Last Updated on November 11, 2021 by Forest Master
This article includes:
- A guide to buying your first log splitter
- What are the benefits of an electric log splitter?
- What are the benefits of a petrol log splitter?
- What are the benefits of a kinetic log splitter?
A guide to buying the best log splitter for you
Log splitters turn the dangerous activity of manually splitting a log with an axe, into a quick and easy task, in addition to making it much safer. Utilising either an electric or petrol motor, log splitters drive a blade swiftly through a log with just the push of a button, completely removing the manual effort needed to split a log and for the most part, the time too. And for those who enjoy forestry but may have health problems or a bad back and can’t operate an axe to manually split the logs, they are a complete necessity. Thankfully we have a complete range of log splitters available, suitable for everyone from beginners to experts.
There are limitations with log splitters of course, and most domestic splitters have a cut-off (no pun intended) length or diameter of the log which will fit inside the splitter. This is where a chainsaw comes into play, which is generally necessary to chop up your log into more manageable chunks before splitting them.
This is something saw horses can help with as they allow you to safely hold a large number of logs safely whilst you cut them into sizes that will fit inside your splitter.
Most log splitters cut your log into halves, requiring the halves to be fed through again to get your log into quarters which is generally what is used in log burners or wood stoves. There are attachments available called a cross-wedge which will cleave your log into 4 segments in one go, however, we neither sell nor advise the use of cross-wedges as an increased surface area in contact with the log as it is being split leads to increased friction and therefore reduced performance. Think of it as trying to cut something with a sharp knife vs a blunt knife, it all comes down to the surface area. Should you really wish to use a cross-wedge, we strongly advise only using it with petrol log splitters, and even then only the more powerful ones.
Electric Log Splitters
Electric log splitters are generally regarded as a better choice over petrol for those new to log splitter or for those that value ease and convenience over that little bit more power. They require significantly less set-up and subsequent maintenance, with no spark plugs needing to be replaced, no petrol or oil needing to be topped up or changed, and no smoke produced.
It is much more of a plug-in and go kind of machine, without a doubt the most convenient. This is at the cost of performance, in which petrol splitters take the trophy. They also obviously need a plug socket nearby to plug into meaning, you can’t take them to the wood which I know if a large downside for some people.
They do however make much less noise than a petrol splitter, and due to no fumes being released can be used inside if so desired.
Check out this linked blog post article if you want to find out more about which electric log splitter will be best for you.
Petrol Log Splitters
Rather obviously, contrary to the above statements petrol splitters are for those more advanced with log splitting, or value the higher performance the petrol splitters deliver. Admittedly whilst requiring more upkeep and maintenance than electric splitters, they do have conveniences of their own. They are much more transportable, being a self-contained single unit running on its own power. If you find yourself splitting hardwoods more often than softwood, then it is highly recommended you purchase a petrol log splitter as an electric model may struggle.
Kinetic Log Splitters
Forget what you’ve known about log splitters before, we’re changing the game. This kinetic fast-fire is such a beast! And a speedy one at that with a 3-second cycle time, yes, 3-seconds. It utilizes kinetic technology to make light work of hard or knotted wood in a singular burst of power. Want to learn know, click here to read about Kinetic Technology and why you need it. With 6/8 tons of power and a 2200 w motor, this baby can split wood faster than you can load it. Oh, and did we mention there are options that come with a Hyundai engine? Good right?
If you want a complete overview of all possible log splitting options; check out our complete log splitting guide on our blog page to find out which log splitter is best for you.
I hope this guide has helped you pick which kind of log splitter is a good fit for you. If you are still having some trouble deciding which model to go for, or you have any further questions on the matter our team of experts are always available for you to talk to further. Feel free to contact us, give us a call on 01910 265 5000 or email us at info@forest-master.com
Some of the logs I need to split have a wide diameter. Is that an issue for electric versus petrol splitter choice?
Thank you.
Hi John,
Both the petrol and the electric models can split the same logs. They are both set at around 400mm diameter, this is due to the accompanying tray and cage. This is actually larger than most competitors as their cages tend to be restricted to around 250mm.