Buying a Wood Splitter: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Messer Attachments is giving you the ultimate guide to buying a wood splitter in 2024. While 2023 might be around the corner, this tip-filled information source will keep you warm through the cold months.

Part 1: What is the difference between a wood splitter and a log splitter?

Wood splitters and log splitters are the same tools, both designed to reduce the pressure of cutting wood by hand. With a wood splitter, firewood can be easily cut without worrying about potential accidents.

Who uses wood splitters?

Wood splitters are used by almost everyone who works outside. Residential homeowners in rural areas, farmers, landscapers, and more all enjoy the benefits of street firewood chopping.

Who uses log splitters?

Log splitters are wood splitters. See above.

Part 2: What wood splitter is the best to use?

The best wood splitter to use depends on your environment and work purpose. Let’s say you have a rural property on 5-10 acres. Most professionals will suggest that you use a 4-ton log splitter. But, removing trees with trunks up to 24 inches will require something closer to a 20-ton wood splitter.

There is also the matter of horizontal vs. vertical wood splitters. Most households tend to use horizontal wood splitters due to the ease of making firewood. However, vertical wood splitters are designed to be mobile and cut wood faster. This will be far more handy in the outdoors in a commercial setting.

Part 3: Does it matter if you use firewood or logs?

What burns the best? Soft or hardwood? Some will say it’s more of a location vs. what you have on hand. Residential customers will want firewood, as their fireplaces are typical inside a home. But, it’s easier to use logs found in the wild if you’re outside camping or around a fire pit.

Part 4: What do others have to say about wood splitters?

Wood splitters have been quite popular in farming and construction. But, what do other outdoor workers prefer about wood splitters?

Here’s a list of outside reviews of wood splitters:

• The 7 Best Log Splitters of 2021
• Bob Vila’s Best Log Splitters of 2021

Part 5: What is comparable to a wood splitter?

Is a wood splitter or stump grinder better?

Use a wood splitter to make firewood. Then, use the stump grinder to make what is left of the tree into debris.

Is an auger better than a wood splitter?

An auger and a wood splitter are two different things. Wood splitters render firewood and other things. However, an auger is more for digging tree holes and providing room for backfilling.

How beneficial is it to just cut wood?

Sometimes, you need firewood. As the winter months approach and fears over rising heating costs arise, why not clear the trees on your property and heat your home/farm? Plan before heating oil and natural gas prices spike in early 2022.

Part 6: How is a wood splitter constructed?

Wood Splitters are constructed to render hard and soft wood into smaller chunks of firewood. They are typically built with steel and a mix of hydraulics and other mechanisms to split wood efficiently. Feel free to learn more on Messer’s wood splitter product page.

Part 7: Things to consider before buying a wood splitter

There are several things to consider before buying a wood splitter. As with most things, starting your plan with a list is best.

Do I need special storage for a wood splitter?

Storing a wood splitter is no different than housing any other heavy equipment. Keep it in a clear and clean area that is secure and safe.

How often will I need to get maintenance for my wood splitter?

Wood splitter maintenance issues will arise, but not at the same level as other equipment. Many splitters come with non-slip rubber grips that can be damaged. But, those are easily replaceable. Each splitter is unique, but we recommend contacting Messer Attachments to learn more.

How easy is it to transport a splitter?

Wood splitters require a certain degree of moving and storage. Transporting a wood splitter to where you must cut wood is a must. Most splitters come with wheels that make it easy to take around a farm or large land tract. However, newer splitters also come with ball hitches and other kinds of hitches to attach to a vehicle for traveling.

Just imagine being able to take your wood splitter on a little ATV ride to the nearby tree line.

Is it safe to use a wood splitter?

Safety is key to all wood splitters. Most splitters come with two-hand safety operations, control levers, and various clamps. The two-hand safety feature means that you have to use both hands to render wood safely.

The clamps keep the logs and wood pieces in place and help minimize wood chips flying off the material. Newer models even feature emergency stop add-ons for even more safety.

Part 8: Wood Splitter Benefits

There are many benefits to using a wood splitter. First and foremost is the lack of worrying about hurting yourself by chopping wood. While safety gear is available everywhere now, there is a discernible lack of people wearing it. So, it’s not uncommon to hear about a loose sliver of wood striking a firewood chopper in the eye.

A wood splitter makes it easier to stay safe even when dealing with people who don’t like to wear protective hand and eye gear. More than that, it allows you to cut what you need instead of making a bigger mess than you need at the moment.

What are the benefits of a hydraulic wood splitter?

A hydraulic wood splitter offers a ton of benefits. You’ll physically strain less to mount and operate a wood splitter. Plus, the clamps on the hydraulic splitter make it less likely that you accidentally hurt yourself or miss the wood being chopped.

What does an electric wood splitter do better than a hydraulic splitter?

Electric wood splitters are technically hydraulic splitters but with an electric power source. What they do the best is give you extra power and options. That makes life much more accessible for people who don’t want to operate a splitter manually.

How does an electric splitter work?

Using an electric power source eliminates the need for excessive physical labor, making it easier for older individuals or those with less strength to cut wood without straining their arms. Just flip a switch and let the electric power do the work.

Part 9: Wood Splitters Save You Money. Find out how.

Wood Splitters mean saving money during the Fall and Winter.

This equipment will save you money. Let’s look at some of the primary reasons they save you money.

• Firewood for cheap heating sources
• Environmental maintenance helps reduce lingering issues throughout the year.
• The splitter saves you time that you can invest in other areas.
• The one piece of equipment that requires minimal maintenance
• It’s an environmentally friendly option, not having to worry about byproduct waste you’re spilling onto your land.

A surplus of firewood cut during the Fall means reducing heating costs

Firewood means having an independent fuel source to beat rising heating costs. Utilities are going up, while our heat needs remain the same. You could be out in the zero-degree weather cutting firewood with an axe or cutting it like a champ with a wood splitter.

Clearing trees around your property helps with land management

Land management is a big deal for all who work outdoors. While reduced trees help create mulch, redistribute water, and contribute more nutrients back to the soil, they also help with aesthetics. Keep your farm and land looking beautiful.

Reduced tree overgrowth helps increase water to your crops

Irrigation and general water flow concerns tend to weigh heavier on certain parts of the country. Penn State has recently done a study about the importance of trees in water flow. What’s even more interesting is how it opens the idea of tree maintenance via tools such as the Wood Splitter to help make healthy watersheds a reality for all.

Part 10: Tips for After You Buy Wood Splitters

Check with the manufacturer to learn about your warranty

While many will learn warranty details before purchase, now is the time to discover any details and perks that might have slipped past you.

Ask for tips from log and wood splitter owners.

You might have friends or community members already splitting wood. Call them or drop by to see what they think of their splitters. They might even have some tips and tricks to help you out as a wood-splitting rookie.

Take account of how much wood you’ll need for the coming year

Whether you’re using a gas-powered, hydraulic, or electric splitter, you don’t need to cut wood just to cut wood. In fact, if you’re cutting a small amount of wood, you might not even need a wood splitter. But for those doing forestry, landscaping, and farming…you need to know how much wood has to be cleared a year.

Survey your land and get an idea of what can be improved with tree removal. Is the tree line blocking water flow to your crops? Are you having to worry about downed tree limbs hitting workers or your property? Cut down trees, split the logs and wood, and have yourself a more accessible new year.