The screw log spitter hunt!

[Everhard]

So I go thru a fair amount of wood each year (when I'm home it's the primary source of heat in the house) and usually I'm happy splitting with an axe - I generally don't get stuff that too large so the amount of splitting isn't crazy, well except the last load of butt end logs and other crazy cast off's... So the great log splitter debate kept me, myself, and I busy over many a beer arguing the merits of stand alone units, 3pt hydraulic units and finally the screw variety.

So after much debate (and many a beer) we concluded that I need a splitter in the long term for the nasty type knotted chunks, and the really big stuff that takes many a swing of the axe before it splits. Also I make maple syrup in the spring and the evaporator uses logs that are 2-3' in length, and ya those can be a bit more of a challenge to split as well.

But which is the best option... Ha! Ok, everyone says what they have is the best. Ok, so I've decided the best option for me is going to be a screw type splitter, of which there are 2 designs that I think are reasonable, work well, are safe. (ie I ain't stickin' no screw onto the rear wheel of my jeep!!! Lol!) One runs straight off the pto, has a platform of sorts under the screw and the other one is the type where the screw is attached to the post hole digger in place of the auger.

I want to keep the costs to a minimum so was trying to locate a used unit - either the so called bark buster, or one of those "Stickler" screws but have had no luck at all! Every time I find one it's already sold. So I thought I'd post up here, maybe some one has one kicking around they don't want? Figured this is the best place to put the "word on the street."

Btw, some other bits of logic for going with the screw version over a hydraulic unit is my tractor (Kioti Ck20) is no monster in the hp department so any hydraulic unit I use wouldn't be the quickest where-as everything I've read about the screw type is that it will split significantly faster and my tractor has more then enough power to run it efficiently. Also as a bonus I can use a post hole digger so that will kill 2 birds with one stone. And lastly It would have to be the monster of monster hydraulic unit to be able to split a 3' log.

So there ya go, if anyone can help me out, if you know a friend of a friend who knows some one with one of these units kicking around that they aren't using, let me know!

Everhard.

 

[jeff9366]

The splitting screws are always available on eBay.

You cannot buy a new, assembled screw splitter in the USA; banned by OSHA. You have to import "new" from Poland or England.

Common on tombstones: I WONT FALL ON THE SCREW WHEN I AM TIRED AND SLIP. I AM SMARTER.

I would purchase a 110/220 volt electric powered wedge splitter way before a screw splitter.

LINK TO EBAY: SCREW LOG SPLITTER | eBay

 

[Everhard]

Yes, I've seen those, I've also found the ones that are made to go on the post hole digger, but after shipping the price seems ridiculous to say the least, hence hoping to find one used. At the end of the day if I absolutely can't find a used one I'll go new.

Why an electric powered wedge splitter?

E.

 

[Everhard]

Unless I'm missing something these units won't handle any large logs? Either in diameter or length? And don't they run a hydraulic ram anyway?

E.

 

[Everhard]

Btw - with regards to falling on the screw, reality is that's particularly challenging to do if there's a table right under the screw, and if it's the post hole digger variety you'll be even more challenged to fall off the tractor seat onto the spinning screw. (not to mention you'd have to figure out how to defeat gravity first and fall up into the screw - when you get that figured out, patent it!)
Frankly as some one who was once a professional chainsaw operator, with a huge amount of time spent using a chainsaw and knowing the very real dangers of that piece of equipment, using a screw wood splitter is practically child's play. Common sense goes a long way. Hence my comment about not attaching one to my Jeep - that I can see having all sorts of interesting issues cropping up!

E.

 

[2458n]

Used the log screw type splitter on 24+ inch chunck of oak and pushed it up against the wood screw behind a 8n ford. Dang near beat the arms off the poor tractor and it was hopping around with loaded tires. It was a quick lesson well learned. Renter stole it and sold it. I really wished he had a tractor and would have used it.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I have an old one out back, still solid, never used it before, but often wondered about it

 

[crazyal]

The biggest danger I can see is if the palm of your hand hits the point of that screw while pushing on the log.

 

[Dead Horse]

I have an old one out back, still solid, never used it before, but often wondered about it

Picture???????

 

[Skid Steer Solutions]

If you are interested in new, we have them here.

Eterra Stump Planer Attachment for Skid Steer Loader | Skid Steer Solutions

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Picture???????

I can dig it out and take one

 

[rrrkkk]

Only used once that was enough, tried splitting dry elm. It would split and not separate. Really the wood type was the problem. But then you would have to shut it down, turn the wood counter clockwise or get a saw and saw it off. Had a neighbor who tore the calf muscle off his leg with one.

 

[Sprinklerman]

I had some 3 ft round pieces I needed to split . I couldnt get them on the spliter ,too heavy . I used a air jack hammer with a wide bit , with a 100 cfm compressor , worked great. A buddy of mine had one of those screw spliters 25 years ago he is lucky , he still has all 10 fingers left .

 

[FarmWrench]

Best I have seen uses an impact wrench and a small screw. (4"). Big ugly piece of wood can get knocked around where it lies and when it overpowers the screw, there is reverse on the impact to walk it back. One more reason to get that cordless impact.

 

[Everhard]

Rob that's a well designed spiral splitter! I'm surprised all my searches on the net didn't turn yours up!

E.

If you are interested in new, we have them here.

Eterra Stump Planer Attachment for Skid Steer Loader | Skid Steer Solutions

 

[Rustyiron]

Rob that's a well designed spiral splitter! I'm surprised all my searches on the net didn't turn yours up!

E.

I wonder how well it works on a large 24" & up round? I've been looking for a cheap cone/screw type myself to adapt to my hyd phd.
I want to "break down" the large rounds for easier handling on the hyd splitter.

 

[GPintheMitten]

How do you keep the round from spinning?

 

[Everhard]

GPintheMitten - you can keep it from spinning by either pressing the side of the log up against another big log, or something like a fence post, or if the auger isn't perpendicular to the ground then if the round tries to spin it will only be able to swing into the ground. also from what I understand don't try to split the log right from the middle, go a third down the length... But this is all conjecture since I don't have one to test these theories out!

The units attach straight off the pto and don't use aa post hole digger typically have an arm that comes out parallel to the screw, so when you start the log into the screw one end of the log then rests on said arm and that keeps it from spinning.

Happy Gilmore, love to see those pics of what you got!

Thanks,
E.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

GPintheMitten - you can keep it from spinning by either pressing the side of the log up against another big log, or something like a fence post, or if the auger isn't perpendicular to the ground then if the round tries to spin it will only be able to swing into the ground. also from what I understand don't try to split the log right from the middle, go a third down the length... But this is all conjecture since I don't have one to test these theories out! The units attach straight off the pto and don't use aa post hole digger typically have an arm that comes out parallel to the screw, so when you start the log into the screw one end of the log then rests on said arm and that keeps it from spinning. Happy Gilmore, love to see those pics of what you got! Thanks, E.

I'll get one and post, it's primitive looking

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks for the explanation.

If you end up getting one it would be good to see a video of it in action.