Abstract:
A trailer-mounted wood splitter with an integral platform, log boom and grappler provides an extended table area to facilitate the splitting of wood. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic-powered wood splitting assembly operated by an internal combustion engine mounted to a trailer. A horizontal surface worktable is provided all around the upper surface of the wood splitting plane. In such a manner, any wood that is placed upon the platform for splitting does not fall off after splitting is complete. This allows the user to reposition any remaining sections of wood for additional splitting without having to pick them up off the ground. Once completely split, the wood can be directed to the side of the table or platform for stacking or transportation. The apparatus further comprises a log boom with a grappler attached to a far end for moving and manipulating felled logs.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Apr. 22, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to log splitters, and in particular, to a trailer-mounted wood splitter having a rotatable boom and log gripping hoist. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firewood from cut trees is used in fires all over the world on a daily basis. Whether the fire is for heating, lighting, general ambience or the like in a home or at a campsite, the wood must be cut and split for the fire. A common method of splitting the wood in the past has been with the use of a hydraulic powered wood splitter. While such a machine makes for quick work of splitting wood, it does allow the split would fall on either side of the machine. This then requires the user to repeatedly lift the larger pieces of wood back up onto the machine for additional splitting. Thus, a single large section of wood such as a tree trunk may require a user to pick up the same section of wood multiple times. Even when finished, smaller sections of wood remain on the ground where they to must be picked back up again for additional transportation or stacking. Typically using a hydraulic wood splitter requires multiple persons to lift and position the larger sections of logs in order for them to be split. 
     Various hydraulic wood splitters are known and vary in size and manner of use. While these devices may accomplish their specific intended purpose, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art, there remains a need for an apparatus by which the process of picking wood up over and over again during splitting processes can be reduced in an effort to save time and energy. It is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by providing an apparatus which provides the features and benefits of a portable table wood splitter with a portable log hoist which departs from the conventional solutions. The inventor recognized the advantages of providing a portable trailer assembly having a floor platform for supporting various operational components. The trailer assembly also provides a wheeled frame and a tow assembly for connection to a towing vehicle for transportation to and from a work site. The inventor also recognized the benefit of providing a hydraulic wood splitting assembly which is mounted to the trailer assembly for driving logs or other wood pieces of various sizes into a splitter wedge affixed to the floor. The inventor also recognized the benefit of providing an integral boom assembly rotatably mounted to the trailer assembly having a mechanically operated hoist and log tong driven by a winch assembly for gripping and moving wood pieces, particularly for placing the wood on the floor to be split by the hydraulic wood splitting assembly. The inventor also recognized the benefit of providing a single drive assembly for mechanically operating both the hydraulic assembly and the winch assembly. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the apparatus may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The apparatus can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the apparatus will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a trailer-mounted table with wood splitter  10 , according to a preferred; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the trailer-mounted table with wood splitter  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a trailer assembly  20 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a hydraulic diagram of a hydraulic assembly  50 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a boom assembly  90 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the boom assembly  90 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a pulley assembly  95   a  and  95   b , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a mechanical schematic of a drive assembly  110 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a functional diagram of a winch assembly  126 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 9   b  is functional diagram of the winch assembly  126 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 10  is an electrical block diagram of the trailer-mounted table with wood splitter  10 , according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  trailer-mounted table wood splitter 
               15  surface 
               17  wood 
               20  trailer assembly 
               21  floor 
               22  hitch 
               23  tow bar 
               24  trailer jack 
               25  handle 
               26  swivel wheel 
               27  reflector 
               28  first wheel 
               29  second wheel 
               30   a  first brake light 
               30   b  second brake light 
               31   a  splitter wedge 
               31   b  wedge brace 
               32  tong hook 
               33  battery 
               34  gasoline container 
               35  gasoline platform 
               37  supporting structure 
               38  winch support 
               39  cable guide 
               40   a  plate support 
               40   b  notch 
               40   c  cable guide aperture 
               41  front light 
               42  rear light 
               50  hydraulic assembly 
               51  hydraulic cylinder 
