Abstract: A firewood processor with a tightenable saw chain, which processor comprises a frame arranged to support the firewood processor to a base, such as the ground, and a saw for sawing wood raw material in a transverse direction into an intermediate product of a desired length. The saw comprises a saw chain, a flange for guiding said saw chain and a sprocket, which is arranged to convey the driving force to said saw chain. The firewood processor further comprises a splitting section for splitting the intermediate product of a desired length in the longitudinal direction into a desired size, which splitting section comprises a splitting wedge and means for splitting the intermediate product of a desired length by means of the splitting wedge. In addition, the firewood processor comprises automatic means for tightening the saw chain of said saw and for maintaining the tightness.

Abstract: A trailer-mounted wood splitter with an integral platform, log boom and grappler provides an extended table area to facilitate the splitting of wood. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic-powered wood splitting assembly operated by an internal combustion engine mounted to a trailer. A horizontal surface worktable is provided all around the upper surface of the wood splitting plane. In such a manner, any wood that is placed upon the platform for splitting does not fall off after splitting is complete. This allows the user to reposition any remaining sections of wood for additional splitting without having to pick them up off the ground. Once completely split, the wood can be directed to the side of the table or platform for stacking or transportation. The apparatus further comprises a log boom with a grappler attached to a far end for moving and manipulating felled logs.

Abstract: A hands-free wood (log segment) splitting apparatus and method of employing a mobile vehicle having mounted thereon the splitting apparatus. The splitting apparatus includes a mount removably secured to the mobile vehicle and having secured thereon a rotatable auger, the location of the mount and the components carried thereon being safely remote from an operator. Control over the positioning of the apparatus, including the auger relative to a to-be-split log segment, control over the movement of the auger relative to the log segment being split, restraining the log segment from undesired movement relative to the spinning auger, and other related actions, are effected by the operator from the remote location and without exposure of the operator to personal injury from the splitting apparatus. Guides are provided for entry thereof into a split to serve as impediments to collapse of the split portions of the log segment against the auger.

Abstract: Described is a device that is to used in conjunction with a chainsaw to keep the chainsaw kerf from closing, thereby greatly reducing the chance of having the chainsaw bar being pinched and bound. Also included is a limiting feature that keeps the chainsaw kerf spacer from being inserted too deeply into the chainsaw kerf, thereby contacting the chainsaw blades. Additionally, a handle is included to facilitate the extraction of the chainsaw kerf spacer from the chainsaw kerf after completing the cut. The kerf spacer can be installed with one hand and without the aid of tools.

Abstract: Log cutting is accomplished by energized cutting wires. The wires are energized at ultrasonic frequencies, provided in adjustable grid patterns to produce cut boards of desired sizes by passing a log through the energized grid. Grippers hold the log at each end and move the individual cut boards to storage, banding or drying stations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for splitting logs which includes a combination of an impact wrench and a conical screw-form wedge. A first step involves providing an impact wrench and a conical screw-form wedge. A second step involves coupling the conical screw-form wedge to the output coupling of the impact wrench. A third step involves placing the apex of the conical screw-form wedge against a log and activating the rotary and reciprocating movement of the impact wrench. The combined rotary and reciprocating movement of the impact wrench drives the conical screw-form wedge into the log. The described combination is a compact, portable and comparatively inexpensive log splitting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for splitting logs which includes a combination of an impact wrench and a conical screw-form wedge. A first step involves providing an impact wrench and a conical screw-form wedge. A second step involves coupling the conical screw-form wedge to the output coupling of the impact wrench. A third step involves placing the apex of the conical screw-form wedge against a log and activating the rotary and reciprocating movement of the impact wrench. The combined rotary and reciprocating movement of the impact wrench drives the conical screw-form wedge into the log. The described combination is a compact, portable and comparatively inexpensive log splitting apparatus.

