1. What type of wood will you be splitting?
The species of the tree is a strong determinant of the pounds of force needed to split your logs. For example, an Oak tree log requires 1350 pounds of pressure to split, based solely on its level of hardness.
2. What size logs will you be working with?
Next, measure the diameter of the branches you want to split. This will also tell you how many pounds of pressure will be needed to perform. For example, splitting logs that are 24ʺ – 36ʺ wide from that same Oak tree will require a 35-ton log splitter to ensure you get the job done right.
2. How green is the wood you will be splitting?
Also, determining how seasoned or green the wood is will play a factor in how easily the logs will split. Just like when trying to burn wood, the greener (wetter) the limbs, the harder they are to burn (or cut, or split). Splitting logs from a freshly fallen tree may add an additional 10 tons or so of capacity needed to do an adequate job.