TW-6 is a nice machine.
These pick are from 2014/15, and I've posted them before.
I found the big round splitting process goes something like this.
Big round on beam, split, big pieces fall on ground on each side of machine.
A variation is one piece can be wrestled to the beam, the far side piece falls on ground next to log lift. Or, if you operate alone and on the log lift side, the big piece falling is not next to the log lift. Either way, your circling the machine if working alone.
There are some red flags here.
One is big falling pieces, at hundreds of pounds per chunk.
Typically more than one person would run a splitter/load a splitter of this size. Which tells me right there it is problematic. Also, as noted, the log lift on the opposite side is just not ideal for a single operator.
So after a month, of this machine working me way more than necessary, I had a welder modify the four-way wedge.
(He used a piece of scrap with holes in it, which at the time I was not thrilled with, but oh well, it worked.)
I split from the log lift side.
First split with four-way lowered.
Large pieces remain within reach on top of four-way.
If lower pieces need re-split, raise four-way to untrap them and pull back with pulp hook.
(both large pieces remain on top of four-way wing)
Re-split lower pieces, and lower four-way wedge.
Using pulp hook slide near side half to raised log lift, far side piece to beam.
Repeat. Raising wedge as needed to untrap lower splits. Splitting large pieces with wedge lowered, and small pieces with wedge raised and tabling the larger pieces in the air out of the way.
Using a pulp hook to pull and slide pieces rather than lifting, and keeping fingers away from the wedge, especially the lower splits is the way to go.
A second person staging rounds near the lowered lift is great but not loading or pulling splits.
Everyone does it, regardless of the obvious hazards, in part because the machine are set up poorly for single operators.
Add complacency (the it only happens to others mentality), fatigue, the quick knee jerk repositioning splits that move or shift, are all problematic with multiple helpers.
Rant over, this mode proved helpful being more ergomomic/efficient and requiring less physical input per round at the splitter.
New:
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Modified a month later:
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This splitter is now in Illinois somewhere.