A log splitter uses a bucket on an excavator vehicle like an excavator, backhoe, skid steer, tractor, front end loader, etc., having an arm with the bucket rotating relative thereto. A wedge is connected to the arm, and logs may be placed between the wedge and the bucket with the bucket then rotated towards the wedge to split the logs against the wedge. When not in use, the bucket may be used for its normal operation substantially, if not completely, without interference of the wedge.

Systems and methods for controlling positioning systems with stage moving under the control of direct user input to provide a user with a seemingly transparent interaction experience. A user contacts a handle coupled to the stage to provide input to a controller to effectuate stage motion. User input may include force applied to a load cell coupled to the handle to indicate a desired direction or speed for motion of the stage. Position system controller may be configured to provide tactile feedback to the user communicating stage position and speed information.

A wedge mounting bracket for a log splitter includes a mounting plate and a female slot into which a corresponding male adapter of the wedge is received. In particular, a replaceable wedge includes a knife edge and a male adapter configured to be slideably received within the female slot of the mounting bracket. A through hole in the wedge is configured to align with a corresponding through hole in the mounting bracket to releasably secure the wedge within the mounting bracket using a nut and bolt assembly. In this way, the wedge may be conveniently removed from the log splitter for sharpening, while leaving the load bearing mounting hardware intact.

A log splitting apparatus having stripper plates for stripping logs from a blade member as a piston is retracted into a cylinder. In one arrangement, the stripper plates are removably securable to opposing sides of a log splitter frame of the apparatus to allow for replacement of the stripper plates with other stripper plates or other components (e.g., stroke reducing devices), use of multi-way (e.g., 4-way) wedge systems, and/or the like.

A log splitting apparatus having stripper plates for stripping logs from a blade member as a piston is retracted into a cylinder. In one arrangement, the stripper plates are removably securable to opposing sides of a log splitter frame of the apparatus to allow for replacement of the stripper plates with other stripper plates or other components (e.g., stroke reducing devices), use of multi-way (e.g., 4-way) wedge systems, and/or the like.

A wood splitting device includes a base formed as a base plate with a horizontally upwardly facing wood parking surface and a wood fixing arrangement fixed to the base for fixing a piece of wood disposed on the wood parking surface. The wood splitting includes a holder for holding a compressed-air-driven striking mechanism formed as a hand-held pneumatic hammer above the fixed piece. The pneumatic hammer has an upper-side handle, an actuator arrangement, and a tool carrier shaft, at the lower end of which a tool holder for receiving a splitting attachment is arranged. The holder is formed so that the pneumatic hammer is releasably attachable thereto. A wood splitting method includes disposing of a piece of wood to be split on a wood parking surface, fixing the disposed piece of wood, moving a striking mechanism into a working position, and operating and holding down the striking mechanism.

A wood supporting apparatus for use with a wood splitting device having a splitting wedge which translates along a substantially vertical splitting axis for dividing a segment of wood into separate segments, the wood supporting apparatus having a base member with a vertical support member for supporting and rotatably positioning the segment of wood.

A wood supporting apparatus for use with a wood splitting device having a splitting wedge which translates along a substantially vertical splitting axis for dividing a segment of wood into separate segments, the wood supporting apparatus having a base member with a vertical support member for supporting and rotatably positioning the segment of wood.

A stroke reducing device for a log splitting apparatus that allows a user to dynamically (e.g., on the fly) adjust the stroke of a splitting assembly of the apparatus based on the length or other dimension of wood being split by the apparatus. Upon the splitting assembly retracting by an amount substantially equal to a desired reduced stroke length, the splitting assembly triggers one or more mechanical links of the stroke reducing device that are engaged with or otherwise interconnected with a trigger (e.g., switch, handle, etc.) of a drive assembly (e.g., hydraulic cylinder, etc.) that is retracting the splitting assembly to manipulate the trigger to deactivate the drive assembly and limit further retraction of the splitting assembly.

Embodiments provide a log splitter with an extendable, or otherwise movable, work zone to increase the accessibility of the work zone for a user and improve movability of the log splitter. The log splitter may be configurable to be in an extended position, a compact position, a vertical position, or a moving position. In the extended position, the log splitter may split logs in a horizontal direction, and in the vertical position the log splitter may split logs in a vertical direction. When the log splitter is in the moving position and/or the compact position an operator of the log splitter may manually move the log splitter to a new position and/or location, or tow the log splitter with a vehicle.