DeWalt 60V MAX 9 Ton Log Splitter

Why I reached for a battery-powered log splitter

A quiet, low-maintenance splitter that still has the muscle for knotty hardwood has been on my wish list for a while. After several sessions with DeWalt’s 60V 9-ton splitter, I can say it hits that balance better than I expected. It’s not a commercial, all-day machine, but for routine firewood processing around a property, it’s capable, thoughtfully built, and far more pleasant to live with than a small gas unit.

Build and setup

The overall build inspires confidence. The steel frame is stout, the 5-inch wedge is nicely machined and tracks straight, and the hydraulic lines are coil-wrapped for abrasion protection—smart touches that matter once you start wrestling heavier rounds. The auto-return cylinder consistently retracts to start position without fiddling, which keeps the rhythm going.

Controls are simple: push-button start, a selector for the two cycle speeds, and a familiar valve lever to drive the wedge. The pump is rated at 3.5 GPM, and paired with the 60-volt brushless motor it delivers two usable personalities: a quicker cycle for clean-grained wood and a slower, higher-force mode when fibers get stringy. My measured full-cycle times were in the neighborhood of the spec—roughly 16 seconds in the faster setting and about 20 seconds when I prioritized torque.

Transport and setup around the yard are easy. The 10-inch pneumatic, DOT-approved tires roll over gravel and roots without drama, and the spring-assisted stand adds stability on uneven ground and when you’re working upright. I like being able to work in a vertical position for big, heavy rounds I don’t want to lift—tilt the beam up, roll the log to the base, and let the wedge do the heavy lifting.

Performance in the woodpile

On straight-grained softwoods and green hardwoods, the splitter breezes through up to the 25-inch length limit. The 9-ton rating sounds modest compared to 20-plus-ton gas machines, but the combination of a keen 5-inch wedge and the slower power mode gives it surprising bite. I was able to split seasoned oak and maple in the 16–20 inch diameter range reliably, reserving the slower cycle for crotches and knot clusters. If you push into big, cross-grained hardwood crotches, you can make it stall; backing off, quartering from the edges, and using the vertical position kept me moving.

The wedge geometry is single-stage and favors controlled, predictable splits. On smaller rounds, I occasionally wished for a four-way wedge to speed throughput, but the stock profile is versatile and doesn’t get hung up easily. The beam stays true under load, and the ram face meets the wedge squarely—a detail that matters for consistent splitting. I didn’t notice any flex in the cradle arms and could stack rounds confidently without worrying about them walking off the deck.

One note on the speed selector: for most of my work, I stayed in the faster mode and only toggled to the slower setting when I saw fibers binding or the wedge slowing dramatically. The ability to change character at the push of a button is genuinely useful and maximizes what you can do with 9 tons.

Battery life and workflow

Runtime will be the deciding factor for a lot of users. With two 60V packs, I averaged about an hour of intermittent splitting on mixed hardwoods—less if I focused exclusively on dense, gnarly rounds, more on straighter, green wood. Charging one pack while running the other keeps you going, but if you want near-continuous operation, a third battery is the sweet spot. It lets you cycle through discharge/charge without forced breaks.

The upside to battery power is obvious in use. Start-up is instant, there’s no carb, fuel, or winterization to worry about, and noise is low enough to hold a conversation while working. I wore ear protection out of habit, but the sound profile is a hydraulic whir rather than an engine bark. For neighbors—and for your own sanity—that’s a real advantage.

Cold-weather performance was solid for me; like any hydraulic machine, the first few cycles are a bit sluggish until the fluid warms, but the motor had no trouble spooling up, and there were no stumbles or fault trips. Keep in mind that batteries don’t love freezing temps; storing packs indoors before use maintains runtime.

Ergonomics and usability

The control lever has the right throw and resistance, making it easy to feather without fatigue. The auto-return saves clicks and attention—once the wedge clears, I can reposition and stage the next round while the ram retracts. Working vertically for heavier pieces dramatically reduces lifting and keeps your back happier. The spring-assisted stand does its job: there’s little wobble even when a round binds and pops.

A couple small notes that add up:

• The hose protection coils matter when you’re maneuvering heavy rounds; I never worried about snagging a line on bark or a pallet.
• The deck height in horizontal orientation is a fair compromise—high enough to spare your back, low enough to muscle mid-size rounds on without a ramp.
• The tires hold pressure and cushion bumps; they’re not bouncing the machine around or transmitting shock back into the frame.

Maintenance and durability

There’s no engine maintenance, which is the biggest quality-of-life improvement over gas. You’ll still want to keep an eye on hydraulic fluid level and condition, inspect fittings, and wipe sap and debris from the beam and wedge to avoid sticky retractions. Greasing the beam periodically keeps the carriage sliding smoothly. The brushless motor needs nothing from you beyond keeping the area clean. Given the robust frame and hose protection, I don’t foresee durability issues under residential workloads.

A strong point here is the Lifetime Limited Warranty. For a battery-powered hydraulic tool—where long-term confidence often hinges on the drive system and seals—that warranty adds meaningful peace of mind.

Limitations to understand

• Force ceiling: 9 tons is plenty for standard firewood processing, but it’s not a bulldozer. Expect to change your approach on twisted crotches and ultra-dense hardwoods. Technique and the vertical position will make the difference.
• Throughput: A 16–20 second cycle isn’t going to match the pace of higher-tonnage pro splitters, especially if you’re feeding a big crew. For a single user working deliberately, it’s fine; for production, look elsewhere.
• Battery dependency: If you own other 60V tools and packs, you’re in good shape. Starting from zero, factor in the cost of extra batteries and a fast charger to build a continuous workflow.

Who it’s for

If you’re maintaining a property, processing a few cords a year, and prefer quiet operation, low maintenance, and the flexibility to work anywhere on your land, this splitter is a strong fit. It’s especially compelling for users who already have compatible 60V batteries. If you’re splitting daily, or routinely attacking massive hardwood crotches, a 20–25 ton gas unit still has an edge in raw grunt and speed.

The bottom line

The DeWalt splitter strikes a practical balance: real splitting capability, two useful speed modes, clean ergonomics, and an ownership experience that sidesteps everything frustrating about small engines. It’s not a production machine, and it won’t brute-force every ugly knot you can throw at it. But for residential firewood work, it’s efficient, quieter, and genuinely more pleasant to use—made better by smart details like coil-wrapped hoses, a stable stand, and tires that actually roll over a yard.

Recommendation: I recommend it for homeowners and property managers who value low maintenance and quiet operation and are willing to manage battery logistics. With two to three 60V packs, it keeps a steady pace and handles typical firewood—up to 25 inches long and much of it knotty—without complaint. If your use case is heavy commercial work or you expect to power through the nastiest hardwood crotches at high speed, a higher-tonnage gas splitter remains the better tool. For everyone else, this is an easy machine to live with and a capable partner in the woodpile.