7–10 ton compact gas
Four compact horizontal records use small Champion engines and publish 20-second full cycles. They target mobility and manageable rounds rather than full-size vertical operation.
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Champion Log Splitters: Current Models and Meaningful Differences
Champion's current normalized splitter lineup is all gas-hydraulic, but the machines are not interchangeable. Compact 7–20 ton horizontal models and full-size 27-ton horizontal/vertical machines differ substantially in cycle time, loading geometry and transport.
Champion's current catalog role
Our normalized catalog contains 8 current Champion exact models, all gas-hydraulic. The line stretches from compact 7–12 ton horizontal machines through a 20-ton compact model to two 27-ton horizontal/vertical towable models.
How the current Champion line breaks down
12 ton compact gas
Champion 201512 steps up to a published 18-second cycle and a 14-inch maximum diameter claim while staying horizontal-only.
20 ton compact gas
Champion 201549 uses a 212 cc engine and publishes an 11-second cycle while remaining horizontal-only and non-road-towable in the current normalized record.
27 ton full-size
Champion 100424 and 201518 both publish 11-second cycles, horizontal/vertical operation and 45 mph road towing with 224 cc engines.
Current Champion exact models
| Exact model | Force | Cycle | Max log | Position | Weight | Road tow | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion 90720 | 7 ton | 20 sec | 19.3 in | Horizontal | 148 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 201466 | 8 ton | 20 sec | 19 in | Horizontal | 143 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 100624 | 9 ton | 20 sec | 19.3 in | Horizontal | 148 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 201533 | 10 ton | 20 sec | 19.3 in | Horizontal | 143.3 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 201512 | 12 ton | 18 sec | 19 in | Horizontal | 204.6 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 201549 | 20 ton | 11 sec | 24 in | Horizontal | 297.7 lb | No | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 100424 | 27 ton | 11 sec | 24 in | Horizontal / Vertical | 434.3 lb | Yes · 45 mph max | Manufacturer source |
| Champion 201518 | 27 ton | 11 sec | 23.8 in | Horizontal / Vertical | 434 lb | Yes · 45 mph max | Manufacturer source |
What actually separates the Champion models
The current Champion range is unusually clean for explaining why tonnage is not enough. The 7–10 ton machines all publish 20-second cycles; the 12-ton model shortens that to 18 seconds; the 20-ton and 27-ton models publish 11-second cycles. The jump to 27 tons also changes the frame from compact horizontal-only to full-size horizontal/vertical with published road towing.
That means a buyer choosing between Champion models is often deciding among frame size, cycle time, heavy-round handling and transport at the same time as force class.
Champion's compact progression: what changes before 27 tons
The compact Champion models are useful because several adjacent tonnage labels share similar frame and cycle behavior. Moving from 7 to 8 to 9 to 10 tons does not create a completely different machine architecture: all four are compact, horizontal-only and publish 20-second cycles in the current normalized data. That makes log size, weight, exact engine/model details and price/availability context more relevant than treating each one-ton step as a major capability tier.
The 12-ton 201512 begins to separate itself with an 18-second cycle and a published 14-inch diameter envelope. The 20-ton 201549 is the larger break: its 212 cc engine, 24-inch log length and 11-second cycle move it closer to full-size work pace while it still remains horizontal-only. The next architectural jump is the 27-ton class, where vertical operation and road towing enter the current Champion lineup.
If the decision is specifically between 20 and 27 tons, use the 20-ton guide and 27-ton guide alongside the exact-model comparison rather than assuming the higher force label is automatically worth the larger frame.
Support and parts context
Champion's current official category exposes exact models, cycles, operating position and engine size, while exact product pages provide manual/parts access. The normalized brand record also points to Champion's product-manual and contact/support system.
Champion product manuals · Champion support/contact
Temporary retailer availability is not used as a recommendation signal. Current manufacturer support and exact product evidence are what keep a model in the catalog.
Which Champion class fits which job?
Use the Matcher when the wood and workload should decide. If you already know the likely class, the 20-ton guide and 27-ton guide explain those bands without treating Champion as automatically preferable to another brand.
Frequently asked questions
Does Champion make electric log splitters in the current Log Splitter Match catalog?
No. The current normalized Champion records are gas-hydraulic models. Electric selection is covered separately across other current brands.
Which current Champion models can work vertically?
The current 27-ton Champion 100424 and 201518 records support horizontal and vertical operation. The smaller current Champion records in the catalog are horizontal-only.
Are the current Champion 27-ton models road towable?
Yes. Both current 27-ton records in the normalized catalog publish road towing with a 45 mph maximum.
Is the 20-ton Champion faster than the smaller compact models?
By published full-cycle time, yes. Champion 201549 publishes 11 seconds, while the current 7–10 ton compact records publish 20 seconds.