The Electric Log Splitter: How It Works

If you have a fireplace in your home or if you have removed trees from your yard or garden, you have undoubtedly spent many hours splitting logs with an ax. If you have a steady supply of logs to split, consider purchasing an electric log splitter to reduce the time and effort required to get the job done.

An electric firewood splitter or general wood splitter operates in much the same way a human being with an ax would. A hydraulic pumping system pushes a log into a blade or swings a blade at the log, depending upon the design of the splitter. Typically, all that you have to do to operate a wood splitter is to place logs on the machine for splitting.

Vertical and Horizontal Splitters

Most homeowners purchase horizontal wood splitters. Horizontal machines tend to be cheaper because they can only process smaller logs. Unless you have logs of significant size for splitting, a horizontal splitter should be adequate to fulfill your needs.

Vertical splitters, on the other hand, are usually capable of handling logs of a variety of sizes, including long or wide sections of tree trunk. These splitters tend to be more expensive and are typically used by professional debris clearing and tree removal services.

Costs and Risks of an Electric Wood Splitter

Electric wood splitters may be a welcome relief for those accustomed to suffering back and shoulder pain from splitting logs by hand. Like all heavy machinery, electric log splitters can be dangerous or even fatal if operated incorrectly. If you purchase and use an electric wood splitter, take the time to read the operating instructions carefully before turning the machine on. Always wear appropriate safety equipment while operating a splitter.

Splitters tend to be fairly expensive. If you only have a small amount of wood to split, or if you don't split wood regularly, a splitter may not be the best investment. However, people who split firewood yearly or who regularly have trees removed from their property, may find that a wood splitter is well worth the cost.

To maintain your wood splitter, make sure that you clean it properly and keep it oiled and free of debris in between uses. Read the cleaning instructions set out by the manufacturer and follow them carefully to ensure that your splitter continues to function properly. With careful maintenance and cleaning, it can operate well for many years.

Wood splitters come with a variety of additional features, including traps for excess wood debris and self-cleaning mechanisms. These features generally increase the cost, but you may find that they reduce your preparation and cleaning time while splitting wood.

If you are looking for an alternative to splitting wood by hand, or if you have a large quantity of wood to break apart, consider purchasing a wood splitter to take care of the labor for you. Electric wood splitters are available at most home improvement centers and outdoor supply stores.