               52   a  cylinder plate 
               52   b  piston 
               53  forward port 
               54  forward hydraulic line 
               55  rearward port 
               56  rearward hydraulic line 
               57  clevis 
               58  cylinder mount 
               59   a  hydraulic pump 
               59   b  pump mount 
               60  pump shaft 
               61  pump inlet 
               62  pump outlet 
               63  pump line 
               64  gauge 
               65   a  control valve 
               65   b  control valve mount 
               66  control valve inlet 
               67  control valve outlet 
               68  filter 
               69  filter inlet line 
               70  filter outlet line 
               71   a  tank 
               71   b  tank mount 
               72  tank inlet 
               73  tank outlet 
               74  tank line 
               75  tank valve 
               76  tank port 
               77  hydraulic fluid 
               78  first hydraulic lever 
               79  second hydraulic lever 
               80  control port 
               90  boom assembly 
               91  log tong 
               92  cable 
               93  chain 
               94  chain lock link 
               95   a  front pulley assembly 
               95   b  rear pulley assembly 
               96   a  cable enclosure 
               96   b  roller 
               97  bushing 
               98  pin 
               99  chain loop 
               101   a  boom 
               101   b  pivot pin 
               102   a  pipe 
               102   b  pipe aperture 
               103  boom attachment 
               104  cable aperture 
               105  horizontal roller 
               106  roller brackets 
               107  vertical roller 
               108  slope plate 
               109   a  slope plate aperture 
               109   b  extension 
               110  drive assembly 
               111  engine 
               112  drive shaft 
               113  engine pulley 
               114  engine pulley belt 
               115  transmission 
               116  transmission shaft 
               117  transmission input pulley 
               118  transmission output pulley 
               119  transmission belt 
               120  drive pulley 
               121  friction pulley 
               122  winch belt 
               123  winch pulley 
               124  winch shaft 
               125  winch spool 
               126  winch assembly 
               127  first engaging lever 
               128  second engaging lever 
               129  engaging lever link 
               130  engaging tie rod attachment 
               131  engaging tie rod 
               132  first engaging link 
               133  second engaging link 
               134  third engaging link 
               135  spring attachment 
               136  spring 
               137  engaging roller 
               138  roller arm 
               139  roller sleeve 
               140  roller sleeve attachment 
               141  first brake lever 
               142  second brake lever 
               143  brake lever link 
               144  brake tie rod attachment 
               145  brake tie rod 
               146  first brake link 
               147  second brake link 
               148  third brake link 
               149  fourth brake link 
               150  shaft bushing 
               151  pivot bracket 
               152  attachment sleeve 
               153  brake pad 
               154  braking groove 
               155  electrical wiring 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 10 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure depicts and describes a trailer-mounted table wood splitter (herein referred to as the “apparatus”)  10 , which generally includes a hydraulic powered wood splitter mounted atop a platform for splitting logs, a boom and hoist for lifting the logs onto the splitter platform, an internal combustion drive, and a trailer for mounting and transporting the functional components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 2 , a rear perspective view of the apparatus  10 , are disclosed. The apparatus  10  lifts various sizes of wood  17  which are placed onto a widened cutting surface and subsequently splits the wood  17  into smaller pieces. Use of the apparatus  10  enables this process to be completed without the need for repeated heavy manual lifting by an operator as is conventionally associated with similar machines. The apparatus  10  is preferably towed to a desired location by a separate vehicle, such as a truck or all terrain vehicle having expected towing features. The apparatus  10  is approximately four (4) feet wide, twelve (12) feet long, and seven (7) feet high, which allows the apparatus  10  to travel along state and highway roadways. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front perspective view of the trailer assembly  20 , is disclosed. The trailer assembly  20  is intended to be pulled by a vehicle and includes a floor  21 , a hitch  22 , a trailer jack  24 , a first wheel  28 , a second wheel  29 , a splitter wedge  31   a , and a supporting structure  37 . The trailer assembly  20  is connected to a towing vehicle via a tow hitch  22  which is located on a distal portion of the trailer assembly  20 . The hitch  22  is affixed to a tow bar  23  using durable mechanical fastening techniques and engages a receiving tow ball mount which is mounted to the towing vehicle. The hitch  22  extends from the tow bar  23  which is affixed to the floor  21 . Along a side surface of the tow bar  23  is a trailer jack  24  which positions the trailer assembly  20  to a desired height when engaging the towing vehicle and when supporting the trainer assembly  20  during storage. The trailer jack  24  includes expected features, such as a crank handle  25  for adjusting the height of the jack  24  and a freely rotatable swivel wheel  26  for contact with the ground surface. The handle  25  lowers and raises the trailer jack  24  and the swivel wheel  26  assists in supporting the trailer assembly  20  during towing. 
