Choosing the Right Wood Splitter

As the main purpose of the wood splitter is to split logs into pieces small enough to fit inside a fireplace or wood stove, choosing the right wood splitter depends largely on the type of wood you’ll be splitting and the frequency at which you’ll use the machine. Note that this machine doesn’t function like a sawmill and won’t cut logs into usable lumber. It only splits logs into smaller pieces lengthwise making them fitting for a fireplace or wood stove. Here are the main points we’ll cover in this guide:

• Engine types
• Power
• Wheeled, mounted, trailed or stationary?
• Horizontal or vertical?
• Cutting head

You’ll need to choose between three main types of engines used for wood splitters: hydraulic, electric and gasoline. While any of these three types of splitters could be the right one for your project, keep in mind that hydraulic splitters are only used by professionals. If you’ve got less frequent splitting needs and plan on working close to an outlet, an electric wood splitter will suffice. Here are the basic takeaways for each type of engine:

Electric wood splitters require much less maintenance. They are often employed for private use when you only need to work with softwood like pine and spruce. However, this type of machine needs a nearby power outlet in order to function, meaning you can’t take it into the woods or at a distance beyond cord reach. This greatly limits its use.

Gasoline engine wood splitters can generate a lot more force than electric ones, which is why they are mainly used for splitting hardwood. This type of machine is often favored by professionals as it allows them to cut bigger logs. However, it is a noisy machine known to pollute and require a lot of maintenance. It is also heavier than an electric wood splitter.

Hydraulic wood splitters are the most powerful on the market, so only professionals use them. This type of machine connects directly to the PTO of a tractor which will transmit all its power to the splitter. It is an extremely powerful, reliable and robust machine that must be handled with care.

Hydraulic log splitter TITANIUM 14 series – Uniforest d.o.o.

Gasoline engine wood splitter – Delta MSC – ROSSELLI Snc

Electric wood splitter – SPLE6L Series – CECCATO OLINDO srl

In order to know how much power your wood splitter should have, you need to identify the type of wood you’ll be splitting and the diameter of the logs. Tonnage is the amount of force that the cylinder of a log splitter will exert as it splits a log. The higher the tonnage, the harder the cylinder will push on the log and the easier it will be to split bigger logs. Lower tonnage equals less force. The tonnage of the splitter that you need depends on the type and size of firewood that you want to split. A hardwood of 15cm in diameter such as elm or hickory will require a splitter of around 10 tonnes and more. For softwood like pine, you will only need a 4-tonne unit.

When deciding on a wood splitter, you’ll need to choose between four main types of mobility options: wheeled, mounted, trailed and stationary. Of course, it’ll depend on where the cutting work will take place. If you’re bringing the wood to one location, you might consider a stationary splitter. If you know you’ll need to move it around to different parts of the same location, opt for a wheeled splitter. Mounted or trailed splitters are best if you need to travel larger distances on your property. Here are the main points to consider for the different mobility options:

• Wheeled wood splitters: A wheeled splitter is a type of wood splitter that is designed to be moved around on wheels. They are often used by homeowners who need to split small to medium amounts of firewood.One of the advantages of wheeled splitters is their mobility. They can easily be moved to different locations, making them a versatile tool for anyone who needs to split wood in multiple locations. They are also often more affordable than larger, stationary splitters.However, wheeled splitters may not be as powerful as larger models, and may not be suitable for splitting large amounts of wood or very dense logs. They also typically require a flat, stable surface to operate on, which may limit their use on uneven terrain. 
• Mounted wood splitters: A mounted wood splitter is a type of wood splitter that is attached to a vehicle or machine. It is designed to be mounted onto the back of a truck or tractor, or onto a skid steer loader or other heavy equipment.Mounted wood splitters are often used in the logging and forestry industry, as well as by homeowners who need to split large amounts of firewood.Mounted wood splitters can vary in size and capacity, with some models capable of splitting logs up to a hundred centimeters in diameter.

• Trailed wood splitters: The majority of wood splitters categorized at 10 tonnes or more are equipped with an approved hitch attachment and tires. This allows them to be towed on the road at a speed of up to 80km/h.
• Stationary wood splitters: Stationary splitters are wood splitters that are designed to stay in one place, rather than being mounted or trailed behind a vehicle. They are often used in wood processing facilities, sawmills, and other industrial settings.They can be designed to handle logs of various sizes and weights, depending on the specific application.Stationary splitters are often used for high-volume wood splitting operations.

Wheeled splitter – ASCIA 6 – kiva

Mounted splitter – LS-100 – Wessex International

Trailed splitter – Delta MSC – ROSSELLI Snc

Stationary splitter – XYLOFLAM 250 series – RABAUD

You’ll need to decide between two types when choosing a wood splitter: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal wood splitters are smaller in size and ideal for lower volumes and smaller-sized logs. They can effectively be used at floor level as long as the surface is level and stable enough to support the weight of the machine and the force exerted during splitting. 

Vertical wood splitters operate in a vertical position, with the log being split from the top down. With vertical wood splitters, positioning logs becomes much easier. Another advantage of a vertical wood splitter is that you don’t have to bend over as much while splitting, which makes the job much easier on your back. There’s no need to lift the heavy log to waist height to place it on the tray. They are therefore better suited for more demanding tasks such as splitting larger logs or larger volumes of logs. However, as they’re larger in size, they tend to require additional storage space. Vertical wood splitters are often equipped with a waist-high work table, making them comfortable to use.

Horizontal wood splitter – Farmer H – THOR – RICCA ANDREA & C. S.n.c.

Vertical wood splitter – ESASTTR03Z – Zeppelin Maquinaria

When it comes to choosing the type of splitter head to use for a wood splitter, the decision will depend on several factors, including the type of wood being split, the size and shape of the logs, and the desired outcome.

Blades are used for splitting hardwoods and are also a good choice for splitting logs with irregular shapes.

Cones are more efficient for splitting softwoods and are also a good choice for splitting logs that are uniform in shape and size.

Cone wood splitter – SPV1 PLUS – OMEF-GROUP SR

Blade wood splitter – Mignon Prof – THOR – RICCA ANDREA & C. S.n.c.