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Today, log splitters are a safer, time-saving, and energy-saving alternative to the axe, which is a huge relief when you want to cut logs into firewood. The result is smaller and more user-friendly pieces of wood.

A log splitter is suitable for homeowners with fireplace or stove heating, as well as fire barrel and goulash gun enthusiasts, as well as professional forestry and agricultural businesses. These machines are easy to use and allow you to process huge amounts of wood in a short time.

The following guide then explains everything you need to know about the safe handling of your log splitter and between which types of log splitters, you can choose for private and commercial use. Get comprehensive information at this point so that you can soon have a log splitter working for you.

The Best Log Splitter For Garden

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter

 4,9 Rating

Features:

  • 1.75 HP, 15 AMP heavy-duty induction motor.
  • 120 Volt AC, 20.5″ maximum log length.
  • 7″ wheels for maximum portability.
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The Southland 6-ton electric wood splitter has a powerful 1.75hp, 15A asynchronous motor that easily splits the toughest woods. Which is much safer and more productive than swinging a hammer and ax. A built-in stroke limiter reduces cycle time for shorter logs. A Heavy-duty 5-inch steel wedge splits logs quickly and quite easily. Vertical storage options on the 6-ton wood splitter allow for less space in the garage or store. The voltage is 120.

How does Southland 6-Ton Electric Log Splitter Work?

How to Choose Log Splitter For Beginners?

Buyer’s guide for the log splitter

This review and guide provide information on some best log splitters for beginners you can find.

There are quite a few manufacturers of log splitters for beginners on the market, and the prices vary greatly. From a pure price point of view, the type of log splitter for beginners can be priced from $281 to $1487.

Best Log Splitter for Homeowners

Log Splitter

Log Splitters In Comparison

All our reviews are based exclusively on expert judgments or practical experience with most of the log splitter for beginners we have tested. We strive to make our guide as independent and as detailed as possible.

Best Gas Log Splitter with Auto Return

Champion Power Equipment 25-Ton Horizontal/Vertical Full Beam Gas Log Splitter

  • With Auto Return.
  • 300 Cycles Per Hour.
  • Low Oil Shut-Off.

 4,8 Rating

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Powerful single-cylinder engine

Log Splitter not only offers relief from the back-breaking work of splitting logs but also reduces your work time, so you can move on to other tasks. Depend on the reliable recoil to start up the powerful Champion 224cc single-cylinder OHV engine, which features a cast-iron sleeve, a 0.9-gallon fuel tank, 0.6-quart oil capacity (recommended 10W-30), and a low-oil shutoff for safety. This log splitter is EPA certified and CARB compliant.

Best Electric Log Splitter

YARDMAX 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter

  • Log capacity – 20.5″ in length and 10″ in diameter.
  • Short cylinder cycle time – 16 seconds.
  • Motor 15 amp.

 4,9 Rating

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Portable electric log splitter

YARDMAX’s electric log splitters provide the ruggedness needed to take on the job — with the ease, portability, and convenience of clean, electric splitting. Stand – For a stable work surface. Log Tray – Ensures split logs lay safely. Stroke Limiter – Shorten split time for smaller logs.

Best Portable & Lightweight Log Splitter

Boss Industrial 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter

  • Auto return ram with 14-second cycle time.
  • Durable 1.8 HP Electric motor.
  • For logs up to 20.5 inches long.

 4,8 Rating

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Withstands heavy loads

The Boss Industrial 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter (EC5T20) provides the performance and quality that stand above the competition. With the heart of the log splitter being the hydraulic system, Boss Industrial features a patented system with the rotating valve that provides consistent splitting power and enhanced longevity vs. competitive models (sliding valve) that are less reliable and less durable. The patented hydraulics along with the industrial gear pump allows for a powerful, consistent, 5-ton ram splitting stroke.

What Is A Log Splitter?

