Log splitter with two handed operation features

A log splitter comprising:

• a first shaft having a safety release member, the first shaft hingedly connected to a lock member, the lock member and the hingedly connected first shaft biased toward a first position;
• a second shaft hingedly connected to a lever and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first shaft and biased in an upward direction;
• the lock member preventing downward displacement of the second shaft and the lever when the first shaft and the lock member are disposed in the first position;
• and
• wherein actuation of log splitting operation is achieved by downward displacement of the second shaft.

A method of splitting logs, comprising:

• providing a log splitter comprising a log-supporting track having a first end and a second end;
• the first end of the track having a splitting wedge;
• the second end of the track having an anvil mounted to reciprocate along the track;
• the anvil fixedly attached to a rack member;
• the rack member in selective force-transmitting communication with a fly-wheel;
• the fly-wheel adapted to be driven by an engine;
• a first shaft having a safety release member, the first shaft hingedly connected to a lock member, the lock member and the hingedly connected first shaft biased toward a first position;
• a second shaft hingedly connected to a lever and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first shaft and biased in an upward direction;
• the lock member preventing downward displacement of the second shaft and the lever when the first shaft and the lock member are disposed in the first position;
• wherein a force-transmitting communication between the rack member and the fly-wheel is achieved by downward displacement of the second shaft;
• loading a material to be split between the anvil and the splitting wedge;
• applying a force to the safety release member to displace the safety release member and the first shaft from a first position to a second position;
• and
• applying a second force to the lever to place the rack member and the fly-wheel in force-transmitting communication and displace the anvil from a first position to a second position.