Top 21 best wood splitters: from manual to electric, hydraulic and gasoline

Top 3 wood chippers

Planing wood chips is sometimes no easier than cutting wood. took care of safe tools for this. The operating principle is based on the principle of increasing force by increasing the length of the lever.

Kolundrov “Standard”

The chipper is attached to a wall or other strong vertical base in such a way that it is convenient to use your body weight in the work. For average height it is 110 or 120 cm. The log is placed on the tooth of the frame and cut with a knife with a long blade. There is no point in trying to cut thick logs. The maximum thickness of chips should not exceed 4-10 mm.

At one end the blade is connected to the frame. The connecting wings can be easily unscrewed if you need to chop branches or sharpen the blade. The handle on the other end of the knife is firmly fitted and made of non-slip material. If you combine the blade and the frame, you can block access to use with a padlock through a common hole.

Easy to use.

Durable steel.

Access protection.

Comfortable handle.

Kolundrov "Economy"

The wood chipper frame is a steel profile pipe with dimensions of 40x20 mm, to which support steps for the log are welded. Depending on the size, the workpiece is placed so that the angle of the blade with the frame is no more than 90 degrees. The allowed log length is 25-40 cm.

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Together with a knife with a width of 40 mm and a blade thickness of 4 mm, the tool weighs 2.55 kg. In damp weather, in an open place, the chips should be covered with a cover, and during long periods of inactivity, put away in a dry place. The junction of the lever and the frame is lubricated with lubricating oil to prevent rough movement.

Inexpensive.

Functional.

Elementary design.

Neat appearance.

Kolundrov "Premium"

An original looking wood chip with a wooden oak handle will come in handy when lighting a fire, stove, or will make an impressive gift. The peculiar decoration with openwork cutouts in the wall mounts and in the blade, painting on the frame makes the chipper not just a tool, but also a decoration for the bathhouse and barbecue area. Dimensions are 290x600x130 mm, and weight is 5.25 kg.

4 ledges of a fixed base are designed for log lengths from 25 to 40 cm. The wood chipper copes with a wood width from the edge of up to 10 mm. It should be taken into account that knotty logs, logs with a compacted structure, and boards with nails can damage the blade.

Stylish appearance.

Access protection.

Strength.

Ergonomic handle.

Screw cone

The easiest to manufacture and most reliable design is a self-made screw wood splitter. Two varieties are used; they differ only in the presence of threads on the rotating element. The breaking of a pig occurs due to cutting into its middle; for larger ones, the edges break off first, then the middle.

Screw log splitter diagram

Before assembling the structure, it is necessary to catch the component parts. The splitting part must be machined according to the drawing of the cone splitter. If you use a tool without threads, you will have to apply sufficient force when splitting wood. The threaded tip bites into the wood, thereby making the process easier. The tip is manufactured on a lathe with certain parameters. Usually such work is ordered in a turning shop, but if you have experience and equipment, it is possible to make a device for a cone log splitter with your own hands.

The electric motor for operation must be selected according to power parameters and number of revolutions. Direct connection is possible if the motor parameters are as follows:

• The shaft rotation speed is 300-500 rpm, a lower number will be too low for work and will delay the process, and a higher number of revolutions is dangerous, as it can tear the workpiece out of your hands.
• Engine power of at least 2 kW, for uninterrupted operation of the engine with hard wood.

There are times when it is impossible to find an engine with identical parameters. Then it is necessary to install a gearbox or belt drive. Installing additional equipment allows you to use the engine with the required parameters. The transmission is also of the chain type, it is more reliable, but produces increased noise during operation.

Types of wood splitters

The equipment, depending on the type, is driven by muscular force or by engine traction.

Manual

The design is based on the application of physical laws that increase the applied force several times.

Crowbar cleaver

It is a pipe through which a sharp metal rod moves. The upper end of the rod is attached to two handles. The cleaver is installed on a block of wood. The crowbar is lifted by the handle and dropped with force. A crowbar is convenient for breaking large logs that do not fit into a mechanical wood splitter.

