Log splittter

A log splitter comprising:

• a frame;
• a bed defined on the frame for accepting a log to be split with the log in an operative position,
• the bed having an operating length between first and second components between which a log resides in the operative position,
• the first component comprising a wedge,
• the log splitter having:
• (a) a first operative state wherein the bed has a first operating length;
• and (b) a second operative state wherein the bed has a second operating length that is different than the first operating length,
• with the log splitter in the first operative state, at least one of the first and second components is movable:
• (a) from a first starting position towards the other of the first and second components in a first lengthwise direction to cause the wedge to be driven against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof;
• and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in a second lengthwise direction oppositely to the first lengthwise direction back into the first starting position,
• with the log splitter in the second operative state, the one of the first and second components is movable:
• (a) from a second starting position, that is different than the first starting position, towards the other of the first and second components in the first lengthwise direction against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof;
• and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction back into the second starting position;
• and
• an operating assembly comprising a drive assembly through which the at least one of the first and second components is moved in the first and second lengthwise directions,
• wherein the drive assembly is configured to cause the one of the first and second components to consistently move after a splitting operation into:
• (a) the first starting position with the log splitter in the first operative state;
• and b) the second starting position with the log splitter in the second operative state,
• wherein the log splitter further comprises a blocking component with a blocking portion,
• the blocking component movable selectively relative to the frame between first and second positions, the log splitter in:
• (a) the first operative state with the blocking component in the first position;
• and (b) the second operative state with the blocking component in the second position,
• the blocking portion blocking movement of the one of the first and second components moving in the second lengthwise direction to thereby cause the one of the first and second components to consistently assume the first starting position with the blocking component in the first position therefor,
• the blocking portion blocking movement of the one of the first and second components moving in the second lengthwise direction to thereby cause the one of the first and second components to consistently assume the second starting position with the blocking component in the second position therefor,
• wherein the drive assembly comprises a power source, a valve assembly and a cylinder with a rod that is extendable to move the at least one of the first and second components in the first lengthwise direction and retractable to move the at least one of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction,
• the operating assembly further comprising a throttle control assembly, the throttle control assembly comprising:
• a) a slide plate that is movable relative to the frame between first and second positions;
• and b) a throttle changing lever that is movable relative to the frame between throttle up and throttle down positions,
• the throttle changing lever urged with a biasing force towards the throttle up position, and as an incident of the slide plate moving from its first position into its second position the biasing force moves the throttle changing lever from the throttle down position into the throttle up position thereby to increase a throttle setting for the power source.

A log splitter comprising:

• a frame;
• a bed defined on the frame for accepting a log to be split with the log in an operative position,
• the bed having an operating length between first and second components between which a log resides in the operative position,
• the first component comprising a wedge,
• the log splitter having:
• (a) a first operative state wherein the bed has a first operating length;
• and (b) a second operative state wherein the bed has a second operating length that is different than the first operating length,
• with the log splitter in the first operative state, at least one of the first and second components is movable:
• (a) from a first starting position towards the other of the first and second components in a first lengthwise direction to cause the wedge to be driven against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof;
• and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in a second lengthwise direction oppositely to the first lengthwise direction back into the first starting position,
• with the log splitter in the second operative state, the one of the first and second components is movable:
• (a) from a second starting position, that is different than the first starting position, towards the other of the first and second components in the first lengthwise direction against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof;
• and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction back into the second starting position;
• and
• an operating assembly comprising a drive assembly through which the at least one of the first and second components is moved in the first and second lengthwise directions,
• wherein the drive assembly further comprises a power source capable of being operated at different throttle settings and the power source is caused to operate at:
• a) a first throttle setting as an incident of the one of the first and second components moving in the first lengthwise direction to effect a splitting operation;
• and b) at a second, lower throttle setting as an incident of the one of the first and second components moving in the second lengthwise direction into each of the first and second starting positions.