Harbor Freight 10 ton manual log splitter review 

I'm going to get one for my wife! With her arthritis and all,sure beats swinging a big ax over her head! By time I get back from golf,I'm sure she'll have a few cords split!

Here's a user tip: if you have a pair of those tire ramp stands, put them on one side of this splitter so you can tproll the big logs right up on it to split, no muss, no fuss!

Thanks or the video! I got mine at HF with. 25% off coupon so under $100. I used it to split some big rounds that I cannot lift up to my electric splitter on a stand. This way I get those big boys down to a size I can readily handle...I am an older fellow with weak back, lifting a 100 pound round ain't so easy anymore...this splitter allows me to work smarter, not harder! An it stores in very little space when not in use!

I've got one similar to this one. Same appearance, same operating style. It sure does save a lot of work. Yeah, I could purchase an electric or a gas operated one, but it doesn't seem necessary, and the workout does me good. Now I have a woodshed-lean-to with horse mats over gravel in the work area. With that solid and stable platform, I have zero issues with the splitter moving around.

I've had mine for 12 years, put a stabilize bar to keep splitter from laying on it's side. I had to put -O- rings in pump. It's treated me real good & I've split wood that caused log splitter to jump off the ground when log finally split. For $120. it's a great buy !

Thank you for this video. I went and picked one up this morning and spent an hour splitting wood. Works just as shown in video. Thanks!

i have had mine for 2 years and it is still working good. my guides bent the first time i used mine too. sure beats an ax and a splitter iron!!

I've got a clone of this which was purchased at Lowe's (because I had a gift card from a work party). In the year since it was purchased, this manual splitter has proven to be a very worthwhile investment. The lone drawback is you have to move it on a dolly in the yard. Recently, I started keeping it on the dolly and it's been a bit easier on me during use.

I have one and it works great. I can use it indoors, can't use a maul indoors, LOL. Not everyone needs "the fastest", or one to use on 25+ cords of wood per year. For occasional use, they are awesome. People with injuries, or a disability can use this no problem, that is a factor with some people.

I was given one of these because it leaked from the valve knob - I put a little O-ring in there and it now works perfectly. As has been said, with straight grained wood you're better off using an axe/maul but for those awkward knotty bits, this does a good job and for a price I can't complain!

I'm getting a little long in the tooth, and bought one because it is safer than swinging an axe, and it allows you to pace yourself without having to put everything you've got into the axe swing. It's very quiet vs a powered splitter. I take my time and enjoy it instead of killing myself.

I have one of these and mounted it to a two wheeled dolly which makes it portable and more stable. It's nice to have on my deck and is quiet and can be used at all hours of the day or night if needed.

I picked one up from Home Depot - it works like a charm for those logs that are just about impossible to split with a maul.

Better than swinging a maul and sledge all day. I'm not old but in my 40s, and that is a freaking work out, and man do I get sore. I like this. Off the grid no electric or gas, or swinging heavy stuff. And worth the money. 100 bucks is about what I have in my maul sledge and axe.

Mine lasted for three seasons that’s when it started leaking hydraulic fluid from between the cylinder and body. Took it to a couple of places to see if it could be fixed. I was told that it would cost more to repair it then it would cost to buy another one. The way it’s welded together would be more costly in labor to disassemble. May look at the more recent builds and see how they’ve been assembled. Mine wouldn’t take logs bigger than eighteen inches.

Got one of these from HF a few years back when I had quite a few larger rounds to split...they were too big for me to pick up! Split a few with wedges and sledge, then got this and went right through them. Did quarters, then could pick up to put on my HF 5-ton electric splitter....not super fast, but when you are in yer late 60s and still working with firewood, it all definitely saves the back! I am not looking to be commercial or fast...just want to stack in about 2.5 to 3 cords per year for the wood heater!

Sweet!! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to get one. I've read reviews and most are really happy with theirs and surprised at the quality for such a low price..

I have the harbor freight 10 ton splitter. So far a big time saver. The thing most people don't understand is its any manual splitter is mostly to just crack the log and you still need to finish it with a splitting ax or maul

Cool video, I found one of those log splitters at a social concerns store and purchased it. I had a harbor freight 23Ton air over hydraulic jack laying around so I removed the manual cylinder and replaced accordingly. It works very efficiently and fast. The cylinder I used had its own spring return as well as an adjustable height screw for those shorter logs. LOL

Thanks for the review, kinda needed something my gf can use to split the larger logs that won't fit in the stove when I'm not home

I"m buying one for my husband, who is currently cutting with an axe. I can and do use an axe, but we are both 66 yrs and there may come a time when we need something simpler.

So helpful! Had an electric logsplitter which worked well until it didn't. I might take your tips and go this route. Our dead tree supply seems endless at the moment. Thank you!

Great review!!! Wasn’t sure how these worked. Going to buy one now and get some work done through the quarantine!!!!

I like the vertical engine driven system; no lifting and easy to reposition the logs

I've been wondering about that thing. Thanks for the review.

I usually buy my wood. But I had one of these. It's great for those logs the left to big.

I'll def be buying one! Good review sir!

My grandma overheard you talking about wrenching your big log, and now she won’t let me back in the house. Thanks.

Bought one after a year it leaks a little no problem I bought a gallon of oil and filler up when needed. Good way to work out stress.

Thanks for posting this. I ordered one to split wood down for my smaller stove without having to wade out to the woodpile to swing an axe in the snow. I wanted to be sure I was using it correctly (the instructions were not particularly instructive) and found your video with a quick search. The sound was fine for me and the info was very helpful. Thanks again!

Thanks for the review I'll get one and give it a go up at deer camp. If it don't work I'm only out a $100.00 plus it's a new toy to mess with.

Bought one today. Works like a dream. Split about 1/2 cord of oak in an hour, just cruising. Got it for $92 plus tax with the 20% coupon.

I split enough wood to line the back of my 25 foot wide barn 4 feet high in 18" logs. The splitter finally busted the piston seal, and HF had no replacement seal. It had a very cheap poly cup with an "O" ring retainer. After asking a couple of places about replacing the seal with a normal U cup and getting a ridiculously high quote to do so (The piston had to be machined to fit standard seals), I purchased a single lip piston seal from an eBay supplier and used a Rotozip as a die grinder to machine the piston slot to fit. I finished the slot out with a mill file as I hand spun the piston against a support. It is all now better than new. Since the seal was less than $6.00, I came out way ahead instead of buying another splitter. I would advise changing out the hydraulic oil after the first extensive use. Contaminated oil seems to have been the problem that degraded the seal by abrasion. Live and learn. You can split wood that is much larger than 6 inches, but do not allow the pressing plate to push on the edge of the plate. Make sure it pushes on the center of the plate. I bent the splitting push rod from the piston shaft when I was splitting a very large box elder log. As long as you keep the face plate center on the log, you will be OK.

Great Mothers Day gift idea.

Rounding the edges and corners with your grinder will definitely reduce the hanging.

I bought one for 1 simple reason. When the SHTF it doesn't require and fuel but me. Even the kids can do it if its not to big. For all of you talking trash about it you don't split much wood with a maul because there's no need to be in a hurry. If you are in a hurry maybe you should spend less time making comments and more time planning things out. for 100 bucks with a 20% off coupon it cant be beat.

You and me sir have a different definition of a phrase "goes pretty quickly".

Great job and nice video information.

I've had mine for 3 years and I love it!

Thanks for sharing this video. I was thinking I'd not like pumping that to split but it looks easy, no real issues. I think I'll be buying one myself this week.

I bought one of these in like new condition with very little use for $20. I wasn't overly impressed by it so I sold it for $80 and used that to purchase a lightly used electric 5 ton log splitter for $100. Now I have a like new electric log splitter that retails for $300+ new with only $40 invested.

Looked at this exact one but passed cause I wanted to research it. Now I need to go back and purchase. Thanks for the video!!!

The splitter is the best thing I've ever bought in my life. Have had my splitter for about 4yrs .. my son could do it when he was 3yr old.. but the comment I wanted to leave is,, after the log is split in half always turn bark down to finish splitting.... !!¡!!! My wife got hit in the mouth with a log that she had the bark facing up...

I like mine. Just the right amount of work. Not too easy, not too hard.

Just picked mine up today. It works awesome. I was splitting oak logs 6 to 12 inches in diameter. It ain’t gonna win any speed contests but it’s a piece of cake and doesn’t require a huge amount of physical exertion. I could do this for hours and not get tired. Can’t speak to its longevity but it wasvworth $140 I paid for it.

thanks for the video, I just sold mine, because I am still healthy and this is a tad slow for my needs, but the guy who purchased it thought it was broken or something, the length of the ram, well, it would be nice if they went ahead and added the telescoping ram head to it just to get those short pieces of wood, so anyway I shared this with him because it explained everything nicely. thanks again

Wall mount it by the stove to make kindling.

Thank you for this. I just bought one to tie me over, but it seems like a decent unit!

Great video, very informative. I read through these and got a chuckle to your answers to some of the dumber responses!

Nice video! Thanks for mentioning that. The right hand cylinder is a lower power one than the right. That is not in my manual that came with the unit. Same brand same model. That's a little strange isn't it but I love the unit so far in splitting some pretty tough pieces like 8"+ dia. old Manzanita and it's no problem especially using your technique using the right hand lever until the first major split.

The function is very good. I have owned two 10-ton manual splitters - both Greyhound model 67090 and Central Machinery model 62291. After 5 years, the gaskets failed on the 67090 and it was impossible to get replacement parts locally. So I bought the 62291. Within a year the pins and guide shafts broke. Both are made in China. My guess is they use recycled steel which is more brittle. Bottom line: good design and function, but poor materials.

Thanks so much for the awesome review buddy. I wasn't sure if it was worth buying, but now I will definitely look to buy one soon.👍😉

I have owned my Dirty Hand log Splitter for nearly 5 years. Its one of the best purchases I’ve ever made and has been a tremendous help every year when I’m preparing for the bitter cold winters of New England. This 28 ton splitter will split any kind of wood without a problem, I have gone through oak pieces I couldn’t even crack with a maul, but easily with this splitter. Splitting a cord in under two hours never seemed possible until I brought this splitter home. This splitter is fast, and very fuel efficient, 8 hours of splitting requires only around 2 gallons of fuel. Another huge perk about this splitter is its ability to adjust to vertical splitting with the simplicity of pulling a pin, if you come upon a log you don't feel like lifting just change it to vertical roll your log over and you are good to go. As a homeowner this is the perfect machine to get your logs split for winter, and if you want to earn a little money with it on the side renting it out or splitting for people is a highly demanded service come fall. With the trailer hitch you can take it wherever you go and maneuver it into almost and place to make your splitting more efficient. I strongly recommend this Dirty Hand 28 Log Splitter for anyone tired of swinging a maul for hours and getting nowhere, this is an investment that will pay for itself and then some. Check it out rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_id=114&ipn=icep&toolid=20004&campid=5338053301&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FDirty-Hand-Tools-28-Ton-Horizontal-Vertical-Gas-Log-Splitter-%2F331348111034%3Fhash%3Ditem4d25e2eeba%3Ag%3AXL4AAOSwOgdYp5pI

Everything is expensive where I live.. 150 bucks/day to rent a splitter. I've thought about buying one but never did. Heating with wood would warrant a splitter. We only burn a cord+/yr, so I use an axe, a maul, an 8 lb sledge and a wedge if needed. No oil, no gas, no maintenance! I don't miss the hungry years.. I'm still living them. lol

I picked up this also due to a lot of knotty rounds that I couldn't bust with my mual. It was cheap,a great workout, and most importantly it works with some modifications.

Have same splitter. Not the fastest but a 62 yr man can use it all day. Learned to cut logs so get use of full cylinder length. Can't beat it for the $$

You can make one with an air powered bottle jack also and a old axe head for the splitting wedge. I used a piece of trailer beam for the channel and welded a back plate and the axe head. Just connect an air line and push the jack button.

I've had one for years. Love it!

I was gonna leave a comment but I decided to split🤣🤣🤣🤣

Wow!! That log splitter is VERY impressive

Well that's pretty impressive for something come from Harbor Freight

Under the right circumstance it works fine It's good to keep near your stove In the basement when you happen to have a pc too big Then you're glad you have it

Junk mine leaked hydraulic fluid everywhere took it back and got the electric one best damn deal for the money.

I slightly bent the actual steal frame off centre due to those bloody side catches. Was my bad as I was really really going at it with the short burst lever. Wish I had watched this video first haha. Should have noticed, but yeah, grinded them off haha. Still works a treat. I just make sure I line them up on the natural cracks. To ensure an easier split. Neighbour down the road has a 50T Briggs and stratton. Give him some chicken eggs and leave him topped up with my own fuel for the big stuff and happy days haha. Good lil work out on the old manual. I use an axe for clean wood. Splitter is just great for small/medium sized knotted logs.

I recently bought the Southland 6 ton electric / hydraulic splitter and love that thing.

Thanks for post this review. Really helpful. Might be perfect for my needs.

I have one I bought used. It works great for me. I use it to split the harder pieces in half, and use a axe afterwards

I saw a guy who mouted his on a small homemade wagon. Easy to move around and a little higher off the ground, maybe 6".