     The floor  21  supports the hydraulic assembly  50 , the boom assembly  90 , the drive assembly  110 , and the winch assembly  126 . Each side front surface of the floor  21  includes reflectors  27  which reflect light, such as from oncoming vehicles, to alert nearby vehicles and persons of the apparatus  10 . Side rear surfaces of the floor  21  include a first wheel  28  and an opposing parallel second wheel  29  for providing wheeled transportation of the apparatus  10  to a desired location. The wheels  28 ,  29  preferably include expected features such as, but not limited to: an axle, wheel wells, and the like. The trailer assembly  20  also includes a frame preferably fabricated from a heavy duty steel tube to which the floor  21  is affixed, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The stationary splitting wedge  31   a , utilized for splitting the wood  17 , is rigidly mounted to an upper surface of the floor  21 . A hydraulic cylinder  51  acts as a ram and forces the wood  17  against the splitting wedge  31   a  to split the wood  17 . A rear upper portion of the splitting wedge  31   a  includes a downwardly curved tong hook  32  for retaining a log tong  91  in a stationary and secure position when the log tong  91  is not in use and a lower portion is supported by a wedge brace  31   b . The splitting wedge  31   a  is preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     A battery  33  and a gasoline container  34  are mounted to the upper surface of the floor  21 . The battery  34  is preferably a 12-volt direct current (DC) electrochemical cell which sends current to an engine  111 , a front light  41 , and a rear light  42 . The front light  41  and rear light  42  are located on upper side surfaces of a supporting structure  37  and provide a source of illumination during low lighting situations. The gasoline container  34  is mounted to a gasoline platform  35  which is affixed to the floor  21  and provides a secure retainer to removably receive the gasoline container  34 . The gasoline platform  35  is a “U”-shaped member attached to a rear end of the floor  21  by welding or similar mechanical fastening techniques. The gasoline container  34  may be strapped onto the gasoline platform  35  with strap fasteners such as bungee cords or straps or may be adhesively attached. The gasoline container  34  retains the fuel needed to power the engine  111  and is preferably fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, stainless steel, or the like. 
     The supporting structure  37  extends upwardly and perpendicularly from the rear end of the floor  21 . The supporting structure  37  is generally “U”-shaped and provides support to the boom assembly  90 . The supporting structure  37  includes a winch support  38  and a cable guide  39 . The winch support  38  is a generally rectangular brace affixed to and surrounding a lower portion of the supporting structure  37  in order to fasten a winch spool  125 . The cable guide  39  includes a tubular member which accepts a length of cable  92  routed upwardly from the winch spool  125 . The cable guide  39  is located on an upper portion of the supporting structure  37 . The cable guide  39  also includes a plate support  40   a  disposed on an upper end which has a pair of notches  40   b  for removably accepting a sloped plate  108 . The sloped plate  108  is a component of the boom assembly  90  and will be described in greater detail below. The supporting structure  37  is preferably fabricated from steel or stainless steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a hydraulic diagram depicting the major components of the hydraulic assembly  50 , is disclosed. The hydraulic assembly  50  provides the driving force for splitting the wood  17  against the wedge  31   a . The hydraulic assembly  50  includes at least a hydraulic cylinder  51 , a hydraulic pump  59   a , a control valve  65   a , a filter  68 , and a tank  71   a . The hydraulic assembly  50  pumps hydraulic fluid  77  through each of the components and actuation of the hydraulic cylinder  51  is controlled by a first hydraulic lever  78  and a second hydraulic lever  79 . The hydraulic cylinder  51  generally includes a cylinder plate  52   a  for contacting the log or similar piece of wood and an internal piston  52   b  for driving and returning the cylinder plate  52   a . A forward port  53 , a forward hydraulic line  54 , a rearward port  55 , a rearward hydraulic line  56  provide for a working fluid flow in to and out from the hydraulic cylinder  51 . A clevis  57  and a cylinder mount  58  affix the hydraulic cylinder  51  to the floor  21  of the trailer assembly  20 . The hydraulic cylinder  51  preferably has a five (5) inch diameter bore, similar to hydraulics used on bulldozers or other heavy equipment; yet other sizes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The cylinder plate  52   a  is rigidly affixed to a driving end of the piston  52  which provides a reciprocating linear motion with respect to the hydraulic cylinder  51 . The cylinder plate  52   a  contacts the wood  17  when the piston  52   b  is extended and rams the wood  17  against the splitting wedge  31   a  to split into smaller more useful pieces of wood. The clevis  57 , which is attached to the cylinder mount  58 , is disposed at an opposing end of the hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder mount  58  is preferably rigidly affixed to the floor  21  via mechanical fasteners or welding. The forward hydraulic line  54  is fitted to the forward port  53  for entering hydraulic fluid  77  to be forced through in order to retract the piston  52   b  and coincidentally the cylinder plate  52   a . The rearward hydraulic line  56  is fitted to the rearward port  55  for entering hydraulic fluid  77  to be forced through to extend the piston  52   b  and coincidentally the cylinder plate  52   a.    
