Log Splitter

kayleigh

Does anyone know anything about powered log splitters? We have a large pile of logs and the thought of using an axe to split them scares me due to the effort and time.

1 - Can you hire them in Scotland - I have checked HSS but they don't appear on their website.

2 - I have seen some for 200 quid - 4 ton of force or 7 ton of force for 250. They both claim to split the same sized log - why would you pay more for the 7 ton one? What will it do the 4 ton one will not?

3 - Any other suggestions?

ventureuk

kayleigh wrote: »

Does anyone know anything about powered log splitters? We have a large pile of logs and the thought of using an axe to split them scares me due to the effort and time.

1 - Can you hire them in Scotland - I have checked HSS but they don't appear on their website.

2 - I have seen some for 200 quid - 4 ton of force or 7 ton of force for 250. They both claim to split the same sized log - why would you pay more for the 7 ton one? What will it do the 4 ton one will not?

3 - Any other suggestions?

I have a 1/3 share in a Titan Pro hydraulic log splitter and after the chainsaw is the best money I've ever spent on a 'tool'.

It is a 7 ton splitter with a stand (which is a absolute must), I had split logs by hand before and it took days.

You can use the Titan alone but is better to do in a pair, that way one feeds the machine and the other operates the controls.

Go for the highest power, woods vary in density, water content and hardness, these factors effect how much power is needed to split them.

Remember to cut the logs down to a length suitable for your fire before splitting them.

Splitting logs is very therapeutic, save some money by finding someone else locally who burns wood and your costs fall, they'll
also help shift and stack it afterwards but of course you'll do it for them in return.

http://www.titan-pro.co.uk/Titan-7-Ton-Hydraulic-Log-Splitter--wood-cutter--wood-splitter/64/27/Product.aspx

The video shows what it does perfectly, happy splitting.

howardtog

Ive used a log splitter but found them tedious and slow (Others clearly havent but thats my experience) Once the logs are cut to the right length so lang as that is no more than 18inches its easy to split them with a log splitter...which is like a large axe but with a proper wide head.For gnarled trunks or very large logs (again cut to the right length) use a metal wedge with a large mel hammer.
If you are old weak or just lazy a young person should be found to use the tools!
Ive prepared logs for many years and find this as quick as a machine log splitter plus you can just do a few art a time if you wish and it keeps you fit.
Factor in the cost of the machine and that buys you a lot of logs or if your logs are free saves you a lot of money.

bernithebiker

howardtog wrote: »

Ive used a log splitter but found them tedious and slow (Others clearly havent but thats my experience) Once the logs are cut to the right length so lang as that is no more than 18inches its easy to split them with a log splitter...which is like a large axe but with a proper wide head.For gnarled trunks or very large logs (again cut to the right length) use a metal wedge with a large mel hammer.
If you are old weak or just lazy a young person should be found to use the tools!
Ive prepared logs for many years and find this as quick as a machine log splitter plus you can just do a few art a time if you wish and it keeps you fit.
Factor in the cost of the machine and that buys you a lot of logs or if your logs are free saves you a lot of money.

There's a lot of truth in that.

I have a Wallenstein petrol engined log splitter, which is very powerful, but it is pretty slow.

If the log is sawn to a reasonable length and isn't knotty, a good splitting axe will be faster than a log splitter every time as long as you are reasonably fit.

Where the splitter is good is for the tricky knotty or forked logs which can exhaust you with an axe.

The splitter would be faster, as it's designed to have an auto return function - as soon as the log is split it returns to the top of it's stroke ready for the next one. But EU 'elf and safety' decided that was MUCH too dangerous, and removed that function.......on dear!