Abstract: There is disclosed a log splitting machine comprising a rail with one or more chain saws near one end to sever fireplace lengths from the log. A hydraulic ram pushes the log from the other end to force the severed lengths through wedging knives. The hydraulic ram is mounted on a main carriage and, as it extends, a plunger carriage on the piston rod pushes against the log until, at the end of its stroke, a stop finger drops into a slot along the rail. This prevents the plunger carriage from returning along the rail, whereby retraction of the hydraulic ram pulls the cylinder carriage up behind the plunger carriage. Dogs pivoted on the sides of the rail are pivoted down by the passing carriage and then sprung back up to prevent its return. Then, after the saws sever two more lengths, the plunger is extended through a full stroke to split them and the stop finger drops into another slot in the rail, causing the cylinder carriage to be pulled up ahead of another set of pivoted dogs on retraction of the piston.