Abstract: The specification discloses a wood splitter in which the ram for driving a piece of wood into a cutter can be selectively engaged or disengaged with a motor driven flywheel. The drive train between the motor and flywheel includes a clutch means which effectively disengages the motor if the load on the flywheel becomes too great, thereby preventing motor overload. The rack and pinion driven ram is mounted on an elongated beam which includes a trailer hitch at one end and which is supported on wheels at the other end whereby the entire splitter is portable.