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If you are dedicated to wood as your sole source of heat throughout harsh winter, the idea of using a log splitter must have crossed your mind more than once. No one prepares for the whole month with just an axe anymore. You do not have that much time, patience, or a steady back to tolerate the torture.
Log splitters are wonders to have if you need an army or cord of firewood every year. Now the main question is should you buy yourself one or just rent one?
There are pros and cons to both. Before you find yourself googling log splitter near me, let us consider the up and down of both options.
Let us break it down to few key points for better understanding.
Cost
Whenever you are buying something new, the first and foremost concern is the cost. The main reason why you don’t have an oil-fueled or electric heater is that a fireplace is more economically sane and authentic. Yes, it does make a bit of a mess, but it’s worth it. Obviously, it will not make any sense if you have a super expensive tool for your firewood.
Usually, a brand-new log splitter costs something ranging from 600 dollars to 1000 dollars. More expensive and sophisticated ones with versatile utility come at a higher price. Stick to a simple one that does your work nicely. You can always buy a second-hand log splitter, but the complication you face later adds up more to the expense because of all the repairs.
Yes, it sounds a bit heavy on the cash, but it is a one-time investment that will set you for the next ten years or so. Most people usually get back their whole investment by renting it out to friends, family, and neighbors. But it is only cost-efficient if you need logs every winter and in bulk.
Now let’s talk about a rental. When you are taking a log splitter rental near you, it comes hour basis or by the day. It goes something like 8$ to 20$ an hour, and for a day, it ranges mostly between 50$ to 100$ depending on the machine. Now, if you are splitting a cord and that is all you need to last a whole winter, then renting is the wisest decision.
You can chop it in a day so that it would cost you less. But if you gotta split 4 to 5 cords of firewood, you might have to rent it out for a week, which will come almost around 500$, give or take. In such a case it is better to buy a brand new one instead of renting one.
Convenience
Convenience depends on lots of aspects. Let’s dive deeper and understand it closely. When you have a rental log splitter, you have a deadline. Without a deadline, splitting logs can be fun. Spending a calm afternoon with a bottle of beer and basking in the smell of fresh wood. But when it becomes a marathon, it kind of gets on the nerve.
Since you are rending it by the day, you would try to finish as many logs as possible in as much less time. This takes quite a toll on your body, especially your back. When people rent a log splitter, the efficiency of your work must be higher or at par with the efficiency of the splitter. Only then you will make a good bargain.
One more thing to consider: whenever you rent a log splitter, you have to move in the machine from the place you are renting and again get it back to the same place. This also adds up o the cost, which most people miss out on. You also pay extra if you slightly damage the tool.
Since those machines are used by so many people and handled recklessly, they might not always be in their best condition. Because of this, the tool’s efficiency goes down, and you do not get the return for the money you paid for the day.
Most of the time, it is not worth it, and you might end up wasting your time. You can take your own sweet time and prepare for the winter when you have your own tool. Place it on a platform near the garage and wipe it once you are done. Put a layer of polish and oil up your baby before you cover and store it. Good maintenance is a must if you want your tool to last long.
Another Main Point That Affects Your Decision Is the Wood and The Amount.
The quality of the wood that you usually get might affect your decision of renting or owning a machine of your own. You might chop off from your vegetation and get your supply of wood for the winter. These raw woods might have a lot of corn, making the whole process a lot more time-consuming. Woods with lots of cords are hard to split and cut. So renting won’t be the best idea since it would waste your day and your money to rent it.
The amount of firewood you need must also be considered before making any purchase.
You can obviously rent out the first few years if you are new to the game. But once you get the hang of it and become a pro, try to buy your own if you need firewood in abundance every year. This will help you to save up quite a bit, and you can work at your own pace and be the boss that you are meant to be.
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