The log lifter outer frame is pivotally connected to the outboard end of the inner frame. The lifter inner frame may be pivotally connected at its inboard end to the frame of a conventional log splitting machine for pivoting about an axis parallel to the direction of motion of the log splitting mechanism. The log lifter is preferably manufactured as a two-framed skeletal structure. The log lifter is capable of pivoting from a position at which the outboard end thereof contacts the ground to an position at which the outboard end is elevated above horizontal. This is accomplished by apparatus which includes a hydraulically powered log lifter operated by a control common with the log splitting mechanism. In accordance with the present invention, highly productive log handling equipment is provided which lifts logs from the ground and automatically feeds them to a log splitting station in synchronization with the log splitting cycles.
Thus, a need exists for inexpensive and efficient log handling machinery which automatically feeds logs to a log splitting machine without requiring manual lifting of the log from the ground. 4,371,019 also teaches separate valves for actuating the splitting mechanism and the conveyor.
3,974,867 teaches a three-valve arrangement for operating the log splitting machinery each valve must be operated in proper sequence by the operator for proper functioning of the log splitter. Further, the exposed moving conveyor chains or other parts are sources of danger to persons operating the log splitter.Ī further handicap of the previous devices is the complexity and costliness of the log feeder control systems. As is well known, unsplit logs can be very heavy, and lifting large numbers of them onto a log splitter conveyor is a fatiguing task. 3,974,867 4,281,697 and 4,371,019 is the lack of suitable devices for lifting the unsplit logs from the ground and onto the conveyors. 3,974,867 includes stops and lifting wings with hinged fingers thereon to feed logs from an elevated downwardly sloped conveyor to the splitting station.Ī deficiency of the conveyor mechanism of U.S. 4,371,019, or by rotatable crescent-shaped arms as shown in U.S. This may be accomplished, for example, by an intermittently moving conveyor, as illustrated in U.S. To increase productivity, it is desirable to automatically feed the unsplit logs to the splitting device in timed relationship to the splitting cycle. 4,076,061 is complicated and expensive and is of only limited application. It is readily apparent that the machinery of the U.S.
4,076,061 employs a conveyor and winch for feeding the logs parallel to the direction of splitting motion. 3,974,867 4,281,697 and 4,371,019 consist essentially of conveyors which feed the logs to the splitting station in a direction transverse to the direction of splitting motion. Examples of prior log feeding devices are disclosed in U.S. Various equipment has been developed for feeding logs to log splitters. This invention pertains to work handling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for automatically feeding logs to a log splitting machine.