It’s all very well having a pile of old wood which will make excellent fire wood, but it needs to be split to the correct width to get on the fire.
And remember that a split face will always burn better than a sawn one.
So here are five of our own log splitters which offer unbeatable value for money from the most simple machines to ones which are suitable for commercial use.
Basic power: MD 5 ton horizontal splitter
First is the MD 5-Ton Electric Horizontal Log Splitter, an exclusive machine which is strong, easy to use and built to last.
It gives five tons of splitting force per sq inch by driving a hydraulic ram against the wood and on to a splitting wedge.
It can cope with logs up to 25 cm in diameter and 52 cm long, quite enough for most wood burning stoves and open fires and is powered by a 1600 Watt electric motor.
Both hands are needed to operate it, a useful safety feature, and it has transport wheels and a soft grip in the handle.
This one costs £159 compared with the manufacturer’s recommended price of £279.95, has free next working day delivery and a one year maker’s warranty.
You can also buy a stand to raise the splitter to waist height for more comfortable working.
Standing upright: MD 5.5 ton electric splitter
The next exclusive machine is an upright one, the MD 5.5-Ton Electric Vertical Log Splitter, more comfortable to use and producing more splitting power.
This can deal with all manner of woods and has a base plate which can be adjusted to three different positions varying from 540mm to 1050 mm depending on the size of the wood being split.
It can handle diameters up to 320 mm.
Again both hands are needed to operate the splitter and clamps are used to hold the log in position; there are also shields to protect the hands when it is being operated.
Transport wheels and a handle are fitted to make it easier to move around.
This one costs £389.95 compared with the manufacturer’s recommended price of £599.95.
Delivery is free between two to three working days and there is a one year maker’s warranty.
Petrol power: MD 7 ton petrol log splitter
Third in our list of exclusive log splitters is a more powerful machine again, the MD 7-Ton Petrol Vertical Log Splitter.
Powered with a reliable Briggs & Stratton engine this has the obvious advantage of greater manoeuvrability with no power supply to consider and is made to deal with harder, twisted wood.
The base plate can be adjusted to three different positions to deal with wood between 52 and 104 cm.
It has transport wheels and a transport handle and is designed for two handed operation as a safety device. The control levers also have shields to further protect the hands should there be any splintering of the wood.
The logs are held in place with clamps when being worked on.
The maker’s recommended price is £969.95 but we have it for sale for just £669.95.
Delivery is free within two to three working days and there is a one year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Tough worker: MD 10 ton splitter
Now for an even more powerful upright machine, the MD 10-Ton Vertical Petrol Log Splitter.
This one is really sturdily built and capable of tackling difficult twisted close-grained woods.
This has a ZC petrol engine, which starts easily, and is easily moved around with two wheels and a transport handle.
It has an adjustable base plate so it can cope with logs from from 52 to 104 cm long.
Again, both hands are needed to operate the splitter a useful safety feature and the operating levers have protective shields.
This one costs £799 compared with the maker’s recommended price of £1199 and there is a one year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Delivery is free within two to three working days.
And finally another horizontal machine which has several really useful features.
The MD Pro 12 Ton Horizontal Tow-Behind Petrol Log Splitter has two speed operation, a brilliant time-saving addition.
Two speed: MD 12 ton two behing splitter
The splitting wedge travels quickly up to the wood to be processed and then slows down to standard operating speed when working.
This gives a ten second operating cycle and can saves huge amounts of time when dealing with large amounts of wood.
It is based on a welded steel frame for greater durability. And the LCT petrol engine and easy to start, smooth in running and very reliable.
It can handle logs up to 47 cm long and 30 cm in diameter and will happily deal with twisted and knotted wood. Again, both hands are needed when operating the machine.
Heavy duty tyres give excellent grip and this one has a tow bar with a pin hitch, another really useful feature.
It costs just £699 compared with the maker’s recommended price of £1099, delivery is free the next working day and there is a one year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Have a look at the special pages on our site for an even wider choice of log splitters, or phone our team on 020 3026 8712 if you want further advice.
