A wood splitter (wood splitter or splitter), in fact, is a highly specialized machine designed for splitting large logs into logs. Differs in high efficiency and safety in comparison with an ordinary axe.

The main elements of a standard hydraulic wood splitter are a frame with a knife fixed to it, a hydraulic piston and a drive. The knife plays the role of the tip of the very cleaver, which has to be brandished in the absence of the equipment considered here. The necessary force is created by the operation of the engine in conjunction with the hydraulic piston, which pushes the workpiece onto the knife.

TOP of the best wood splitters

Texas 600VG

Texas 600VG

This log splitter is equipped with a 5 hp petrol engine. An excellent find for those places where there is no possibility of connecting to the mains, for example, country and hunting lodges. The hydraulic drive provides the wood splitter with a force of six tons. This is enough for working with hardwoods. Standard equipment allows you to split logs into two halves. The model is quite compact, easy to move due to small wheels. Hand protection is also provided in the form of special metal casings.

dimensions	313x376x335 mm
The weight	128 kg
Log working length	50 -105 cm
engine’s type	petrol

Pros:

• compact dimensions;
• convenient management;
• independence from power supply;
• work safety.

Minuses:

• poor equipment.

I bought such a wood splitter in the village, there is often no electricity there, so I bought this model with a gasoline engine. I can say right away that the engine is powerful, the fuel consumption is small, for a couple of hours of continuous operation I spent only half of the 3.6 liters. Easy to manage and transport too. I did not find any cons, everything suits my needs. I cut down both Christmas trees and birches on it, I did not notice any problems with different tree species.

AL-KO KHS 3704

AL-KO KHS 3704

If you have a sauna or a fireplace, you will be able to appreciate this tool. The wood splitter is great for domestic use, allowing you to split both dry and wet logs. High strength and good balance of the wedge allows you to achieve even splitting of wood. If you use all-weather oil for the hydraulic system of the wood splitter, then the unit can also be used in the winter. It is equipped with wide wheels that make it easy to move on any surface — off-road, grass or rocky road.

Dimensions	930x500x290 mm
Weight	35 kg
Maximum log length	up to 37 cm
Engine	electric

Pros:

• big wheels;
• ergonomics and ease of use;
• reliable wedge;
• working height adjustment.

Minuses:

• low operating force of 4 t;
• low power.

Good wood splitter for the price. We didn’t need a powerful machine, so we bought this one, we use it to harvest firewood for a small network of Russian baths. Satisfied with the work, performs its functions perfectly. For two years of use there were no serious breakdowns. German quality justifies itself, in general. Very convenient wheels in the wood splitter, you can easily move it anywhere without much effort. We use it both in winter and in summer, a workhorse, we fill in all-weather oil for hydraulics. It takes a little, somewhere around 2.5-2.7 is enough to fill the system.

CHAMPION LSV6000

CHAMPION LSV6000

An electric wood splitter with a good working force of 6 tons will help split even the most durable logs. This unit is equipped with an asynchronous motor, which is highly reliable, productive and durable. To work with a wood splitter, no special skills are required, the device is very easy to operate. Operator safety has also been considered. Various nozzles, which are equipped with a wood splitter, allow you to split logs not only into two, but also into four parts. The unit is quite compact, it does not work very loudly, convenient wheels allow you to move it on the ground, grass or road. The working position of the log is vertical, its maximum diameter is 30 cm.

Wood splitter dimensions	900x1190x1490 mm
total weight	97 kg
The length of the placed log	up to 1 m
engine’s type	electric motor

Pros:

• large log length;
• excellent power;
• reliable manufacturer;
• the presence of various nozzles;
• high treads on the wheels, allowing you to conveniently move the wood splitter.

Minuses:

• uncomfortable long bolts on the control handles;
• big mass.

This wood splitter can be safely attributed to professional equipment for chopping firewood. I have been using it for more than two years, it easily splits any logs. Very good power, speed, stability. The only negative is its large weight, not every trunk will fit. In general, the wood splitter is just excellent, there are no questions or complaints about its work, everything is of high quality, safe and reliable. And, I also wanted to mention oil consumption — it takes a little, four liters is enough to fill the hydraulic system. I take all season.

Gorynych 6T

Gorynych 6T wood splitter

A fairly well-known model of a wood splitter from a domestic manufacturer, designed to work in large volumes. For this, the model provides for an accelerated piston stroke. This wood splitter operates from an industrial network with a voltage of 380 V. It is capable of processing a large number of logs with a diameter of up to 50 cm. The position of the knife is adjustable, and a nozzle is also provided for splitting a log into four parts. Stacking firewood is done in a horizontal position. Small wheels will allow you to move the device to a new position if necessary. The knife has excellent sharpening and does not get dull even under increased load and continuous work cycle.

