Manual hydraulic wood splitter

Anyone have experience with these?  Ten to 12 tons of force generated

While I’m regaining my strength, it seems like it would be easier than swinging an axe or maul… slower but if used every day I might one day be strong enough for the hand tools!

But maybe it’s not that workable, so here I am, asking the question.

My father has one.
It worked but was slow; as I recall his had 2 settings; slow, and really slow.
Bit the actual time on the splitter is only a fraction of the total work.

I have one.  It works great, but it is somewhat slow.  When you get one you will want some scrap wood ( 4x4 cut offs ) to use as spacers so you don't have to pump the jack so far each time.  One other thing, please stand near the rear while using, a hunk of wood will pop out from time to time and if you're standing to the side well, my only boo-boo so far has been a broken toe.

Mid 70's with heart failure and some range of movement problems following cancer treatment a few years ago and yet another heart attack a few months ago.  I can work with this machine for a couple hours at a time.

You may want to set your machine on a couple of log cutoffs, to get it off the ground, it will ease some strain on your back.

Good luck.

Peace

Hi, Thekla;
I agree that these do work, but they are limited in how long your wood can be cut, and, as stated, they are SLOW.
Two years ago, I badly broke my right wrist. Chopping wood was not part of the program.
The problem was that we only burn wood, and locating a teen willing to work was a pipe dream...
I took matters into my own (one) hand and went with a low-cost electric splitter.
Of course, it had so many safety features as to be unusable by a one-armed rocket scientist, so I had to make unauthorized modifications.
After removing every safety modification, I created a fully functional one-handed splitter!
https://permies.com/t/219033/electric-wood-splitter-modifications
Cost was apx. $300 plus the foot switch.

We had one, but a different brand. Like everyone else says - so slow. I'm not sure if ours was just a cheap one, but after a year and a quarter, the hydrolics went out (not just a leak - apparently a log jammed, and somehow hit it), and it's toast. They definitely set a limit on the size log, too (both length and diameter). Since then, we've also blown out an electric one. It just won't do anything - so we're on a 2nd electric one, because our physical issues demand it. At this point, we are starting our own splitter cemetery...

I have one and use it regularly.  Slow, but orders of magnatide easier and faster than swinging a maul.  My only complaint is (like most imported tools) is a lack of parts to service.  Mine has developed a leak in the pressure seal.  I will have to break the cylider down and go into NAPA and match up a seal, rather than having a part number or ability to order a part from a service/support team.

I would recommend to anyone who hates to swing a maul; but does not want to invest in a motorized hydraulic splitter.  

Thanks for all your comments.  Somehow, I have not been getting notifications when people posted.  I thought my question was a dud!

For now I have not bought one.  FFA had an auction “rent a hand” 2 kids for 8 hours.  I talked to the FFA teacher and she recommended someone.  Gave him my phone number.  He hasn’t called me, but I have pre split wood I have been using.

I bought a splitting axe, and just use it a little bit, meaning splitting no more than 10 a day.  I have a neighbor who keeps an eye on me, and a son who visits occasionally.  I guess if I do get one of these, it will be for use if I haven’t regained some strength, and when everybody is busy and 10 per day isn’t enough

https://youtube.com/shorts/fJZRLwvXoI0?si=sE3uy4d2iniqJn1n


We like ours.  It is fun to watch the little one's race with it.  We put one on each side and away they go.  They will usually split for hours if we make it a competition.