At Home In The Woods

[ruralruss]

Obed,

If you are going to primarily heat with wood I would like to suggest a few things. Keep the little saw to use for trimming off the small limbs. Get a bigger saw for the big cuts. I have an old homelite with a 16 inch sword that my wife use to cut the limbs while I am working on the logs. My bigger saw is a Stihl farm boss. Husky also makes great saws. My Stihl is considered a medium duty saw. Both companies make professional grade saws as well. They are more expensive but probably worth the money if you use it enough. When I got the Stihl it had a 18 inch sword but I changed it to a 20 recently. Make sure you get the hardwood chains and throw away the worthless safety chain that most saws come with. I don't consider them safer and they do not cut as well. Next, learn how to touch up the chain with a file. That is the first thing I do before I start. If I am cutting a lot or get in the ground I will hit it again. One or two hits per tooth will keep it cutting very well. Get some wedges, you will need them.

You will definitely want a splitter! There really is not a lot to a wood splitter so one of the best ways to choose is to look at a bunch of them and choose the one that looks the strongest. OHV engines are nice but I would not use that as the highest importance. I assume all splitters have the fast return feature and the auto return stop but make sure. You will also want one that can work horizontal or vertical. I have no experience with one that can run off of a tractor but you may consider that. Personally I prefer the standalone type so the tractor is not tied up.

The most important thing to do when you are working with wood is to be very very careful. A chain saw or a wood splitter can do much bodily harm. When you get tired, quit. When you get ready to fell a tree make sure you have a clear escape route. If the tree gets hung on others, which happens often in a dense wooded area, be extra cautious because it is the most dangerous situation a wood cutter faces!

I have been cutting wood for many many years. I have had a few small injuries. In each case, the difference between a small and a large injury was just a few inches.

One more thing, I refuse to loan anybody a chain saw!

Happy cutting.

 

[ruralruss]

Cyril,
Do you have any pictures of your woodshed?

What make/model is your spliter? I researched splitters last night and am comfused. The electric splitters were $300+; the gas splitters were $1000+. I'm not sure what is good enough; I plan to split a lot of wood, mostly oak, with some poplar, maple, and hickory. I hate to spend $1000+ if $300 would do the job. I believe that I'll split my wood close to the house so electricity isn't a concern. Amount of time spent splitting, ease of use, and size of logs are the main factors I think I need to consider.

Obed

I would not even consider an electric splitter.

 

[RadarTech]

I would not even consider an electric splitter.

The folks at tractor supply have said the same.. If you are splitting more than a half cord, or knotty wood get a standalone gas splitter..

Here in wnc I've heard and seen many a cheap electric ones on craigslist.... A bad sign? I think so....

 

[brandoro]

There are lots of threads about wood splitters. Depends on your needs which will suit you best.
I didn't want to spend a lot on one so built mine out of steel I had around and about $300 worth of hydraulics that I bought and run it off the tractor rear remotes. I have never needed to but I like that I can lay mine on the ground and roll large heavy rounds onto it. Most of my wood comes from trees the wind has knocked down so I rarely need to concern myself with felling.

 

[dcyrilc]

Cyril,
Do you have any pictures of your woodshed?

What make/model is your spliter? I researched splitters last night and am comfused. The electric splitters were $300+; the gas splitters were $1000+. I'm not sure what is good enough; I plan to split a lot of wood, mostly oak, with some poplar, maple, and hickory. I hate to spend $1000+ if $300 would do the job. I believe that I'll split my wood close to the house so electricity isn't a concern. Amount of time spent splitting, ease of use, and size of logs are the main factors I think I need to consider.

Obed

I'll grab some pix today with my cell phone. Won't be great pix, but they'll work. I'll also get the make & model on the splitter for you.

 

[dstig1]

There are as many opinions on wood splitters as there are wood splitters... I doubt you are thinking of making your own, but that question often gets asked. The consensus is that unless 1. you want something specific that it not offered or 2. you have free steel you will always come out behind vs just buying one.

The Huskee/Speeco brand from TSC or other places are often recommended as a pretty good value. They aren't high end, but they are solid and not too pricey. Still you will be looking at $1-2k, depending on the size you get. If you want beefier ones, then you step up to Iron & Oak or Timberwolf and they are substantially more $$, but built like tanks. You won't need that, but if you want high end, then that's what you do. The only caveat with buying a splitter from TSC is that it appears the monkeys they employ are incapable of assembling them correctly, so you need to check all fittings for tightness and oil levels before using.

In my case I got a Supersplitter, which is a different technology as it runs off a flywheel instead of hydraulics. They are spendy - $2-3k but they are super fast. Click on the videos link to see them in action. You almost never find them used as nobody gives them up.

Log Splitter, Wood Splitter - Super Split(R)

Basically whatever splitter you buy, you will have for a lifetime so get something respectable. Don't try one of those weenie little electric ones as it won't split anything.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Definatly get a gas unit. I just recently got a 27 ton troy bilt and have already split over 8 cord and it still is running strong. :thumbsup:Mine has a Honda motor on it.

 

[mikefromnh]

Definatly get a gas unit. I just recently got a 27 ton troy bilt and have already split over 8 cord and it still is running strong. :thumbsup:Mine has a Honda motor on it.

Hard to argue with the Honda engine. Also make sure that there is a spin on hydraulic filter on the return line.

 

[MarkV]

Obed,

If you are going to primarily heat with wood I would like to suggest a few things. Keep the little saw to use for trimming off the small limbs. Get a bigger saw for the big cuts. I have an old homelite with a 16 inch sword that my wife use to cut the limbs while I am working on the logs. My bigger saw is a Stihl farm boss. Husky also makes great saws. My Stihl is considered a medium duty saw. Both companies make professional grade saws as well. They are more expensive but probably worth the money if you use it enough. When I got the Stihl it had a 18 inch sword but I changed it to a 20 recently. Make sure you get the hardwood chains and throw away the worthless safety chain that most saws come with. I don't consider them safer and they do not cut as well. Next, learn how to touch up the chain with a file. That is the first thing I do before I start. If I am cutting a lot or get in the ground I will hit it again. One or two hits per tooth will keep it cutting very well. Get some wedges, you will need them.

You will definitely want a splitter! There really is not a lot to a wood splitter so one of the best ways to choose is to look at a bunch of them and choose the one that looks the strongest. OHV engines are nice but I would not use that as the highest importance. I assume all splitters have the fast return feature and the auto return stop but make sure. You will also want one that can work horizontal or vertical. I have no experience with one that can run off of a tractor but you may consider that. Personally I prefer the standalone type so the tractor is not tied up.

The most important thing to do when you are working with wood is to be very very careful. A chain saw or a wood splitter can do much bodily harm. When you get tired, quit. When you get ready to fell a tree make sure you have a clear escape route. If the tree gets hung on others, which happens often in a dense wooded area, be extra cautious because it is the most dangerous situation a wood cutter faces!

I have been cutting wood for many many years. I have had a few small injuries. In each case, the difference between a small and a large injury was just a few inches.

One more thing, I refuse to loan anybody a chain saw!

Happy cutting.

Good post!! Do you wear safety chaps?

MarkV

 

[Johndeere3720]

Hard to argue with the Honda engine. Also make sure that there is a spin on hydraulic filter on the return line.

There is. :thumbsup: