I haven't used one of these myself, but if it's like the hand-actuated hydraulic pumps I would use in my active duty days, when you had pressure against the log, the harder to use lever is a low pressure high volume pump that's good for getting the ram into position quicker, and the easier one to use is a high pressure low volume pump that gives you the actual splitting force. Definitely a good workout if you go through a lot of wood, either way 😂
I love Harbor Freight. I have purchased several things from there since they came into our area. I don't have this log splitter though. Where I live I don't really need one. But I am glad it works.
Got one of these for 130$ on sale. I used it to split a large maple. Worked great. Yes it is a bit of work but much better than a maul and sledge hammer. It held up ok but I didn’t beat the living shit out of it either. It’s worth the money.😊
That's what I figured...for no bigger than his rounds were, an axe/splitting maul would plow right through that. Looks like he even quit after only a couple rounds...
@@cattmann1405 Yeah it's many pulls and pushes of the hydraulic levers, for 1 split, that a hatchet would do. I will say, its a nice safe method for his kids though and a good work out for sure. You are totally right though, just use a splitting axe or even a Estwing hatchet/sledge in 1 tbh, for that sizing. 👍🏼
I was just testing a small batch of wood. I have an AXE but want different options. I have found it to be easier to throw song logs in here rather than trying to stand up, balance just right and get a perfect strike. Multiple options are always good!
@@AdventureIsOutThere I would be curious if you would still have a positive view of this splitter after an entire cord in one sitting. How many hours would it take to split that cord? It looks to have a 4-5" wedge on the ram...would it even split a 20" diameter round if it's limited to the edge? Sure, I'll just use it for small batches...but if your batches are that small, then just use the axe and save $150.
They make a Drill Bit now, that will split this in a trigger pull of your finger, instead of training like an olympic skier. Wedge and Sledge is 1 swing of the arm, as well as chopping with an axe. The electric version is no work, but it takes a ton of power so you want to be tied to a grid to use it. Having to "Ski" for each log, is a ton of extra work. The drill bit is amazing, I highly recommend it, it splits wood, very efficiently.❤
For splitting Pine it works ok. But on hard woods these things are dangerous. If your splitting hardwood with these drill types and havent been injured yet, just wait, you will. They are just cheap chinese crap promoted by shills for the chinese.
I bought one about a year ago, kept it in the garage, safe from the elements. It worked fine for a week or so, then the cotter pin broke. They gave me a new one and, now, a bit less than a year later, it has given up the ghost. Appears the seals have given out. It doesn't work. Avoid....
The wood chopping experts in the comments are hysterical 🤣This is perfect for someone who wants to cut up small pieces for a basement wood burner or at a cabin with no power. Not everyone is equipped and/or wants to swing an axe with a wedge.
Yeah, it’s just an overview of this product for someone search for a wood splitter. It’s not meant to be the end all be all for wood splitting. I use my axe 95% of the time, but this comes in handy in certain situations & a great back up if I am every not able to swing the axe due to some type of injury.
I bought one about a year ago, kept it in the garage, safe from the elements. It worked fine for a week or so, then the cotter pin broke. They gave me a new one and, now, a bit less than a year later, it has given up the ghost. Appears the seals have given out. It doesn't work. Avoid....
If you can find an older one yes. New ones, no they are pure Chinese ccp garbage. The metal is pot junk metal and you'll be lucky if the ram jack lasts throung half a cord or longer than the 30 day warranty.
For shorter logs. Use a block of wood, or your next log as a spacer so you don’t need to extend the piston all the way out
I have one and so far it has functioned as advertised. Did exactly what I needed.
I haven't used one of these myself, but if it's like the hand-actuated hydraulic pumps I would use in my active duty days, when you had pressure against the log, the harder to use lever is a low pressure high volume pump that's good for getting the ram into position quicker, and the easier one to use is a high pressure low volume pump that gives you the actual splitting force.
Definitely a good workout if you go through a lot of wood, either way 😂
Bought the exact one last week. Works great!!!
I use mine for splitting larger rounds so then I can lift the splits to put on my HF 5 ton electric to finish up!
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Thanks for this review. It has shown me that I should get the $300 electric one. I’ve got cords of wood I’ll be splitting.
I love Harbor Freight. I have purchased several things from there since they came into our area. I don't have this log splitter though. Where I live I don't really need one. But I am glad it works.
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Bought my husband one last year for Christmas! Definitely helps out when splitting logs! Good for the money 🙌🙌
Thank you Ryan for posting this. I always wondered if they were good. For the money to bust open seasoned wood it looks pretty good 👍
My pleasure, just put this out there for people searching online for more info on one of these.
Got one of these for 130$ on sale. I used it to split a large maple. Worked great. Yes it is a bit of work but much better than a maul and sledge hammer. It held up ok but I didn’t beat the living shit out of it either. It’s worth the money.😊
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Don't you have to fill it with hydraulic oil first? Or does it come with oil already in it?
It comes with it already.
I own this splitter and the electric version.
Its more work, than axe splitting or wedge and sledge tbh.
