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A Guide to Log Splitters
There are few things as satisfying as standing a log up on end, raising a sharp ax above your head and letting the weight of the blade come down and crack through fibers, leaving two clean-cut halves. But after a few hours of this, your body might start to feel like it's been cracked in a few places, too. Muscles you didn't know you had will begin to ache.
There's no reason to put away that ax for good, but there comes a time when you might need a little help chopping that pile of wood. In these cases, the assistant you need is a log splitter.
Log splitters save time and your body, while also providing that same satisfying split you get from the perfect swing of an ax. If you go through several cords of wood in a year, or regularly find yourself face-to-face with wide logs more than 12 inches in diameter, you will be fully impressed by a log splitter.
If you already know the advantages of working with a log splitter, this guide will be a great way to review the various features and models out there and help you decide on your next purchase.
Types of log splitters
Virtually all log splitters derive their power from a hydraulic cylinder that exerts several tons of power pressure on the log, pushing it into an ax-like wedge that splits it. The difference is in their source of power.
1. Manual hydraulic splitters.
If you're not ready to go full-on with a mechanized wood splitter or you need one that's compact, goes anywhere and can be used anywhere, you might want to consider the manual, hand-pumped variety.
Most of these work by placing a log horizontally in the splitting chamber and using the hand levers to pump the hydraulic cylinder (kind of how you would work a car jack). This pushes the log into the wedge, cleanly splitting the wood.
The major shortcoming of these units is they are a lot slower and not nearly as powerful as their gas- and electric-powered cousins. Another drawback is they are not entirely efficient. If you are healthy and in reasonably good shape, you'll likely be able to split more logs in an hour with a sharp maul than with a manual wood splitter. Still, for those days when you're not up to the task or have a bunch of knotty, 18-inch logs to get through, you'll love the convenience of a hand-pumped splitter.
2. Electric-powered wood splitters.
As you can well imagine, some volts of electricity and a couple of horse powers can make a big difference.
If you regularly split a lot of wood or have neither the time nor energy to deal with a manual model, upgrading to an electric splitter is an affordable option.
The big factor to watch out for in electric- and gas-powered wood splitters is safety. Many models have advanced safety features that reduce the likelihood of injury, but be sure to thoroughly read the instructions and safety guidelines before operating. Remember, this is a machine that's exerting several tons of pressure!
3. Gas-powered hydraulic splitters.
These are the beasts of the log-splitting world. Powerful, fast and wildly efficient. If you rely on wood to heat your home or cabin during those cold northern winters, investing in a gas-powered wood splitter might be one of the best ideas you've had. Most can split anywhere between 70 and 80 logs in an hour, some more.
The gas engine on these units make them incredibly powerful. Smaller, compact units have around eight tons of splitting capacity. Some of the largest consumer units have as much as 37 tons of splitting capacity. That means 7,400 pounds of pressure bearing down on the log. That's power and efficiency at its finest.
Two of the top log splitters available today
WEN's Lumberjack series
For big jobs you don't have time to mess around with, it's hard to find anything better than the WEN Lumberjack line of gas engine log splitters.
Just a warning: These are not the dainty, easy to transport and use anywhere variety. Ranging from 22-ton to 37-ton models, each unit comes mounted on a trailer frame that allows it to be hitched to a truck or four-wheeler and transported to the worksite. In addition to power, these machines are designed with versatility in mind and can be used in either a vertical or horizontal position.
The Earthquake 5-ton electric log splitter
For those who don't need anything as extravagant as a gas-powered log splitter, consider Earthquake's affordable and powerful 5-ton electric log splitter. With 1.75 horsepower, this unit can easily slice through logs that are up to 20 inches long and 10 inches in diameter.
To add to the unit's portability, two heavy-duty wheels and a reliable hand grip make for easy transport. Put a pile of logs through this machine and you'll have a stack of cleanly cut logs to get you through the cold months ahead.
We hope this guide gives you some insight into the models and makes of log splitters available. If you want to look at one more closely or browse hundreds of other power tools and equipment, visit your local Fleet Farm store today.
