Electric Log Splitters - Better Than Gas?
Several years ago if you asked me if an electric log splitter was better than a gas splitter I would have probably fallen over laughing.
But I have to admit, after trying several recent electric ones I'm very impressed.
In fact, there are several distinct advantages that an electric wood splitter has over a gas wood splitter.
Think about the home pressure washer that you use to clean your driveway or car.
If you're like me the first one you bought was a cheap electric version that wasn't particularly powerful but it got the job done and it wasn't very expensive.
The pressure hose was short, and you always had to drag a long extension cord around with you.
Eventually, you went and bought a brand new gas power washer with maximum pressure ratings and fancy fittings.
Sure, it could peel the paint off your neighbor's car 50 feet away, but it also went through gas like a Hummer.
It was also very noisy.
To tell you the truth sometimes I wish I had my "cheap" old electric washer back.
OK, back to log splitters.
But I think you get the point.
Power, size, and fancy features don't always turn out to be the best machine for your particular style or needs.
The same can be said for wood splitters.
Sometimes that extra power comes with the downside of extra weight and noise.
You want to take your shiny new gas splitter over to your brother-in-laws house and you need to rent a double axle trailer compared to some of the electric models.
Most electric models are quieter than their gas counterparts.
They still have hydraulic pistons so the hydraulic pump will make some noise, but you don't have the 10 hp motor roaring away in the background.
Definitely an advantage for the casual handyman, or even for professional use if you're running one all day long.
One disadvantage of an electric log splitter is that it needs electrical power nearby.
If you're in your backyard or on a farm that's usually not a problem.
If you're in the back forty you can always bring along a small portable "suitcase" generator.
On the other hand, you don't have to continually stop and fill up the gas tank while your working.
If you're using an electric splitter in the 4 ton to 20 ton range you can get away with 110 volt power.
Once you get into the bigger machines above 20 tons you'll either need a 30 amp circuit on 110 volts, or you may even need 240 volt power.
Some people claim that electric splitters are safer than gas wood splitters.
I'm not so sure about that.
In most cases the hydraulic cycle time is similar, so they both have the piston moving at similar speeds.
Safety really comes down to operator carelessness, and fundamental machine design.
A machine that is designed to have both hands on the controls before it will move forward is definitely safer - regardless of whether the power is electric or gas.
You can buy an electric log splitter as big as 34 tons, so you can have just as much power at your disposal as with any gas log splitter.
It really comes down to the type of work you're going to do, where you'll be using it most of the time, and your particular style.
But I have to admit, after trying several recent electric ones I'm very impressed.
In fact, there are several distinct advantages that an electric wood splitter has over a gas wood splitter.
Think about the home pressure washer that you use to clean your driveway or car.
If you're like me the first one you bought was a cheap electric version that wasn't particularly powerful but it got the job done and it wasn't very expensive.
The pressure hose was short, and you always had to drag a long extension cord around with you.
Eventually, you went and bought a brand new gas power washer with maximum pressure ratings and fancy fittings.
Sure, it could peel the paint off your neighbor's car 50 feet away, but it also went through gas like a Hummer.
It was also very noisy.
To tell you the truth sometimes I wish I had my "cheap" old electric washer back.
OK, back to log splitters.
But I think you get the point.
Power, size, and fancy features don't always turn out to be the best machine for your particular style or needs.
The same can be said for wood splitters.
Sometimes that extra power comes with the downside of extra weight and noise.
You want to take your shiny new gas splitter over to your brother-in-laws house and you need to rent a double axle trailer compared to some of the electric models.
Most electric models are quieter than their gas counterparts.
They still have hydraulic pistons so the hydraulic pump will make some noise, but you don't have the 10 hp motor roaring away in the background.
Definitely an advantage for the casual handyman, or even for professional use if you're running one all day long.
One disadvantage of an electric log splitter is that it needs electrical power nearby.
If you're in your backyard or on a farm that's usually not a problem.
If you're in the back forty you can always bring along a small portable "suitcase" generator.
On the other hand, you don't have to continually stop and fill up the gas tank while your working.
If you're using an electric splitter in the 4 ton to 20 ton range you can get away with 110 volt power.
Once you get into the bigger machines above 20 tons you'll either need a 30 amp circuit on 110 volts, or you may even need 240 volt power.
Some people claim that electric splitters are safer than gas wood splitters.
I'm not so sure about that.
In most cases the hydraulic cycle time is similar, so they both have the piston moving at similar speeds.
Safety really comes down to operator carelessness, and fundamental machine design.
A machine that is designed to have both hands on the controls before it will move forward is definitely safer - regardless of whether the power is electric or gas.
You can buy an electric log splitter as big as 34 tons, so you can have just as much power at your disposal as with any gas log splitter.
It really comes down to the type of work you're going to do, where you'll be using it most of the time, and your particular style.
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