Harbor Freight (Central Machinery) 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter Review - 1 Firewood Season! 

I've had mine for four winters now. I absolutely love it. I split, mainly, oak with it. Most of my rounds are between 10 and 25 inches in diameter. It takes a little practice to split those big rounds, and it's somewhat time consuming. That's fine by me, because, while I could split them with wedges, I would be tuckered out before long. With the splitter, I can split wood, steadily, for ten or more hours straight, get up the next morning and do it again. The old "slow and steady wins the race". I can't recommend the Harbor Freight 5-ton electric log splitter highly enough. It's a beast! It paid for itself the first full day of splitting.

I have this same Harbor Freight 5 ton electric splitter.....going on now for nearly 15 years! I had the equivalent one first from DR, but it was left out in the rain and the electrics shorted out on it, so it went in the dumpster and I bought this one. At the time, with a coupon it was around $270. Some comments about my set up....I had a left over metal stand from my woodworking shop so I mounted it on that to get it off the ground. I do not haul it around, it is set permanently on my 40' long back porch, near the center, and there is a table that sets on the opposite side from which I work. The table catches the piece that I do not catch so I do not have to bend over and pick it up again from the floor. I bought an adjustable C-clamp from HF and clamped the button in the on position. It does not hurt the hydraulics or the motor for it to run continuously. So far as adjusting the throw of the push block, I have a couple of different length cutoff treated 4X4 pieces of lumber that I can insert behind the slide, stopping it from coming all the way back. Since I never move the unit, I have had no problems with the handle, but it is good to know that I can find a long bolt, if necessary to operate the hydraulics. For extra large rounds too heavy for me to pick up, I have the manual HF 10 ton splitter that I use to break the rounds into halves or quarters before going to the electric splitter. I live in Arkansas and hardwoods such as red oak, black oak, hickory, and cherry area commonly used for firewood. They split fine on the electric splitter, unless they are knotty, then I simply split around the knots, when possible. We do not burn pine as it burns too fast and is loaded with sap. For feeding my machine, I bring the rounds to it in a 2 wheeled wheel barrow, and toss the splits into a 4 wheel garden cart, then take the cart and stack the wood on my back porch. I like to have 4 cords on hand, two to burn each winter and two that are aging for the next winter. As for me, I am 74 years old and have been doing this routine for around 50 years now. I used to split by hand, but I ruined both knees, so just cannot do that anymore, so this splitter is my essential tool now. I used to get some hardwood logs, from construction sites, etc. for free, and dumped on my property, but now I just watch around during the year and find cut rounds left on the curbside so I scavenge most of my wood every year. I have been known to buy a trailer full of rounds and have them delivered so I do not need to mess with a lot of chainsaw work...as my back can no longer handle that either! HA HA As one gets older, one goes from brute force to finesse in how to handle wood. I have a tool that allows me to pick up rounds and not have to bend over to put them in my wheel barrow. I developed a system for me that meets my needs with a minimum of work and effort. Best of luck to you!

On larger logs that won’t split I take my saw and score the end and line it up with the wedge and it’s worked for me so far, I’ve split 16” maple 12” hickory and 14” locust. I sit on a 5 gallon bucket next to it that way I don’t have to lift the logs too high.

I have the five ton electric splitter from Canadian Tire, same as yours except it’s on a stand with wheels, about waist high, it works vertically and horizontally, I use it for doing soft woods mostly in the 6 -10” diameter by 12” long. One thing I did was remove the protruding guards on power button, and use my knee to turn it on, that way I have one hand to control the round, and one on the hydraulic lever. I’ve had it for about twenty years and never had any issues with it.

I purchased my 5 ton in early summer. I live in SoCal and the most prevalent wood here is eucalyptus. Funny thing with this wood is how hard and twisty it is. If you try with all your might and use an ax, the ax will just bounce right off the log. Very hard to split. This 5 ton from Harbor Freight has NO problem splitting this twisted wood. I have split rounds that were up to 15" diameter. Maybe not the first try or down the middle, but starting on the edges and taking slices off. Sometimes I have to work the round and flip it or just move it a quarter turn. I have it on a rollaway bench that I love. It hasn't failed me yet with over 2 cords split so far. As far as adjusting the ram, all I did was to cut a piece of wood and place it behind the ram so it won't cycle all the way back. Yes, the two hands to control is somewhat awkward at times when you want to hold your wood from raising up. I would also like to see some small spikes on the ram head to keep it from slipping off the wood sometimes.

Great video dude, best review video of this model I’ve seen so far!

