All Knotted Up...

One of the problems with splitting the big spruce rounds are the knots. The larger spruce branches are 3-4"  thick where they come out of the tree and extend into the tree at least half a foot. Sometimes when the splitter hits one, it just stops. At first I tried repeating, just backing it up and splitting again, but that just got it stuck worse on the blade end. The problem, I think, is that the tractor 's hydraulic pump only makes about 14 gpm and most splitters like at least 20. The other thing is the design, the blade starts fairly narrow, then widens abruptly where they welded on an angular metal piece to expand the crack. This is where it always gets stuck.

After beating on it with a sledge to no effect, tried splitting it with an axe. After breaking two handles (note the shiny new handle on maul), started using a metal wedge. Once positioned just above the blade, it only took a few whacks to open up the crack enough to allow the splitter to pop the log apart. And do they pop, some have shot apart, flying several feet, once hitting me. It didn't hurt much, but surprised the heck out of me. Now I stand well back, it's ballistic splitting!