The side bars are handy, but dangerous, too. It was pretty obvious not to get your hand anywhere near the wedge or back plate when splitting. But not so obvious when backing out of a split getting a finger caught between the side bar and back of a stuck log.
This splitter has a hold and automatic kick-out return. So you can let go of the lever when backing the wedge home. Luckily, I was holding the control lever so could flip it off when backing out when I felt the pressure on my pinky....... before it was removed.
That was during the first week of getting familiar with this particular splitter. Had a nice throbbing buise for a few days for a reminder, that backing and sideplates weren't to be ignored.
This splitter has a hold and automatic kick-out return. So you can let go of the lever when backing the wedge home. Luckily, I was holding the control lever so could flip it off when backing out when I felt the pressure on my pinky....... before it was removed.
That was during the first week of getting familiar with this particular splitter. Had a nice throbbing buise for a few days for a reminder, that backing and sideplates weren't to be ignored.