Do you often find yourself cutting wood for hours on end? If so, you’re probably familiar with some aches and pains, as well as a lack of time for other elements of your current project.

If you’re looking for a more efficient way to cut wood, consider getting a wood splitter! Wood splitters are great, powerful machines, that will get the job done for you. Purchasing one will save you time, as well as sore muscles.

There are lots of wood splitters on the market, so how do you know what kind of wood splitter you need?

To help you in your search, we’ve put together this convenient guide. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right wood splitter for you.

Do I Need a Wood Splitter?

Wood splitters can be pricey, so it’s fair to ask yourself if you really need one. If you cut lots of wood, or cut wood often, we’d suggest that you do.

Wood splitters don’t only save you time and strain. You’ll also reap the benefits of having wood pieces that are uniformly cut. And, wood splitters are great investments, as long as you maintain them properly.

While they will cost you a bit up front, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Types of Wood Splitters

Once you’ve decided to buy a wood splitter, you’ll need to decide which type you want. There are three types of wood splitters to choose from: gas, electric, and manual.

Gas Wood Splitters

Gas-powered wood splitters are great for splitting tough, large lots. They aren’t as convenient as electric splitters, though, and they will cost you more.

This type of splitter is bulky and you’ll need to make sure you have proper ventilation during use. But, if you do heavy splitting, this could be the right option for you.

Electric Wood Splitters

Electric splitters are great for use indoors and outdoors. You’ll be able to use them indoors because they lack the fumes that accompany gas-powered splitters.

You won’t need to worry about blowing a fuse. Though powerful, electric splitters are fine to use with regular household-level voltage. And, they normally come with a feature that prevents short-circuiting.

Electric wood splitters are convenient, as well as inexpensive.

Manual Wood Splitters

A manual wood splitter? That’s your arms, right?

While it may sound that way, a manual wood splitter is still better than swinging an ax all day. While you’ll only get about 10 tonnes of splitting capacity, this option is the cheapest route.

A manual wood splitter will obviously require more time to use than an automatic wood splitter, but it will be easier to move.

Choosing Tonnage

Now that you know the types and you’ve chosen which one is best for you, you’re probably asking “what size wood splitter do I need?”

You’re right to ask because wood splitters aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of tool. You’ll need to understand the differences between sizes if you want to get the best fit for you.

First, consider the wood you’ll be cutting. What do you cut most often? Or what are you most likely to cut?

Make sure you choose a splitter that can handle the largest, toughest logs you plan to cut.

You’ll need a stronger wood splitter if you plan to cut larger logs. Greener wood also requires more force.

If you’re looking to split logs around 500mm to 600mm long, try our 35-tonne wood splitter from Lifan. We have a range of the best wood splitters so get in touch!

If you’ll only be cutting small, seasoned wood, a 4-tonne splitter will suffice.

Buying Checklist

Once you know the type and size of wood splitter you’re looking for, it’s time to get shopping. As you look around there are several things you should look for in each splitter.

Make sure the splitter has a powerful motor. Cutting through logs isn’t for the weak-hearted, or weak-motored in this case. Make sure the splitter will do the job right and be reliable for a long period of time.

Check to see if the splitter comes with a warranty. If you’re able, read the terms to see what the warranty covers.

Do a little research to find out which manufacturers are trustworthy. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest option you find. There may be a good reason why it’s the cheapest.

Look for ratings and reviews. Find out what actual users have to say about the splitter in question.

And make sure the splitter has built-in safety features. These may include shielded control levers, added stability, and an emergency stop option.

Extra Things to Consider

While these may not be must-haves depending on your situation, they’re helpful things to ask yourself.

Is the splitter adjustable? Will it fit multiple sizes of logs?

Does it have wheels or some other way of being moved easily?

What sort of cycle time does the splitter have? A quicker time means you’ll be more productive.

You may also want to consider how comfortably you can operate the splitter. While that may seem like a trivial thing to base your choice on, think about it.

You may be using this tool often or for extended periods of time. Go with something that will cause you the least amount of strain possible. Choose something the right height for you and that has ergonomic handles.

The Right Wood Splitter for You

A wood splitter is an invaluable tool for anyone working in an industry that involves a lot of wood cutting. Whether you’re the owner or a manager, implementing a wood splitter into your operations is a great thing to consider.

Spend your time more efficiently by getting more done in shorter periods of time. And spare you and/or your workers the strain of repeated ax-swinging by letting the machine do the job for you.

Still want to stick with a chainsaw? We have a great blog to guide you on your way. Read up on safely using your chainsaw here.

Convinced? Contact us today and we’ll get you going with a wood splitter that’s right for you.