Modifying a Palax Static Axe

[Billhook]

My Palax Combi 600 works well and has done so for nearly twenty years, but occasionally the splitter encounters a log which is just a little too tight for it.

This means stopping everything, smacking the log back from the static axe with a sledge all of which is irritating.

I was wondering if I welded a small triangular piece of steel to the front of the axe, just in front of the cross piece, whether the increase in pressure/ square inch now there is a point rather than a whole two foot blade for the initial encounter with the log, would help the splitting process for these more difficult logs.

Have any of you tried this?

[Hodge]

No, but I would be interested to find out if it works.

 

 

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[Billhook]

No, but I would be interested to find out if it works.

 

 

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Ok in the interests of te Arbforum I will conduct an experiment.

I have just discovered that the remains of our Cat D7 Dozer replaceable blade part fits exactly in the hole for the Static axe.

Rather than mess up the axe I will weld a sharpened triangle to this blade and see what happens.

This could be a useful experiment as the blade is much longer than the static axe, so I could try a difficult log on the part with the triangle on it and then slide the blade up to compare it with a straight edge of blade

[Goaty]

I believe your initial penetration in to the log will be improved. But once the whole blade is in contact the resistance will increase as normal with a strong pinch. Also your mod will need to be short and stubby I think to prevent it being distorted by lopsided pressure.

 

This is only theory from my imagination gained by axe hours of experience.

[Billhook]

I believe your initial penetration in to the log will be improved. But once the whole blade is in contact the resistance will increase as normal with a strong pinch. Also your mod will need to be short and stubby I think to prevent it being distorted by lopsided pressure.

 

This is only theory from my imagination gained by axe hours of experience.

 

 

I only thought that once the little triangle had started the split the rest would be easier.

It follows from the time I was surprised that by tough bit of Elm about eighteen inches diameter, which had no knots but stopped the Palax, and also was immune to my powerful (in my opinion!) X27 blows, was split by a cheapo, no brand name electric/hydraulic splitter someone lent me. This splitter had a very small blade, only about eight inches but the pressure per square inch must have been enormous.

 

Yes as short and stubby as possible, will report when prototype is finished. I am fairly sure if the idea was any good all splitters and axes would be built this way!

[Goaty]

Not necessarily. Next problem might be waiting for the awkward piece of wood to turn up. You also need to try the pieces in the place on the original then the design prototype. To prove any difference. I hope it works. It's the opposite of a racing bike tyre inflated at 100psi on a narrow footprint and a huge machine on 15psi or less carrying 200 tons. It's all in the science waiting for someone to work it out.

 

 

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[Billhook]

Not necessarily. Next problem might be waiting for the awkward piece of wood to turn up. You also need to try the pieces in the place on the original then the design prototype. To prove any difference. I hope it works. It's the opposite of a racing bike tyre inflated at 100psi on a narrow footprint and a huge machine on 15psi or less carrying 200 tons. It's all in the science waiting for someone to work it out.

 

 

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I still have the rest of the original Elm limb waiting for the test.........