My post about " what is this tool" got sidetracked somewhat.. But it got me to wondering.. I have used home made and I have used store bought hyd splitters for years.. Both will on occasion will get that special chunk of stubborn wood and when it decides to split .. It goes a flying .. I've had them launch 6-8 feet .. One flew out side ways the other day and hit me right in the stomach .. But.. One fellow posted that if you have a properly made wedge .. Non of this will happen.. I don't believe it.. Your thoughts..
Wood flying out of the splitter
- Thread starter blkcloud
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You need to get out more. Do you think this will "pop" a split?
How about this one?
How about this one?
I've never had a chunk pop out with the Super Split - there's just not enough pressure to do that. It's a different kind of energy. I think it's much safer (not to mention so much faster).
cigmaker
ArboristSite Member
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- Mar 12, 2014
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I almost always split in the vertical position on my splitter. I have had numerous pieces fly out over the years. One though came out under so much pressure it hit the piece of oak I always sit on so hard it left a dent in it. To be honest I didn't even look down for a few seconds just sat there and waited to for any sort of pain coming from my jewels 
row.man
Just visiting this planet
My son runs my 5 ton splitter, right after he started he learned not too sit too close. A flying split got him in the shins
betterbuilt
I build stuff from milled slabs
When I built my splitter I was given a used PTO pump so I could run it off off of my tractor. Well One of the seals on the pump was bad and it was sucking air. It just happened to be the year I had some 3foot diameter Ash to split. It would throw them 6-10 feet every time. I eventually gave up on that big stuff. I backed the trailer right up to the splitter and it would load the trailer for me. That was the last year I brought home that Big stuff home. I changed that seal and haven't had problem since.
Bartman
ArboristSite Lurker
We just split ash the last 2 weekend's. Pieces flew 10 foot plus. Our splitter edge is identical to the second picture above
I've had quite a few pieces fly over the past 25 years. Usually for me it's when the two ends of a chunk are not cut parallel. When the pressure is on.....especially if it's been wet out is when it's most likely to happen. It slides up the wedge. I have 'tits' welded on the ram end that keeps it from slipping on that end....and also imprints a unique signature on the end of each piece of split wood.
One + tangled up feet put me out of commission fall of 14. That left a bunch of dents.
Let me say this, I've never seen a professional grade splitter with a wide wedge like in the second picture above. I've also never seen splits fly off being split with a thin blade wedge like in the first picture. Coincidence? I dont think so.
I agree that is a very fast/ wide wedge. I have had mine build up the whole 27 tons seems like then "POP" it jumps the crap out of anyone not understanding what is about to happen. I however have never had any piece of wood fly off the splitter and doubt I ever will.
sunfish
Fish Head
Wont happen with thinner wedge that's Sharp. Never had it happen on the Super Split.
It can happen on any splitter just need the right combination. I have a thin wedge
Super split will kick a piece back to you. The front edge will slid up the wedge and come back at you.
You can see it at 1:26 on video and about 2:09
You can see it at 1:26 on video and about 2:09
I didnt see anything fly 6-8 feet...
They don't fly 6 ft but the wood can flip back at you pretty fast. Quick enough to scare you and make you wonder what just happened.
This participant of the idjit brigade has walked with a painful gate for a few days after being hit in the goolies while using his SS, as well as losing a finger-tip (but not in the situation many would expect) while operating his SS.
There are always those of us who could crack an axe with a nut if we put our amoebic minds to it.