Abstract: The wood splitting machine comprised of a rotating threaded cone, a longitudinal wedge disposed under the cone, and a table on top of which the log to be split is placed in front of the cone and wedge. The table top is rigid and the wedge is firmly fixed both to the rigid table top and to the bearing of the rotating shaft of the rotating threaded cone. The rigid top comprises a plywood plate whose upper side is covered with sheet metal. A speed reducer is provided between the drive motor and the rotating shaft of the threaded cone; the speed reducer is comprised of an intermediary pinion whose bearing is also fixed to the wedge. The upper profile of the wedge has the same shape as the generator of the rotating threaded cone up to a short distance from the point thereof.

Abstract: A log splitting apparatus and method for use in conjunction with a substantially horizontally mounted source of rotational power, such as the take off (20) and hitch lift unit (16) of a farm type tractor (10). The apparatus is disclosed in the form of a rigid frame (30) attached to the unit (16), and includes strut members (26,28) for maintaining the frame in a horizontal orientation. A drive shaft (60) is horizontally supported through the frame with one end connected as a universal joint (40) to the take off, and the other end extending behind the frame. A drive transfer gear arrangement (42) is connected to the extending end of the drive shaft, and an auger (44,46) is perpendicularly connected to the transfer gear arrangement. Preferably, the tractor is maneuvered to straddle a series of end-to-end logs (12) so that the auger (46), while pointing downward and rotated by the power take off and drive shaft, is lowered onto and lifted from each log in succession, by means of the lift unit.

Abstract: A log splitter has a rotatable cone driven by a reversible motor. A system of lever arms support a log in a V-shaped carrier positioned under the point of the cone. When the lever arm is operated, the log is pushed against the point of the rotating cone, which splits the log. If the log fails to split, the motor is driven in the reverse direction, which releases the log.

Abstract: This invention comprises a portable impact driven log cone splitter mounted to a power source such as a chain saw power unit. The wood or log splitter is coupled to a chain saw power unit through an appropriate gearing arrangement in one preferred embodiment. The blade is removed from the conventional power saw unit and the wood splitter is readily mounted thereto in an orientation having a hollow splitting screw cone with a starter tip parallel to the longitudinal axis of the unit. The cone is mounted over an impact drive unit which is coupled to the gearing arrangement to provide a safe reliable drive. This arrangement also permits a portable log splitting unit which is relatively inexpensive and simple to use and with the cone removed permits use as an impact tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting materials including wood, having rotating conical wedge elements which screw their way into the material thereby splitting and/or fracturing the material. The axes of rotation of the conical wedge members are closer together at the pointed ends than at the base ends, and in a preferred embodiment are touching at the pointed ends with the surfaces of the conical wedge members in contact along their lengths.

Abstract: This invention is a log splitting device which is easily maneuvered over the log to be split whereupon the spiral, conical shaped splitting member bores into such log to split the same. Reverse or back-out mechanisms are also provided should an extremely knurled or knotted piece of wood be encountered. To accomplish these ends, a frame for a motor and the splitting member is mounted on oversized tires and is counterbalanced to allow even a small woman or child to manuever the same into log splitting position. The logs are split while lying horizontally on the ground thereby eliminating the necessity of having to pick the same up prior to splitting as is common among the prior art splitting systems.

Abstract: A log splitting apparatus is provided having a rotatably driven splitter cone extending forwardly from a housing. A horizontal stabilizer base assembly extends forwardly from the bottom of the housing. The apparatus, optionally, rests directly on the ground or indirectly on the ground through elevating blocks. The stabilizer base assembly includes a base plate at one side of the housing and a transverse torque arm extending to the other side of the housing. The base plate has a pivoted connection to the one side of the housing about an axis extending substantially parallel to that of the splitter cone and is positioned to engage a log being pierced by the splitter cone to thereby enable the base plate to absorb torque reaction at the one side of the housing. The free end of the torque arm engages a support member extending forwardly from the opposite side of the housing to absorb additional torque reaction at that opposite side, thereby tending to neutralize any twisting or lifting forces applied thereto.

Abstract: A log splitter attachment for use with a garden tiller. The log splitter attachment is comprised of a frame portion which is releaseably attached to the roto-tiller drive shaft, a log splitting screw which is releaseably attached to the tiller drive shaft to allow for rotatable movement of said splitting screw in unison with the garden tiller drive shaft, and a log support bar attached to the frame portion and extending outwardly for ground engaging support to provide a log rest support during use, and to stabilize the frame portion and the tiller during use.