Spring

The mechanism consists of a frame, a stand and a lever with a cleaver at the end. The connection between the frame and the lever is movable. The spring holds the cleaver and ensures its free movement to a certain height. The cleaver is pulled back and released.

Inertial

The impact of the cleaver increases the acceleration of free fall, so the heavier the cleaver, the faster it accelerates. The design consists of a metal vertical pin or pipe with thick walls. The cleaver is fixed to a frame, which, in turn, is fixed to the pipe with rings or a larger diameter tube. The diameter should ensure free movement of the cleaver, but not allow lateral vibration. The cleaver is lifted by the frame and sharply lowered onto the log.

Mechanical

According to the type of drive, wood splitters are divided into:

• electrical;
• gasoline or diesel fuel;
• on tractor traction, that is, connected to the engine or hydraulic system of the tractor.

Further transfer of pressure to the workpiece differs fundamentally depending on the type of device.

Screw or cone

A wood splitter with a cone-shaped splitter is effective and valued for its reliability and ease of repair. The cone has a cross thread that makes it easier to separate the wood fibers. The reverse function helps to free yourself from a stuck workpiece.

Hydraulic

A wood splitter is used to create force by converting the potential energy of a liquid into kinetic energy. Hydraulics are quite expensive, but in terms of quality and speed of splitting they are ahead of other types of equipment. The circuit includes a gasoline or electric engine. A flat knife or a cross-shaped one can be used.

Geared

The device of a geared wood splitter is based on the conversion of torque into the translational motion of a crank mechanism. The connecting rod moves along a guide on the frame and pushes the log towards a permanently installed knife.

Rack and pinion

The wood splitter is characterized by a simple mechanism and high speed of operation. The pusher moves using a metal rack coupled to a gear through a gear train. The return of the pusher is ensured by a return spring. The splitting knife can be flat-cut or cross-shaped to divide the lump into 4 parts at once. The wood splitter operates from any source that transmits torque.

Rating of the best manual vertical wood splitters for the garden

We have compiled a list of wood splitters based on reviews from real Yandex customers. Marketa. With the help of our recommendations, you can choose a tool that meets your requirements and desires. The international market is very competitive, but we have selected the best manufacturers and advise you to pay attention to them.

GREENWEEN GW-DR4-T

GREENWEEN GW-DR4-T
Rating 3.6

Compact hand tool, graphite. Used for quickly chopping logs for firewood. A special sharp blade increases productivity in contrast to a regular ax. The device is equipped with a splinter protection tube and is highly durable.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Sharp, massive.

Minuses:

• «Wasted money. Only logs of small diameter can be split. Which, however, can be split with a simple hatchet.”

KOLUNDROV “Standard with patina”

KOLUNDROV “Standard with patina”
Rating 5.0

The equipment comes into operation thanks to a sledgehammer. The device is coated with powder paint with anti-corrosion properties. Due to its special shape, the tool is capable of splitting wood with a length of 300 to 500 mm into 2 parts.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Good quality.

Minuses:

• You have to hit it hard to split the log, or use a heavier sledgehammer.

GREENWEEN GW-DR1-T

GREENWEEN GW-DR1-T
An inertial hand tool that allows you to quickly and safely chop firewood and wood chips using a small sledgehammer. The model will cut wood with a diameter of no more than 35 cm.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Compact.
• Comfortable.
• Safe.
• Nice device.
• Excellent quality.

Minuses:

• “It’s not possible to split into very thin, but long chips - the angle of the wedge is too large, the chips break off in the middle of the log, so I chop the chips the old fashioned way with an ax.”
• “I carefully calculated the dimensions, but the result was disappointing: 28 - 35 - 28 cm, the dimensions at the bottom are 28, the height is 33, and the top ring is 20, even at the maximum diameter it is not 28.”

KOLUNDROV "X4"

KOLUNDROV “X4”
Rating 4.5

Efficiency and ease of use allow you to quickly and safely split logs into 4 parts with one blow of the sledgehammer. The log is held in place by the presence of a steel ring, which protects the blade from accidental impact. The shock concentration always falls on one point, so the device is highly effective. Many consider this particular model to be the most productive machine in terms of efficiency.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Compactness.
• With one blow, the log splits into 4 parts at once.
• Good price-quality ratio.