     The hydraulic fluid  77  is forced into the forward port  53  or the rearward port  55  by the hydraulic pump  59   a . The hydraulic pump  59   a  is powered by the engine  111 , such that the drive shaft  112  is affixed to a pump shaft  60  of the hydraulic pump  59   a  to transfer rotational motion therebetween. The hydraulic pump  59   a  is attached to the floor  21  of the trailer assembly  20  by a pump mount  59   b  and mechanical fasteners. The hydraulic pump  59   a  is preferably a two (2) stage high volume, high pressure pump with a rated pressure of three-thousand (3000) psi, yet other pumps may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Hydraulic fluid  77  is directed into the pump inlet  61  which is attached to and in fluid communication with the tank outlet  73  by a tank line  74 . Once the hydraulic fluid  77  flows into the hydraulic pump  59   a  it is then directed to a pressure gauge  64  through a pump line  63  connected to the pump outlet  62 . The gauge  64  depicts the amount of pressure going into the control valve  65   a  which may be adjusted to a desired pressure. The control valve  65   a  enables an operator to manually control the flow of hydraulic fluid  77  and concurrently the action of the hydraulic cylinder  51 . The control valve  65   a  is actuated by the first hydraulic lever  78  and the second hydraulic lever  79  which are located on opposing sides of the trailer assembly  20 , thereby enabling the operator to control the hydraulic assembly  50  from either side of the trailer assembly  20 . An outward pull of a hydraulic lever  78 ,  79  will cause hydraulic fluid  77  to flow into the rearward hydraulic line  56  and extend the piston  52   b . Releasing the hydraulic levers  78 ,  79  will cause hydraulic fluid  77  to flow into the forward hydraulic line  54  and retract the piston  52   b . Each hydraulic lever  78 ,  79  is preferably fabricated from steel or similar material. 
     The control valve outlet  67  is connected to a filter  68  through a filter inlet line  69 . The filter  68  removes any debris or impurities that may be in the hydraulic fluid  77  before being directed back into the tank  71   a  through a filter outlet line  70  connected to a tank inlet  72 . The tank  71   a  is mounted to the floor  21  of the trailer assembly  20  by a plurality of tank mounts  71   b  which are fastened to the floor  21  by mechanical fasteners or welding. The tank  71   a  is refillable through use of a tank port  76  and air vents from within the tank  71   a  through a tank valve  75 . The tank  71   a  preferably has a capacity of approximately twenty (20) gallons of hydraulic fluid  77 , yet other capacities may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side view of the boom assembly  90 ,  FIG. 6  an exploded view of the boom assembly  90 , and  FIG. 7  a front view of a cable enclosure  95 , are disclosed. The adjustable boom assembly  90  enables the operator to secure the wood  17  and lift and position it upon the floor  21  of the trailer assembly  20  or to another desired location, thereby eliminated the need for the operator from taking part in repeated heavy lifting. The boom assembly  90  generally includes a log tong  91 , a length of cable  92 , a length of chain  93 , a pair of cable enclosures  95   a ,  95   b , and a boom  101   a . The boom assembly  90  is preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The boom assembly  90  mounts to the supporting structure  37  at the plate support  40   a  atop the cable guide  39 . A pair of notches  40   b  is located along opposing upper perimeter edges of the plate support  40   a . The pair of notches  40   b  engages a pair of extensions  109   b  which extend downwardly from a bottom of the slope plate  108 . The slope plate  108  includes a lower horizontal member, which mates with a top of the plate support  40   a , and a downwardly angled upper member, which urges the boom assembly  90  to be self-centering to the front or rear of the trailer assembly  20 . The boom assembly  90  rests atop of the downwardly angled upper member of the slope plate  108  and due to the downward angle of the slope plate  108  the boom assembly  90  will always travel to the lowest point on the slope plate  108 , thereby centrally positioning the boom assembly  90 . The extensions  109   b  may engage the notches  40   b  as desired by the operator for positioning and centering the boom assembly  90  toward the front or the rear of the trailer assembly  20  in order to enable the boom  101   a  be angled over the trailer assembly  20  or angled behind the trailer assembly  20 . With the boom assembly  90  angled at the rear of the trailer assembly  20 , the apparatus  10  can lift and reposition wood  17  that is located behind the apparatus  10 . The orientation of the boom assembly  90  is reversed by lifting upwardly on the boom assembly  90  and rotating the slope plate  108  one-hundred-and-eighty degrees (180°). 
