Mom's Hydraulic Super-splitter

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From the moment (over eight months ago) when MOTHER's research team first planned to construct a hydraulic log splitter, the boys had far more in mind than mere economy. Of course, our inventors were bent on conserving your pennies every step of the way ... but they also hoped to whip up a log lopper with professional features-plus a few capabilities that even the top-dollar models can't boast-while limiting the cost to about half that of an equivalent ready-made unit. And that's just what they've done!

You'd have to fork over well in excess of $1,000 to buy a splitter that can do the kind of work MOTHER's firewood cracker is capable of handling. With almost 12 tons of force at the cylinder, this slicer divides logs as big as two feet in diameter and 21 inches long in less than five seconds. In fact, during our test sessions out at MOTHER's Eco-Village property, we didn't encounter a single oak chunk that demanded full power from the machines 5-HP gasoline-or, with a few adjustments, alcohol-powered engine.

WHAT'LL IT DO?

But sheer splitting power isn't all that our fireplace feeder has going for it. We don't know of another machine-at any price-that's as versatile as this unit. After all, MOTHER's mechanical lumberjack will work for you in three different modes!

Because its wheels are full-size, heavy-duty boat-railer items, this splitter can be towed to a job by simply attaching its hitch to a 1-7/8" or 2" ball on your car or truck. (In fact, in many states a single-use, unsprung trailer is exempt from licensing . . . but be sure to check with your state officials before towing the splitter.) The nonce you arrive at the old woodlot-you can either split wood with the assembly latched in place, or undo the hitch and roll the motorized maul closer to your work. (To make moving easier, a pair of fold-out handles are attached to the splitter's beam.)

If, however, your downed trees happen to be on the other side of a little rough land-and therefore inaccessible to the wheeled wood chopper-just loosen two 3/4" pinch bolts, slide the cutting assembly away from the chassis (which is held upright by handy swing-out braces), and haul the workin' parts back into the forest with you. The chopping unit can-with the addition of hydraulic hose-be utilized at a distance of up to 40 feet from the engine, wheels, etc.

There's another benefit to separating the "chopper" from the chassis, too. If you happen to be working on particularly large logs-which would be a real strain to lift up onto the splitter-you can just lay the cutting assembly on the ground (where it will be held steady by its handles) and roll the logs into position.

Finally, if you own-or have access to -a tractor with a three-point hitch and hydraulics, you won't even need to buy a motor, pump, reservoir, chassis, or wheels! You can simply build the beam, cutting parts, and three-point mount ... and reduce the cost of your tractor-powered lumber slicer to no more than $250!

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