GB905348A - Log-splitter - Google Patents

Abstract

905,348. Splitting wood. BRUKNER, C. J. Aug. 26, 1960 [Aug. 27, 1959], No. 29533/60. Class 145. A log-splitting machine comprises a bed 22 for receiving a log to be split, an axe 55 having a cutting-edge to split the log, an hydraulic motor 33 having a cylinder 72 fixed to the bed and a ram 100 movable along the bed against the log upon application of hydraulic pressure, retracting means 115 to return the ram upon removal of the hydraulic pressure, and control means 44 operable to apply pressure hydraulic fluid to the motor and to allow the return of the ram by the retracting means. The cylinder 72 is provided with an inner open-ended cylinder 80 having slidably mounted around it a sleeve 34 which is fixed at one end to a piston 85 operating in the annular space between the cylinders and at the other end to the ram 100. The ram has a plate 106 having spikes 110 to engage with the log and is guided along the bed 22 by runners 103 fixed to the plate 106. The retracting springs 115 are attached to the runners 103 by a wire 122 passing around a pulley 123. The axe 55 is bolted to two plates 52, 53 which are fixed to the bed 22 and have bolted on top of them a wedge plate 60 to spread the halves of the split log. A gear pump driven by a petrol engine 38 draws oil from a supply tank 25, circulates it past the inlet 82 to the inner cylinder 80 and discharges it into the tank 25. On pulling a handle 43, the control means 44, in the form of a spindle valve, cuts off the discharge to the tank and the oil pressure builds up and acts, through the connection 82, on the end of the sleeve 34 to drive the ram 100 along the bed 22, oil being sucked from the tank 25 through a connection 95 and a valve 180 into the annular space between the cylinders 72, 34. If the axe 55 encounters a knot or other hard portion of the log, the ram 100 slows and the hydraulic pressure increases, this increase being detected by a device 190 which changes over the valve 180 to additionally supply the pressure oil through the connection 95 to the piston 85. When the resistance of the log drops, the valve 180 is once more changed over to its original position. At the end of its stroke, the ram trips a bar attached to the lever 43 which causes the valve 44 to discharge the oil from the pump to the tank again and shuts the engine 38 down to idling speed during the return stroke. At a suitable point in the return stroke of the ram, the runners 103 may strike an adjustable stop to initiate the working stroke. To shorten the stroke in manual operation, a notched rod is provided in a groove in a plate 243 and is arranged to abut the runners 103 at the required point in the back stroke. A platform at the level of the bed 22 may be fitted around the axe head 55 to collect the split logs. The machine is mounted on wheels 30 which are arranged to be raised for operation of the machine, and the body portion 29 is of sledge-like construction enabling the machine to be hauled over rough ground or snow with the wheels raised.