Need comments by owners of small electric log splitters

18 years ago

I have seen a lot of discussion on this subject but very little input from actual owners of such splitters about their performance.

Anyone here using one that would let us know how well they work?

I have been splitting firewood with a wedge and sledge and sometimes a maul but have often wondered if any of the small 5-6 hp splitters actually works and endures. It would be nice to find an easier way to split the wood for a while.

Last year, I came across several cords of free wood and rented a 27 hp splitter for a little over $100. It was worth it because I split it all in one day. I had to get it out of my driveway quickly so I could get my cars out of the garage.

Lowes is closing out their "Taskforce" 5 HP electric splitters for $269 and I wonder how long this would last and whether it will split 18-20 inch logs (ad says it will).

I cut my logs to about an 18 inch length so they will fit in my wood burning stove. The diameter is usually more than the 10 inch diameter that this splitter will cut but I figure that I could cut off smaller pieces with it until the diameter was 10 inches.

Thanks

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Comments (7)

yakimadn
18 years ago
I'm in Germany. Only difference is that mine is powered w/ 230 volts, but makes no difference to the splitting capability. I've (actually my wife did it for me a couple Christmas' ago) discovered a whole new world. Little extra handling but doesn't drain you as much as swing a sledge. Especially nice if you set it up at work bench height. I clamp mine to a plank, set 2 sawhorses up on either side of a container on back of my tractor and let the split wood drop in (do the same for a wheelbarrow, wood box, etc). Wife likes to use it too (big plus cause I can set the heavy stuff up the first time and she can split it as many times as she wants). Knock out a pile in a hurry when you don't get a backache from bending and it's small enough to take inside and work out of the weather.

Hope that helps.

Dave
dmullen
Original Author
18 years ago
Dave

Thanks for the response. They have a money back guarantee too and have not received any back but they haven't sold many either according to the staff. I guess I may get one since they are discounted and if it doesn't work, can return it.

It is supposedly a 5 HP 15 amp motor.
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techdave
18 years ago
dmullen, how are you fellow SoCal?!

So long as you get its not a gasser, you will love it. PA inlaw, a studly 71 can almost keep up with my 30T MTD C'man gasser with his Dr electric 6T.

If a log stalls whack it with a hand sledge, also start tough logs with the end touching the wedge slightly inclined, and nibble on them as you described.

Good luck eh!

ps he and I are splittign mostly oak from the cuyamacas, Dr really kicks butt on pine. one thign the elec dont seem to do is sever tenons too well.
maineman
18 years ago
dmullen,

"It is supposedly a 5 HP 15 amp motor."

That sounds very fishy. I think you would need an exotic voltage to get 5 HP out of 15 amps. What is your wall socket voltage? Check the info on the electric motor again.

MM
bill_kapaun
18 years ago
1 HP equals 746 Watts.
5 HP equals 3730 Watts.
Watts/Volts = Amps.
So 17 Amps @ 220V, ASSuming 100% efficiency.
dmullen
Original Author
18 years ago
Looks like 5 HP from this machine would be unrealistic. 15 amps X 120 volts doesn't even come close to 5 HP.

Thanks
dmullen
Original Author
18 years ago
I was thinking about all these posts and realized that I typed it wrong. It is a 15 amp motor but advertises it as a 5 ton splitter which it may be.

It is embarrasing to make such an error but I did learn how to calculate HP from the amperage.

Sorry to have wasted your time.

Thanks for the advise though. It was useful.