I've been splitting wood with a maul for many years. I have injured my hand, and until the hand heals up, I decided to try an electric wood splitter.
This is the 7-ton Boss. $639 at Home Depot. Warning.* Some assembly required. You have to screw in the operating handle. Takes five seconds, no tools needed.
The tail gate of the Jap pickup makes the perfect working height.
We ran it today for 20 minutes, just to see what it would do. These are some big pieces of red oak, 16 inches long. This machine didn't skip a beat, it never even slowed, it split everything we tried. I couldn't be more impressed with this little wood splitter. Weighs 110 pounds.
I bought a similar style splitter 15 years ago. It's a Ryobi from Home Depot. 5-ton rating. I've been splitting about 4-5 cords every year. It's been a good purchase, still running strong.
they will split dry stuff pretty well. my buddy has one and it does pretty good. i think its the same one. as long as you're not trying to split big green oak or similar it will work. its nice because it is so portable too. i debate getting the harbor freight one for light duty. my TSC 27 ton is a heavy SOB to move around by myself but it has never failed to split whatever i put in it. most of the stuff i do is huge white oak and cherry.
I bought a similar style splitter 15 years ago. It's a Ryobi from Home Depot. 5-ton rating. I've been splitting about 4-5 cords every year. It's been a good purchase, still running strong.