FAQ

LOG SPLITTER
BUYING
GUIDE
1. TYPE OF WOOD BEING SPLIT
When choosing a log splitter, it’s important to know what type of wood you’re going
to be splitting. Will you be primarily splitting hardwoods or softwoods?
Find the types of wood you plan to be working with on the chart, and then determine
which one has the highest hardness. Base the tonnage calculations in the next steps
based of the hardest wood.
3. WHAT IS THE LOG DIAMETER?
It’s important to think about the diameter of the logs you’re planning to split, both
now and in the future.
Even if you only split 6” thick pine logs now, is it possible that you might split 12” or
even 18” thick logs in the future? If so, you might want to plan ahead and buy a
splitter with more power now so you don’t end up with a tool that can’t do what you
need it to later on.
2. IS THE WOOD GREEN OR DRY?
Green wood is difficult to split and takes more tonnage to split effectively. Over time,
the moisture in the wood will evaporate making it more brittle and easier to split. If
your plan involves splitting green wood, you will need to have a more powerful log
splitter and exercise some patience.
• GREEN: Freshly cut logs have a high moisture content and a slightly green or
yellow color to them.
• DRY: Seasoned wood has lost most of its moisture and will have a more faded
color – either brown or gray.
TONNAGE SELECTOR CHART
Now that we've gone over the 3 key pieces of
information to be considered when selecting a
log splitter, use the chart below as a reference
point for choosing the right tonnage rating for
your specific needs.
CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT, INC.
12039 Smith Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA
www.championpowerequipment.com
SOFTWOODS HARDWOODS
 HARDNESS SCALE (Janka hardness test)
590
420
410
720
350
550
900
430
710
860
540
510
Alder
Aspen
Basswood
Boxelder
Buckeye
Catalpa
Cedar
Cottonwood
Fir
Pine
Poplar
Spruce
1320
1300
1470
2150
1540
1820
1700
1020
1450
1620
850
1010
Ash
Beech
Birch
Dogwood
Elm
Hickory
Locust
Magnolia
Maple
Oak
Sweet Gum
Walnut
7+
30+
30+
30+
4+
12+
20+
27+
6 in.
12 in.
18 in.
24 in.
DRY GREEN
9+
30+
30+
30+
6+
15+
20+
27+
DRY GREEN
16+
30+
34+
34+
7+
20+
26+
30+
DRY GREEN
10+
22+
26+
30+
DRY
300 - 600 lb. 601 - 900 lb. 901 - 1500 lb. 1501 - 2200 lb.
HARDNESS 
SIZE

20+
30+
34+
34+
GREEN