If you are lucky enough to have a wood burner in your home or a fire pit in your garden then you are also going to appreciate the hardship of having to split your logs to prepare them for burning. Splitting logs is an essential process for anyone that is planning on burning their logs, not just to make them easier to store, but also because this increases the surface area that is exposed to the air to speed along the drying out process.
Even if you aren’t planning on burning your logs, if you are looking to cut back or remove a tree from your garden then there is going to be A LOT of wood to dispose of. Splitting your logs will make them much easier to move, transport and dispose of.
However, the process of actually splitting logs can be back breaking work! The amount of effort and exertion that you actually have to put in to split just one log means that you can very quickly become fatigued! So drop the axe and find an electric log splitter that is going to do the job for you!
An electric log splitter is designed to impact the logs in a way to exert all of the pressure against a small, central surface area of the logs to split them in half. Instead of you having to be the one doing all the hard work with an axe, the machine does it for you! This will not only save you a considerable amount of effort but will also greatly reduce the time that you have to spend splitting logs. If this sounds like just what you need then our article is just for you – some of the best electric log splitters around and all you need to look for when buying one!
Our Pick Best Electric Log Splitter – The Handy THLSV7 Vertical Electric Log Splitter
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In A Hurry?
One too many pulled muscles from swinging an axe? Splinters and blisters on every finger? You need to purchase an electric log splitter as quickly as possible – and we are here to help!
Tonnage
The first thing you need to consider when trying to choose an electric log splitter is the tonnage that your log splitter can exert. This is essentially the amount of pressure that the machine can work with. Different types of logs are going to need different amounts of pressure so you will need to know the types of logs that you are going to be working with to know the maximum tonnes of pressure that you are going to need to look for.
Log Size
We think it would be pretty obvious that the size and diameter of logs that you are wanting to work with will determine the amount of pressure that you are going to need. As trees and branches grow, their grains `spread out’ with more wood developing between them. This means that there is more wood to force apart rather than smaller, younger logs where the grains are closer together. As a guide…a 4 tonne log splitter will split branches up to around 6 or 7 inches in diameter and a 20 tonne splitter will be able to work up to around 24 inches of log!
Seasoned or Green Logs
Green logs that have only recently been cut and therefore are holding a lot of moisture will be considerably harder to split than older logs that are more brittle as they have had more time for the moisture to evaporate. If you aren’t sure on the age of your wood then look at the colour – green logs will be fresher whereas brown logs are more seasoned.
Wood Density
Different types of trees (and therefore logs) have different densities and this is going to impact the pressure you need too. More dense woods are hardwoods, such as oak, which will need more pressure to split. Whereas, softwoods such as pine are less dense and therefore easier to split.
TOP TIP: We would always recommend looking for slightly more tonnes of pressure than what you are going to need. This will not only avoid your electric log splitter from becoming damaged but will also give you some “wiggle room” to work with larger logs that you come across.
Best Electric Log Splitter Size and Weight
Once you know the tonnage that you are going to need from your electric log splitter you need to compare the different sizes and weights of the machines. It is unlikely that your log splitter is going to be staying in the same place all the time – unless you are lucky enough to have your own workshop – which means that you need to consider what size and weight you are realistically going to be able to move around.
Some are as small as 35cm x 85cm but others are much larger at over a metre in height! In terms of the weight – some weigh as little as a couple of 5kgs whereas larger models can weigh 20 or 30kgs!
Technical Features
Using an electric log splitter is a little different to just splitting your logs with an axe, so there will be a variety of features that you need to consider relating to the action functioning of the machine itself!
- Cycle time – The time it takes for the ram of the splitter to extend, split the log and the return to its starting position. Models with cycle times of a few seconds will let you get the job done quickly.
- Log length – Different electric log splitters will have different maximum log lengths that they can work with. This is often linked to the tonnes of pressure that we discussed above but is still worth checking for. Some will only be able to split logs that are around 20cm in length whereas larger models will be able to work with up to 50cm of log (with commercial models going even bigger).
- Motor quality – Make sure to check the wattage of your motor so that you know you are purchasing a strong, durable machine. Machines with upwards of a 2000W motor are going to be able to withstand a wide range of log types and last for a long time!
