Although it is in the yard in 2020, in many remote regions of our country, a main gas supply system has not yet appeared that would allow residents to heat their homes with this substance. Therefore, many owners of their homes often have to use firewood, harvesting it for the winter season. Few people know, but there are special technical devices that make it easy to chop wood without a lot of energy consumption. The best wood splitter of 2020 should have a well-thought-out design and be able to divide a large log into several parts with a slight movement of the hand.
Many private home owners are wondering which wood splitter is better. This is due to the abundance of options in this market segment. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the most popular models that have good reviews from users and experts. After that, you can independently choose the best wood splitter for yourself and purchase it.
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Recommendations for choosing a wood splitter in 2020
All the best hydraulic wood splitters have about the same working principle, are made by reliable manufacturers and have good technical characteristics. There are several basic tips that will greatly facilitate the choice of a good device. This includes:
- If you need a small amount of firewood, for example, for making a fire or heating a sauna, it is recommended to purchase a manual wood splitter. It makes dividing logs much easier, but it is much cheaper than the options connected to the mains.
- It is recommended to pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the height of the device. If you have to work with wood for a long time in an uncomfortable position, you can quickly get tired and earn health problems. Therefore, the unit should be located as conveniently as possible.
- Electric wood splitters must have rollers for movement. If they are not there, then you will have to buy an additional trolley for transportation, since in most cases the weight of such a device is more than 50 kilograms.
- Do not forget about safety, as the devices in question can harm a person. Some models are equipped with a two-stage form of activation, which prevents hands from getting under the mechanism. Also, some manufacturers practice installing metal screens to prevent chips from getting into the user's face and body.
- If you need to regularly harvest an impressive amount of firewood (for example, for winter heating your home), then it is recommended to buy an electric option. Although its cost is high, it will greatly facilitate the task. The user only needs to install the unit correctly, connect it to the mains and position the log.
- It is worth paying attention to the power of the motor. Not every machine will be able to split large, hard logs.
- Consider the average size of the logs that will split. In most cases, a width of up to half a meter is sufficient, but there are also special cases.
Now you can consider the ranking of the best wood splitter models in 2020. They can be divided into 4 main categories: manual, electric horizontal, electric vertical and gasoline.Each class has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, for each case, you need to select a model on an individual basis.
Manual wood splitters
First of all, we suggest considering manual wood splitters. They are the cheapest, but they do not automate the user's work that much. It is recommended to purchase such models if you do not have to chop logs so often and not in large quantities. For example, in a private house or in the country for a barbecue. It should be noted that such wood splitters almost completely eliminate the user's injury.
X4 by KOLUNDROV
To begin with, consider the model of the wood splitter X4 from KOLUNDROV. It is recognized as the best for splitting thick logs. There are 4 blades for secure fixing of wood. After one blow with a sledgehammer, one log is split into 4 identical parts. This size is quite enough for use as firewood.
If we take into account the performance of this model, then the indicator is 4 times higher than in the case of a conventional ax. It is worth noting the reinforced circular contour, which excludes the possibility of chips flying off after impact.
Pros:
- At the bottom of the device, the manufacturer has provided special holes for securely fixing the model to the ground;
- You can chop logs up to 52 cm long;
- Since the manufacturer has taken into account all safety measures, this device can be used indoors;
- An anti-corrosion coating is applied to the surface of the model. Moreover, it has 8 layers;
- Quite stable platform;
- The dimensions of the wood splitter are 28 by 28 by 35 cm, which is quite compact;
- The manufacturer has deliberately increased the distance between the blade and the guard ring. Thus, even if the log is split quickly, the sledgehammer will not hit the blades;
- Lightweight 6.5 kg for easy transport.
Minuses:
- The maximum thickness of a log that this device can split is 18 cm;
- Quite a high cost, reaching 6.5 thousand rubles.
GreenWeen GW-DR1-T
The next model has as many as 9 ribs for high-quality log fixation. As in the previous case, the log is installed in a circular mechanism, after which the user makes a blow with a sledgehammer from above. Material hits the blades and shatters into pieces. This number of ribs allows the wood to be separated from the first blow This model is twice as productive as the classical method.
