Tired of swinging that axe until your palms blister?
That’s a good thing. Because, now, you can decide to stop living in the medieval age and enter the civilized world of machines.
Here, with the powerful arms of a hydraulic log splitter, you can work with ease and increase your productivity by astonishing levels.
Today, we’ll get a feel of what it’s like to split some rounds on one of the best log splitters on the market — Champion 25-Ton Log Splitter.
News flash: it’s a heavy-duty machine that makes wood splitting a piece of cake rather than excruciating labor. Surprisingly, it’s very easy to use and install.
Before the review, you should be in the know of some key areas to look out for when searching for a high-quality log splitter that rocks.
Hop on the ride!
Presenting The Champion 25-Ton Log Splitter
The Champion 25-ton Log Splitter absolutely takes the hassle out of wood splitting. It’s the ideal machine for the average homeowner to split all sorts of wood, even the dense ones included.
The horizontal position lets you work right at waist level with large log cradles on the side to catch split wood. Hence, you don’t have to bend much or crouch like with many log splitters.
In case you need to split massive logs, it seamlessly switches to an upright position that allows you to roll the log under the ram easily.
Also, it works well with knotty or logs that have frozen though the winter.
The only thing is, you may have to assemble this heavy-duty beast all by your self. And you may encounter challenges with its instruction manual if you aren’t machine-savvy, and of course, its large size.
Features and Benefits
Ready to find out what sets the Champion 25-ton Log Splitter apart?
Here we go…
Impressive 25.ton Splitting Force
Like I’ve said earlier, this is the ideal wood splitter for the average homeowner. With 25 tons of hydraulic pressure smashing a helpless wood to a wedge, you won’t find many that would resist splitting.
It can split logs as long as 24 inches, and with an almost unlimited size across, in my opinion. For most homeowners, this would be more than enough. Even lumberjacks making firewood for the Pizzeria’s oven can’t be short of impressed with its power.
This beast is powered by a recoil start system on its 224cc cylinder OHV engine. That’s much more reliable than what you’ll find in most of its competition
Blazing Cycle Speed
You heard that? It’s got a blazing cycle speed. The Champion 25-ton has a 12-second cycle speed, give or take. The hydraulic cylinder also returns automatically.
However, this speed time is only apt when you’re splitting incredibly dense or knotty rounds. Yes, it takes even less time – about 10 seconds – to split most average rounds. I can easily say this is one of the fastest gas hydraulic wood splitters on the market.
Dual Position Operation
To fully utilize its powerful splitting force, you can split wood in both horizontal and vertical positions. This way, you can break all sorts of wood sizes without much stress.
In the upright position, you can just roll a bigger log in place rather than lifting it unto the machine. A good thing about this feature is that it switches seamlessly between positions.
Effortless Operation and Transportation
Unlike most competitors who use two levers for operation – one for safety and the other for operation – the Champion 25-ton uses only one.
This way, you can guide your rounds with the other hand without the help of a partner. It also makes splitting faster and non-restrictive. The two-hand operation is considered slow by some loggers because you need to have both hands on the splitter.
In the end, it all comes down to preference. If you prefer the speed of one-hand operation, then you are in for a pleasant ride with the Champion 25-ton Log Splitter. It also has log catchers to hold split woods, saving you the stress of bending every second.
Also, you’d expect a log splitter weighing over 400 pounds to be towable. And it delivers with an oversized set of wheels and 2-inch ball coupler.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Hydraulic Log Splitter
If you’re a newbie to machines or log splitters, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of some splitters alone. Not to mention the particular features you’ll need to look for to get the best one for you.
That’s right. The best manual log splitter would be the one that suits you best and not the most powerful or expensive one. So, here are features you should consider to have a clear picture of the best log splitter:
Power
The focal point of power in a log splitter is its tonnage. This is the amount of pressure the machine applies to rounds to do a split.
If you buy an overpowered or underpowered product, you’ll either waste money or fail to split wood efficiently. Here are factors to consider to find a balance:
- Size of rounds or log diameter
- Green or seasoned woods
- Hardwood or softwood
If you only need to split kindling from 12-in seasoned rounds, you have no business with more than a 10-ton log splitter. Anything above that would be a waste of resources in terms of cost and portability. But if you’ve got the cash, you can splurge as you please.