- Hydraulic or kinetic? – Both have their pros and cons, hydraulic models need more maintenance and often have a longer cycle time but they also usually offer greater tonnes of pressure for a like-for-like model. Kinetic models however need less maintenance, don’t need oil and are quick!
- Safety stop/lock – Although designed to be as safe as possible, accidents can always happen. Look out for models that have an emergency stop button and a lock to keep the ram in place when not in us.
- Auto-adjust ram/blade – This is a great feature as the log splitter will do the job for you in positioning the ram according to the size of the log! This will not only save you time but will also give you a much more accurate cut!
Best Electric Log Splitter Build Design
The build design doesn’t largely impact on HOW your electric log splitter can split logs, but it is going to impact usability. This often comes down to personal preference but here are some of the features worth considering….
- Vertical or horizontal – There are benefits to both….vertical log splitters will have the space for the log closer to the ground so you won’t be having to lift them as high but horizontal models are much easier to slot the logs into!
- Frame – Some log splitters don’t actually come with a large frame, which is great for portability and will allow you to position your log splitter pretty much anywhere but this does mean that you are relying on having a suitable surface available to do this. Other models that come with a frame are going to stand at around waist height making them much easier to work with, but bigger and more cumbersome.
- Wheels – If you are looking at one of the larger electric log splitters then it is definitely worth looking to see if the model comes with wheels so that you can push it into position instead of having to carry it round with you!
- Controls – Look at the controls on your electric log splitter. Does it come with a foot pedal? A lever? Buttons? The more simple to control the better as far as we are concerned! Some models will have two-handed controls as a safety feature so that both hands must be functioning separate parts of the log splitter for it to work!
Best Budget – Forest master Lightweight 5 Ton Log Splitter
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The Best Electric Log Splitter Features
If you know that you are going to be splitting logs regularly and want a log splitter that is made to last then look out for these features to make your life even easier!
- Ram reduction (sometimes known as stroke limiting – this feature is designed to prevent the ram from going all the way back to its original position if you are working consistently with smaller logs.
- Two or four-way splitting wedge – Some of the best electric log splitters come with wedges that will then help to split the wood from more angles. This helps to spread the pressure more evenly for a neater and quicker split!
- Log trays – We love electric log splitters that come with a log tray that can be added to the base of the machine. These will catch the logs for you making them much easier to collect when the work is done!
- Set up – Look at what you are going to need to do to set up your log splitter or whether it is going to come ready to use. They should ALWAYS come with all the fixtures and fittings needed but some are going to require you to screw these parts together which is best done with a power drill so you can be sure they are fully secure!
- Clean up – Splitting logs is going to make quite a bit of mess thanks to all the dust and debris that comes from the logs. If you are wanting your electric log splitter to last then you are going to have to clean it after each use. Look out for models that make this process easier by having parts that are easy to detach and wipe down.
- Brushed metal frame – Electric log splitters are always going to come with a metal frame as this is the most durable option. But models that are coated/brushed/painted are going to be much longer lasting and resistant to rust.
- Vertical and horizontal – We mentioned above that you will need to choose between vertical and horizontal splitting, some of the best models can be adjusted to do either depending on the size of logs that you are working with!
- Adjustable wedge – If you are regularly working with different sizes of logs then look for an electric log splitter with a wedge that is easy to adjust and has a wide range of adjustable sizes so it will be compatible with more logs!
Best of the Rest
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Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty will I get with an electric log splitter?
You will find that most log splitters come with a 12 month or a 24 month warranty. However, with correct maintenance and care you will often find that your log splitters last considerably longer than this.
How do I maintain my electric log splitter?
Electric log splitters are going to be put through a lot of work, so if you are wanting yours to last then it is important to complete certain maintenance! One of the main ways to maintain your electric log splitter is to keep it clean between uses to avoid any rust beginning to form. It is also important to oil moving parts regularly to reduce any wear. If you decide to opt for a hydraulic log splitter then these are going to need fluid to work properly so you will need to check this periodically and make sure there are no leaks!
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