🪓 Log Splitter Tonnage Calculator
Find the exact splitting force needed for any wood type, size, and condition
| Diameter | Softwood | Medium Wood | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 inches | 3-5 ton | 5-8 ton | 8-12 ton |
| 10 inches | 4-6 ton | 6-10 ton | 10-14 ton |
| 12 inches | 5-7 ton | 8-12 ton | 12-16 ton |
| 14 inches | 6-9 ton | 10-14 ton | 14-20 ton |
| 16 inches | 7-10 ton | 12-17 ton | 17-24 ton |
| 18 inches | 9-12 ton | 14-20 ton | 20-28 ton |
| 20 inches | 10-14 ton | 16-22 ton | 22-30 ton |
| 24 inches | 13-18 ton | 20-28 ton | 28-38 ton |
| Tonnage Rating | Suitable Wood | Max Diameter | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-10 ton | Softwoods only | Up to 10" | Light residential |
| 12-15 ton | Soft-medium wood | Up to 14" | Small farm/home |
| 20-22 ton | Most hardwoods | Up to 16" | Standard homestead |
| 25-28 ton | Hard/knotty wood | Up to 20" | Heavy residential |
| 30-35 ton | All hardwoods | Up to 24" | Commercial/farm |
| 40+ ton | Any wood, any size | 30"+ logs | Professional/logging |
Log splitter tonnage shows how much force the ram of the log splitter uses for splitting logs. In higher tonnage the ram pushes more strongly against the wood, so it crosses more easily big and rugged bits. Machines with low tonnage values require less pressure but they require smaller engines to operate.
You commonly describe hydraulic log splitters according to their tonnage where little models have 4 to 6 tons during big reach around 20 to 30 tons
How to Choose the Right Tonnage for a Log Splitter
The involved pressure in tons for log splitter depends directly on the size, kind and state of the wood that you split. In bigger diameter of the stem you need higher tonnage. For medium logs of 8 to 12 inches mid-range tonnage works.
Big logs above 12 inches require heavy log splitters. Log splitter of 9 to 12 tons works well with wood of 12 to 18 inches without knots. For red oaks of 28 to 32 inches you consider 27-ton log splitter sufficient if you use it vertically.
Recently cut or bad seasoned wet wood requires more power for splitting. For the most of cases you want 12 to 20 tons. Beechwood is widely very hard, especially if it is seasoned, and require log splitter with tonnage of at least 7 tons upward.
higher tonnage commonly happens together with slower cycle time. Kinetic log splitters reach around 3 seconds for cycle with straight grain softwood rounds. Commercial high-grade log splitter above ten thousand dollars can reach 30 tons, but it yet has around 6 seconds for cycle.
Two-stage pump is made up of two pumps tied, little for high pressure with tiny horsepower and big for pace when high pressure is not needed.
Roll of 4 inches works well for home use at mobile house and usually give 16 to 22 tons. 4.5- or 5-inch roll operates better for use in woods. With 8 to 12 horsepower and at least 16, best 22 gallons for tiny 4-inch roll you get a fast setup.
The difference between 22- and 28-ton log splitters commonly come only from a half inch bigger roll.
More tonnage is great, but the other parts of the log splitter must handle it. One model reaches between 80 and 90 tons of force by means of two big I-beams stacked one on the other together with heavy wedge. Makers commonly overstate the tonnage and cycle time of their log splitters, so check the real specifications before purchase, that is a smart strategy.
Well estimate the needs escape unnecessary expenses, during low rating hurts the impact. 7-ton log splitter can work with rounds of 15 to 20 inches for easier tasks, while 27-ton gas cover the heavy stuff. Vendors of various companies offered more than 35 tons for processing bigwood.
