Screw drive/cone log splitter/ making it safer

coachgeo · May 6, 2017

Thinking on adding one of these to operate off my PTO. The thought is to get a PTO saw and add this gizmo to the opposite end of the shaft that spins the sawlade

https://detectorcovers.com/wood-log-splitter-screw-80mm (example ... not yet vetted what product to purchase)

Anyone got ideas on how to make them safer? Like if god forbid anything like a coat got rapped in it... your a gonner with no way to turn off PTO it will wrap the cone and your coat will do the Boa Constrictor on you.

Liked how one user (on a petrol tractor) put a string on the center coil wire so the user could yank it to stop the engine if needed. Any simple ideas like that on our Diesel tractors? chain to Yank PTO lever to neutral?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGaRwv5HT-o

bearskinner · May 6, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

I used to have one of those, had a Model T truck bolt pattern ( 5x5 1/2). I tried it on my Bronco, and will never use one again! It was set up to drive your truck out to the woods, take a rear tire off, put on the "unit" ( it was called a "Montana Barstool" from the gentleman it came from.) split wood, load it all up, put the wheel and tire back on and drive home.
Be careful as pieces of wood will fly.

coachgeo · May 6, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

bearskinner said:
I used to have one of those, had a Model T truck bolt pattern ( 5x5 1/2). I tried it on my Bronco, and will never use one again! It was set up to drive your truck out to the woods, take a rear tire off, put on the "unit" ( it was called a "Montana Barstool" from the gentleman it came from.) split wood, load it all up, put the wheel and tire back on and drive home.
Be careful as pieces of wood will fly.

sounds like the bronco was probably was way more power than the unit was designed for. One's I've run across for tractors use 540rpm. Bronco would be what 800?

skeets · May 6, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

They scare the snot out of me

MagKarl · May 6, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

I have one, it's called an "Unicorn Splitter" if I remember right. The labeling is long faded to being unreadable. Just like this one - http://billwlee.com/ag-equip/log-splitter/u219-used-unicorn-log-splitter-3-point-540-pto-power/

It works great, especially on an older machine like mine without rear remotes. Stupid simple. The only drawback is the occasional piece gnarly enough to overcome the torque of the tractor, then you have to "unscrew" it. More cowbell (rpm) is the usual fix for a stubborn round.

I may win a Darwin Award someday but I don't plan on doing it splitting wood, it's certainly no more dangerous than a chainsaw, just another tool that commands respectful use.

Lil Foot · May 6, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

it's certainly no more dangerous than a chainsaw, just another tool that commands respectful use.

That has been my opinion. I don't have one, but if I run across one cheap, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Actually, Ive been trying to work out a method (on the back burner) to machine a screw in my home shop- the rest would be easy to build.

skeets · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Like this?

https://youtu.be/0NE6c-YhBGE?t=2

boz1989 · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Personally they scare me, but, I have seen some on c list that use a post hole digger. I think I would feel safer using that, then again I'm cutting for outdoor boilers, so all I have to do is split it so I can lift it. Then my brother bought an upside down splitter for the skid steer, so there's no reason for me to buy one.

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

Yooper · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

My first thought was a telescopic spiral bellows like they use on CNC ball screws, but those are crazy expensive. How about a spring loaded tube inside (outside) another tube that would cover up all the rotating parts? Can work up a sketch if you need a visual. Think large PVC pipe.

Yooper · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Lil Foot said:
That has been my opinion. I don't have one, but if I run across one cheap, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Actually, Ive been trying to work out a method (on the back burner) to machine a screw in my home shop- the rest would be easy to build.

Do you have a taper attachment on your lathe?

bearskinner · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

coachgeo said:
sounds like the bronco was probably was way more power than the unit was designed for. One's I've run across for tractors use 540rpm. Bronco would be what 800?

It was a stick shift ( so is the current one) so idle was set at 600 or so. The biggest problem is rounds that aren't clear, I.E. knots etc make them harder to split clean. When I tried using the " Montana barstool" I was splitting pine for the outdoor fire pit, so it scared me to death I was going to get clobbered by a couple large chunks holding fast, and starting to spin.

D2Cat · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

I posted this in another thread that had a quick end, so I'll repost it here.

I bought a new one in about 1985 from Kubota and used it on a B6100. Tractor powered the device fine, but put it under the bench and sold it 20 years latter. It's a pain in the back!! You have to stoop over to use it, and the wood has to be long enough to catch the cross piece you you'll have a whirrly bird flying around in an extremely dangerous situation, or you'll get it suck in a piece of wood and have fun backing it out.

My recommendation is to avoid that type of splitter, use the more popular hyd. ram on a beam type.

coachgeo · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Yooper said:
My first thought was a telescopic spiral bellows like they use on CNC ball screws, but those are crazy expensive. How about a spring loaded tube inside (outside) another tube that would cover up all the rotating parts? Can work up a sketch if you need a visual. Think large PVC pipe.

Like the cover idea. The most important safety feature though would be an immediate way to stop the spinning off the PTO.

Lil Foot · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Yooper-
I do not, but all the taper attachments I've used in the past (Hardinge, Monarch, Cincinnati) would not thread.
I have a friend who just got a Grizzly 12x36 and he might have one, & it should fit my Birmingham 12x36. Maybe I need to explore that possibility.

skeets · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Coach maybe if it was set up with an electric motor and a foot switch move the foot motor stops

dandeman · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

skeets said:
They scare the snot out of me

With good reason.. Chainsaws can cause some serious injuries, but clothing, hair, gloves, any strong material on your body coming entangled in rotating equipment is gruesome.

Even the safety agencies recognize the increased danger of gloves and anything else on your body that if caught in the rotating machinery is going to be bad. "The risks of wearing gloves when using rotating machinery cannot be overstated."
http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11182-hand-protection

On one of the car restoration shows, they showed the injury to a guys hand wearing gloves while using a drill press. The glove caught, pulling his hand in to the bit.. and it went deep into the palm of his hand with a really serious injury.

Tooljunkie · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Never tried threading with my taper attatchment, would be interesting. Gloves and whirling parts are scary.

Ike · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Lil Foot said:
That has been my opinion. I don't have one, but if I run across one cheap, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Actually, Ive been trying to work out a method (on the back burner) to machine a screw in my home shop- the rest would be easy to build.

When they first came out several guys in the shop built them. I don't remember how the did it. But when you millions of dollars of machine tools you can use someone will find a way. I think it would be easy on a CNC lathe

JerryC999 · May 7, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Just obtained one, just like the Unicorn splitter, but it is a Kubota. Does seem very simple, I just need to figure out a way that I can push logs against it without getting my hands near that unshielded spinning auger bit.

Lil Foot · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

I think it would be easy on a CNC lathe

Everyone I know who has made one has used a cnc-unfortunately I don't have one.

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