What Exactly Is A Log splitter?

The short answer to this question is that, basically, a log splitter is a machine that people use to split logs instead of having to do it by hand. They are used by a number of people for a variety of reasons, from workers within the timber and construction industries to everyday homeowners. Timber artists also frequently use log splitters in their work of woodcarving and furniture making. As you can see, there are a number of uses for the humble log splitter besides providing your home with enough firewood to outlast the winter.

• Construction: builders make use of log splitters when it comes to creating flooring and for a number of other general construction needs. They will often take a splitter out on site with just in case they need to cut something up.
• Forestry: log splitters are frequently used in the forestry industry for clearing dead trees and other fire hazards from national parks and other communal places.
• Homeowners: for many people who rely on a wood heater for warmth during the colder months of the year, a log splitter is a vital piece of equipment for ensuring that they have an adequate supply of firewood.
• Artists: there are a number of more creative industries that also make frequent use of a log splitter, including the construction of rustic timber furniture and woodcarving.

There are a number of different log splitters currently on the market, allowing buyers to make the best choice for their needs. Vertical log splitters involve the log being loaded into the machine on its end and is recommended for use on properties that are more sloped. Horizontal log splitters involve the log being loaded on its side and it offers less control on how the wood falls. As well as this, there are log splitters available that run off electricity and others than run on fuel (usually petrol but occasionally diesel).

Even though a log splitter is designed to lessen the effort needed to split wood, it is still important to take the necessary safety precautions. This includes wearing the proper safety equipment (such as goggles, long pants, work gloves and a long sleeved shirt), tying back long hair and standing well clear of the wedge.

In many cases, a log splitter can be a costly investment, but it is one that a wide range of people can benefit from. All in all, a log splitter is a highly useful piece of equipment that many homeowners and timber workers would not know what to do without – who would want to go back to the backbreaking work of splitting logs by hand?