What You Need to Know
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Mechanical log splitters come in two basic types: hydraulic log splitters and electric splitters. While electric splitters are great for home use and are extremely popular, a hydraulic log splitter might be a better investment for homeowners who have wooded acreage or access to trees felled by storm damage or other natural disasters.
Anyone who has ever split wood by hand knows that it is backbreaking work. Accidents involving axes are common and can happen easily when someone continues to split wood by hand long after exhaustion has set it. A hydraulic log splitter can save your back and what’s more, can be much safer to use once you understand how to load it and have read through the manual carefully.
Hydraulic log splitters are one of the simplest hydraulic machines around. The basic components of a hydraulic log splitter are a small four-stoke gasoline engine, a hydraulic oil pump, a valve which allows the operator to actuate the hydraulic cylinder, and a tank to hold the oil that feeds the pump. Usually a filter is also included to keep the oil clean.
To operate the hydraulic log splitter you load a log into a cradle which holds it securely. The hydraulic power rams a wedge-shaped blade into one end of the log until the log splits in two from the force and pressure. You repeat this process as necessary until you have your stack of firewood.
Hydraulic log splitters are available for home use and in commercial sizes. Prices start at around $500 and go into the thousands of dollars for the largest machines. Often, if you already own a tractor or a walk-behind brush mower you can purchase a hydraulic log splitting attachment that uses the tractor motor to split the logs. This is especially handy if you own a large piece of property because you can transport the hydraulic log splitter to the logs on with the tractor that will power it once you get there.
Because hydraulic splitters are such straightforward and simple machines, many people who are handy enjoy building their own. If you like to build things and are a decent mechanic, you probably have most of the components already lying idle in your shop and can obtain the rest at a fairly modest cost.
A quick Google search yields multiple websites that offer plans for building your own hydraulic log splitter. Plans typically cost between $5 and $20. Mother Earth News is a great general resource which provides free instructions and multiple articles for do-it-yourself builders, all written by amateurs who have already successfully created their own hydraulic splitters from materials on hand.
Do keep in mind that whether you build your own hydraulic log splitter or buy one ready made or add one to an existing tractor you will still need to remember the personal safety of yourself and everyone nearby and take standard precautions.
Wear a good pair of safety glasses and some heavy gloves to protect your hands and face from splinters and flying chips. Never use the hydraulic log splitter around children or animals. Never exceed the capacity of your hydraulic log splitter. Keep your hands clear of the machine while it is doing its work.
Remember to stack your split firewood up off the ground, cover it, and store it in a place where it can dry out and season for use. Most soft woods like pine require at least a year of seasoning to remove as much moisture as possible. Hardwoods can take even longer. This means that the wood you are splitting this year will not be ready to burn until next year at the earliest.
If you’ve never owned a piece of heavy equipment before in your life, a hydraulic log splitter is a great first machine. It’s simple, and it will save you an unbelievable amount of hard work. Owning a hydraulic log splitter will also allow you to take advantage of unexpected windfalls after local storms. You may find, once you get the hang of it, that finding firewood is as easy as letting your neighbors know you want it and can split it on site.