Forest master Manual Heavy Duty Log Splitter Fast 10 Ton splitting force DUO10T

I had had this log splitter for a year or two now. I have easy split a couple of tons of fallen tree logs, mostly in the order of 12 inch diameter or so. I find the tool easy to use and has been completely reliable.I like the sprung return of the ram and the ease of height adjustment. This has split poplar, birch, holly, hawthorn and oak without any other.An essential tool for me in winter to split wood for the Rayburn.

I recently bought one of these as I found my smart splitter was playing havoc with my back after a few hours.The unit arrived with a few bits missing and the pressure relief valve knob had been broken in transit, I called Forest-Master and the parts arrived a few days later and I was able to use the machine.The machine is very stable when used in the vertical position and splits most logs with ease, however, it does struggle with knotty logs at times, but this could be worked out with an improvement to the design, more on that in a moment.On it's initial outing I used the machine for about 3 and a half hours and was very impressed with the amount of logs I had split in that time, it's superbly powerful, but beware some logs split with a bang and shoot out either side, this isn't a problem with the machine it's just the way some logs are.I did have one more problem with the machine in that the key ring type wire that you pull to adjust the height of the top cutting head bent and came out of the pin, which meant the pin shot inside it's holder and I was unable to adjust the height of the top cutter, Again a quick contact with Forest Master and they gave me the answer to my problem, simple to do fix which works, I did replace the wire rings with stronger key rings in the process.Now a couple of suggestions to make the machine even better.1. An additional set of holes to allow the top cutter to go lower thus allowing shorter logs to be split for the smaller wood burners2. Increase the width of the splitting heads at there widest point to force knotty logs further apart when splitting3. A foot operated lever to operate the pressure relief valve, this a purely ergonomic suggestion as it would stop the continual bending to release the pressure after every useTo sum up, this is an excellent log splitting machine, it requires about twenty minutes setting up which is straightforward with good instructions. Obviously not as fast as an electric splitter, but I feel this is a fair tradeoff as there is less to go wrong with this one, in use it's excellent at forcing it's way through all but the most stubborn knotty log, which I feel could be overcome if the splitting blades were allowed to come closer together or perhaps the width of each blade was increased so it forces the split wood further apart during the splitting process, just my opinion!Please do not allow my suggest stop you buying this excellent bit of kit, they are based on my own personal circumstances and needs which may not be the same as yours, and finally as I stated above the customer service sets the standard that all should try to attain.CheersDave

Bought the Duocut log-splitter a couple of weeks ago to save my back and shoulders the strain of the axe. It is simple to put together, I used 2 allen keys and an adjustable spanner. I found the support from Forest Master was excellent. The Duocut's wheels are small, but that is so that it can stand firmly whilst being used - my experience is that it is best to store it close to where you will be using it. So far I have used it to split the logs of two newly chopped 26m Corsican Pines and one 20m Sitka. It handled all the wet wood well and had no issue with knotty logs - if the first split didn't completely separate the halves, I just turned the log over and redid it. The logs ranged from 6 inch to 14 inch in diameter - with the bigger ones requiring multiple splitting to get them to fire sized logs, and 3 inch to 12 inch lengths. After use with the wet wood, I dry the external metalwork off with a towel, and leave the jaws in the closed position to allow the pistons to dry in the sun, prior to storing as per the instruction booklet. It is a delight to use and I have had no back issues - I do the splitting 2-3 feet away from a wall, so I can stand with my back braced straight against the wall once the jaws have bitten into the wood.

I decided to go for a hydraulic rather than motorised splitter as it seemed easier to take it to the fallen tree rather than the other way round and it seemed better value for I was prepared to pay. This one will take a logs up to 2 foot wide in the horizontal position, the motorised ones at around the same price specified a maximum diameter of 8 inches which is not of great use to me. I ordered it from Arrows and the price included express delivery, the splitter arriving within a couple of days of placing the order. The unit consists of a hydraulic bottle jack that drives a wedge up slot in a steel beam towards a static wedge that can moved along the beam through a series of holes in the sides, the wedge being held in position by two spring loaded catches. There are two pedals/ levers that work the jack, one to bring up the wedge fast to the log and the second to apply pressure. There is a little self assembly with the Allen key provided, no to arduous, but mine had a faulty thread on one of the pedal holders so the bolt would not stop the pedal turning in the holder. This did not stop me using the levers in the horizontal position over the weekend which is probably the way I will use it mostly. The splitter worked well splitting some very knotty logs from a venerable apple tree that had given a lot of resistance to wedges and sledgehammer. On Monday I phoned Forest Master and explained the fault and the replacement part was with me Wednesday. The part was slightly different, the bolt holes lined up but the pedal took some persuasion to go in the holder tube. This is clearly not a precision made device but then it is not very expensive. I am not sure there is any advantage of having wedges at both ends as it tends to make two splits unless the log is straight grained and I notice I have already bent the cradle that the log rests on above the beam. The instructions do warn about this but it easy to do as the two halves are driven out and fall between the wedge and the cradle. I do not see the need for the log to be lifted off the beam, surely a shallow cradle welded flush with the beam would suffice. These are minor inconveniences, the device splits well and is good value for the price. It is probably no faster than using a maul or wedges/ sledgehammer but certainly easier on the body. I have been splitting logs most of my adult life but I think the years are catching up with me.