I use a 5 ton electric log sitter made by DR. I've had it for 14 years and it still kicks ass. New they are about 350 bucks and mine can split just abut anything with knots or spirals. I thought it would be a wimpy piece of crap but the little thing is a workhorse. Ryobi makes a nice one too.
Gas log splitters? lots of maintainence, noisey and lots of stuff to go wrong. But I tend to like the Powerhouse dual action one for 750 beans (from NorthernTool).
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200365525_200365525
I'll keep using my electric one until she poops out. It's quiet and powerful and trust me I put it to the test. I bet I have split over a thousand cords with it and just this week I have been splitting 2-3 cords per day. I built a wooden stand for mine and a large log work tray which makes it easier to use. Iit's mounted on wheels and easy to move as it weighs about 100 ponds soaking wet. Just plug it in and go, takes me a bit over an hour to split a full cord (pretty much the same time as a gas splitter). For home use, the DR electric is great. I never planned on using it at a commercial level but it keeps chugging along.
http://www.drpower.com/power-equipm...itters/we1-5ton-electric-log-splitter-new.axd
Free timber? Black Forest area ..but you have to haul it. I have a permit to get timber from the National Forests, really cheap and lots of good dead-standing aspen and pine. I cut them down, buck them into 6-8 foot lengths, load them on the truck and haul them home to buck in smaller lengths and then split em. Lucky for me I am close to the stuff. It is very hard work but I enjoy it. I got a waiting list for orders. Business is damn good this time of year.
Generators? I had a million of them, all junk. Finally invested in the best one and the most quiet one, a Honda EU. Yamaha makes a very good one as well but Honda is the King of Gennies. Generac's are one of the worst brands on the market. Complete trash, IMO.