Finding the best log splitter for your needs
There are three basic types of hydraulic log splitters available on the market today, manually powered, electrically powered and gas powered. Each type of log splitter has positive features. Use the guide for each type listed below to help in your decision making process.
Manual Log Splitter
Basically a manual hydraulic log splitter is a hydraulic jack laid on its side. Hand pumping the jack causes a rod to ram a log against the splitting wedge. This is an effective but slow process. It is easy to use, safe, and quiet. A hand pump hydraulic log splitter does not require electricity or gasoline to operate. This is the most environmentally friendly of the log splitter machines. It is compact, easy to store and can be used anywhere. For homeowners that typically burn less than a cord of fire wood in a year, this is a good option. Price range for this product is around $150 to $250. Most people can split about 20 8? diameter logs in an hour.
Electric Log Splitters
Homeowners that typically burn two to 10 cords of wood annually will appreciate the productivity of an electric wood splitter. These relatively light weight machines are compact and easy to maneuver and store. They operate using standard household current. This makes them unusable in remote areas unless you have access to a power generator. Hydraulic electric log splitters are safe to use and quiet. Because they don't burn gasoline and do not produce any toxic fumes, these log splitters are environmentally friendly and can be used indoors. Productivity for these wood splitters is dependent on several factors, diameter of the log, hardness of the wood and the splitting force of the machine (rated in tons). Normally an electric log splitter can process 40 to 50 12 inch diameter logs in an hour. The average price range for this type of log splitter is $200 to $500.
Gas Powered Log Splitters
Gas powered hydraulic log splitters are the best option for commercial or remote applications. Generally they are larger, heavier machines that require more space for storage. These types of log splitters can process larger diameter logs quickly. The gasoline engine is noisier than the manual and electric log splitters. It also produces toxic fumes and cannot be used indoors. The additional productivity and power, around 60 to 80, 18 inch logs per hour, comes with a significant increase in price, $800 to $2500. The high end of the price range offers the productivity and reliability required by professional/commercial operations.
Additional Factors to Consider
Wood splitter manufacturers market their products with a focus on the splitting force in tons. This is an important factor to consider when shopping for a log splitter but not the only one. You should also consider the machine's cycle time. Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to split a log and for the ram to return to the staring position. Homeowner products typically have a cycle time of 18 seconds. Professional model cycle times are closer to 10 seconds. That time difference can add hours to a log splitting day.
You should also consider if you need a horizontal or vertical log splitter. Vertical log splitters offer the advantage of not having to lift heavy logs onto the machine.
Hang on to your ax, maul, wedges and sledge hammer. With all of the time and energy you save using your new hydraulic log splitter you may find the need for some physical exercise.
Don't pay full retail price for a log splitter. Please visit our site for good deals and additional log splitter information http://bestelectriclogsplitter.com/.
Manual Log Splitter
Basically a manual hydraulic log splitter is a hydraulic jack laid on its side. Hand pumping the jack causes a rod to ram a log against the splitting wedge. This is an effective but slow process. It is easy to use, safe, and quiet. A hand pump hydraulic log splitter does not require electricity or gasoline to operate. This is the most environmentally friendly of the log splitter machines. It is compact, easy to store and can be used anywhere. For homeowners that typically burn less than a cord of fire wood in a year, this is a good option. Price range for this product is around $150 to $250. Most people can split about 20 8? diameter logs in an hour.
Electric Log Splitters
Homeowners that typically burn two to 10 cords of wood annually will appreciate the productivity of an electric wood splitter. These relatively light weight machines are compact and easy to maneuver and store. They operate using standard household current. This makes them unusable in remote areas unless you have access to a power generator. Hydraulic electric log splitters are safe to use and quiet. Because they don't burn gasoline and do not produce any toxic fumes, these log splitters are environmentally friendly and can be used indoors. Productivity for these wood splitters is dependent on several factors, diameter of the log, hardness of the wood and the splitting force of the machine (rated in tons). Normally an electric log splitter can process 40 to 50 12 inch diameter logs in an hour. The average price range for this type of log splitter is $200 to $500.
Gas Powered Log Splitters
Gas powered hydraulic log splitters are the best option for commercial or remote applications. Generally they are larger, heavier machines that require more space for storage. These types of log splitters can process larger diameter logs quickly. The gasoline engine is noisier than the manual and electric log splitters. It also produces toxic fumes and cannot be used indoors. The additional productivity and power, around 60 to 80, 18 inch logs per hour, comes with a significant increase in price, $800 to $2500. The high end of the price range offers the productivity and reliability required by professional/commercial operations.
Additional Factors to Consider
Wood splitter manufacturers market their products with a focus on the splitting force in tons. This is an important factor to consider when shopping for a log splitter but not the only one. You should also consider the machine's cycle time. Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to split a log and for the ram to return to the staring position. Homeowner products typically have a cycle time of 18 seconds. Professional model cycle times are closer to 10 seconds. That time difference can add hours to a log splitting day.
You should also consider if you need a horizontal or vertical log splitter. Vertical log splitters offer the advantage of not having to lift heavy logs onto the machine.
Hang on to your ax, maul, wedges and sledge hammer. With all of the time and energy you save using your new hydraulic log splitter you may find the need for some physical exercise.
Don't pay full retail price for a log splitter. Please visit our site for good deals and additional log splitter information http://bestelectriclogsplitter.com/.
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