Firewood heats you twice: once when you cut it and again when you burn it.
But if you want to take the sweat and strain out of building your wood pile, get a log splitter.
To make your shopping experience easier, we've divided our log splitters into four unique styles.
If you pick your style first, the selections will narrow and your decision will be much easier.
| LOG SPLITTER STYLES | Electric | Gas | 3-Point | Skid Steer | Kinetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tonnage/ Power: | 4-20 Tons | 7-37 Tons | 13-31 Tons | 20-31 Tons | Varies |
| Power Type: | Motor | Gas Engine | Tractor PTO | Skid Steer | Motor; Gas Engine |
| Cycle Time: | 7-25 Seconds | 3-22 Seconds | 6-25 Seconds | Based on PSI | 2-3 Seconds |
| Maximum Log Length: | 24" | 48" | 48" | 36" (larger for cone style) | 36" |
| Towable: | Select Models | Yes | Yes | Yes | Select Models |
Larger electric log splitters can split as much wood as a gasoline unit, without the fumes and noise. Yes, you're tethered to an electric power cord. So, don't bother bringing an electric log splitter to a remote area without electricity.
Larger units have the option of splitting horizontally and vertically, saving your back as you turn big logs into firewood.
How much wood you want to split, and how quickly you want to work will determine which unit is right for you.
Make the most of the power you already own by adding a 3-point or PTO log splitter. Your tractor easily hauls the splitter to where the wood is, even over rough terrain.
Or, bring the logs to the tractor so you can work close to the woodpile and coffee pot.
Options include controlling the splitter while standing next to it, or staying in the cab and moving from log to log, splitting as you go.
Choosing the best splitter for your needs will make the most of your skid steer investment.
With the exception of drill-style skid steer splitters, the other splitter styles listed above use a hydraulic pump system to power the splitting ram.
Kinetic wood splitters work differently. They use heavy flywheels to convert the energy from a motor or engine into sheer splitting speed. As a result, kinetic splitters operate more quickly and have much lower cycle times than hydraulic log splitters.
Many kinetic log splitters are gas-powered units, but you can find some that are powered by electric motors. In either case, you can count on purchasing a fast-moving, low-maintenance piece of equipment to split your wood.