NOTHING says iconic Australian winter like a blazing wood fire.
The warmth and comfort it provides is irreplaceable when the weather turns cold.
Unfortunately with a wood fire comes the chore of collecting and splitting enough firewood to last through winter.
But things can be made easier with a log splitter.
The Bullmax log splitter was introduced into Australia by Bullmax Tough Tools and Equipment chief executive Stephen Clark, and it has been redesigned to suit Australian hardwood.
Mr Clark said he was approached by Jason Della of JD'S Hardware and Rural Supplies, Crookwell in southern NSW, after he saw the need for a log splitter that met Australian conditions.
"About 18 months ago Jason - knowing I had a good history in importing goods from overseas - approached me with the idea there was a market for log splitters that basically delivered what they were meant to, but with some fine tuning to suit Australian hardwood," Mr Clark said.
"I looked at different log splitters and decided what was needed to make these machines more adaptable to where they were being used."
The sample log splitter came from China and was put to work when it was field tested on Australian hardwood by local farmers.
"With these blokes testing it on real Australian hardwood, we were able to see what needed to be changed or added to make it the perfect splitter for Australia," Mr Clark said.
"We went to a local property in the region and found the hardest wood we could; it was certainly tough.
"The splitter was then redesigned and engineered to adapt and deal with tough Australian hardwood.
That is what makes this splitter different to the standard Chinese import."
From the initial field testing, several improvements were made and Mr Clark believes a better machine was built.
"The Bullmax log splitter has a lot more features, a lot more steel, and the biggest petrol engine available at 15 horsepower," he said.
"It features an electric key start, battery, strong reinforced cutting blade cover, biggest ram available at 45 tonne, and two tray tables.
"The stronger reinforced base plate is outstanding; no other machine has had so much extra steel added to strengthen the base plate.
"These are just some of the features that make this machine stand out from the rest.
"Basically all the other machines in the market are a standard design from a Chinese factory.
"It is now a far stronger machine."