that I've got tennis elbow, I've changed my tune. :-[

Tightwad that I am I bartered for a 70's vintage gas engine powered screw type splitter. Splitter for a cord of firewood.

It works great, and is faster than any hydraulic splitter I've been around.

I'll continue to split the easy stuff with an axe, but this sure will come in handy on the tough stuff.

http://i41.tinypic.com/21978t4.jpg

Related links:

http://www.thestickler.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1976-09-01/Tool-To-Split-Firewood.aspx

Video of PTO mounted screw splitter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Yd-9ymtk

~Martin

[crafty2002]

Looks like a pretty good idea there, but in the video it looked like the wood he was spliting would have split with a good shot from a 12# mual. Have you split anything that is hard to split with a maul yet?
I have been wanting to build a splitter and I have a 12 HP engine.
How many HP does yours have and any idea what the ratio from the engine to the screw is.
Thanks for the post. $199 for the screw isn't bacd and I probably got everything esle around here except the shaft and bearings but they shouldn't be too bad.
By the way, what size shaft is on yours.
Now I am trying to figure out how to make the screw myself and save the 200 bucks too. I am stingy, LOL.
Dennis

[AlchemyAcres]

Looks like a pretty good idea there, but in the video it looked like the wood he was spliting would have split with a good shot from a 12# mual. Have you split anything that is hard to split with a maul yet?
I have been wanting to build a splitter and I have a 12 HP engine.
How many HP does yours have and any idea what the ratio from the engine to the screw is.
Thanks for the post. $199 for the screw isn't bacd and I probably got everything esle around here except the shaft and bearings but they shouldn't be too bad.
By the way, what size shaft is on yours.
Now I am trying to figure out how to make the screw myself and save the 200 bucks too. I am stingy, LOL.
Dennis


Yes, I've split up a bunch of knotty stuff.
These types of splitters plow right through almost anything once the screw tip gets a grip!!! They don't slow way down or stop the way a hydraulic splitter can. And there's no wait for cylinder return.

The motor is an older Briggs 9 hp.

I'm not sure about the gear reduction, I don't see anything that defines it.
There's also some speed reduction in the chain.

The shaft is 1 1/2"

A couple more videos of The Stickler..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va4H4DKbEHE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWluMTphsjA

The guy in the video is splitting too close to the end of the log.
If you split at about 1/3 the length of the log or so, it'll split a LOT faster and more completely, thanks to the added leverage.

~Martin

[rAcErRicK]

Dennis and Martin, I have a cousin who has one of those screws. He jacks up his riding lawn mower and bolts it onto the wheel of it, using whichever transmission gear works best for the wood he is splitting. It works great. You just have to be careful to block it up well, so it (the tractor) doesn't jump off the blocks, and run away. :D

[Anon001]

Martin,
I want it.........................

[kmccune]

These things scare me to death!!!! :o
but boy, are they fast!
My experience with one was on the PTO of a 601-Ford Tractor. It was very fast, but don't get any loose clothing caught in it.
-Kevin

PS They will split pretty tough wood.

[johnjmw]

My brother and a friend of his use to use one like this on a tractor's PTO. He said once you get the hang of it you can rev the engine up a bit and the wood goes flying when it comes apart. I never got a chance to see it though. Thanks Martin for the links. Like the idea that you can use a car/truck wheel also.

John