Abstract: This is a powered device primarily used for the splitting of wood, but also can be used as a boring tool, and as a device for performing any number of functions wherein tools can be placed on a plurality of output heads to perform a variety of accomplishments. This device can accept power from a variety of sources such as gasoline and electrically powered chain saws, flexible cable drives, and from any number of portable power sources such as drive wheels of automobiles, pneumatic motors and hydraulic motors. This mechanism is also characterized by being able to have the multiple output heads rotate in opposite or similar directions.

Abstract: A rotatable threaded cone is secured at the front of a support mounting having a bevelled end which facilitates the passage of a block of wood split by the cone such that large blocks may be split in one operation without the need to withdraw the block to reintroduce the cone into the block at a different place. A platform is pivoted by means of pivot bolt at the end of a support arm to which it is also connected by means of a ratchet assembly and bolts whereby undue pressure on the platform during a block splitting operation will result in the downward pivoting of the platform to thus relieve the pressure on the cone and the drive thereto.

Abstract: This invention resides in a log splitter attachment for garden tiller, a unique bearing arrangement for same, and the combination of a garden tiller and such an attachment. The attachment includes a rigid ground engaging base frame having means thereon to support the tiller tine shaft of a garden tiller and a log to be split. Preferably the base frame will also support the garden tiller itself when used with the log splitter attachment. An auger is provided and is mounted on a shaft adapted to slip over one end of the tiller tine shaft. The auger shaft is secured to the tiller tine shaft and supported in a bearing member which is affixed to the base frame. The other end of the tine shaft is engaged within a spacer located in a corresponding bearing member and the spacer is attached to the tine shaft.

Abstract: A highly portable wood splitting device adapted to be powered by a self-propelled motor vehicle having driven wheels interconnected by a set of differential gears includes a pair of drive rollers driven by one of the vehicle wheels, at least one ramp to enable the vehicle to drive onto the device, a set of gears and chains that enables at least one roller to drive a horizontal shaft carrying a threaded conical wedge, there preferably being two such arrangements driven by the set of rollers, along with removable stops for preventing log rotation and an electrical switch for disabling the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A wood splitter is provided particularly for splitting logs. The wood splitter is specifically designed for use with a power takeoff shaft and a three-point hitch of a tractor. The wood splitter includes a drive shaft comprising a hollow shaft and a rod-like strengthening member extending substantially therethrough. The rod-like member stops short of one end of the hollow shaft which is threaded and receives a threaded shank of a conical tip of the splitting cone. The other end of the rodlike member has a transverse bore which is aligned with diametrically opposite openings in the hollow shaft and through which a shear bolt extends to hold the rod-like member in a fixed longitudinal position relative to the hollow shaft. The wood splitter also has a main frame supported on two stabilizing bars extending from the frame to the ground.

Abstract: An attachment for a conical woodsplitter comprises a rigid body having an outwardly radially diverging surface and a threaded tapered hole extending along its longitudinal axis adapted to be threadedly mated with the conical woodsplitter.

Abstract: A device for splitting a log of wood or other material comprising a pair of similar augers of generally conical configuration disposed on spaced parallel axes, preferably to rotate in opposite directions. The augers are mounted as a convenient, manually portable unit in operative relation with a suitable power source, speed reduction unit and clutch. The invention is considered especially suitable for home use, though it may be embodied in a gang of any desired number of augers for rail splitting or other application, for home or industrial use. In some instances, certain advantages of my invention may be had with the tandem augers rotating in the same direction.

Abstract: A protective contrivance for a wood splitting machine with a rotatable splitting element and a work-table located under the splitting element. The work-table is provided with a table plate which extends towards and under the splitting element. The splitting element is provided with a screw-like front end with a drill point. A drill point protecting element is arranged which may be swung away from a position, in which one portion of the element prevents the drill point from engaging strange objects, and back to the protective position. Such one portion is during the swinging movement also moved axially away from the tip of the rotatable splitting element. Preferably the protective element is biased to the position in which the protective portion is in the protective position and is provided with a recess, the walls of which surround the tip in the protective position. The protective element extends up through a groove in the table plate from the spring biased swivel arm.

