Cropper manufacturers Snell have launched a new version of their stone splitter that they say is more productive and less likely to clog.

A prototype has been on trial at Doulting Quarry, Shepton Mallet, where Colin Keevil says: "It\'s the best cropper we\'ve come across to date."

It can have roller bed or flat bed feed and delivery at the same height as the blades and a vibrating hopper feed is just about to be added so that the machine can be operated by one person with another person feeding the hopper from time to time and another unloading and stacking.

The cropper has a blade below as well as above in a system for which Tom Snell has applied for patents. It keeps the machine clean and simple and avoids the problems of clogging that can be experienced with sprung beds. There is also a \'soft option\' for cutting particularly soft stone without the use of the bottom blade. There is practically zero maintenance - just one grease point to fill every six months.

Prices start at under £7,000 for the splitter, with diesel, petrol or three-phase electric Snell hydraulic packs extra.

Tom says he has already taken orders for two of the machines and he has seven more enquiries being processed.

The next development from Snell will be a tumbler to add to the end of a walling line to rusticate the walling after it has been cropped.

For more information contact Snell 2000 Ltd in Castle Carey. Tel: 01963 351616.