Your Chain Saw Powers This New Log Splitter

Your Chain Saw Powers This New Log Splitter WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Chain Saws 5-4-13 Your chain saw can do double-duty in the woods with a new introduction from a California company. Leeco Manufacturing, of Calimesa, is offering a new-style log splitter which uses your chain saw for power. Popular in Europe for some time, the Leeco splitter is just being introduced into North America. It puts out up to 12 1/2 tons of splitting force from medium-sized chain saws ranging from 1.6 to 4.0 c.i.d. "Any chain saw will run it, but the smaller mini-saws will put out somewhat less force," explains Leeco's Robert Krichbaum. "Larger chain saws will not hurt the splitter which has built-in relief valves." The chain saw splitter will handle logs up to 19 in. long and up to 3 ft. in diameter, depending on the type of wood, according to Krichbaum. A 4-in. dia. hydraulic cylinder pushes the log against a 2-step wedge forquick splitting. "The log starts to split on the wedge's cutter face and, as it proceeds to split, the spreader wings open up the log much faster than with a normal wedge," explains Krichbaum. Splitting cycle is 15 seconds out and 10 seconds back. To attach the saw to the splitter, just remove the bar and chain from the saw, put the power head into Leeco's bar and attach the cutterless chain. The cutterless chain powers the hydraulic pump. Krichbaum says installation time averages 4 to 5 minutes. The entire splitter is light enough (129 lbs.) to pick up and carry. It fits into most car trunks for transport. Retails for $569. An optional wheel kit and a log marker attachment are available for $34. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leeco Mfg., P.O. Box 331, 1103 Calimesa Blvd., Calimesa, Calif. 92320 (ph 714 795-2594 or 795-6443). A similar chain saw powered log splitter is being built by a Florida company, LPI Sales, of Kissimmee. Owner Harold Phelps says the LPI splitter produces 12 1/2 tons of force to split logs up to 21 in. long. "Our splitter produces power that matches the larger units and has a much lower price in comparison," Phelps notes. The LPI splitter sells for $498. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, LPI Sales, Inc., Box 1433, Kissimmee, Fla. 32741 (ph 305 847-0719).

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