Finally found a Unicorn

Adopted this nice Unicorn logsplitter from a local auction, and this fine example of a firewood trailer too.... And yes, I am quite aware of the hazards of both, lol. I remember using one of these splitters for a few seasons with my dad when I was a little kid- I just remember that thing was FAST. I am hoping to just back it into some 40 inch rounds I have a few times to at least get them in half.

 

Ok so that one you mount on 3pt. That's makes sense about what you said, "back into" . The ones I have seen I thought I remembered them being like bolted to a truck axle or something and looked sketchy as all get out. Not that that doesn't look sketchy!! Is there a sheer bolt to protect your tractor? I'd hope so!!

 

I have only seen pictures of the ones that bolt to a car- I wouldn't even consider that. I am not sure how much I will use this one, but I will play around with it and see how it goes. Been over 30 years since I helped process wood with one. I don't remember if my dad ever let me feed it- I probably just hustled the splits out of the way. I do remember he made sure I knew to go straight to the key if anything happened. And yes, there is a shear pin on the shaft, though I don't recall ever shearing one- for all I know the one we used years ago probably had a stronger bolt in it then it should have.

 

I still have nightmares from using that as a child

 

I’ve dreamed of having one of those for backing into large rounds in the woods. A very useful tool to have. I have a cone screw but never built anything to make it work.You can make a removable table for that on your tractor too. I suggest watching a zillion you tube videos to find what works best As I recall a table close to the screw seems the safest. Enjoy

 

Dang, you literally found a Unicorn. Wasn't expecting that.

 

I split about 80% of my wood with a screw. My advice is to NOT try and split BIG rounds in half. Come in off center and work your way over as getting stuck is no fun.

 

I'd like to see a video of that in action when you get the chance.
Seems sketchy, but I'll try anything twice.

 

I was planning on starting maybe a foot in at most to see how it goes. I have them all standing on edge right now. I even thought about maybe laying one flat, driving into the bark, and if it doesn't split, get the old wedge and sledge out. Would still be better then wrestling these onto the hydraulic splitter. My tractor isn't a fan of these either at least not on the loader, but I do have them all lined up on edge at the moment. Either way I have to wait for some drier ground, and a buddy or two.

 

I will see what I can do about video. Everything is too much of a swamp right now to fool around with. One could argue that dropping 80 foot oaks is sketchy, even under ideal conditions.

 

If it turns into an issue more then once, seems like some flats or something could be added somewhere on the shaft for a big wrench? Or pull out the saw and get to noodling?

 

I had nightmares about firewood in general. Took 6 or 7 years off from it after my dad passed. Wish I could ask him why we only used the unicorn for maybe 2 seasons. It belonged to his buddy, and I am thinking maybe he wouldn't sell it to us, and my dad wasn't one to borrow more then he had too. We ended up with a homemade hydraulic that didn't have a return detent, and weren't smart enough to do anything about it. At the height of the insanity we were selling around 100 cords a year, so the hours of sitting there running the lever for him were CRAZY. And we stacked/measured EVERY SINGLE CORD before it went in the truck.

 

If you want another one there is a Bark Buster brand 3PH "unicorn" splitter in Newcomerstown listed on FBMP for $200

 

I've had to saw the screw out a few times. Not sure if you could turn it out with a wrench anyway. Once it stalls it seems like the wood really grabs and holds it.
I pretty much always enter through the bark.

 

Your poor wife!!

OHHHH, you said Bark!

 

One is good... I scored this one for only $80!

 

Send us some pics when you get it going.

 

So, I have been distracted by other priorities for a while, but finally gave this thing a quick try last night, and immediately sheered the pin for the tip! I'll get it knocked out of there and obtain some replacements this weekend, unless someone else with one of these happens to know the size. It appears that it was probably rusted and weak to begin with! Didn't bog tractor at all, I think I had the engine at about 2000 rpm, normal speed to get 540 rpm at PTO would be like 3300 rpm. I don't know what it really should be run at, I think 540 would be way too fast though.

 

There isn't a chance that it is spinning the wrong direction? Just tossing that out there...never been around one of these.

 

No chance at all. It was screwing right in, just bit off more then it could chew this time.