It just sits on my porch.
That's what I figured...for no bigger than his rounds were, an axe/splitting maul would plow right through that. Looks like he even quit after only a couple rounds...
@@cattmann1405 Yeah it's many pulls and pushes of the hydraulic levers, for 1 split, that a hatchet would do.
I will say, its a nice safe method for his kids though and a good work out for sure.
You are totally right though, just use a splitting axe or even a Estwing hatchet/sledge in 1 tbh, for that sizing.
👍🏼
I was just testing a small batch of wood. I have an AXE but want different options. I have found it to be easier to throw song logs in here rather than trying to stand up, balance just right and get a perfect strike. Multiple options are always good!
@@AdventureIsOutThere I would be curious if you would still have a positive view of this splitter after an entire cord in one sitting. How many hours would it take to split that cord? It looks to have a 4-5" wedge on the ram...would it even split a 20" diameter round if it's limited to the edge? Sure, I'll just use it for small batches...but if your batches are that small, then just use the axe and save $150.
@@cattmann1405 👍
Very handy at home
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The lumberjack 12-ton with better tires and front legs may be better for some, at $20 more,
Who sales them ?
They make a Drill Bit now, that will split this in a trigger pull of your finger, instead of training like an olympic skier.
Wedge and Sledge is 1 swing of the arm, as well as chopping with an axe.
The electric version is no work, but it takes a ton of power so you want to be tied to a grid to use it.
Having to "Ski" for each log, is a ton of extra work.
The drill bit is amazing, I highly recommend it, it splits wood, very efficiently.❤
For splitting Pine it works ok. But on hard woods these things are dangerous. If your splitting hardwood with these drill types and havent been injured yet, just wait, you will. They are just cheap chinese crap promoted by shills for the chinese.
👍
I"ve not seen good reviews of the drill bits. I've watched several and they all say they are awful.
use a nice square block of wood on the short pieces
Finally someone splitting hardwood.
Im thinking about getting one of these next month
I use my Axe 95% of the time, but this has been helpful for certain longer skinnier logs I don't want to hassle standing up & hitting just right.
@@AdventureIsOutThere o ok I'm curious if this would work for me because I'd probably use my silky katanaboy 650mm folding saw
I bought one about a year ago, kept it in the garage, safe from the elements. It worked fine for a week or so, then the cotter pin broke. They gave me a new one and, now, a bit less than a year later, it has given up the ghost. Appears the seals have given out. It doesn't work. Avoid....
How long did it take to split that small pile in the video?
Not very long. I do use my Axe 95% of the time, but certain sizes of wood, I will pull this out.
Just bought it and it wouldn’t retract. Hoping they’ll swap it out tomorrow.
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@@AdventureIsOutTheregot any tips I could trip? I turn the handle and nada.
@@LanceKaminer not sure, ours worked out of the box
The wood chopping experts in the comments are hysterical 🤣This is perfect for someone who wants to cut up small pieces for a basement wood burner or at a cabin with no power. Not everyone is equipped and/or wants to swing an axe with a wedge.
Yeah, it’s just an overview of this product for someone search for a wood splitter. It’s not meant to be the end all be all for wood splitting. I use my axe 95% of the time, but this comes in handy in certain situations & a great back up if I am every not able to swing the axe due to some type of injury.
Yah also for those with a bad back who just need some help with the tough stuff this beats forking out for a big gas unit
But for a big job absolutely not
I didn’t catch how long it took to produce the wood pile.
We just tested the first batch, once we got the hang of it was pretty quick.
Got mine for $99 a couple years back!
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@ 1:40......wasn't that a trick used in "Tom Sawyer"?
Not sure?
Where Tom has his friends whitewash the fence instead of him telling them it's fun and not work@@AdventureIsOutThere
@@timothygriffin1062 ahhh...gotcha!
I bought one about a year ago, kept it in the garage, safe from the elements. It worked fine for a week or so, then the cotter pin broke. They gave me a new one and, now, a bit less than a year later, it has given up the ghost. Appears the seals have given out. It doesn't work. Avoid....
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I bought the same one but the frame vended
Sorry to hear, our is still holding up.
This looks to a very slow and labourious way to split wood. It would be easier and quicker to use a block splitter with wedges.
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Not when you're 60+ years old 😊
It's half as fast as splitting with a maul.
I use our maul 90% of the time. Certain longer skinny logs get better results on perfect splits.
Mine broke ten minutes after taking it out of the box,not to be used on hard wood.
No issues with ours thus far, thanks for sharing your experience!
I'd like to know how it broke exactly. It's just a bottle jack and if that broke I'd never buy a bottle jack to raise a car then.
Looks like it will only take 67 days to split a cord of wood
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Get that boy some work gloves! :)
He has some 👍
This dude is moving the saw back and forth...
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If you can find an older one yes. New ones, no they are pure Chinese ccp garbage. The metal is pot junk metal and you'll be lucky if the ram jack lasts throung half a cord or longer than the 30 day warranty.
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junk
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There’s a sucker born every day
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I thought it was every minute.