     The sloped plate  108  also includes a pair of parallel slope plate apertures  109   a  which are also parallel to a cable guide aperture  40   c . The slope plate apertures  109   a  are of an appropriate diameter to accept a pipe  102   a . A lower portion of the pipe  102   a  is inserted into the slope plate apertures  109   a  and an upper portion of the pipe  102   a  is inserted into a cable aperture  104  on a boom attachment  103 , thereby enabling the cable  92  to be guided through the pipe  102   a , sloped plate  108 , and cable guide  39  to the winch spool  125 . The pipe  102   a  is preferably sized to fit within the upper aperture of the cable guide  39  and rest upon an interior lip or tapered interior sidewalls. 
     A distal end of the boom  101   a  includes a front pulley assembly  95   a  and an upper end of the boom attachment  103  includes a rear pulley assembly  95   b  which combine to route the cable  92  from the winch spool  125  to the log tong  91 . The boom attachment  103  generally includes an “L”-shaped member and positions the boom  101   a  on the vertical axis and provides for rotation of the boom  101   a  along the horizontal axis about the pipe  102   a  and slope plate  108 . A lower, inside vertical end of the boom attachment  103  includes a vertical roller  107 , which is attached to the boom attachment  103  by a pair of roller brackets  106  positioned on each outer side surface of the vertical roller  103 . In use, the vertical roller  103  engages an outer surface of the cable guide  39  to provide horizontal rotation support for the boom assembly  90 . Opposing the vertical roller  107  is the boom  101   a  which extends outwardly from the lower end of the boom attachment which extends and supports the suspended log tong  91 . A horizontal inner surface of the boom attachment  103  includes a horizontal roller  105  which is attached to the boom attachment  103  by a pair of roller brackets  106  positioned on each outer side surface of the horizontal roller  105 . The horizontal roller  105  engages the downwardly angled upper surface of the slope plate  108 , which provides for the self-centering of the boom  101   a.    
     The boom  101   a  is made of a tubular member supported within a clevis bracket on the outside lower end of the boom attachment  103  and is pivotally attached by a pivot pin  101   b . The incline of the boom  101  is controlled by adjusting the length of a chain  93  by a chain lock link  94 . The chain  93  is affixed at one end to a rear chain loop  99  located atop the rear pulley assembly  95   b  and looped through a front chain loop  99  located atop the front pulley assembly  95   a  and secured to an intermediate location on the chain length. The chain lock link  94  is affixed to the free end of the chain  93  and includes a curved body having a center aperture for hooking over a single link of the chain  93 . 
     The front pulley assembly  95   a  is rigidly attached to the boom  101   a , preferably by welding, and the rear pulley assembly  95   b  is rigidly attached to the boom attachment  103 , preferably by integrally molded parts or welding. Each pulley assembly  95   a ,  95   b  includes a cable enclosure  96   a , a roller  96   b , a bushing  97 , a pin  98 . The cable enclosure  96   a  is a generally rectangular housing with an open front surface and open rear surface for the cable  92  to be routed through. The roller  96   b  is positioned at an intermediate position within the cable enclosure  96   a  and includes an inwardly arcuate circumferential edge to retain and guide the cable  92 . The bushing  97  is an independent plain bearing preferably made of a brass sleeve, yet other materials may be utilized, and provides a bearing surface for rotational movement about and attachment to the pin  98 . The pin  98  is preferably welded to opposing outer surfaces of the cable enclosure  96   a  such that the bushing  97  and roller  96   b  can freely rotate upon the pin  98 . Each cable enclosure  96   a  is preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a mechanical schematic depicting the major components of the drive assembly  110 , is disclosed. The drive assembly  110  is mechanically operated by an engine pulley  113  which is rigidly attached to an end of the drive shaft  112 . The engine  111  is preferably a vertical shaft internal combustion engine having approximately sixteen (16) horsepower and a key started ignition assembly, yet other motor drives may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     An inner diameter of the engine pulley  113  is appropriately sized to mate with the outer diameter of the vertical drive shaft  112 . An engine pulley belt  114  engages the around the engine pulley  113 . The engine pulley belt  114  is also connected to a transmission  115  by a transmission input pulley  117  attached to a