Abstract: An apparatus and methods for splitting logs includes a hydraulic power unit, for driving a wedge against a log, held in a fixed position, between the wedge and an anvil. The hydraulic power unit is manually powered, and can provide driving forces at two different speeds, depending on the loads encountered during a log splitting operation.

Abstract: Manually operated apparatus for splitting wood includes at least one axe-shaped blade vertically arranged on a support base. The at least one axe-shaped blade has an upward facing cutting edge. The axe-shaped blade is structured and arranged to receive thereon a lower end of a piece of wood so that the piece of wood can be split by a hammer blow directed to an upper end of the piece of wood. A saddle member is coupled to the support base. The saddle member is structured and arranged to allow the piece of wood to lean against the saddle member and to hold the piece of wood upright at the moment when the piece of wood receives the hammer blow. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus is provided having a pair of linearly elongated, telescoping cylindrical base members forming a V-shaped base diverging outwardly from an apex, a bracket base member, a linearly elongated, vertically extending handle support post, a linearly elongated, telescoping handle mounted above the apex and on a vertically extending handle support post, and a wedge vertically affixed to the handle.