Pros:
- Lightweight for easy transport. It is equal to 5.7 kg;
- Convenient dimensions of 30 by 30 by 30 centimeters;
- A stable platform that can be installed securely;
- The set includes a cover;
- Long-lasting paint-and-lacquer coating;
- Thick and reliable iron.
Minuses:
- Quite a high cost, reaching 5 thousand rubles;
- The maximum log thickness is 30 centimeters.
Gasoline wood splitter
The next category of models implies work on a gasoline engine. That is, an electrical connection is not required, but the device must be refueled periodically. These are quite expensive models and not everyone can afford one. However, if you need to purchase a wood splitter for an industrial scale, then these are excellent options.
Most gasoline wood splitter is used as a trailer for a car as they are quite massive. Thus, the user can easily transport the unit to any location.
Craftsman 77641
First of all, in this category, consider a model from the well-known company Craftsman, which is marked 77641. The manufacturer recommends purchasing such a device for processing very thick oak and similar hardwoods. The pressure reaches 27 thousand kilograms. Therefore, the unit in question will easily divide any type of tree.
In terms of the technical component, a four-stroke engine is used. It is manufactured by the American manufacturer B&S, which works closely with Craftsman.The engine displacement is 190 cubic centimeters and its power is 7.5 horsepower.
Pros:
- Availability of pneumatic rollers with bearings;
- All parts of the device are securely fixed to each other with bolts. This makes it easy to dismantle any element and repair the device;
- The unit works on such a principle that one person can handle its power. Even with vertical installation of the mechanism:
- You can handle logs up to 640 mm in diameter:
- Smooth control using the efforts of two human hands;
- Work in various spatial positions is allowed;
- Side rails are made of high quality and reliable material;
- Attachment to the vehicle is carried out using a special drawbar;
- You can work in a horizontal position, for which a special support is provided;
- For vertical installation, vertical mounts are used;
- The wedge, which is used as a chopping blade, is made of cast iron.
Minuses:
- Extremely high weight, which is 260 kg. Transportation is possible only with a car or walk-behind tractor;
- Low fuel tank capacity. Only one and a half liters;
- The engine is activated manually;
- Although additional fasteners are provided for vertical fixation, they are not reliable enough. The device is wobbling.
Electric horizontal wood splitter
The next step is wood splitters that work from the mains and are more suitable for home use than industrial use. Moreover, most of the models can be installed both outdoors and indoors. The user needs to start the wood splitter and put the logs in the appropriate sector, as well as remove the chopped wood.
Champion LSH5001
Most users confidently declare that this is the best wood splitter when considered in terms of value for money. The average cost in 2015 is about 15 thousand rubles. At the same time, the buyer receives a quality product made from reliable materials. The pushing force reaches 5 thousand kilograms. You can use different attachments depending on the desired shape of the wood.
Like the Craftsman model, all modules are bolted together. Thus, the operator can easily disassemble the structure and repair or replace the broken part. The motor power indicator is 2.2 kilowatts. This makes it easy to split hard wood up to 400 mm in diameter.
Pros:
- Thick and reliable frame of the device;
- The presence of several attachments that are convenient to change;
- Fairly long power cord. An extension cord may not be needed;
- The maximum length of the log is 52 cm;
- The hydraulic system is initially oil-saturated and does not require refueling. This may be needed after long-term operation;
- The legs of the unit have a rubber surface. Thus, it will not slip even on the smoothest surfaces;
- The engine activation lever is protected by a metal visor;
- Dimensions are 10.3 by 29.5 by 47 centimeters. Compared to analogs, this is a fairly compact indicator.
Minuses:
- Wheels are made of plastic and can break quickly;
- Large weight 45 kg;
- The handles are not rubberized and are uncomfortable:
- Upon purchase, the user receives a partially disassembled device. It must be properly assembled before use. Naturally, the corresponding instruction is attached.