transmission shaft  116 . An inner diameter of the transmission input pulley  117  is appropriately sized to mate with the outer diameter of the transmission shaft  116 , thereby enabling the transmission input pulley  117  to operate the transmission  115 . The transmission shaft  116  is illustrated as being located on a bottom surface of the transmission  115 , yet other location may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The transmission  115  preferably provides an eighty-to-one (80:1) speed reducing ratio, yet other speed reducing gear boxes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The transmission  115  is preferably secured to a side surface of the supporting structure  37 ; however, it can be appreciated that other locations may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The transmission  115  is rigidly mounted to the supporting structure  37  by mechanical fasteners or welding. The transmission  115  also includes a transmission output pulley  118  extending outwardly which provides a rotational drive to the winch spool  125 . The transmission output pulley  118  is preferably a five inch (5″) diameter pulley, yet other dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The transmission output pulley  118  is illustrated as being located on a side surface of the transmission  115 , yet other location may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The transmission output pulley  118  drives a drive pulley  120  by a transmission belt  119 . The drive pulley  120  is rigidly connected to a friction pulley  121  by a spacer shaft. The drive pulley  120  and the friction pulley  121  are each preferably a four inch (4″) diameter pulley, yet other dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The drive shaft pulley  120  and the friction pulley  121  rotatably mounted to a pulley shaft which is rigidly affixed to a rear portion of the supporting structure  37 . A winch belt  122  is connected between the friction pulley  121  and a winch pulley  123 . The winch pulley  123  is rigidly connected to the winch spool  125  by a winch shaft  124 . Rotation of the friction pulley  121  rotates the winch spool  125  for extending or retracting the cable  92  and thus the log tong  91 . In the preferred embodiment, the winch shaft  124  is rotatably mounted to the winch support  38  on the lower outside end of the support structure  37 . The winch shaft  124  is preferably a one inch (1″) cold-rolled shaft and the winch spool  125  is preferably a four inch (4″) spool mounted to the winch support  38 . The winch spool  125  holds approximately sixty feet (60′) of cable  92 . The belts  114 ,  119 ,  122  are drive belts appropriately sized to correspond to the pulleys  113 ,  117 ,  118 ,  120 ,  121 ,  123 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9   a  and  FIG. 9   b , functional diagrams depicting the major functional components of the winch assembly  126 , are disclosed. The winch assembly  126  is illustrated with associated components of the apparatus  10  removed for illustration purposes only and it is known the associated components would be incorporated during manufacturing as a finishing product. The winch assembly  126  provides for activation and control of the winch spool  125  and allows the operator to control the length of cable  92  being unwound from and wound to the winch spool  125 . The winch assembly  126  includes a braking mechanism which prohibits rotational movement of the winch spool  125  and restricts the cable  92  from unwinding or winding. The winch assembly  126  also includes a pair of manually operated controls on either side of the trailer assembly  20  for actuating rotation of the winch spool  125  and engaging the braking mechanism. Control of the winch spool  125  is provided by a first engaging lever  127  and a second engaging lever  128  and control of the braking mechanism is provided by a first brake lever  141  and a second brake lever  142 . The engaging levers  127 ,  128  and the brake levers  141 ,  142  are depicted as being located in parallel on opposing sides of the trailer assembly  20  for illustration purposes only. The engaging levers  127 ,  128  and the brake levers  141 ,  142  are preferably orientated in a crisscrossed manner to maintain a consistent right- or left-handed orientation regardless of which side of the trailer assembly  20  the operator is located. Each of the engaging levers  127 ,  128  are pivotably connected to an engaging lever link  129 . Each of the braking levers  141 ,  142  are pivotably connected to a braking lever link  143 . The engaging lever link  129  and the braking lever link  143  each include an offset mechanical link and cross one another, such that the engaging levers  127 ,  128  and the braking levers  141 ,  142  will be in the same location relative to each other on both sides of the trailer assembly  20 . 