Minuses:

• We need a platform.
• Long chocks are not included.

KOLUNDROV “Standard”

KOLUNDROV “Standard”
The standard wood splitter is a reliable and economical machine. The presence of a closed ring allows you to fix the position of the log in the device and keep the firewood in place after splitting.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• It is easy to chop small chips.
• Safety.
• “Decent cast iron, well-welded.”

Minuses:

• “It’s very difficult to split a whole log.”
• “The ring on top is frankly in the way; if, for example, the firewood is short, it is better to choose a model with a handle.”
• “Absolutely useless. A regular cleaver is 2-3 times more effective. Since it affects the log immediately and does not lose impact energy on the blunt blade and stops of the wood splitter. Plus the extra costs for a wood splitter and a sledgehammer.”

What characteristics to look for when choosing

Technical characteristics determine not only the cost of the equipment, but also ease of use. High-performance models at home are unprofitable.

Working position

According to the location of the working surfaces of the installation, there are:

1. Vertical, which are considered the most compact and powerful. They are used mainly for industrial purposes. Despite their compactness, they are heavy, but they have the highest productivity. Allows you to separate long logs.
2. Horizontal, which are distinguished by a more bulky design, reduced productivity and limited maximum log length. However, compared to vertical wood splitters, they are lighter and safer, which is why household equipment is usually horizontal.
3. Universal, in which the position changes depending on working conditions and raw materials. They are characterized by heavy weight and high cost.

An effort

For household wood splitters, a force of 4 to 6 tons is sufficient. Installations of higher power are used only on an industrial scale. It is not safe to use them at home.

Workpiece dimensions

The parameter is influenced by the piston stroke reserve in hydraulic models, the length of the rack in rack and pinion devices, or the table area for screw ones. The power of the force generated by the machine plays an important role.

The standard length of the workpiece for a horizontal wood splitter is limited to 52 cm, for a vertical one - about a meter. Screw log splitters can process logs up to 70 cm long and any log thickness that can fit on the workbench. The limitation in this case is dictated only by safety.

The diameter of the block for hydraulics and rack and pinion mechanism depends on the specific model. In mini versions it is 25 cm, but most mechanical splitting splitters are capable of splitting logs up to 50 cm thick.

Additional functions

In addition to the basic equipment, for convenience and increased productivity, wood splitters can be equipped with:

• wheels;
• pusher movement limiters;
• a cross-shaped knife for dividing the deck into 4 parts;
• loop for coupling with equipment for transportation.

Rating of the best electric hydraulic wood splitters

RedVerg RD-LS 25-37E, 4 t

RedVerg RD-LS 25-37E, 4 t
The basis is a hydraulic mechanism. The workpiece is split using a steel knife. The pressure is 16 MPa, and the splitting force is 4 tons. Operational safety is based on a double-lever lock. The device is equipped with a 1500-watt electric motor.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Compact.

Minuses:

• Hard to deal with oak.
• Heavy.
• Works slowly.

PATRIOT CE 5215, 4 t

PATRIOT CE 5215, 4 tons
High productivity is ensured thanks to the electric drive and a force of 4 tons. The high-strength frame contributes to long service life.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Ease of use.
• Performance.
• Good price-quality ratio.

Minuses:

• Heavy weight.
• "A little slow."

AL-KO LSH 520/5, 5 t

AL-KO LSH 520/5, 5 t
The safety and accuracy of wood splitting is controlled by using both hands. High-quality and durable materials contribute to a long service life. The steel elements are powder coated to protect the device from corrosion. The power supply comes from a 230 V network and provides a motor power of 2200 W.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Design.
• Functional.
• Good quality.

Minuses:

• Heavy.

