A wood splitter, as its name implies, is used for splitting wood or logs. The split wood created with a wood splitter is used in a variety of ways within the lumber and construction trade. A wood splitter is also helpful for do-it-yourselfers who need split wood to complete home improvement projects or prepare wood for a fireplace.

Lumbermen who need wood for their woodworking projects also frequently use a wood splitter. In this case, the wood splitter can be used for general construction needs and for making parquet and wood flooring. The wood splitter is also highly essential for working in the forestry industry.

A good wood splitter is measured by how fast it can complete a job with little energy from the user. The sharp blades of a wood splitter ensure an effective and reliable split. At the same time, the blades can cause harm to the user if proper care is not taken when using the machine. Proper protective gear, such a goggles, long pants, gloves, and a long sleeved shirt, are appropriate wear when working a wood splitter. It is also best to tie back long hair and avoid loose clothing, while wearing a safety helmet and steel-tipped boots.

There are several types of wood splitters available to select from. These include the vertical wood splitter, the electric wood splitter, and the horizontal wood splitter. The electric wood splitter is more efficient than a standard wood splitter because it splits logs without the need for an axe.

A vertical wood splitter loads wood from a vertical position. It is highly recommended for working in a sloped area, because it provides additional control over how the wood is placed. A horizontal wood splitter is loaded horizontally. Most of these wood splitters feature a quick 14-second cycle time with 24-inch (60.96-cm) stroke and an automatic return valve

A wood splitter is a costly investment. Therefore, the expense may not be worth it to the average homeowner. In this case, a wood splitter can often be rented from an equipment rental company. For those working with wood on a regular basis, however, a wood splitter is a worthwhile investment.

Converting trees into usable firewood can be a laborious process. First the tree must be brought down safely, then the branches are trimmed away with a chainsaw for mulching. The remaining tree trunk is then sliced into manageable segments for splitting into quarters. Traditionally, this involved using a heavy tool called a maul, which looks like a sledgehammer combined with a hatchet. Each section of log was placed on a stand and the woodsman would drive the hatchet end of the maul through the center. The halved pieces would then be split into quarters and eventually stacked for seasoning, the aging process which allows wood to dry for a year before burning.

A log splitter is a heavy duty piece of equipment which eliminates the need for a maul and hours of backbreaking labor. A log splitter consists of a hydraulic or electrical rod and piston assembly, often rated by the tons of pressure it can generate. The higher the pressure rating, the stronger the log splitter. Most log splitter models for home use have a rating around 10 tons or so, but professional models may exert 25 tons of pressure or more. There are also manual log splitters, which use mechanical leverage to force logs through a sharpened blade assembly.

A log splitter may be powered by a gasoline  making it useful for remote logging work. The entire log splitter is often wheeled out to the location and finished logs are tossed into a waiting truck or wagon. There are also  models promoted as suitable for all seasons. This type of log splitter is usually powered by electricity, making it ideal for indoor use during inclement weather.

No matter what the power source, a log splitter basically uses a piston to drive the log through a stationary blade. Some models have additional pieces which prevent the split logs from falling to the ground. This allows the operator to reposition the logs quickly for a second pass on the log splitter.

Although a good log splitter can save the operator hours of labor with a maul, it is not possible to make it 100% safe. Only trained adults should operate a log splitter, since anything caught between the log and the splitting blade will receive at least 10 tons of pressure. The behavior of each log cannot be predicted, so a safety zone should be established around the splitter. Helpers can pick up the individual pieces of firewood, but should not stand near the log splitter while it is in operation.