     The engaging levers  127 ,  128  control the length of cable  92  by pivoting an engagement roller  137  into contact with the winch belt  122  in order to provide sufficient tension on the winch belt  122  for the friction pulley  121  to drive the winch pulley  123 . The engaging levers  127 ,  128  are oriented in an upright manner and pivotably attached to the surface of the floor  21  at an intermediate position of the trailer assembly  20  and are pulled outwardly to disengage the engaging roller  137  and release cable  92  and pushed inwardly to engage the engaging roller  137  and retract the cable  92 . The engaging levers  127 ,  128  and the engaging lever link  129  are preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The engaging roller  137  is mechanically linked to the engaging levers  127 ,  128  through a plurality of mechanical links pivotably attached to one another which translates the inwardly or outwardly movement of the engaging levers  127 ,  128  to motion of the engaging roller  137 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the engaging levers  127 ,  128  are connected to an engaging tie rod  131  by an engaging tie rod attachment  130  which is fastened to the engaging lever link  129 . The engaging tie rod attachment  130  is pivotably attached to the engaging lever link  129  and the engaging tie rod  131  by nuts and bolts, yet other fasteners may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Inwardly or outwardly vertical movement of the engaging levers  127 ,  128  concurrently causes the engaging tie rod  131  to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. Further, the rotation of the engaging tie rod  131  rotates a first engaging link  132  in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner in relation to the inwardly or outwardly movement of the engaging levers  127 ,  128 . A distal end of the first engaging link  132  is pivotably attached to the engaging tie rod  131  by fasteners and the first engaging link  132  is positioned in an angled orientation perpendicular to the engaging tie rod  131  at a rear portion of the trailer assembly  20 . The first engaging link  132  is pivotably attached to a second engaging link  133  on a proximal end by fasteners. Rotation of the first engaging link  132  pulls the second engaging link  133  downwardly or pushes the second engaging link  133  upwardly in relation to the movement of the engaging levers  127 ,  128 . The second engaging link  133  is positioned in an upright orientation and is pivotably attached at a proximal end to a third engaging link  134  by fasteners. The third engaging link  134  is positioned perpendicularly to the second engaging link  132  and provides an attachment to a spring  136  and a roller arm  138 . The spring  136  is attached to a distal arcuate end of the third engaging link  134  and to the supporting structure  37  and provides a tension to the engaging levers  127 ,  128  and provides an automatic return of the roller arm  138  and engaging roller  137  to an unengaged position. A proximal end of the third engaging link  134  is pivotably attached to the roller arm  138  by fasteners. Motion of the third engaging link  134  provides for a rotating motion of the roller arm  138 . The engaging roller  137  is affixed to an end of the roller arm  138  and moves in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with respect to the inwardly and outwardly movement of the engaging levers  127 ,  128 . Movement of the roller arm  138  engages the engaging roller  137  to the winch belt  122 . When the engaging roller  137  oriented away from the winch belt  122 , the winch belt  122  is not engaged with the friction pulley  121  or the winch pulley  123 ; thus the winch spool  125  freely rotates and unwinds cable  92 . When either of the engaging levers  127 ,  128  are actuated, the engaging roller  137  is oriented toward and abuts against the winch belt  122  which engages the winch belt  122  to the friction pulley  121  and the winch pulley  123 ; thus the winch spool  125  is driven by the drive assembly  110  and rotates and winds cable  92 . 
     The roller arm  138  is pivotably attached by being insertingly secured within a roller sleeve  139  which allows the roller arm  138  and engaging roller  137  to rotate with respect to the roller sleeve  139 . A side surface of the roller sleeve  130  includes a roller sleeve attachment  140  which tangentially protrudes from an exterior surface and is affixed to the supporting structure  37 . The links  132 ,  133 ,  134 , the engaging roller  137 , and the roller arm  138  are preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The braking mechanism provides restriction to the rotational motion of the winch spool  125  and halts the dispensing or retracting of cable  92  by engaging a brake pad  153  to the winch pulley  123 . The winch spool  125  is locked in position by actuating the first brake lever  141  or the second brake lever  142 . The brake levers  141 ,  142  are substantially similar to the engaging levers  127 ,  128  in location and materials. The brake levers  141 ,  142  are oriented in an upright manner and pivotably attached to the surface of the floor  21  at an intermediate position of the trailer assembly  20  adjacent to the engaging levers  127 ,  128  and are pulled outwardly to engage the brake mechanism and pushed inwardly to disengage the brake mechanism. The brake levers  141 ,  142  and brake lever link  143  are preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The brake pad  153  is mechanically linked to the braking levers  141 ,  142  through a plurality of mechanical links pivotably attached to each other which translates the inwardly or outwardly movement of the braking levers  127 ,  128  to motion of the brake pad  153 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the brake levers  141 ,  142  are connected to a brake tie rod  145  by a brake tie rod attachment  144  fastened to the brake lever link  143 . The brake tie rod attachment  144  is pivotably attached to the brake lever link  143  and the brake tie rod  145  by nuts and bolts or similar mechanical fasteners. The inwardly or outwardly vertical movement of the brake levers  141 ,  142  concurrently causes the brake tie rod  145  to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. Rotation of the brake tie rod  145  rotates a first brake link  146  in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner in relation to the inwardly or outwardly movement of the brake levers  141 ,  142 . A distal end of the first brake link  146  is pivotably attached to the brake tie rod  145  by fasteners and the first brake link  146  is positioned in a horizontal orientation perpendicular to the brake tie rod  145  at a rear portion of the trailer assembly  20 . As the brake tie rod  145  rotates the first brake link  146  moves in a horizontal direction. A proximal end of the first brake link  146  is pivotably attached to a second brake link  147  by fasteners and causes the second brake link  147  to move upwardly and downwardly at an angle. The second brake link  147  is located behind the winch pulley  123  and is further pivotably attached to a third brake link  148  which causes an upward and downward movement of the third brake link  148 . The third brake link  148  is pivotably attached to a fourth brake link  149  oriented at a downward angle. The brake links  146 ,  147 ,  148 ,  149  are rectangular and preferably fabricated from steel, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The brake links  146 ,  147 ,  148 ,  149  provide for rotation of the brake mechanism which places the brake pad  153  in contact with a braking groove  154  on the winch pulley  123 . Braking of the winch pulley  123  prevents rotation of the winch spool  125 . 
