Published: 15.07.2026 · Motohill team · Updated: 24.10.2026
Short answer: for firewood at home, with rounds up to about 50–60 cm long, a horizontal log splitter with 12–22 tons of force is enough. If you split thick, heavy logs or metre-long pieces straight from the forest, choose a vertical log splitter with 20–30 tons and a log length of up to 110 cm. You do not have to lift a heavy log onto it: you simply stand it on the base plate. Below we explain the difference, the key specifications, and which models from our range suit which job.
What is the difference between a horizontal and a vertical log splitter?
A horizontal log splitter works lying down. You place the round on a beam and the cylinder pushes it against the wedge. The machine is compact, usually lighter, and easy to move around a garage or yard. It works best with rounds of moderate diameter that are already cut to stove or fireplace length. The one drawback: every round has to be lifted up to the beam.
A vertical log splitter works the other way round. The log stands on the base plate and the wedge comes down from above. A thick, heavy piece only needs to be rolled over and stood upright, with no lifting. Vertical models usually have a longer stroke, so they also split metre-long logs. On the other hand they are bigger and heavier, and tractor-mounted models weigh several hundred kilograms.
There is also a middle way. The Jansen HS-22A62 works in both positions: split small rounds horizontally and stand the machine upright for thicker ones.
Horizontal or vertical: comparison
| Feature | Horizontal | Vertical |
|---|---|---|
| Splitting force in our range | 12–40 tons | 20–30 tons |
| Log length | approx. 50–62 cm (tractor models up to 105 cm) | up to 110 cm |
| Loading | the round must be lifted onto the beam | the log is rolled over and stood up |
| Size and weight | compact, easier to move | bigger and heavier |
| Best for | firewood for your own home | large volumes, thick and heavy logs |
Which specifications matter most?
Splitting force in tons
This is the force with which the wedge enters the wood. The harder and more knotty the wood, the more force you need. In practice 12 tons is enough for dry rounds of moderate diameter. 20–22 tons is a safe choice for thicker, knotty oak, beech or hornbeam. 30–40 tons is useful when you process large amounts of hard, irregular wood.
Log length
This tells you how long a piece fits into the machine. Horizontal home models usually take 50–62 cm, the standard length for a stove. Vertical splitters with 110 cm let you split metre-long pieces without cutting them first. If you buy firewood in one-metre lengths, this specification saves a lot of chainsaw work.
Drive
- Petrol engine: work anywhere, including the forest and plots without electricity.
- Electric: quiet, no exhaust fumes, handy in a garage or barn. Check whether the model runs on a normal 230 V socket or needs a 400 V power socket.
- Tractor-driven: the TS series runs from the PTO or the hydraulics of a farm tractor and mounts on the three-point hitch. A good choice if you already have a tractor and do not want to pay for a separate engine.
- Mini excavator hydraulics: cone splitters are fitted to the arm of an excavator or loader.
One-way or two-way splitting
Two-way splitters such as the HS-20DS63 split on the forward stroke (20 tons) and on the return stroke (17 tons). There is no empty return of the piston, so large volumes go faster.
Jansen models at a glance
| Model | Type | Force | Log length | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS-12L53 | horizontal | 12 t | 50 cm | petrol 6.5 HP |
| HS-12L53E | horizontal | 12 t | 53 cm | electric 230 V |
| HS-20DS63 | horizontal, two-way | 20 / 17 t | approx. 60 cm | petrol 6.5 HP |
| HS-22A62 | horizontal and vertical | 22 t | 62 cm | petrol 6.5 HP |
| HS-20H110 | vertical | 20 t | 110 cm | petrol 6.5 HP |
| TS-22 | vertical, with log lift | 22 t | 110 cm | tractor PTO |
| TS-14L105 | horizontal, three-point hitch cat. I and II | 14 t | 105 cm | tractor hydraulics |
| JSK-350-MS01 | cone | – | stumps up to approx. 50 cm diameter | mini excavator hydraulics (15–60 l/min) |
Which log splitter for home, farm or forest?
Home and your own firewood. If you prepare wood for a fireplace or stove and the rounds are up to 50 cm long, the horizontal Jansen HS-12L53 with a petrol engine is enough. Near the house, where there is a socket, the quiet electric HS-12L53E is more convenient.
Farm and regular work. When you split wood for several seasons or have lots of thick rounds, choose a 20–22 ton model. For metre-long pieces the vertical Jansen HS-20H110 with a petrol engine is the best fit. If you have a tractor with a PTO, consider the Jansen TS-22 with log lift: the lift raises heavy logs onto the plate for you and spares your back.
Tractor with hydraulics. The Jansen TS-14L105 hangs on a category I or II three-point hitch and is powered by the tractor hydraulics (a pressure line and an unpressurised return are required). Please note: it is made for a farm tractor, not for a two-wheel tractor.
Forest, stumps and roots. For very thick, knotty stumps a cone splitter such as the Jansen JSK-350-MS01 works well. The cone screws into the wood and tears it apart. It is mounted on a mini excavator, which you will find in the excavators and loaders section.
Safety and first start
Jansen log splitters use two-hand controls, which keeps your hands away from the wedge. Wear gloves and safety boots, and connect electric models with a cable of the right cross-section. The machines arrive in a crate or on a pallet, partly disassembled, and you assemble them yourself. Before the first start, check and top up the hydraulic oil, and on petrol models the engine oil as well. The PTO shaft for tractor models is not included.
Frequently asked questions
How much force do I need for garden wood?
For dry rounds of moderate diameter, for example birch, spruce or apple, 12 tons is enough. For hard, knotty hardwood it is better to choose 20–22 tons.
Petrol or electric log splitter?
A petrol splitter suits the forest and places without power. An electric one is quiet and needs no fuel, but it needs a 230 V or 400 V socket, depending on the model.
Can I connect a log splitter to a two-wheel tractor?
The TS series is designed for a farm tractor with a three-point hitch, PTO or hydraulics. It is not connected to a two-wheel tractor. If you have no tractor, choose a splitter with its own engine.
What is the difference between a wedge splitter and a cone splitter?
A wedge splitter pushes a wedge into the log with a hydraulic cylinder. A cone splitter screws into the wood and tears it apart by rotation, so it copes well with stumps and roots. The JSK-350 needs a mini excavator with an oil flow of 15–60 l/min.
How do delivery, warranty and returns work?
We ship by courier across Poland: free from 999 zł, 39 zł for smaller orders. Delivery to other EU countries is possible; cost and time are confirmed with your order. Warranty 24 months, returns within 14 days. Details on the payment and delivery page.
Need advice?
All horizontal, vertical, tractor and cone models are in the log splitters category. If tree work also leaves you with branches, read our guide how to choose a wood chipper. Not sure which force and log length to pick? Call us: +48 780 140 444. We speak Polish, Ukrainian and Russian.