Powerhouse Log Splitters XM-580 9 Ton Electric Hydraulic Horizontal Log Splitter, Red/Black/Silver

The Powerhouse XM 580 is a powerful splitter. I split a cord of wood in short order and with the exception of a few pieces of thick mesquite, it sliced thru the wood very good. Most of the wood was oak and the machine did a great job. I have always rented a gas splitter before for over a $100 a day. This machine came close to replicating the gas machines, only it is much quieter. As an added plus, received the splitter one day earlier too! Only drawback was the instructions were somewhat vague.

It’s 24 Amps!! The average circuit in an American home is 20Amps. If you have a home built in the 70’s, you may have a house like mine with 15Amp circuits on the perimeter (near all windows). This is too important not to mention! I’m running this thing off of a 5500 Watt generator that sounds like it barely handles the load at first... would think a lesser one would shut off. So much for quiet though.Also, missing parts. They are not responsive to calls or Amazon reviews, which oddly don’t mention information that should be provided. It’s misleading to suggest you can just plug in and go. Horrible directions. Their youtube was comical. Also, you split wood to dry it... buy a hatchet, hand maul, or rig it for not pushing all the way through to handle the “strings”. I’m splitting fresh cut black birch and every log needs extra cutting work.

I have been using this for a little over a month. Really struggled over whether to get the 7 ton or the 9 ton version. Also struggled over dropping $500 for this machine. Wanted one for a long time. I am an idiot - should have done this a long time ago. Prolly split a 1.5 cords so far. And the little machine has performed excellent. So nice not have to rent a machine and find my disappearing kids to be part time lumberjacks - and HUSTLE to get the rental splitter back on time. This I can use by myself for as long or short time as I feel like and then roll it back into garage. Does a great job with large oak and hickory logs. I must admit I LOVE the fact that this is electric. As a manly man I typically prefer gas powered machines that don't start, are loud as , and emit smoke/smell but in this case I love just plugging this little warrior in and bashing logs into manageable pieces so that the wife can continue burning way too much wood in the fireplace. This deserves a 10 star rating. Must have.

For a 9 ton splitter, it seems a little underpowered. Does pretty well at splitting hardwood logs up to 15" diameter, as long as there are no knots.The safety feature (having to hold down 2 levers at once) is extremely annoying for experienced loggers, as is the shut-off when it overloads due to a log that's too much for it to split. You have to turn off the splitter and turn it back on to reset.For once a year, it does a decent job. Portability is a big plus.

Out of the box I am pretty impressed with this little machine. maybe 30 minutes to an hour to figure out the poor assembly instructions, but extremely easy to use, compact, easy to store, powerful enough for all my firewood needs. I jammed the machine on only one tough log, added a small starter slit with my chainsaw and it split no problem. Easily split logs way larger than rating. I did rig up a method to actuate both handles at once which made a much easier one person use. It is so small that using it on the ground is not convenient, put it in the bed of my pickup and it was at perfect height. Money well spent assuming it holds up for a few years, two or three rentals would pay for this machine. I will use it probably 4 times a year.

It was ok. I was upgrading from a 5 ton electric and this did slightly better. Still had trouble cutting certain hardwoods. I returned and bought a 20 ton gas. The electric splitters are only good for splitting small soft woods.

Instruction manual is too small and pictures are terrible! Detailed instructions are LACKING.Even illustrated parts breakdown is not detailed enough to try to figure out what goes where.Parts were missing and I had to look around my garage for a nut and screw to install the support.

I wasn't sure what to expect with an electric splitter and wasn't sure which model was going to be sent based on other reviews (many were sent the 7 ton model vs. 9 ton). I purchased the 9 ton model and delivery was on time and the unit was well-packaged. During assembly, I had to read the instructions several times and cross-reference the corresponding figs which did me no favors. Still, I was able to get through. During this time, I realized the manual that was sent was for the 7 ton model, which has a few different parts. The decal and motor clearly state it was a 9 ton unit. The instructions (written by someone whose first language isn't English) were adequate, but noted that the unit was not shipped with hydraulic fluid...so I purchased a some. Surprise....it was filled. I looked all over for 2 axle covers (as noted in the instructions) only to realize the 9 ton model doesn't have any. But now for the really good stuff....this thing can split! It runs quiet, is stable, and splits 12" diameter pieces with ease. All were extremely impressed and took turns splitting 'larger' pieces to the point that I now have to cut and save larger "all-nighter" pieces! Very pleased with purchase - you'll be pleased as well.