Why even count the ROI of a wood splitter?
When buying, let it be wood splitter (classic Wood splitter) or hydraulic splitter for excavator (e.g. BearSplitter), is the key question: how quickly does it recover? ROI (Return on Investment) is calculated from time saving, energy/fuel costs and maintenance costs. If you need an overview of types and power before the numbers, jump to guide on the types, tonnage and drives, where the basics are neatly collected.
Fast ROI model (4 steps)
- Volume (m³/month): how much firewood do you realistically prepare each month.
- Time (hours/m³): how many hours do you spend manually and how much with the machine.
- Time value (€/h): how much does an hour “cost” you (your job or worker).
- Operating costs (€/month): electricity/fuel + basic maintenance (oil, knife, seals).
Monthly savings = (hours manual − hours machine) × €/h − operating costs
ROI (in months) = Investment/Monthly savings
Realistic speeds and expectations
- Electric/petrol wood splitters: compared to manual work usually several times faster, especially with repeatable diameters.
- Excavator splitter BearSplitter: designed for large diameters and terrain; typical speed around 7cm/secand approximately 13 s for a 1-meter log(Ø to 100 - 1500 mm). For larger volumes, this greatly reduces the cost per m³. In detail in the article Smart way to split firewood - BearSplitter.
Examples of calculations
A) Yard/house - electric wood splitter (7-10 t)
- Quantity: 5 m³/month
- Time manually: 10h(2 h/m³)
- Machine Time: 4 hours(0.8 h/m³)
- The value of the watch: 15€
- Operating Cost: 10€(electricity + basic maintenance)
- Investment: 800€
Time saving:6 hours → 90€
Monthly net savings:90 − 10 = 80€
KING:800/80 = 10 months
B) Farm/Large Quantities - PTO or Gasoline (12-20 t)
- Quantity: 15 m³/month
- Time manually: 30 h(2 h/m³)
- Machine Time: 9 h(0.6 h/m³; higher tonnage + two operatives)
- The value of the watch: 15€
- Operating Cost: 60€(fuel + service consumables)
Time saving:21.00 uur → 315€
Monthly net savings:315-60 = 255€
C) Utility, saw, field - dredge splitter (BearSplitter)
- Quantity: 40 m³/month(thick/knotty logs, work on site)
- Time manual/classic machines: say ~80 hrs(2 h/m³ with logistics)
- BearSplitter Time: ~24-32 hrs(≈ 0.6—0.8 h/m³ thanks to a speed of ~7 cm/s and work on site)
- The value of the watch: 20€(team/machine time)
- Operating Cost: 200€(excavator fuel + regular maintenance)
Time saving:48—56 h → 960—1,120 €
Monthly net savings: 760-920 €
Details of speed, diameter and clamps (Lehnhoff/Martin/Morin) can be found at web pages.
Calculate your ROI now
- 🧮 Step 1:read guide (types/power/drives) to correctly estimate the tonnage and usage scenario.
- 🛡️ Step 2:check 5 safety rules (safety = less congestion and breakdowns).
- 🧠 Step 3:for large diameters/terrain open Smart way - BearSplitter (speed, Ø, clamping).
- 📥 Step 4:save Manual (PDF) in Flyer (PDF)— Auxiliary sheet for maintenance and process.