Splitting force of a log splitter

What does the splitting force of a log splitter actually say and how much splitting force do I need for my log splitter? Which factors influence the splitting force at all? Many users ask themselves exactly these questions before buying a log splitter. With our short introduction to the splitting force of log splitters we want to clarify exactly these questions, so that you can find the optimal log splitter for your wood!

Splitting force in tons

First of all: splitting force and splitting pressure are used as a synonym for wood splitting. But why is it all stated in tons? Isn’t that a unit of measurement for a mass? So 1 tonne is not equal to 1000 kg? And isn’t force actually expressed in Newton?

Correct! It has nevertheless become common practice for manufacturers to state the splitting force of wood splitters in tons. But you can say that 1 tonne of splitting pressure corresponds to about 10 kilonewtons. The tonne specification is therefore a performance parameter for log splitters. But what can be done with this ingenious expertise?

Sure, the higher the splitting force in tons, the stronger (and usually more expensive) the splitter is. This means that the easier and faster it can split a piece of wood. The splitting force in tonnes expresses the maximum force with which the wedge is pressed into the splitting material.

How much splitting power does my log splitter need?

Wood varies in hardness, e.g. fruitwoods such as cherry are harder to split than, for example, the popular firewoods such as oak, beech or birch. Dry wood is also easier to split than possibly even more moist wood. In addition to the parameter of the wood hardness, the splitting length and the diameter of the splitting material naturally also have an influence on the necessary splitting force.

A small model should actually be sufficient for a private open fire on cold winter days and the amount of wood needed for it. Here we recommend our models up to 18 t splitting pressure. If a larger quantity of wood is required, e.g. for regular heating of your own four walls, a larger model in the range of 18 -25 t splitting force may be more suitable. In professional operations, wood splitters with a splitting pressure of over 30 t are usually used. With these machines solid hardwood can be split. To choose the right splitting power of your future log splitter you should consider what kind of wood to split and in what quantities! Also pay attention to the specifications regarding maximum splitting length and maximum diameter of the splitting material.

Checklist

How much wood do I want to split?
How long is the wood I want to split?
What is the diameter of the wood I want to split?
Is the wood already dry or still very moist?
What kind of wood is it (hard wood like cherry or soft wood like birch)?

If you want to have a look at our individual models, please click here. Do you still have questions about the splitting force or do you need further support in your decision? Then please contact our customer service!