I watched this video last night (5~19~2016) and was very interested in buying one of these splitters from Harbor Freight. I went and purchased one the next day from the Flint Michigan Store on Miller rd. When I got it home, I made sure everything was there and all the bolts were tight and it seemed to be intact. Well thats where things went south fast. One of the plungers that pump the oil to the main piston spewed out fluid and would not stop leaking. I called Harbor Freight and explained the problem and told them I could try to fix it and they said no problem. If I could not get it repaired I could still bring it back. After taking the part out and getting it checked at Fairhaven Auto Parts in Mt. Morris Mi. We discovered there was a piece of thin metal that was lodged between the O Ring and groove. Well the metal cut the O Ring, but it was a O Ring that could not be replaced from them and We could not get the O Ring. So I put it back together, took it back to Harbor Freight for a full refund. I hate to say it, but to me, this thing is not worth the trouble. I think it makes more work than needed. I do not suggest to anyone to make a purchase of this model. I was not impressed, but thats me. Good Luck to anyone that has one.

Was looking to possibly build one but now might buy this. Thanks

Thank you for the demo. It looks pretty handy🙂

Just bought this, I really like it

Thanks for showing us and take care.

Brought one 4 years ago....works fine still

The perfect tool to prolong the job.

i had one when i was 5 years old man it was a work out every day

Thanks for the video, I am going to get one.

I've been using one of these for 2 or 3 years. I split cottonwood with it, very tough stuff; when the splitter was new it worked OK. The little flipper wings bent over exactly as you see there. That does not impact function but I wonder why they haven't improved that part of the design, they are still selling them exactly as they were. Then the oil filler cork blew out and I literally could not find it, maybe it went 100 yards into the air and landed somewhere. Or maybe a bird swooped in and nabbed it? I replaced the cork and added a little chain. Then the welds broke that held the puck on the end of the shaft. There was a central rod coming out of the shaft thru the puck that held it for a while but the springs kept flipping the puck off the end. I disconnected the springs and just pushed it back by hand, but that rod got pushed flush into the shaft and now nothing holds the puck. It's useless until I find someone that can weld better than the dudes at the factory. 5/10 would not repeat unless design flaws were addressed.

Thanks. Seeing this there is no way I’m getting one and will go gas!

Thanks for the review video. Helped a lot in my decision to buy one now.

Looks so easy, however tried a smaller log, as 1st test out of the box. The vertical U bracket holding the return spring broke off the ram, about 30 seconds into the splitting process. Major failure! Time to return this product.

I love my harbor freight log splitter

I Bent the ram on mine a little but I think I can fix it. I’ve had a pretty good experience with mine other wise

The ram mounting plate flexed and bent. Still use it to split smaller pieces. I bought a Stickler for the biggin's !?

Thank you for splitting through the part where a branch was cut off. I was wondering how this type of splitter would handle that.

HD now sells the same manual splitter for $200. HF sold it for half that.

I bought one from northern when they first come out I live in Texas hardwood country and it's not worth the metal it took to build it

It's so easy that I can use it. Now with winter it beats using a axe and you get a nice workout.

you can easily mount this unit to an old dolly or cart to move it about easily.

If you only use it occasionally it is ok but trying to split wood for a living forget it. This splitter is useless as well as the electric ones. If you plan on making a living doing firewood buy a gas splitter saves time and will earn its keep fast.

Ok, yes it does the job. But watch out you don't extend the ram too far (over about 4") because the brackets holding the return are weak and will bend ands be damaged. Not mentioned in manual..

That wood would have split from fright if you showed it an axe...do some twisted grain

You really have to hate using an ax to go through all that rigamarole to split a piece of wood.

have one that's sort of like a little pull behind trailer frame it's on plus a spot for a pin to hook a trailer behind that so you can haul it and a wood cart around. kinda meh on it. I guess if you don't wanna swing an axe then use that. would rather use kinetic or screw type splitter. even powered hydraulic is too slow and i've ran into some pieces that will not split on that. probably screw since they can split full on trees if using them mounted to a post hole digger setup. Otherwise I'd mount it to a table similar to barkbuster.

Cool, didn’t want to buy an expensive one. This will do me.

Interesting. Guess if you're happy. The first splits will be seasoned by the time you finish the others. 😆

I was wondering if the manual splitter would help me. Thank you for this video.

Love it! Works great for the appropriate size log.

Thank you for this! Totally awesome! Love it.

liked and subbed! EXcellent job of clearly presenting pros & cons. :-D