Abstract: The present invention is a wood splitting apparatus that includes a trailer hitch that releasably couples the wood splitting apparatus to a vehicle, an oil reservoir that contains hydraulic oil to operate the wood splitting apparatus and a plurality of hydraulic control valves with a plurality of hydraulic hoses, where the hydraulic hoses extend from the hydraulic control valves to the oil reservoir and where the hydraulic control valves control a splitting wedge movably disposed on the second end of the wood splitting apparatus. The apparatus also includes a base table that receives a wood chunk that removably rests on the base table and a base trailer that transports the wood splitting apparatus with the vehicle.

Abstract: A log section splitting assistance apparatus comprises a base with radially arranged fingers, each of which is joined to the base at an axle, each axle having an axis of rotation which is horizontally oriented and tangential to the base. The fingers extend and retract through use of a lever arm. A user places a log section on the base, between the fingers. The user engages the lever arm to hold the log section on the base with the fingers. The user splits the log section. The fingers retain the split pieces on the base in a cluster until the pieces can be removed. The base and fingers may be rotated by foot, allowing the log section to be conveniently rotated as it is split. The user avoids bending; the splitting process proceeds quickly. The apparatus is robust and easy to use.

Abstract: A log splitter includes a trailer supporting a hydraulic pump, and a splitting beam coupled to the trailer. The splitting beam includes a housing maintaining a reservoir communicating with the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic ram coupled to the housing, where the hydraulic ram is in communication with the reservoir and the hydraulic pump. The splitting beam is movable relative to the trailer between a first splitting position adjacent to the trailer and a second splitting position in which the splitting beam is displaced away from the trailer.

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.