Buying a log splitter is a time consuming process. Which one will work for you? Which one will last the longest? How much money is it worth? Should I order online or go to my local store? There are a variety of questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a log splitter. Here are some quick tips on how to buy the right log splitter.

Are you splitting a lot of wood or a little pile? If you're going to keep splitting several cords of logs or wood every year, then you might want to go a little more heavy duty with your splitter choice. A 12 ton log splitter ought to do the trick if they are smaller logs and softer wood or a 20 ton or more might be a better fit for a big pile of unknown sized logs. The hardness of the wood should play a part in your decision too – it's not just the size of the log or the pile of logs that matters. For harder woods it is best to go with a higher tonnage log splitter.

Are log splitters portable? For the most portability between neighbors or family members, almost any log splitter comes with wheels or some way to transport it. The smaller log splitters you can simply lift into the back of a truck or vehicle while the larger wood splitter can be towed behind a four-wheeler or a truck if you have the right hitch and ball available. Almost all log splitters are portable these days.

What kind should I get? There are a variety of available log splitter types on the market today. It really depends on the type of 'fuel' you have available. If you're in a remote location or you plan to camp with this splitter, then a manual log splitter is probably right for you. If you're near an electric outlet, then an electric log splitter might be right. For the ultimate in portability and big projects, the gas hydraulic log splitter is a good fit.

How much money should I spend? In the splitter industry, the old adage applies: the price is equivalent to the quality of the product. Some manual splitters run $100 to $200, but they are hard to handle and break easily. I suggest looking in the price range of $400+ to ensure good quality and strong ability to break the logs or wood you have laying around.

Should I order online or go to a local store? Supporting your local market is always fun to do. These days, it is actually less expensive to shop for virtually anything – heavy or not – online. Just be wary of shipping. Some of the bigger log splitters require a freight truck and a lift gate is going to cost between $75 and $150 extra when they deliver the big log splitter to your driveway.

These were just a few questions to help you decide which log splitter is right for you. Good luck in your log splitter purchase!