Anybody familiar with this splitter...?

[Circle B MN]

Found this one online this morning. AutoSplit by ABS Biomass Systems. Looks to be an interesting setup targeted at what I would expect to be commercial firewood operations or those of us with some serious OCD.

The uniform split size is impressive, but not an industry first. I would not expect to ask it to split a knotty ole crotch, but then again when do you see that kind of wood it bundles...? Mine go in the boiler....

I like the compact design, it appears to be fairly ergonomic, and they got the hitch on the right end. Any first hand knowledge of the machine? Pricing? I see they are to be at the logging show in Grand Rapids this fall.

 

[Stihlofadeal64]

 

[KiwiBro]

When the Tempest first came out, a number of us suggested they have an auto return feature.
The one on this should have high enough clearance that small left-overs don't get dragged back for re splitting unnecessarily.
18t seems like it would be too restrictive.
Uniform size is good but does create a bit of scrap.
The 'auto' aspect of it is over-played. It's screaming out for a magazine-style loader for rounds (but that is a whole bigger kettle of fish to get right in an auto context).
There are better versions of this style of splitter around and have been for a while. I'll see if I can dig up a few youtube videos. One that comes to mind is one filmed in snow, filmed by a drone with some crazy nordic music overlaid. That one was fast.
Meantime, with woodmiser buying tempest, how about this 'special' $14k offer but :
- changing it to auto cycling
- adding return bars to drag back splits
- turning the trays into grills to help separate the scrap
?

http://woodmizer.com/Store/Product/Index/2779

 

[KiwiBro]

How do any USA sellers of 'auto' splitters get around potential liability issues?

 

[JeffHK454]

That seems like a nice compromise of safety and productivity.