Manual log splitters

[scbk]

Has anyone ever tried a manual log splitter like the Clarke Logbuster 4?

 

Clarke Log Buster 4 Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter - Machine Mart

 

 

Looks like a large bottle jack mounted within a frame, with a "fast" and "slow" handle

 

Obivously not gonna be as fast as a maul on striaght wood but I was wondering if it would be any use on knotty stuff? Or so my parents can split wood for themselves?

[SEAN TYNAN]

there good for knotty wood but the logs need to be long as the ram doesnt go out that far

[scbk]

Aye, I'm thinking it has to be faster than splitting with wedges, without splashing out on a powered splitter at this stage

[Mark Bolam]

My Dad's got one, and potters about in his shed splitting gnarly stuff (he's 75).

 

Powerful, but way too slow to consider commercially. Chucking a stop log in beside the ram allows small logs to be split, although the instructrions forbid this....

 

Better putting the money towards a cheap electric one IMO. They start at around £200.

[scbk]

Well I saw one on ebay and bought it, got it for £70

 

The major design flaw seems to be the length of the bed/ram

 

Useful for splitting the big rings in half sideways, so you can get at them with a maul a lot quicker

 

Also if you have planks to be made into kindlers (for your own use) you can stack 5 or 6 up and split them in one go without risking any fingers

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

Seen a brand new one being used. VERY SLOW. Ram does not allow full splitting unless wood cut into exact sizes.

 

Would be more suitable/cost effective to use a large sledge and twisted Husqvarna wedges.