Whether you enjoy fresh-cut firewood for your fire pit in the summer, or need some wood to keep the fireplace running during winter, having a log splitter on and can provide many benefits. For starters, it saves your back from having to bend over setups to chop wood with an axe. It also makes wood cutting efforts much quicker and easier, allowing you to spend more time with loved ones by the fire. Learn more about the different power types for log splitters and the pros and cons of each from Tractor Supply.
Different Power Types for Log Splitters
Log splitters are available in one of three main power types, including:
Gas Log Splitters
If you’re in the market for something heavy-duty for your farm or land, rely on a gas log splitter, which is designed with more power to handle logs anywhere from 9 to 25 tons or more. These types of log splitters get their power from unleaded gasoline, meaning you don’t need to connect it to a power source. In other words, you won’t have to worry about keeping the splitter plugged in or charged. Instead, you simply fill it up with fuel, and you’re good to go.
Because gas log splitters don’t need to be hooked up to a power source, this also means they’re more portable, and you can take them with you wherever you go on your property or jobsite. However, you should never use these machines indoors, as the gas fuel will burn out during use, causing fumes to disperse into the air. To avoid breathing in harmful gases, always use gas-powered splitters outdoors.
You should keep in mind that while these are powerful, they will also require more maintenance, from regular fuel refills to oil and air filter changes to spark plug replacements. To see if a gas log splitter is what you need, browse the following pros and cons:
Pros of Gas Log Splitters
- More powerful than other splitter types, allowing you to split larger logs
- Not restricted by the need to plug in a cord
- Ideal for commercial work or heavy-duty log splitting
Cons of Gas Log Splitters
- More expensive than other log splitter options
- Often louder and heavier due to the heavy-duty engine
- Requires regular maintenance, which can be time-consuming and costly
Electric Log Splitters
Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t need a log splitter all the time, but will still use one occasionally to chop up firewood for your fireplace or fire pit. Or maybe you need something compact and easily storable. If this is you, an electric log splitter may be the perfect fit. Electric-powered splitters are great for homeowners who don’t chop a whole lot of wood, or for cutting down smaller-sized logs. They use electricity to power up machines, meaning you must plug them in to use them, and can split anywhere from 40 to 50 logs per hour.
Different from gas-powered log splitters, these can be used indoors, such as in your barn or on your porch, as they won’t emit gas fumes into the environment. They’re often quieter than other splitter types, are more affordable and require minimal maintenance. Their smaller size and lighter weight also makes them easier to handle and store in garages or sheds for the season. However, you should also know that these tend to have less splitting force than gas models, which might limit the size of the logs you can work with.
Pros of Electric Log Splitters
- Ideal for homeowners needing simple solutions for occasional wood chopping
- Won’t need to clean and change oils and filters, such as with gas options
- Can be used safely indoors
- Electric operation means quieter performance
- More affordable than other splitter types
- Requires less maintenance
Cons of Electric Log Splitters
- Not great for heavy-duty wood splitting
- Must always be plugged in to operate, meaning they’re less portable
Manual Log Splitters
Your log splitter doesn’t always have to run from a power source – you can also find options for manual log splitters. Manual log splitters don’t use a power source at all, meaning you must control movements yourself by pushing down on levers to drive blades into logs.
While it’s easy to assume there’s no difference between manually cutting your wood in a log splitter versus an axe, there’s actually many reasons why you might opt for one over the other. Log splitters are often preferred because they can save your back and allow you to work faster. For instance, manual log splitters let you split anywhere from 18 to 24 logs per hour, keeping setups elevated so you don’t have to bend over and chop.
When it comes to choosing between a manual log splitter and other splitter power types, you should know that manual splitters are more affordable than gas and electric models. They’re also usually designed smaller and lighter than other options, making them easy to haul around the jobsite or store away. But for large chopping jobs, you may be using your machine for a long time and exerting much energy to chop wood. In this case, opt for a gas-powered, hydraulic or kinetic model.
Pros of Manual Log Splitters
- More affordable than other options
- Lighter weight, making them easy to move around your yard or farm
- Doesn’t need to be plugged in or fueled up, giving you uninterrupted cutting power
- Saves time and energy from splitting wood with an axe
Cons of Manual Log Splitters
- Takes more time to split large amounts of wood
- Not as suitable for heavy-duty or commercial wood chopping
- Requires more energy to chop wood compared to other power types
Log Splitting Mechanisms Based on Power Type
Alongside power type, log splitters can come with different mechanisms as to how blades drive into wood. Choose from one of the following:
Hydraulic Log Splitters
Hydraulic log splitters use an engine attached to a pump to operate, with pumps featuring hydraulic oil to build up a high-pressure oil stream into the valve. They can also be hooked up to tractors for hydraulic power. These types of log splitters are available in many power types, including gas and electric, as well as manual.
Many people prefer hydraulic splitters for their efficiency and versatility, working well for any cutting project that comes their way, but especially for larger, unusually shaped logs and knotty, dense woods. To use these machines, simply press the button, and the valve will let the log go, shooting it toward the blade.
Pros of Hydraulic Log Splitters
- Offers more power and efficiency than other log splitter types
- Versatile in that they’re available in different power types
- Great for handling thicker, dense woods and knotty logs
Cons of Hydraulic Log Splitters
- Mostly designed for horizontal wood cutting, which means you’ll need to bend over frequently
- Slower than kinetic log splitters
Kinetic Log Splitters
Kinetic log splitters are designed for professional use, and don’t involve any hoses, hydraulic fluid or pumps. Instead, they get their power from single or dual flywheels, which motors spin. These flywheels work to build up pressure and power, storing it to allow for more powerful splitting. The sophisticated gear system then takes stored kinetic energy from the flywheels to automate wood chopping and drive blade wedges into wooden materials.
These types of log splitters cut wood much faster than hydraulic splitters, and they can be used with a variety of wood thicknesses and ages. However, they won’t cut through dense, knotty wood materials as easily as their hydraulic counterpart, and may be larger and bulkier in design, making them more challenging to move around and store.
Pros of Kinetic Log Splitters
- Gives you faster wood splitting speeds than other splitter types
- Won’t need hydraulic oils or fuels
- Can be used with many wood thicknesses and ages
Cons of Kinetic Log Splitters
- Doesn’t have much power to get through denser wood materials
- Larger, bulkier size means they’re more difficult to store and move
Finding the Right Log Splitter for Your Task at Tractor Supply
From homeowners and DIY enthusiasts to farmers and professional landscapers, we have the log splitters and other land maintenance tools you need to keep your lawn spaces clean. Our options make it easy to find something that works for you – whether you need something powerful and heavy-duty or small, compact and portable. To learn more about our selection of log splitters and other accessories, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.