Needless to say, having an idea of wood type and its hardness can help you choose the right log splitter for you. You can use the Janka Hardness chart to find out where your wood type falls into.
Price
It’s a no brainer. Before you shop for any item, you need to set aside a budget. The same thing applies to a log splitter. The amount you set aside would determine the type of log splitter you can afford. For instance, a low budget may restrict your options to a manual log splitter or low-powered electric or gas splitter.
So, the choice is yours. If you want a splitter with massive splitting force with impressive features like log lifts and more, it comes at a price. And the most affordable units usually cost at least a thousand dollars. The point is, you get what you pay for.
Ease of Use
The main goal of using a wood splitter is to work with comfort and speed. Getting one that’s difficult to operate, or not your style, will not only slow you down but also stress you out.
The splitting position for one is vital if you’d be splitting large logs or a large number of cords. Splitters with a vertical position allow you to split these types of woods without having to lift them. Most 20-ton and higher splitters have both vertical and horizontal splitting positions.
Speed
If you are mainly concerned with speed, kinetic splitters are the fastest on the market. They have an average cycle speed of about 3 seconds, while most hydraulic splitters range between 10-20 seconds.
Of course, the kinetic splitters cost more than hydraulic ones with matching power or even more. That said, you should know that the density of wood may affect the cycle speed of a splitter. Some may bulge or whine if they are only fast but not powerful enough.
General User Impressions
Based on customer reviews, the Champion 25-ton is one of the best log splitters on the market. It offers insane value for its price. It is a heavy-duty log splitter that guarantees a fast split on even the most bizarre type of woods. At worst, it may take only a second try.
Many customers also had mixed feelings about the installation. Installation is easy and straightforward, but they were bothered about maneuvering its heavy parts during installation. Here’s one encompassing review from one customer “Easy to set up, one-pull start, strong as hell. This machine is a monster.”
Our Opinion
The Champion 25-Ton Log Splitter stacks up among the best gas splitters I’ve ever seen. It’s not just about how its fast, easy to operate, and not just about its sheer power.
But for a reasonable price, it offers better features than any 25-ton splitter that I know of. If you want a powerful and easy-to-operate log splitter, the Champion 25-ton is a good option.
Champion Log Splitter Review Summary
Pros
- Can split most types of wood and sizes without difficulty. It delivers 25-tons of force to rip apart even freshly cut logs that are no longer than 24 inches
- 12-second cycle time splits wood efficiently. It even goes faster if you’re only working with average-sized rounds, say about 10 seconds
- Can be towed up to 45mph. It also comes with a 2-inch ball coupler so you can move it around your property right from the get-go
- It’s easy and fast to operate. It has a one-hand operation lever that lets you work with your other hand.
- Seamless horizontal/vertical position switch. The dual position also gives you options to split large back-breaking logs on the ground
- Heavy-duty steel construction is sure to stand the test of time
Cons
- The instruction manual is difficult to understand
- Barks and chaffs accumulate on different of the engine and splitter
- On/off switch is played out of easy reach. It may be detrimental during emergencies
Product FAQ
Can The Champion 25-Ton Be Towed On A Highway?
Not really. The 45mph rating is a maximum limit and not an advisable speed to tow this splitter. If you want to tow on the highway, you will need to tow load the splitter into a DOT approved truck.
The towing system is designed mainly for use on your property.
Does It Have An Electric Start?
No. It uses a recoil start system, as do all Champion log splitters.
Does It Come With Hydraulic Fluid Or Engine Oil?
Unfortunately, this splitter doesn’t come with hydraulic fluid or engine oil. The manual specifies the type of oil and quantity you should use once you are about getting started.
Final Thoughts
That’s it, folks.
The end of the road on a ride with the Champion 25-Ton Log Splitter.
On the road, we discovered the impressive 25-ton splitting force and the blazing cycle speed of this gas wood splitter.
The dual position feature makes you split even more efficiently when you are faced with large logs. Moreover, its one-hand lever design makes its operation smooth and effortless.
Finally, it’s a remarkably good deal for its price. For what its worth, you’d be splitting much more logs efficiently than with an axe or most log splitters for years to come. All without breaking much of a sweat while at it.
