Because log splitters use hydraulic systems, you need to use the force of a hydraulic cylinder equation.
Things You Will Need
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Measure the diameter of the piston. As an example, a piston has a diameter of 5 inches.
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Square the diameter, multiply it by 3.14 and divide the result by 4 to calculate the area of the piston. In the example, squaring the diameter of the piston gives you 25, multiply 25 by 3.14 gives you 78.5 and dividing 78.5 by 4 gives you 19.625 inches squared.
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Multiply the piston's area by the splitter's pressure rating. In the example, the splitter has a pressure rating of 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Multiplying 19.625 by 3,000 gives you 58,875. The log splitter has a splitting force of 58,875 lbs..
The Drip Cap
- Store-bought log splitters are listed with specs, including splitting force, which is usually expressed in pounds or tons.
- In the example, squaring the diameter of the piston gives you 25, multiply 25 by 3.14 gives you 78.5 and dividing 78.5 by 4 gives you 19.625 inches squared.
- In the example, the splitter has a pressure rating of 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI).