I know I've seen threads on this subject before, but I just have a simple question.

I'm looking at one with a 6.5 HP Briggs that they say has a hydraulic force of 22 metric tons. A metric ton is 2200 pounds. I'm splitting oak that is 10-16 inches in diameter.

I'm not lazy, but I've been splitting wood here long enough I don't want to keep beating up my shoulders and arms..... cause I like to play golf now and then.

So, the question is.... do you think the motor and the hydraulic force is sufficient for what I'm doing. I have the option of one that is both vertical and horizontal as well.

Thanks in advance.

Pete

I would say 22 tons would do the job.

I have a 22 ton splitter, 6.5 engine. I’ve vertically split 48” hickory with it. A 22 ton splitter is slower than its bigger cousins, but I’ve never found a piece of wood that it couldn’t break through.

Found when was splitting hat bigger is better. That being said I think it will work for you just maybe a little slower. I also found when doing the bigger chunks vertical is easiest on you. Lifting the big rounds is for the younger folks. Found an old bed liner the plastic one made sliding the rounds much easier on the back as well.

I have a 25 ton Cub Cadet I bought from Home Depot. Have not yet run into anything it would not split.

I agree with Drifter that being able to tilt it up and split vertical is very important when you run into the bigger stuff that is tough to lift.

I also believe that for safety you simply do not allow anything to distract you while splitting.

Moosetrot

Used observed a splitter with a one cylinder Diesel engine. Was made from a DOT generator used along highway contracts.

That puppy had power and would run all day on about a gallon of fuel. We never ran it all day.

Ok being usually fairly straight gained, is not that tough to split and I would think that other than a crotch or big knot, you will du more than fine with a 22 ton splitter.

mine is 27 US tons 6.5hp it will go through the curliest of maple and bust through some really ugly wood

27x2000=54000 / 2200 =24.54 metric tons

I haven't found anything I couldn't get through

if I did I could just cut it some then split it

I don't think you will have a problem on small oak like that I was splitting 40 inch curly maple

Here elm and Russian olive are my 2 biggest challenges so I went with a oversized pump and used a old Briggs riding lawn mower engine.

Buy once.
Cry once.
Get the biggest, best that you can afford.

Thanks for all the solid responses. Sounds like 22 tons will be good but I might go to 25.

Good night from France.

Pete

I have a 25 ton vertical and horizontal it will split/shave about anything. I don't use mine in the vertical position anymore. its a pain getting down on my knees and dealing with the pieces of wood that come from splitting that way. I built a platform with a wheelchair lift that has telescopic tubing so I can raise and lower to the height I need before I hook the tongs into the chunk of wood to lift up on the rail. works really well. I also built a wedge so I can split it into 4 pieces if I so desire. both items have saved on my splitting time.

I've split some ugly wood on an electric splitter, If you can't go through the center you take slabs off the sides, even with cross grain from a branch you can usually work around the "bad" spots.
When I had the hydraulic, it was the sameish, very little that couldn't be split outright or by working with the grain.
I'm sure the 22 would be more then adequate, but YMMV.