A log splitter is a piece of machinery or equipment used to separate firewood from logs of soft or hardwood that have been previously cut into sections (round) on a chainsaw or sawhorse. Many log splitters consist of a hydraulic or electric rod and piston assembly, and these are often rated by the tons of force they can produce. The higher the strength rating, the greater the thickness or length of the rounds that can be split. The log splitter consists of all four main hydraulic components.
Most log splitter models for home use have a rating of around 10 tons, but professional hydraulic models can apply 30 tons or more of force. There are also manual log splitters that use mechanical leverage to force logs through a sharpened blade assembly; and screw or 'corkscrew' types driven directly from the PTO shaft of an agricultural tractor where the splitter is mounted in a three point linkage.
A simple log splitter can be driven by an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump either by gasoline or without a diesel engine or a tractor. Non-electric versions can be used remotely, where the splitter can be moved to the location of the cut wood source. Split logs can then be loaded into trucks, trailers or bulk bags.
Regardless of the power source, a log splitter uses a hydraulic piston to push the log through a fixed blade, or a rotating cone-shaped screw mandrel that pulls the log up over a wedge. Some models have attachments that prevent split logs from falling to the ground and allow the operator to quickly reposition logs for a second pass in the log splitter. Some cone or screw splitters are mounted on steel platforms mounted on a 3-point joint that allows the log to be repeatedly split into smaller pieces without weighing the wood down again.