Nice short synopsis of this piece of equipment. Thanks

Thanks for the video and review. I have been wondering how that splitter would hold up. Great video !!

Most similar machine have a locking collar on a tie, guide rod, next to the hydraulic rod. An alternative is to place a small log on top of the extended rod & bind with cord. Save time on shorter logs. Having the splitting wedge leading edge almost knife sharp ensures ease of penetration. Reduces stress on hydraulic pump & so less heat created in motor. If appears to be lacking power, suggest check the hydraulic oil level & top up if required.

Merry Christmas...I have the same model with the foot switch on/off mod. I also use a quick release clamp from harbor freight to squeeze the button in. It works flawlessly and doesn't need a push button modification which keeps it stock Incase you have to return it for a malfunction or a breakdown..Yes the stand would be a great idea... I am going to fabricate one soon.

Nice review. I've thought about getting one of these, but wondered how it'd do especially with harder woods like elm (I'd be splitting various pine & spruce, as well as elm). Hearing what you said is good info!

Friend just bought this after trying out my Homelite to see if a 5 ton electric is 'enough.' (it is!). First thing that happened was he broke his handle too. Oh, and then a wheel broke. Other than that he loves it. I keep a chunk of a 6x6 around and use that as a spacer between the ram and wood if I'm splitting shorter pieces - makes that wait for the ram travel not an issue.

i bought one about 4-5 years ago, i think it was only $230 or so then. luckily mine just has the click on/off switch, no momentary on as yours does. mine has held up well, the black guide things to help hold the log will most likely break off soon. i think mine made it 2 years before one fell off, the metal is just so thin. i ended up taking off the other side. other than that no issues with anything else. use it every year. definately change out that switch. my dad had a different brand with the momentary switch. we ended up getting a 20a home light switch and mounted it on the side, worked great.

I have heard of people welding a hatchet/axe head to the front of the wedge to help penetration and as a result be able to split larger pieces.

I have the exact same thing, but mine was bought as a 7 ton splitter, made by Longli Industries (China) I'm pretty sure that all they do is turn in the hydraulic pressure relief valve a bit to up the splitting force. I turned mine in a bit too much (one turn out from fully seated) and both side plates on the broke apart, so had to get the welder out. The ram and motor can make much force than the pusher mechanism can withstand, so if fiddling with the pressure relief be careful! You can control the return position of the ram easily by putting a piece of wood behind the pusher, or a small vice grips on one of the connecting rods. Also I've had to replace the plastic wear pieces over and under main square tube, cost about £5 .

Make a blade adapter/ spacer that is a blade but bumps up against the factory blade. Just a thought. Worked pretty good for me when I got the bugs worked out of it.

I have this splitter. I use a foot switch and a clamp for the on off. I saw a video today where they put a piece of wood at the end to stop the length of the backstroke. I am going to try and see if that works, I use a metal step platform I got at Home Depot for my stand. Works great.

had mine going on 10 years,one problem melted control unit . replaced control but new one had to manually hold start button didn't like having my face so close put the old swit ch on and works fine,used piece of pvc pipe to work le er same reason

Harbor freight sells tarps too.

Stroke limiting collar stoppers are your friend. Sounds dirty, but they are what you need if the machine doesn't have it built in. Cheap too!

I bought it and I broke the handle before I used it. Do you know the size of the screw.

I wonder if you could set up two of these log splitters and modify your work flow to alternate between the two

Derek, the ram return speed is VERY slow. Forward speed is fine just very slow on the return. Fluid level checked - twice. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.............

Just cut a 6" piece of a larger log and use that as a shim for the back. I think if you hold the lever the ram will stop returning all the way back.

Nice thx, I've been meaning to get me one too. A foot pedal would be a total must for me. It's so dumb how all these types of splitters make you occupy both hands...I realize it's a "safety" feature so that you don't have a free hand to accidentally stick into the business end of it, but then you can't hold to the log. Screw that! Wood is your solo heat at your house?

Have you done a how to ? For beginners ? From start to finish .

I just got mine and about to start using it I need to know what kind of hydrolic fluid to use

Ive had alot more trouble splitting soft wood than any hard wood

You can put a short piece of log in front of the ram .....so you can split short pieces and not have it go back that far.........Z

splitter it's for kids

I have to say... That's a pretty shitty design if the handle brakes standing it up. DR power splitters don't have that problem cost less and probably better quality than harbor freight. DR power is single handle operated, so you don't have to keep pushing a button down and the control lever, just the control lever. You can stand a DR splitter up vertically and the control handle isn't stupidly positioned anywhere it would make contact with the ground. Central Machinery..... just wow. Awful