A wedge holder system and kit and method for splitting a log having a polymer foam block member with a concave top surface forming a basin with raised left and right longitudinal sides paralleling a center axis, the top surface designed to conform to a rounded side of a log. A planar bottom surface of the block member is designed to rest on a log cross section. At least one slot portion through the foam block member is designed to hold an at least one metal wedge member vertically to drive the metal wedge into a log. At least one V-shaped notch portion for holding wood vertically may be disposed within at least one exterior longitudinal side portion of the polymer foam block member. Polymer foam block members may be adjacent or coupled lengthwise or vertically.

A kinetic log splitter includes a frame, a splitter, a gear shaft, a drive assembly, a push plate, a rack, and an automatic brake mechanism. The splitter is coupled to the frame. The gear shaft rotatably coupled to the frame. The drive assembly configured to rotate the gear shaft. The push plate is slidably coupled to the frame. The rack is operatively coupled to the push plate. The rack is configured to engage with the gear shaft to linearly displace the push plate towards the splitter. The an automatic brake mechanism is configured to automatically inhibit rotation of the gear shaft by the drive assembly upon exceeding a predetermined tonnage on the push plate.

A kinetic log splitter includes a frame, a splitter, a gear shaft, a drive assembly, a push plate, a rack, and an automatic brake mechanism. The splitter is coupled to the frame. The gear shaft rotatably coupled to the frame. The drive assembly configured to rotate the gear shaft. The push plate is slidably coupled to the frame. The rack is operatively coupled to the push plate. The rack is configured to engage with the gear shaft to linearly displace the push plate towards the splitter. The an automatic brake mechanism is configured to automatically inhibit rotation of the gear shaft by the drive assembly upon exceeding a predetermined tonnage on the push plate.

Disclosed is an apparatus for mechanically splitting materials, including a body with a cutting element arranged relative thereto. The cutting element includes at least one cutting surface oriented vertically. The splitting apparatus includes the cutting element applying an upward pressure against the material which is split when a separate downward force is applied to the material. The body of the splitting apparatus also includes a safety element to protect the user from the cutting element; an elongate supporting element to distance the safety element from either or both the cutting element and a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; a stabilizing element to stabilize the splitting apparatus relative to a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; and optionally a deflecting element to deflect split materials away from the cutting element and container element to contain therewithin split materials produced during the splitting.

Disclosed is an apparatus for mechanically splitting materials, including a body with a cutting element arranged relative thereto. The cutting element includes at least one cutting surface oriented vertically. The splitting apparatus includes the cutting element applying an upward pressure against the material which is split when a separate downward force is applied to the material. The body of the splitting apparatus also includes a safety element to protect the user from the cutting element; an elongate supporting element to distance the safety element from either or both the cutting element and a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; a stabilizing element to stabilize the splitting apparatus relative to a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; and optionally a deflecting element to deflect split materials away from the cutting element and container element to contain therewithin split materials produced during the splitting.

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 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.

There is disclosed a system and methods of use for quickly and efficiently excavating, cross-cutting, splitting, and loading or stockpiling tree stumpage and other tree or organic materials, as well as for performing ground cleanup operations. One embodiment provides a stump harvester for attachment to a distal end of an excavator arm. The stump harvester may include front and back jaw assemblies configured to pivot between open and closed positions. The back jaw assembly may include a knife arm having a cutting blade that extends along a majority of a front side of the knife arm. A centerline plane may bisect a cutting edge of the blade. The front jaw assembly may include a planar-aligned dual anvil configured to sheath the cutting edge of the blade when the front and the back jaw assemblies move into the closed position. Other embodiments are disclosed.

There is disclosed a system and methods of use for quickly and efficiently excavating, cross-cutting, splitting, and loading or stockpiling tree stumpage and other tree or organic materials, as well as for performing ground cleanup operations. One embodiment provides a stump harvester for attachment to a distal end of an excavator arm. The stump harvester may include front and back jaw assemblies configured to pivot between open and closed positions. The back jaw assembly may include a knife arm having a cutting blade that extends along a majority of a front side of the knife arm. A centerline plane may bisect a cutting edge of the blade. The front jaw assembly may include a planar-aligned dual anvil configured to sheath the cutting edge of the blade when the front and the back jaw assemblies move into the closed position. Other embodiments are disclosed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for splitting materials comprises a base defined by a surface and a perimeter, the base having a plurality of holes and configured to support the apparatus, a pair of sleeves, a cutting mean, a vertical guide configured to join with the base, and a crescent-shaped element configured to join with the vertical guide. The cutting mean comprises a bottom end and an upward facing wedge. The upward facing wedge comprises an upward facing thorn formed on a top end of the wedge, a pair of ribs formed on opposite sides of the wedge, and a plurality of longitudinal grooves.