Dimensions	2400x1200x1200 mm
Weight	180 kg
log length	50 by 50 cm
engine’s type	electric, mains powered 380 V

Pros:

• high performance;
• excellent performance in any weather;
• reliability of all nodes and connections;
• high wear resistance;
• ease and unpretentiousness in care;
• work safety.

Minuses:

• rather high price;
• big weight;
• work only from the industrial network.

This is the best option for harvesting firewood on a large scale. I looked at foreign analogues, they are all much higher in price. As a result, I bought this wood splitter and did not regret it. I have been working with them for over a year, during which time there was not a single failure or breakdown. An excellent knife and a powerful hydraulic drive help split half-meter logs in three seconds. Excellent, powerful wood splitter, completely satisfied.

AL-KO KHS 5204

AL-KO KHS 5204

This is a compact professional device for home harvesting firewood for the winter. It can work in a wide temperature range from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius. It is quite easy to operate and does not require long training. The frame is adjustable in height if necessary. For safe operation, it is advisable to install the wood splitter on a flat area. The design is equipped with wheels on one side of the frame for more convenient movement of the unit. Splitting occurs in a horizontal plane. The wood splitter works successfully even with hardwoods.

dimensions	109x28x50 cm
Wood splitter weight	47 kg
Maximum log length	up to 53 cm
Engine type	electric

Pros:

• compact dimensions;
• safety for the operator;
• strong and sharp wedge;
• powerful and reliable engine.

Minuses:

• unstable when working with thick logs.

The wood splitter is not bad, I bought it only six months ago, so far I am satisfied with everything. A log of 50 cm splits the first time, the knife does not play and is sharp. I work mainly with birch logs, there are no complaints about the work in principle. If you are chopping thick logs, I recommend putting it on a flat surface so that it does not turn over — this happened to me once, but I read the reviews and there were no more incidents after installation on a flat area. The performance is good, even a child can manage.

GOMARK-LANCMAN SL10

GOMARK-LANCMAN SL10

This Slovenian-made wood splitter is distinguished by high reliability and performance. He can cope with the preparation of not only firewood, but also charcoal. An interesting feature of this unit is that it can operate from various energy sources — gasoline, electricity or a power shaft. The force of 10 tons created by the wood splitter is able to cope with any kind of firewood. It is designed for large volumes and continuous operation under high load conditions. Reliable components, hydraulics, operator protection, simple operation make it a great helper for those who regularly need large amounts of firewood.

Dimensions	2600 x 900 x 1100 mm
The weight	275 kg
Processed log length	up to 50 cm
engine’s type	universal

Pros:

• powerful universal engine;
• the possibility of industrial harvesting of firewood;
• good build quality;
• sharpening of knives is not required;
• simple and convenient to operate.

Minuses:

• the large weight of the wood splitter;
• high price.

We bought such a wood splitter for our small company servicing baths and saunas with wood, because we were satisfied with the power and versatility of the engine. A machine was needed that could work for a long time and without interruption. The wood splitter is more than satisfied, it performs its functions perfectly. We have been working with it for more than a year, no breakdowns, no accidents, the control is convenient, the knives do not get dull even with a large and constant amount of work. Paid for itself during this time completely.

Champion LSH5000

Champion LSH5000

The frame of this log splitter is reinforced and covered with a layer of anti-corrosion paint. This provides him with long-term operation in various weather conditions, wear resistance and reliability. Working force — five tons. A powerful electric motor of 2.2 kW provides the machine with high labor productivity. The wood splitter works with logs with a diameter of no more than 25 cm. Using a special nozzle in the kit, you can split logs not only into two, but also into four parts. The unit receives electricity from a normal 220 V household power supply. Logs are laid horizontally.

dimensions	940x270x510 mm
Wood splitter weight	43 kg
Log length, max.	up to 52 cm
Engine	electric type

Pros:

• protection of the frame from rust and damage;
• convenient management and laying of logs;
• good power;
• light weight;
• there is a nozzle for splitting a log into 4 parts;

Minuses:

• short power cord.

I took one for a private house, I use it for harvesting firewood for the winter. It takes both oak and birch, there are no problems with splitting logs at all. Sometimes it does not cope with a split if it is hardwood and there are a lot of knots, but this happened only a couple of times. Management is very easy, works from a normal network. For two years I haven’t repaired it even once, I haven’t sharpened knives either, everything is still sharp and works great. A very handy tool that saves both time and effort.