The Champion 7-Ton is a compact gas log splitter – it offers a good power (check out the video below) but it’s still easy to move around, transport or store. Assembly takes a bit of time but isn’t complicated at all.
Pros:
- Good power
- Easy to move around
- One-handed operation
Cons:
- A few problems reported (see the text below)
Key specifications:
- Splitting force: 7 tons
- Operation: one-handed
- Max log length: 19″


Gas Powered
The Champion 7-ton splitter comes with the classical disadvantages and advantages of gas powered units – you can use it only outdoors, have to deal with fuel and it’s also louder than electric tools. On the other hand you are not dependent on the electric cord so you may take it even into the woods, use it at your cabin and so on.
Assembly takes some time (somewhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour), but is quite easy and straightforward, the manual is well written and easy to follow. And according to the users, you would also need 1-2 gallons of hydraulic fluid (see the FAQ below) and a quart of 10W30 motor oil.
Compact but Powerful
Please bear in mind this is not an ultra-strong 20-ton splitter for commercial purposes – but rather a compact machine for home use. The splitting force is 7 tons and customers report it’s really powerful for its size and works great. It’s able to split almost anything you throw at it, even logs 22-24 inches thick.
Each cut takes about 10-20 seconds (depending on the starting and ending position of the ram) so even large piles of wood are manageable easily.
Storage and Manipulation
The compact size comes with a few obvious advantages – storage is not a big deal and thanks to the large 10" wheels it’s also very easy to move around (see the second video above). It isn’t equipped with a trailer hitch but fits easily in any truck bed so transport isn’t a problem neither.
Similarly to other compact splitters, the frame is quite low to the ground. And while many people don’t like that and prefer to work on some elevated platform, others value the fact that they don’t have to lift the logs too high.
Negatives
Considering the negatives and issues of the Champion 7-ton model, there wasn’t anything that repeated often – the problems ranged from leaking fluid or arriving damaged to quitting working after some time. However, the manufacturer has taken care of the problem in most situations.
At the time of writing this review, there are about 40 customer reviews on Amazon making a 3.8 star rating. But some of the negative ratings do not state any clear reason why there were given or come from users who probably didn’t understand the purpose of this splitter and expected a lot more power. That’s why we decided to upgrade the rating to 4.5 stars plus we are going to monitor new user opinions in the following months.
Conclusion: If you need a compact log splitter with some extra power or if you don’t want to depend on electricity, the Champion 7-Ton would be a great choice. It works well, offers enough power to deal even with 22-24" logs but it’s still easy to move around and store. We can recommend it to you.
However, if you wouldn’t benefit from the extra power or wouldn’t mind dealing with an electric cord, the Boss Industrial ES7T20 would be a better option for you – it’s cheaper, with better user rating and still offers a solid power.
>> Read more or buy the Champion 7-Ton here
Specifications:
- Brand: Champion Power Equipment
- Type: Gas powered
- Weight: 143 lbs
- Splitting force: 7 tons
- Max log diameter: N/A
- Max log length: 19″
- Cycle time (approx.): 10-20 seconds
- Operation: one-handed
- Warranty: 2-year limited
Frequently asked questions:
How large logs can it split?
Users reported splitting even pieces that had 22-24" in diameter without much problems.
What about the hydraulic oil?
You would need slightly more than 1 gallon of hydraulic oil – for warmer climates (always ABOVE 32° F / 0° C) the manufacturer recommends SAE 10W, ISO 32, SAE 32, ISO 46, ASLE H-150 or Universal Hydraulic/Transmission Fluid so you can buy for example this one.
For colder climates (sometimes BELOW 32 °F/0 °C) the Automatic Transmission Fluid is recommended.
Will it work in a vertical position?
No, it’s not designed for that.