Abstract: A log splitting apparatus having a spiral-threaded, conical-surface splitter head is provided including a housing for supporting the splitter head in mechanically coupled, driving relationship to a power source. A log stop bar assembly is mounted on the support housing to extend in spaced parallel relationship to the conical surface of the splitter head forming a throat of constant width for passage of a log therebetween. Mounting of the stop bar is effected by a ring rotatable on the housing to selected angular positions and a telescopic structure providing selective adjustment of the width of the throat. The apparatus is adapted for mounting on a vehicle having an output power shaft to which the splitter is coupled. Bearing means are included in the housing with a splitter head supporting drive shaft journalled therein. In one embodiment, the housing is adapted for fixed mounting on the power source vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attachment adapted to be engaged to the power head of a chain saw, said attachment including chain reduction to drive a shaft terminating in a tapered screw. The shaft itself is provided with spline cuts along the longitudinal exterior thereof on which yet another tapered frustum is engaged. The frustum is biased away from the end screw by a return spring, the tapered screw being cut with a low pitch thread on the exterior thereof while the frustom being provided with a substantially higher pitched exterior threading. Formed adjacent the shaft is a torque reaction wedge extending proximate the tapered screw, the wedge being insertable into the split formed by the screw to oppose any torsion generated thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for splitting wood and specifically logs. The apparatus includes a conical splitting device which is attached to a vehicle wheel hub and is rotated as the wheel is driven. A separate mounting plate attaches the splitting device to the wheel hub which enables one splitting device to be mounted on a variety of vehicle wheel hubs by the use of a variety of mounting plates. The splitting device itself has a spirally-grooved cone with a truncated conical portion behind the cone to prevent the possibility of logs riding up the device and damaging the wheel hub or adjacent portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-contained, or externally actuated, hydraulic log splitter which includes a frame on which is slidably mounted an assembly of a push plate secured at one end to a reversible hydraulic cylinder and at the other to a splitting table carrying logs which is pushed against a straight blade to split the logs. A square steel bar is fixed centrally on the push plate along its entire height to provide in-line thrust at all times even when the ends of the logs are uneven. A gas engine or the hyraulic system of a tractor are connected to a pump mounted on one side of the frame to provide power to the cylinder. Elevated guide rails are fixed to the sides of the table to retain the logs. A hydraulic control valve allows movement only as long as it is operated.

Abstract: A tractor mounted log splitting apparatus is provided having a log splitting tool and log stop bar and support assembly which are adapted for mounted interengagement with power drive means attached to the tractor and projecting laterally outward from a frame structure thereof. The tractor includes a frame engine power unit and driving wheels mounted thereon with power drive means extending axially forward of the frame. This apparatus also includes a rear stabilizing support adapted to be secured to a rear portion of the tractor frame. The log splitting tool includes a conically shaped splitter head provided with a spiral auger surface and an axial mounting and drive shaft which extends from the base of the splitter head and which shaft is mechanically interengageable with the power drive means.

Abstract: A cutting machine to sever elongated wood particles or fiber masses to a predetermined length in one self-feeding and continuous operation. Said cutting machine reduces naturally formed and partially processed wood into particles of controlled length and cross-sectional dimension. A rotating spiral cutting edge mounted on a drive shaft is of varying radial length increasing from zero on one end to a radial length greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the wood or fiber to be sheared. In back of the shearing section a separate degradation spiral is situated that gradually decreases back to a minimal radial length on the other end. An anvil is provided over the length of the shearing section against which the rotating cutting edge shears the wood. In the back or degradation section, a casing in the shape of a truncated cone is fitted loosely around the decreasing spiral. Wood is fed parallel to the drive shaft into the front end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A log splitting apparatus for attachment to the powered wheel of a vehicle characterized by a base portion for removable attachment to the vehicle wheel, and an outer rotary end portion provided with a tapered auger means adapted to penetrate and effect splitting of logs.