Our Guide to Choosing the Right Log Splitter

 

Available in a range of designs and sizes, log splitters are unquestionably the most effective garden machines for converting larger logs into smaller, more manageable pieces of firewood. So, if you own a wood burner, or need to regularly cut logs for any other purpose, buying a log splitter is a really smart move.

Here, we explain everything you need to know to make an informed decision when choosing one of these log cutting machines, so you can buy exactly the right wood splitter to meet your own specific needs.

Why Should I Buy a Log Cutter?

The most obvious reason to purchase a log wood splitter is that it is far less physically demanding to operate than using an axe. In fact, with the exception of manoeuvring the log onto the machine, there’s no strenuous work for you to carry out.

And because the actual cutting is done by the log splitter, which does not get tired or make errors of judgement, it splits the wood far more quickly, accurately and safely than even the most skilled of axemen. Therefore, using a wood splitter will save you huge amounts of time on your log cutting work, as well as ensuring that your firewood is consistently cut into uniform sizes.

Wood splitters’ final big selling point is that they’re capable of saving you a lot of money over the longer term, particularly if you regularly buy firewood for your wood burning stove. That’s because, pound for pound, it’s far more expensive to buy pre-cut firewood than larger logs. So, if you don’t fancy the idea of using an axe and want to save yourself some money, you know what to do…buy a log splitter!

Factors to Weigh Up

The three major things you need to consider when choosing the right log wood splitter are how the log is positioned on the machine, how the machine is powered, and its splitting force.

(1) Log Positioning: Horizontal vs Vertical Log Splitters

When shopping firewood splitters for sale, you will inevitably come across models described as either horizontal or vertical log splitters. This part of the product’s specification is simply referring to how the log is positioned once it’s on the machine.

So, on a horizontal wood splitter, the log will lie flat when it’s cut. With a vertical wood splitter, on the other hand, the log is stood on the machine in an upright position.

As a general rule of thumb, horizontal log splitters are smaller and easier to manoeuvre than vertical models. They are usually designed to cut smaller logs too, making them the most popular type of wood splitter for the domestic market.

Vertical wood splitters tend to be the bigger, more powerful machines. And although they are less easy to manoeuvre than horizontal models, because the log is cut in an upright position, getting it onto the machine is a far simpler task. For these reasons, vertical wood splitters are the more suitable models for cutting larger logs, making them the more popular choice for professionals.

Star Buy: Lawnflite LS5220EH Electric Log Splitter

Perfect for cutting up logs into manageable pieces of firewood, the Lawnflite LS5220EH is a really good log splitter for domestic use. Powered by a 2,200 w motor, it weighs approximately 55 kg and has a 5-tonne splitting force.

This electric log splitter’s other notable features include a two-handed safety control mechanism, customised stand and wheels – all designed to make your log splitting a pleasure, not a chore.

Find out more about this horizontal log splitter for sale here.

(2) How the Log Cutter Is Powered

Although there are exceptions to the rule, most log splitters are either powered by electricity or petrol.

Electric Log Splitters

Of the two, electric firewood splitters are invariably the smaller, lighter and quieter machines. Like other electric garden machinery, they are also emission free, as well as being easier and less costly to maintain. All other things being equal, electric log cutters are cheaper to buy too, making them the obvious choice of firewood splitter for domestic use.

Petrol Log Wood Splitters

Petrol log splitters tend to be more powerful models, making them more suitable for cutting larger logs. And as they aren’t attached to a power lead, these machines offer far greater freedom of movement. Again, this makes them attractive if you’re cutting big logs because it gives you the option to take the wood splitter to your log supply, rather than the other way round.

The two alternatives types of log splitter to electric and petrol models are those that work manually or are powered by a tractor.

Manual Log Splitters

Manual log splitters are simple machines that are usually operated by a lever, which, when pulled, drives the blade into the wood at force. Requiring minimal maintenance, they are far more effective than using an axe, as well as making a cost-effective alternative to electric and petrol-powered models.

Tractor-Powered Hydraulic Log Splitters

The second alternative to electric and petrol log splitters are those attached to a tractor. These hydraulic firewood splitters draw their power from the tractor’s PTO (Power Take Off), so they are not autonomous machines. However, with the tractor’s engine driving them, they are invariably capable of splitting big pieces of wood with extreme force.

Star Buy: Mitox 801 LSV Electric Log Splitter

Suitable for both domestic and commercial log cutting, this is Mitox’s largest, most powerful wood splitter. Weighing 110 kg, it is powered by a 3,000 w electric motor and has an 8-tonne splitting force.

Along with its ergonomic design and some impressive safety features, this vertical log splitter also comes with Mitox’s Quick Split function. This allows you to adjust the split stroke, so you can cut your smaller logs in far less time.

Discover more about one of our best firewood splitters now.

(3) Splitting Force

Splitting force is the most important figure in the specification of any log cutter. That’s because it tells you the amount of power generated by the machine, so you can determine its suitability for cutting different types of logs. Usually shown in tonnes, the higher the splitting force figure, the more powerful the wood splitter.

The force required to split a log depends on the following factors: its diameter, whether or not it’s seasoned, and the hardness of the wood. To summarise, seasoned wood is easier to split than green wood, wood hardness varies between tree species, and the bigger the log’s diameter the harder it is to cut.

For example, a seasoned log, with a 6-inch diameter and made of a softer wood, could comfortably be split by a log cutter with a splitting force of 4 to 6 tonnes. However, if that same log were 12 inches thick, you might need to use a log splitter with a splitting force of between 12 and 15 tonnes.

Star Buy: Wessex LS100 Tractor Mounted Log Splitter

Designed for use with a Category 1 tractor and boasting a 10-tonne splitting force, this is one of our best rated log splitters. It is made by British company Wessex, who are real market leaders when it comes to manufacturing agricultural machinery.

This wood splitter’s solid base plate is designed to sit very close to the ground, so there’s no need to worry about unnecessarily lifting heavy logs, while the axe head is made from C60-coated steel, which makes incredibly short work of cutting wood.

Learn more about this heavy-duty log splitter here.

Firewood Splitters for Sale

Here, at Ron Smith, we sell an impressive range of log cutters for both domestic and professional use. And as all of these firewood splitters are made by world-class manufacturers of garden machinery, you can rest assured they won’t let you down.

So, if you’re looking for the best range of ‘wood splitters for sale near me’, be sure to make our Log Splitters category homepage your first port of call. And should you have any questions about any of the log cutters that we sell, please don’t hesitate to contact our Hereford and Worcester-based Garden Machinery Experts, who will be delighted to assist you, however they can.