Yes for typical firewood. The machine is rated for rounds 10 to 12 inches in diameter and up to 22 inches long. Seven tons is 14,000 pounds of force, and seasoned ash, maple, birch, cherry, pine and fir give way well under that. Green elm and knotty oak crotches work it harder, and those go with a second pass or by turning the round.

A standard grounded 120-volt, 60 Hz outlet on a dedicated circuit with nothing else running on it. The splitter is rated at 15 amps, so a dedicated 15-amp circuit is the minimum and a 20-amp circuit is recommended. A circuit shared with other appliances will trip the breaker. If you are not sure, check the breaker for the outlet you plan to use, or ask an electrician. If you need an extension cord, keep it under 33 feet, rated for 20 amps, and 12 AWG or heavier.

One thing: the foot pedal switch. The RCV8+ lets you steady the log with one hand on the lever and fire the ram with your foot, standing upright, instead of using both hands each cycle. Everything else is the same. Both versions have 7 tons, the same 3 HP motor, the same 18-second cycle, and both come with the 2-way wedge and the 4-way cross wedge.

Very little. The splitter arrives with the hydraulic oil already in it, and the frame, support legs, wedge and log retaining plates are fitted at the factory. You attach the wheels and the hydraulic control lever with the tools in the box, which takes under 5 minutes. Then swap the shipping oil seal screw for the air bleed screw, open it three to four turns, and plug it in.

It vents the hydraulic reservoir to atmosphere. Open it three to four turns before you split. Leaving it closed traps air in the system, and the repeated compression and decompression will blow out the hydraulic seals and permanently damage the machine. This is the single most important step in setup. Tighten it again before you move or store the splitter.

Free, by standard parcel carrier to the 48 contiguous states. Not freight, so there is no delivery appointment to schedule and no liftgate to arrange. One box, 39 by 21 by 14 inches, 100 lb for the RCV8 and 105 lb for the RCV8+. The box is heavy, so plan to have a hand truck or a second person on hand. We ship to the 48 contiguous states only. We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories or APO/FPO addresses.

One year, handled by us in Whittier, California. Email support@rockcuboutdoors.com with your order number and we take it from there. Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Pacific.

Yes, in the U.S. Wedges, hydraulic oil and common wear items. Buying direct means a worn part is a part order, not a new machine.