PATRIOT CE 3715, 4 t

PATRIOT CE 3715, 4 t
Operates on a 220 V household network, used for splitting wood, used in the household. Operating principle: under the action of a hydraulic pusher, the wood rests against a wedge-shaped stop and splits.

The hydraulic drive is driven by an electric motor.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Quite powerful.
• Good speed.

Minuses:

• Small log length.
• For many, speed is not enough.
• Short service life.

CHAMPION LSH5001H, 5 t

CHAMPION LSH5001H, 5 t
Frequently used in country houses and cottages. The device provides quick splitting of logs with a diameter of 5 to 25 cm and a length of up to 52 cm. The model operates on a 220 V power supply. It is safe to use and does not require special user skills.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Convenience.
• High performance.
• Ease of Management.
• Good quality.
• Power.

There are no cons.

CHAMPION LSV6000, 6 t

CHAMPION LSV6000, 6 t
The CHAMPION LSV6000 installation quickly splits logs with a diameter of 13 to 30 cm and a length of up to 107 cm. The model is easy to use and does not require complex maintenance.

Characteristics:

Pros:

• Powerful.

Minuses:

• Heavy.
• You have to lift the chocks high.

How to choose a wood splitter for your home and garden

The scheme for choosing a home tool consists of several stages:

1. First of all, it is determined how much fuel will be needed for the season. If the house has stove heating, then you need to heat the rooms and also provide a reserve for a bath or sauna, and also take into account cooking in the summer kitchen or on the grill. The more requests, the more powerful the aggregate should be.
2. If you plan to bring in logs and chop them in the yard or garage, a model with an electric motor will be more appropriate. Hydraulic equipment is suitable for people with limited mobility. For strong men, you can save money on a wood splitter and purchase a screw or manual wood splitter. A gasoline wood splitter is not very environmentally friendly, but it is indispensable for working outdoors.
3. It is more profitable to buy equipment from a well-known manufacturer. It's not just about quality and guarantees. Large manufacturers are opening a network of service centers. There will be somewhere to turn in case of breakdown or wear of parts.
4. Additional equipment often solves many problems in handling equipment. For example, limiting the pusher stroke allows you to save time and costs when the logs are cut short. Wheels, especially on heavy equipment, will help move the wood splitter.

For a healthy person, swinging an ax a little does not mean working hard. When we are talking about a firewood machine, and a person is not physically prepared, one inevitably has to think about a mechanical assistant. We hope our review will help you make your choice.

Scope of application of wood splitting machines

An automated wood splitter can be used anywhere. The wood splitter can be used both at the domestic level and for commercial purposes.

For personal use, machines of entry-level performance, up to 5 (t.p.) are usually chosen. If we are talking about servicing an enterprise, in this case wood splitters from 5-7 (t.s.) and more are used.

The use of a wood splitter is relevant in the following cases:

1. Preparation of firewood for autonomous heating
2. Creating a supply of firewood for a barbecue or field kitchen
3. Recycling waste from the woodworking industry

The wood splitter does not take up much space, it is easy to operate and convenient to store. The design of most wood splitters is easy to disassemble, which further simplifies the storage and transportation of equipment.

Simple DIY wood splitter mechanic

A common type of wood splitter is the rack and pinion mechanism. The principle of operation consists of starting the cycle, after which all elements are coupled, the pusher rests on the workpiece and the cutting process occurs by connecting to the knife. To make a homemade wood splitter, you will need the following elements:

• Drive, usually an electric motor. In places where there is no electricity, it is possible to use an engine powered by flammable mixtures.
• The transmission pulley is on the shaft, the transmission is connected by a belt.
• The gear is toothed, located at the end of the secondary shaft.
• Deck frame, cutting knife, control lever.

The engine must be selected with a large power reserve. A self-made rack-type wood splitter can be used with all types of wood. Control of safety and engine load is achieved through improved transmission and smoothness of force.

Also, a mechanical wood splitter has a simple design with a screw design. The least amount of manufacturing costs makes it indispensable in the household. It is possible to make a tool with your own hands; I have an old electric motor, a prepared conical screw, and basic knowledge in electrics for connecting the motor to the starting device.