A log splitter is a tool or machine that is used to split or shrink logs or pieces of wood. They then act as firewood.

Most specimens have a split head that either press against the wood or the wood against the split head. The device works like an ax and chops the wood. Firewood choppers are suitable for those who own a fireplace privately and want to churn wood for it.

A distinction is made between automatic and manual log splitter.

  • Automatic log splitter

These units are electronically driven and almost all work with hydraulics, such as water hydraulics or a PTO. PTO woodcutters do not have their own motor but use an external motor. There are also older models that divide with a tapered thread rather than a split head.

  • Manual log splitters

Manual log splitters are available in two versions, recumbent and standing. The principle is the same for both. The shoulder will split a piece of wood into two pieces. The advantages of manual log splitters are their lower price and compact size.

What Are The Types Of Log Splitter?

When you think of lumberjacks, you can still think of huge conical monsters that really only exist in agriculture and forestry. But the market has evolved considerably in recent years: not only are the devices safer, but also more diverse. Log splitters are no longer just for professionals, but also for hobbyists.

There are several log splitters:

  • Horizontal log splitters

These are small, compact devices that put more pressure on the wood than a person could ever do, yet they are very compact and affordable. Horizontal models can handle logs up to 20 inches long.

They are ideal for occasional use in the home. If you live in a noisy neighborhood, these are some of the quietest log splitters, with noise levels of 80 to 90 decibels! Also, horizontal log splitters are among the cheapest devices when compared to vertical models.

This way, you can more wisely use the working time that you are used to spending with an ax or perhaps hand-held log splitter to create more beautiful things. These devices work similarly to large upright woodcutters. If you don’t have a lot of space in your home, a horizontal log splitter should be your first choice: because they take up much less space than vertical devices!

  • Vertical log splitters

Vertical log splitters are usually powered by a PTO, electric, or gasoline engine. Many electrics require a 400-volt power cable, which is quite expensive and can also cost money.

With most horizontal woodcutters, you don’t have that problem: they work with a standard 230-volt connection, so you can just plug your device into an outlet and get to work!

Vertical log splitters can easily handle logs longer than 3.3ft. For larger pieces, you will have to work ahead of time and, for example, cut the wood to size with a chainsaw.

What should you look for when buying the log splitter?

Working with wood and splitting it into logs, takes a lot of strength and patience. It can not only be annoying, but it can quickly drive you to your limit. Using a log splitter, the necessary work is done quickly and accurately, without too much effort. There are several important criteria for choosing the right one for yourself.

When buying should pay attention to the following:

  • Cleaving force

The log splitter force describes the force with which the wood is chopped. This force is stated in tons and usually ranges from 3 to 7 tons.

  • Gap length

The cleavage length indicates the maximum length that the head of the cleavage can go. The longer the gap length, the longer the logs can be.

  • Forward and reverse speeds

The forward and reverse speed indicates how long it takes the clearing head to go up and down once. The higher the speed, the more wood can be split in a certain amount of time.

  • Drive

The drive determines what kind of connection the wood splitter needs. Some log splitter models need a normal power cable from a regular outlet, other wood splitter models need a high voltage cable. As a result, the log splitters needs to be installed near a power outlet. There is a difference between gasoline-powered log splitters or those that get their power from an external engine via the PTO.

  • Ergonomics

The category “ergonomics” includes not only the quality of work but also work safety. On the one hand, it is important that the device is easy to use. Are all the buttons easily accessible? Does the device have a base so that you can work at least at waist level? Safety is also important. What safety features does it offer the user and is the device sturdy? Does it stand firmly on the ground?

How to work safely with a log splitter?

Safe handling of a log splitter

In general, the use of a log splitter can be assumed to have a lower risk of injury than an axe. Nevertheless, unsightly accidents can also occur in connection with firewood splitters, so caution is advised.