     A tubular shaft bushing  150  is fixed to an upper surface of the supporting structure  37  and enables an attachment of the fourth brake link  149  to a pivot bracket  151  via an internal shaft routed through the shaft bushing  150 . As the fourth brake link  149  rotates it concurrently rotates the pivot bracket  151 . An attachment sleeve  152  is clamped to the pivot bracket to secure and retain attachment of one end of the brake pad  153 . An opposing end of the brake pad  153  is secured to the support structure  37  adjacent to the winch support  38 , such that the brake pad  153  is routed underneath and around the winch pulley  123  within the braking groove  154 . The brake pad  153  is preferably fabricated from a metal strap or a wired mesh material coated in rubber. Inwardly and outwardly movement of the brake levers  141 ,  142  pivots the pivot bracket  151  and draws up the attached end of the brake pad  153 , thereby putting tension upon the bake pad  153  and engaging the braking groove  154 . In use, either of the brake levers  141 ,  142  are pulled outwardly to engage the brake pad  153  and stop the winch pulley  123  or are pushed inwardly to disengage the brake pad  153  from the winch pulley  123 . It is understood that other braking mechanisms may be used with equal benefit utilizing the same or similar mechanical links to translate inwardly or outwardly movement of the braking levers  127 ,  128  to engage a brake pad or braking clamp to the winch pulley  123 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the apparatus  10 , is disclosed. The brake lights  30   a ,  30   b  are located on a rear portion of the trailer assembly  20  and are preferably interconnected to the wiring harness by electrical wiring  155  to the towing vehicle in a conventional manner. The brake lights  30   a ,  30   b  alert motorist who are behind the apparatus  10  that the towing vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop. 
     The battery  33  is interconnected to the lights  41 ,  42  and the engine  111  via appropriately gauged electrical wiring  155 . Current is sent through the wiring  155  to the lights  41 ,  42  to illuminate the lights  41 ,  42  and to activate the engine  111 . Although illustrated herein as being depicted in this fashion it is understood that other configurations of the electrical components of the apparatus  10  may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of transporting the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; utilizing the trailer jack  24  to position the trailer assembly  20  onto an existing vehicle; positioning the hitch  22  upon an existing tow-ball and fastening; connecting the trailer assembly  20  to the vehicles wiring harness in a conventional manner; enabling the vehicle to tow the apparatus  10  to a desired location; and, detaching the apparatus  10  from the towing vehicle as necessary. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: starting the engine  111 ; pulling the engaging lever  127 ,  128  to release the cable  92  to a desired length; positioning the log tongs  91  onto a piece of wood  17 ; applying the brake via pulling the brake lever  141 ,  142  outwardly, thereby engaging the brake pad  153  to the winch pulley  123 ; pushing the engaging lever  127 ,  128  to wind the cable  92  and suspend the wood  17 ; directing the wood  17  over the trailer assembly  20  between the splitter wedge  31   a  and hydraulic cylinder  51 ; releasing the brake via pushing the brake lever  141 ,  142  and pulling the engaging lever  127 ,  128  to release the cable  92 , thereby dropping the wood  17  onto the floor  21 ; removing the log tongs  91  from the wood  17 ; pulling the hydraulic lever  78 ,  79  outwardly to extend the piston  52   b  and engage the cylinder plate  52   a  against the wood  17 , thereby pushing the wood  17  toward the splitter wedge  31   a ; releasing the hydraulic lever  78 ,  79  to retract the piston  52   b ; removing the split wood  17  from the floor  21  of the trailer assembly  20  as desired; repeating as necessary; and utilizing the apparatus  10  to conveniently split wood  17 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.