Log splitter

A log splitter, comprising:

• a base structure, including a bottom member adapted to be supported on the ground or the like, a mast rigid with the bottom member, an elevator member mounted on the mast for relative vertical movement, a two-way hydraulic splitter motor having a cylinder, piston and piston rod and disposed adjacent to the bottom member with the lengthwise axis of the cylinder generally horizontal and the piston rod projecting away from the base structure, a first arm having a lower end adjacent to the base structure and rising to an upper end at an elevation above that of the base structure, pivot means connecting the first arm lower end to the cylinder on a generally horizontal axis transverse to the cylinder axis, a second arm having an upper end adjacent to the first arm upper end and a lower end generally horizontally alined with the first arm lower end, means pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of the arms on an axis parallel to that of the aforesaid pivot means, means mounting the cylinder on the elevator member for vertical movement of the cylinder and arms with the elevator member, stop means at the lower end of the first arm and facing the lower end of the second arm, a splitter blade on the lower end of the second arm and directed toward the stop means, means connecting the free end of the piston rod to the second arm, and fluid line means connected to the cylinder for extending the piston to space the splitter blade away from the stop means and for retracting the piston to move the blade toward the stop means for splitting a log received between the blade and stop means while the piston is extended and means acting between the mast and elevator member for effecting the aforesaid vertical movement said mast and said elevator member being of hollow cross-section, said elevator member being telescopically received over said mast, said means acting between the mast and elevator member being enclosed therein.