Portable log splitter
The aim of the research work by Joshua Rikker (18, left) and Patrick Ziesel (18, right) was to make splitting wood and felling large trees easier and safer. Thanks to the two students' innovative log splitter, a simple cut with a standard chainsaw is all it takes to split the trunk using a hinge and a pull spindle. At 115 Newton meters, the splitting process requires a considerably lower torque than other commercially available devices. With minor modifications, the log splitter can also be used as a felling aid. The design creates the split without vibration, so there is no need to worry about falling branches.