We have therefore compiled a few sensible rules of conduct for your own safety at this point:

  • It is best to use safety shoes to protect your feet.
  • Hearing protection is recommended, as most log splitters are very loud (this is especially true for machines with a gasoline engine)
  • Protective gloves will protect you from painful wood splinters
  • Ensure that your log splitter stands securely on a level surface so that it does not fall over and injure you (extremely important, especially for upright log splitters weighing more than 220 Pounds)
  • Safety goggles will protect your eyes from flying wood pieces

Despite all these rules of conduct, modern firewood splitters can be considered very safe. This is mainly due to the widespread two-hand operation. Many log splitters also have an emergency stop button. Nevertheless, make sure that only one (adult) person operates the log splitter at a time. All other persons should keep a safe distance of one or more meters.

The easiest and safest way to split wood is lengthwise, i.e. in the direction of growth. However, it is better to refrain from splitting wood crosswise to avoid unnecessary safety risks.

Which wood is best to split?

Generally, splitting fresh wood is more recommended. This is because wood that is already very dry has harder fibers that can burst apart during splitting. In the process, pieces can blow off in an uncontrolled manner and hit and injure the operator of the machine or people in the immediate vicinity.

Splitting cross or wedge?

Most splitting machines are equipped with a wedge. However, some also come with a splitting cross. This is convenient, as it promises four logs in one operation. Unfortunately, the result in practice looks different. For safety reasons, you should not use the splitting wedge on upright models. On the one hand, this tends to jam in the wood, and on the other hand, the logs can jump away uncontrollably. However, it can also happen that the piece of wood is not completely split or is only very uncleanly and fibrously split into four logs.

Log Splitter Price:

Log Splitter Under $300

  • Southland Outdoor Power Equipment 6 Ton Electric Log Splitter

Log Splitter Under $400

  • YARDMAX 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter

Log Splitter Under $700

  • Boss Industrial Electric Log Splitter, 8-Ton

Log Splitter Under $2000

  • Champion Power Equipment 25-Ton Horizontal/Vertical Full Beam Gas Log Splitter

Conclusions

A log splitter is a hydraulic machine that is used to cut large logs or solid wood into small, easy-to-use logs. Simply put, a log with high pressure collides with a sharp knee wedge or knee wedge and thus splits.

The log splitter replaces classic tools such as a chainsaw or an ax. With a log splitter, you can mechanically and effortlessly divide the wood into manageable pieces. This will save you a lot of time and effort. It can be reused for chimneys, fires, or heating systems.

FAQs- Log Splitter

✅ What is the length of the stabbing stroke that the log splitter should have?

The stabbing stroke is the distance between the maximized stabbing head and the pressure plate. It thus indicates how long the pieces of wood you can handle in the bollard can be. The longer the stroke of the stake, the longer the bars can be.

The cutting head moves from the starting position to the pressure plate and back again. The farther this travel, the longer, of course, the cutting head will be needed. This, in turn, means that it takes longer for the log splitter to split a piece of wood. The shorter the stroke of the splitter, the higher the splitting speed.

✅ How much splitting power should the log splitter have?

This also depends on the purpose of the log splitter. The splitting force is a very important criterion when buying, but in private use, the splitting force should not be very high.

When making firewood for a fireplace, a splitting force of four tons is sufficient. A higher splitting force of ten tons is only suitable for large pieces of wood one meter long or longer, or for continuous operation, e.g. in industry.

✅ Which log splitters is especially suitable for personal use?

For personal use, small and cheap devices are sufficient. If you only want to produce a small amount of firewood, it is not worth buying a large and expensive device. For private use, a horizontal log splitter with a 230-volt electric motor, a splitting force of four to eight tons, and a splitting stroke of 15inc is sufficient.

Max Welder

Max Welder

Hi! I'm Max Welder (toolsproper.com). I always wanted to work with my own hands, repair something, do things. Now I combine my knowledge with computers and my own knowledge in the field of mechanics in order to understand which tools I like the most. I hope to convey some knowledge and experience.

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