Mantis 5005 SwiftSplit Electric Log Splitter

I bought the Swiftsplit back in July, and it arrived in good condition. Assembly was straightforward. So far I’ve split almost a cord (mostly green oak and maple), and it’s worked well. I’ve got enough wood now for about 2 more seasons, so I probably will put little more use on it during the warranty period. The large-wheeled dolly and operating the splitter without your face being right next to log were the selling points for me, and practice has confirmed these advantages. I think that greasing the vertical beam is essential. As Steven reported in 2008, my pusher has also dimpled; it does make splitting small logs a little more challenging, but it does OK.

If you’re not splitting close to a power outlet, be aware of the need for a heavy duty power cord. See Steven’s 2008 review and my 2009 comment. Last week I was splitting at a friend’s house using just 50′ of 12-gauge cord, and the splitter occasionally failed to work — it would stall, but on the next try, it’d work OK, suggesting that it was right on the edge and that the wiring to his garage outlet was perhaps smaller, thus adding resistance to the entire power circuit.
Rating: 4 / 5

I have been using my new Mantis Swift Split for about a month and have split about a cord on weekends to date. The platform at the bottom where the jack pushes up to lift the log to the wedge is already deforming and a bulbous round dimple is pushing up, making it a bit more challenging to position a log on the base. I only hope that this doesn’t continue to get worse. Basically, you should split your smaller logs on this unit, nothing over 10″ or so, even though it says it can handle 12″ logs. The larger, heavier logs will no doubt deform the base plate. The manual lists a bunch of accepatble hydraulic oils you can use but you will find that none of them are available except in 5 gallon buckets from major distributors. You can also use Dexron III ATF though which is more readily available.

I am somewhat pleased with the Swift Split since I can split wood 3X faster than I used to with my manual splitter but this unit is not as powerful as I had hoped. If you can afford it, get a more powerful and stronger splitter, especially if you intend to split a lot of logs 10″ in diameter and larger.

Followup, 9/15/08. I split another 1/2 cord this weekend and had problems splitting a load of Ash logs. Seemed even more difficult to split than Locust, unless the splitter is getting weaker.Had to shave pieces off the edges of the logs to get them smaller so I could split them. Even some 10″ Ash logs stopped this splitter; lots of rearranging the logs to position them to get a good angle. Base plate could be larger to have better balance. I hope this splitter lasts the winter. Next time I will spend more money and get a more powerful splitter. If I make my money back on this thing by splitting 5 or 6 cords then I will consider myself lucky.

Followup, 10/13/08. I think I have found one of the secrets to this Mantis Swift Split. You must use a super heavy duty extension cord of at least 14 gauge and no longer than 25 foot. When using this type of extension cord the motor spins up faster and it splits wood better with more power. I split another 1/2 cord of locust yesterday without much of a problem. Noticed that the top of the splitter where the rails and the jack are joined is twisted somewhat and it occasionally makes a squealing sound while splitting. I twist it back to center but it twists again on the next split. Lubing with lithium grease doesn’t help. Another issue I will keep my eye on. Also, watch out for the wingnut on top where the hydraulic oil pressure emergency release is. You need to loosen this wingnut before splitting but don’t loosen it too much as it can vibrate loose and fall off and then you will have trouble finding it. Good luck.
Rating: 4 / 5