Screw Type Log Splitter

[GAD7]

If anyone has a Cone type (stickler) log spliter and want to get rid of it. I will pay the shipping to my address. Thanks garry1436@hotmail.com just email me.

 

[Jack Yuan]

thank you everyone in this post. we give up the idea to produce such screw log splitter.

 

[SuperCobra]

Since this post is back up at the top, I'm looking for some feedback from those of you who have experience with a Bark Buster PTO screw splitter.

I've been making split rail (AKA zig zag, snakerail, battlefield) fence out of oak 10' long averaging 20" in diameter. I've worn out myself and a couple of splitting wedges and sledge hammers doing it Abe Lincoln style. How would one of these work for splitting 10' logs? I'm envisioning I'd remove the log rest, stay on the tractor and back up to stick it in the side of the log. I'm assuming I'd try it closer to an end than the middle to get the split going easier (but far enough from the end so it wouldn't spin). Would this most likely flip me on my butt, break the tractor, break the splitter, or just get it stuck so I have to cut it out? I figured you wouldn't have the safety concerns everyone has pointed out when standing next to it on the ground and splitting shorter firewood but would it split it and if it didn't split it, at low rpm without a slip clutch what would I break? Does the Bark Buster have a shear bolt? I can't tell from the pictures.

Likewise, what would happen if you backed one of these into the side of a stump and put the tractor in neutral once the screw bit in (so the tractor is pulled into the stump since the stump wouldn't move)? I'm envisioning splitting a stump from multiple sides to make it easier to later remove (chain or FEL).

I've seen a couple couple of Bark Busters for sale and thought it might be worth toying these ideas. I've got a hydraulic wedge style splitter to do my firewood splitting so I wouldn't be using it for that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Reg]

Since this post is back up at the top, I'm looking for some feedback from those of you who have experience with a Bark Buster PTO screw splitter.

I've been making split rail (AKA zig zag, snakerail, battlefield) fence out of oak 10' long averaging 20" in diameter. I've worn out myself and a couple of splitting wedges and sledge hammers doing it Abe Lincoln style. How would one of these work for splitting 10' logs? I'm envisioning I'd remove the log rest, stay on the tractor and back up to stick it in the side of the log. I'm assuming I'd try it closer to an end than the middle to get the split going easier (but far enough from the end so it wouldn't spin). Would this most likely flip me on my butt, break the tractor, break the splitter, or just get it stuck so I have to cut it out? I figured you wouldn't have the safety concerns everyone has pointed out when standing next to it on the ground and splitting shorter firewood but would it split it and if it didn't split it, at low rpm without a slip clutch what would I break? Does the Bark Buster have a shear bolt? I can't tell from the pictures.

Likewise, what would happen if you backed one of these into the side of a stump and put the tractor in neutral once the screw bit in (so the tractor is pulled into the stump since the stump wouldn't move)? I'm envisioning splitting a stump from multiple sides to make it easier to later remove (chain or FEL).

I've seen a couple couple of Bark Busters for sale and thought it might be worth toying these ideas. I've got a hydraulic wedge style splitter to do my firewood splitting so I wouldn't be using it for that.

Thanks in advance.

PURE Speculation follows;
IF you were to arrange the rail on the ground so that it lays across the tractor's center line and mostly to the left of the tractor I think it could work with fairly low risk.
If I view the front of the tractor as at 12 o'clock I would arrange the rail to be coming it at about 8 o'clock, not EXACTLY at 8 o'clock, but I would want it very close to the left rear tire.
IF the screw jammed and spun the rail my hope would be that it would deflect to the left rear tire and perhaps jam under it.
MayBE the screw would start splitting again, maybe a shear pin would go, maybe the tractor would stall.
Point is I would be about a foot and a half in from the end and the risk of a 10 ft rail taking someone down at the ankles would be "reduced", not saying it couldn't happen though.

OK, so that might work to get it started - - and you could probably work your way along such a rail, I suppose with it behind the left rear and in front of the right rear tires ?
In at 8 o'clock, out at 2 o'clock sort of thing.
Seems like SERIOUS WORK to unscrew the splitter and drag the rail along another few feet, I don't think it would be "free" very often after splitting.

EDIT:
On second thoughts, if it is jammed under the back of the left rear and under the front of the right rear I guess you can just raise the splitter while it is still spinning and it should pull right out.
Still gotta reposition for the next "drilling" though )-;
:END EDIT

 

[SuperCobra]

Thanks for the response Reg. If I'm following you right you are envisioning it mounted vertical with the rotation forces horizontal or in the yaw plane. I'd actually mount it unmodified so that I'm "drilling" in to the side of the log and the rotational forces would be in the roll plane or perpendicular to the ground. The splitter would be almost horizontal to the deck. In fact, I could leave the log I'm splitting up on the first layer of the log deck to make it level with the splitter.

Also, as mounted, I think the bit would sit too far back from the tires to be able to position the log diagonally between the two back tires. To clarify my question for those who have experience with the Bark Buster, is it durable and powerful enough to attempt to split hardwood logs this long? Does it have a shear pin? It seems most of the posts on this forum on the Bark Buster are from people looking for parts because they have broken them.

 

[Reg]

Thanks for the response Reg. If I'm following you right you are envisioning it mounted vertical with the rotation forces horizontal or in the yaw plane. I'd actually mount it unmodified so that I'm "drilling" in to the side of the log and the rotational forces would be in the roll plane or perpendicular to the ground. The splitter would be almost horizontal to the deck. In fact, I could leave the log I'm splitting up on the first layer of the log deck to make it level with the splitter.

Also, as mounted, I think the bit would sit too far back from the tires to be able to position the log diagonally between the two back tires. To clarify my question for those who have experience with the Bark Buster, is it durable and powerful enough to attempt to split hardwood logs this long? Does it have a shear pin? It seems most of the posts on this forum on the Bark Buster are from people looking for parts because they have broken them.

Just adding to my confusion here (-:
I have been TRYING to sail - minimalist sailing, aka sail boarding or wind surfing, not that I go out when there is enough wind to create anything more than the smallest white caps (-:

Anyway, I apologize for confusing this with the vertical version that is mounted on a post hole digger.

For what you describe I think the risks may be higher (my mere opinion, FWIW).
My concern is over where everything goes if/when the screw screws in and the log doesn't split.
Worst case the tractor starts to "wind up" on the log which has now become a very long lever.

I have no idea of the likely values involved, but my paranoia wouldbe over the tractor rising....
dunno what might happen after that, but at a guess it could become ugly.

It is simple to figure - How much torque is available at the tractor's rear wheel ?
what is the weight of the tractor on that rear wheel ?
what is the distance from the split screw to the point where the log contacts the ground ?

BTW, is the the tractor's other rear wheel off the ground ?
If not a stalled screw could make that wheel walk backwards - obviously (-:
If off the ground you need to lock the diff - also obvious.