The Truth About Wood Splitters
Wood splitters are ideal if you need logs on a regular basis, whether it be for furniture making, firewood requirements, or a whole host of other necessities. But, what are wood splitters? What types can you get, and what are the benefits, and the dangers? To answer these questions, and more, read on.
All splitters do the same thing. They split a log by pushing it through a blade. When you have to process a quantity of logs, these splitters are a necessity, especially if you are handling an amount of logs that could not be done easily without the splitter.
Even if you are processing only a few logs for your home fireplace, for example, you find a log splitter that will work for you. Remember, though, even a smaller log splitter can be extremely powerful. While an industrial splitter can generate pressure of more than 25 tons, a non-industrial splitter generates pressures that equal or exceed 10 tons.
Log splitters are powered by gasoline or diesel engines. These are best for remote work site locations. Electric powered splitters would not necessarily be suited for that type of location, but would be usable near a source of power. Unfortunately, if there is a power outage and you are relying on an electric splitter, you would need to turn to an axe or another manual form of log splitting, such as a mechanical log splitter that uses leverage to do the work.
Don’t forget though, that even if you want a wood splitter for personal use - to generate firewood for your store, for instance - you will still need other equipment to complete the task. Before you can split the logs into nice, easy, manageable pieces, you’ll first need a chainsaw to cut down the tree and de-limb it.
When you are using a wood splitter, no matter kind or source of power, you must always keep safety in mind. These log splitters work by generating a huge amount of pressure. Anything located between the log and the blade can be subject to a minimum of 10 tons of pressure - and that’s for the smallest models.
Extreme care must be taken at all times when a log splitter is in operation. Only trained adults should operate them - children shouldn’t even be in the area, as flying debris can be a danger to them. Protective clothing should be worn, and a safe perimeter should be put in place around the splitter at all times. Make sure that guards are up and always ensure you read the manual thoroughly before use.
But although wood splitters can be dangerous, they’re an incredibly useful piece of machinery. Completing the job manually can take hours or even days, but log splitters reduce this time drastically and can be an extremely efficient tool.