Are you a person who loves to sit around the fire and enjoy a relaxing time? If yes, then you surely need well-cut logs for it. I’m sure you would not want to sweat it out while splitting the log, so the best way out is to invest in a good log splitter that will efficiently cut the logs into the desired size. However, you must choose the best one for your requirements. In this blog, we are going to discuss all the main points that should be factored in while choosing the best log splitter.
Tips To Follow While Picking A Log Splitter:
Check the tonnage:
The first factor that you need to consider is the tonnage. It is the amount of pressure a log splitter applies while cutting the logs and is measured in tonnage. The following factors impact the tonnage:
- Size of the log and its diameter
- Wood is green or seasoned.
- Wood density
Once you assess the type of log you want to cut, you can choose the right type of splitter. The following section is going to discuss the key factors that determine the tonnage of the log splitter.
Elaborating on the different factors that impact the tonnage of log splitter:
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Size of the log:
The first factor that you need to consider is the size of the log. When you cut the wood, you would notice a fiber-like structure running up and down the wood’s length. This is known as the wood grain. Knowing about the texture of the wood grain will help you decide the log splitter. Log splitter applies pressure which splits the wood along the grain. This makes the task easier, and you will easily get the long splits of wood. If you want to cut the grains short, then you would need other tools like a chainsaw.
If you have a thicker log with a larger diameter, you need to apply more pressure. So, if you have wood of 6″ branches, then a 4-ton log splitter is a good choice, but if the diameter is 24″ then you would need a 20-ton splitter.
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Type of wood:
The next factor that you must take into account is the type of wood. The two types that you will find are green wood and seasoned wood. If it is a freshly cut log, then it will have moisture. These trees would appear to be greenish and yellow in colour. Over a period of time with aging, the moisture within it will evaporate and the wood will become perfect for a fire.
This process of aging of wood is also known as curing and seasoning. A well-seasoned wood has been drying for more than 6 months, and it appears to be brown in colour. Make sure that you notice the colour of the wood; if it is more on the brown side, it is suitable for burning. If you have greenish wood in colour, you would need a more powerful wood splitter.
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Wood Hardness and Density:
We have already discussed the wood fibers. Now there exists some space between the wood fibers, and this decides the density of the wood. Hardwood is dense, and the space between the fibers is very less than softwood which has more space between the fiber strands. Examples of hardwood include hickory and oak, while pine is softwood.
This was the basic information about the log splitter. You can find different types of log splitter in the market but make sure that you take into account the above-mentioned factors before finalizing your decision.
At the same time, you must also check the pricing and quality parameters. Once you get to know the best brand at the best price, you can buy the same. Make sure that you shortlist a few names, make a comparison and then purchase the one.
