What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Wood Splitter
by: Alex Martin on Sat, 9 May 2009 at: 1:57 PM Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Do you need a small amount of logs to build furniture or use for firewood, you may want to consider getting a wood splitter. There are several kinds of wood splitters an you should learn about them before you purchase one.
Wood or log splitters work on the same principle. A hydraulic or electric rod and piston push a log lengthwise through a fixed blade. These splitters are particularly useful when there is a large quantity of logs to be processed. Under those conditions, manual labor would simply take too long and require too much effort.
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.
Processing logs for your own use, whether it's for a campfire, heat from a fireplace or making furniture, you will need at least a chain saw. The chain saw is needed to cut down a tree and prepare it for processing.
Safety must always be foremost in your mind when using a log splitter. Remember, they create a huge amount of pressure. If anything gets in between the blade and the log will be subject to pressures of over 10 pounds.
Whenever a log splitter is in operation, the operator must exercise extreme caution and alertness. Only trained adults should operate splitters. Not only should children not be allowed to operate splitters, they should be nowhere near the splitter. Splitters kick out flying debris. As a result, a safe perimeter should be defined. Protective program and gear should be used and the operator should read and understand the manual and all appropriate safety precautions.
Log splitters are useful machines. They can process logs at a constant rate, much more quickly and faster than can be done by hand. They are, however, dangerous. Used properly and with safety precautions, they are an efficient tool for log processing.
About the Author
Buying the correct wood splitter is not always easy. You need to locate one that fits your needs. Get help discovering whether an electric, gas or manual wood splitter is correct for you!
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