One thing that helps is square cuts. The ram or slide will cock and bind if the log is not square with it. Obviously that adds a lot of friction. That is one reason I angled the log in the video to square up the back with the ram. NOTE: I did not hold the log and run the machine to angle to log. I used a scrap bit to hold one end up.
It had split almost everything I have put on it, even large diameter logs. There arw those heavily oddly grained branch off Ys that it just couldnt handle but that is expected for a small splitter.
Overall this is exactly what I expected out of it. I bought a foot peddle for it. I know.... i know... but that push button is driving me nuts. I should say, NEVER bypass safeties.
