Splitting Large Logs

SkyPup · May 9, 2005

Jim, I did manage to get the left tip of my thumb crushed by this beast (even with gloves on). I split a huge trunk wide open and was going to maneuver the 1/2 split wood around 180 degrees when I used my right hand to hit the control lever to release the pressure and draw the ram back. Unknown to me, the tip of my gloved thumb was accientally inserted in a wide split groove of the live oak trunk, and when the pressure was released it collasped onto my thmb tip.... OUCH! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The pain was nothing as my thumb was totally crushed to the bone with tissue and blood squirting out into the glove (I was in shock). I actually had to re-exert the ram onto the trunk again to open up the split far enough for my left hand thumb to be removed.

Went into the house, removed glove, blood, and tissue debris, and plunged said thumb into a glass of ice water. Then the PAIN came on and did not go away for quite a period of time (ie weeks). Many Oxycodone and Demeol later, my black nailless thumb is being slowly nurished back to health,,, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

HomeBrew2 · May 9, 2005

Twisted grain ... ugg! All you can do is try, like you say.

I should start my own thread with all the misleading locale comments I've generated ... I live in the "original" Squaw Valley ... east of Fresno. 93675. The resort name seems almost internationally recognized but, if I remember correctly the name of the valley is Olympic Valley. Thanks for the beer comment though, we can always use more of those. Umm, just curious, when you moved to Vermont, did you find the weather warmer than Truckee !?!? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bczoom · May 9, 2005

Jim,

The small splitter you're referring to is probably a 20 ton unit.
It'll get through it...
I would strongly recommend you get/use one that splits in the vertical position. The log never needs to be lifted.

I spent yesterday (and again tomorrow) doing the same thing (mine is a very knotty 48" oak). My 22 ton splitter in vertical mode does split it although it does spend a good amount of time in the slow stage of the pump.

Brian

JimMorrissey · May 9, 2005

Sky,

That's horrible. I cut the crotch of my thumb down to the bone with a bandsaw a few years back. The pain was severe for many days. I'm sure a crush like that is worse than a cut. -You don't realize how useful something is (your thumb!) until it's gone.......Bummer.

JimMorrissey · May 9, 2005

Correct...Olympic Valley.

Weather in Truckee is about the same, cold . Definintely more snow in CA than VT. I like snow, lots of snow. However, I am enjoying the warmth and pretty happy that spring is finally here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

kensfarm · May 9, 2005

SkyPup.. that painfully reminds me of a full swing hammer blow to my thumb.. had double gloves on.. didn't matter. Nothing painwise has come close.. it reshaped my thumb.. and took a year plus for any feeling to come back.

I use the FEL for the big logs.. carry them over to the vertical splitter(still in FEL).. bust it once.. then back on the tractor and angle to one side.. bust again.. switch to opposite angle.. bust again. Then you just raise the log in the FEL & drop it hard.. the pieces are more easily handled.

SkyPup · May 10, 2005

I'll never forget the throbbing pain in that crushed thumb, lucky that it was only down to the bottom of the nail and did not include the joint or I would have definetly lost that thumb tip. A 60,000 pound 5" hydraulic ram has ALLOT of power! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

JimMorrissey · May 10, 2005

I think this baby is going to need the old wedge and sledge routine. Maybe since the center is rotted it will split a little easier. I hope so. My back hurts just looking at that thing.

Makes the L39 look like a little guy. It didn't even phase it though, loping along just above idle....Great machine.

SkyPup · May 10, 2005

Ah Ha, nice to see the L39 in action instead of mired in the mud! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Our 30 ton splittler could handle that without a wimper, the only problem is getting it loaded onto the splitter rail....

bczoom · May 10, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think this baby is going to need the old wedge and sledge routine.)</font>

Jim,

I would think any splitter 20 ton or larger should have no problem with that log.

As a note, if you're splitting vertically, make sure the butt of the log (on the ground side) is on the stop plate otherwise the splitter will lift in the air instead of splitting.

Brian