Vertical Log Splitters are relatively new invention which have come on the market over the last few years, and are welcome to all who use firewood as a source of fuel. Splitting firewood with an axe can be hard work and can take a lot of time and effort with little results to show after a long day, apart from an aching back and chaffed hands.
Vertical log splitters are ideal for heavy logs in that you can roll the log to the machine and just raise one edge to put it standing vertically to allow the machine to split the wood. These machines can be electric or gas driven and are a very powerful tool in harvesting firewood for your stove or open fires. Some of these machines allow both vertical and horizontal operations, with the bed being able to pivot to either position which is very beneficial in preventing damage to your back when lifting heavy logs.
Log splitters are classed according to the tons of pressure they produce to split logs. The pressure is produced by means of a motor either gas or electric which drives a hydraulic pump. The force from this pump pushes a hydraulic ram with a wedged tool attached, when the operating levers are engaged. With a log placed at the stop end of the frame the hydraulic ram pushes the axe through the log with little effort. On some of the bigger machines a three or four way axe attachment allows the log to be split into several pieces on one stroke of the ram.
Electric log splitters are ideal for the average household in that they are small in size easy to move and do not produce any fumes when in operation. Gas or petrol machines also have advantages in that you can work anywhere in your yard with it, the frame is usually on wheels and is easy to move, some of the larger machines can be towed by car. Whether electric or gas the log splitter makes little of hard back aching work.