Screw drive/cone log splitter/ making it safer

Lil Foot · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

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.

I've been thinking about that.
If you built a table to support the logs, then added a long lever (maybe "u" channel?) with a pivot point (maybe adjustable pivot point?) and a v-block log holder/locater on it's own pivot, you should be able to keep far away from the auger for much of the cycle. (see pic)

I also thought about a foot pedal activated clutch for the PTO/screw shaft- step on it to spin, release to stop.

Never went past the brainstorming stage on these yet, mainly because I don't have the splitter.

coachgeo · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Lil Foot said:
....?) and a v-block log holder/locater .... should be able to keep far away from the auger for much of the cycle. (see pic)

This part may suffice by itself.

I also thought about a foot pedal activated clutch for the PTO/screw shaft- step on it to spin, release to stop.

Would like to hear more about this concept.

coachgeo · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

JerryC999 said:
Just obtained one, ....

left you some questions in your other post in implements

Yooper · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Here's one for you coach. How about a belt drive to the cone shaft with an idler that would engage the shaft by means of a foot pedal? Kind of like engaging the blades on a riding lawn mower only there would be no 'lock'. Spring return on the foot pedal of coarse. I think this is what Lil Foot was getting to.

Yooper · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Lil Foot said:
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.

Yeah, that would simplify things a bit. I know I could thread using the taper on my old Clausing. Some of the cones look like they use a buttress thread, which I've never attempted. It would be a fun challenge for sure.

Treckerzeug · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

hello,

The even more safe way using these cone splitters would be to get 2 m out of their way,

I ve bought the cone with a shaft two bearings and a 6 spline cone, for some 150€
Used the t angle drive box of an ex self loader wagon and feed the splitter with my crane,
On this video you see my first trials:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rNxNX6pYRGM
Niw it is going faster.

Take care

Regards

Robert

Lil Foot · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Would like to hear more about this concept.

Years ago I worked weekends for one summer at a small sawmill in Heber AZ. The old guy who owned it was a former locomotive engineer who had built all the equipment. The smaller of his two saws (he had a 24" & a 72") used a homemade clutch setup to drive the carriage ( cradle, log clamps, & operators seat) past the blade. The clutch consisted of a large (6"dia?) female cone on the driveshaft, opposite a male cone of the same size & angle on a splined motor shaft. A simple fork (like a trannny shifter fork) operated by a foot pedal moved the two cones in & out of engagement. I think they were both just mild steel, because he said he had to re-face them periodically.
I have seen cone clutches (google them) that have friction material for engagement, but I hadn't gone any further with this as of yet.

Lil Foot · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Found this method of cutting tapered screw threads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I57FCsvUajg
or this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSQG8hlI7MM
and another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NE6c-YhBGE

Russell King · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

You could just wrap a steel rod in a helix on the cone. Then weld it to cone and sharpen into thread shape

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coachgeo · May 8, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

ok so the model number for the Kubota version is B310. There was a safety device that could be ordered as well. appears to be a shut off. Attached is PDF of parts schematic. anyone got a guess how it worked and where in general it was mounted based on this information?

PS- parts schematic for the business end at the PTO is here

Russell King · May 9, 2017

Screw drive/cone log splitter

Looks like a remote control to push the throttle. Probably a cable connection to the rear area of the kill lever where you can pull it down (????) and kill the tractor

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D2Cat · May 9, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

When Kubota sold these items there was a package of hardware that came with the splitter which was to be mounted on the rear fender to control the throttle.

I never mounted the one I had because the whole apparatus was a I described earlier...best stored under a bench, not used!!

Russell King · May 10, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

You can probably make something similar from a bike or motorcycle hand brake/clutch and mount it by the top link or something that is convenient

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coachgeo · May 10, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Russell King said:
You can probably make something similar from a bike or motorcycle hand brake/clutch and mount it by the top link or something that is convenient

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Yeah as described so far yes.... but I wonder if there may have been more to it than just throttle control. It is labeled Safety Shut Off. Unless it offered no throttle acceleration!.. but only deceleration to "full off throttle" which is "suppose" to shut the engine down. Does ya'lls shut off that way? Mine won't shut down that way directly. I have to accelerate up quickly then back down to get her to shut off.

Flintlock42003 · May 11, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

Had a PTO version, death trap, sold it! No way to make them safer.

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Flintlock42003 · May 11, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

JerryC999 said:
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.

And if you used it on soft ground, the log won't hold and will dig a trench and spin until you shut it down. I wasted more time with this thing, went back to ax and splitting wedge.

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MagKarl · May 11, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

The long orange pipe in JerryC999's picture is what the wood round is rested upon when pushed into the cone. The ground conditions have nothing to do with it. Lift the round, oriented with long axis roughly horizontal, set it on the pipe, slide the round up against the cone, and it feeds itself in.

This bar keeps the wood from spinning as the cone drives itself in. The cone drills into the round radially, not axially like a hydraulic splitter or how you split by hand. You cannot safely split short rounds if they are not a few inches longer than the distance from the cone to the pipe. I cut my firewood to about 20" and this is plenty long for this splitter model.

Russell King · May 11, 2017

Re: Screw drive/cone log splitter

coachgeo said:
Yeah as described so far yes.... but I wonder if there may have been more to it than just throttle control. It is labeled Safety Shut Off. Unless it offered no throttle acceleration!.. but only deceleration to "full off throttle" which is "suppose" to shut the engine down. Does ya'lls shut off that way? Mine won't shut down that way directly. I have to accelerate up quickly then back down to get her to shut off.

My tractor will shut down from idle by just pulling up on the kill lever.
I have no idea if it would shut down if the hand throttle was set to high RPM. I'll try that this weekend to see

I did look at at the kill and foot throttle and they connect at one point so it looks like you could use a cable to set RPM and to kill the tractor. I think there would need to be a friction point to hold the cable at rpm desired. Similar to the friction washers on the 3PH position lever. That may be why they had the flat bar handle in their system.

I think you can make something fairly simple if you look at how the foot throttle and the kill lever work.

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coachgeo · May 16, 2017

Screw drive/cone log splitter

Picking this up Fri. 2.5 hour drive away but for only two digit price... worth the drive. Helps I get 40ish MPG too.

D2Cat · May 16, 2017

Re: Bark Buster Repair

If you're hell bent to split wood with that thing you better attach an arm on the clockwise side to keep your wood from becoming a propeller!!

And check you health insurance and disability policy.

Screw drive/cone log splitter/ making it safer

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