Eagleview
Veteran Member
Arrow , build or buy a rock bucket . You wont regret it , while your at it build the hitch on the back with more pitch so you can roll back further .
Grapple grapple types
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I know your're right IH. My welder doesn't carry the necessary amps and with a pipe bender , a few plates of steel, a couple three gussets I'd have my rock bucket. Its either a grand in tools and materials or a grand for a premade one. I just need one. That little Virnig looks sweet. I think I'd cut off the long side support strap so I could roll back a log or two on it. It even seems to have the right backplate pitch you talked about. Dang if my welder friend that used to live next door to me hadn't moved to Texas, I'd have this thing by now. He had all the tools to fabricate stuff.
3RRL
Super Member
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- 6,931
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- 55HP 4WD KAMA 554 and 4 x 4 Jinma 284
After reading this interesting thread, it seems to me someone should invent a "Wood Bucket".
One that specifically addresses the ability to pick up split wood from the splitting pile.
Such as a hydraulic bucket that has rollers on the bucket lip and grapple tips which have small spikes to grab wood and roll it back, much like a wood chipper feed roll. It would be interesting to see exactly what conditions must be met to design within? For a few dollars it could be done.
Hmmm ... see where this is going?
One that specifically addresses the ability to pick up split wood from the splitting pile.
Such as a hydraulic bucket that has rollers on the bucket lip and grapple tips which have small spikes to grab wood and roll it back, much like a wood chipper feed roll. It would be interesting to see exactly what conditions must be met to design within? For a few dollars it could be done.
Hmmm ... see where this is going?
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I agree with Rob that this has been an interesting discussion. My FIL and BIL cut, split and sold about twenty cords this year with some help from me. I have roads that I need to clear through my woods and getting rid of the trees has been a challenge. Mostly I burn them as it's very rare to get anybody to show up for them when they say they will. I'm giving it away and nobody wants to deal with them. Some are furniture quality oaks, others are just really nice logs with very few knots. They split beautiflly with their 20 ton log splitter.
The trees have a chord to as much as three chords per tree. I dig them out with my backho and drag them to where they work. Then it's up to them to cut them up and toss the branches into my burn pile. In one day, they have done about 4 chords of cutting, splitting and stacking. Then it takes them another few days to load it up and haul it off.
On average, I think they put about a day into each chord from the time it takes them to cut it to the time it's sold. Price for delivered oak is around $150 a chord. Devide that in half and they are only making $75 each for every chord they deliver. I don't get the math as I could do that working at Walmart without the physical pain or expense of maintaining the chainsaws, splitters and vehicles. They are amatures with free wood to sell, so they are happy with it, but there's no way that I'd do it myself.
That said, I'm actually looking forward to putting a wood burning fireplace into my home. The idea of cutting and splitting wood from my land for my own use has a whole different appeal to me. Doing it for others is work, but doing it for myself is fun!!!
Eddie
The trees have a chord to as much as three chords per tree. I dig them out with my backho and drag them to where they work. Then it's up to them to cut them up and toss the branches into my burn pile. In one day, they have done about 4 chords of cutting, splitting and stacking. Then it takes them another few days to load it up and haul it off.
On average, I think they put about a day into each chord from the time it takes them to cut it to the time it's sold. Price for delivered oak is around $150 a chord. Devide that in half and they are only making $75 each for every chord they deliver. I don't get the math as I could do that working at Walmart without the physical pain or expense of maintaining the chainsaws, splitters and vehicles. They are amatures with free wood to sell, so they are happy with it, but there's no way that I'd do it myself.
That said, I'm actually looking forward to putting a wood burning fireplace into my home. The idea of cutting and splitting wood from my land for my own use has a whole different appeal to me. Doing it for others is work, but doing it for myself is fun!!!
Eddie
You got that right Eddie. Most of my city friends always state to me about "why don't you just turn up the thermostat" They just don't get it. They say the same things about gardening in that "its all at the supermarket"
I just say that I burned wood when oil was 25 cents a gallon so what does that tell ya. Then they say "well you're more stupid than we thought" I'm saying the same thing about them to myself. As I stated they just don't get it and are the type to bring a knife to a gun fight. The wood is just a byproduct of me and others like me enjoying our lives.
3RRL, I'd say you got your own little grapple spikes turning in your head. I wonder what they'll take in . Let us know if you build it. Interesting idea.
Lou
I just say that I burned wood when oil was 25 cents a gallon so what does that tell ya. Then they say "well you're more stupid than we thought" I'm saying the same thing about them to myself. As I stated they just don't get it and are the type to bring a knife to a gun fight. The wood is just a byproduct of me and others like me enjoying our lives.
3RRL, I'd say you got your own little grapple spikes turning in your head. I wonder what they'll take in . Let us know if you build it. Interesting idea.
Lou
Northland
Platinum Member
yes gentlemen collecting your own firewood and heating with wood is very satisfying not to mention great exercise.
My bothers joke that after buying all the gear (tractor,chainsaws etc.,) and accounting for my time my cost per cord is $600. I can't help it though as my parents are from Finland so we were brought up to be self reliant and frugal; for better and for worse.
Eddy-check out this fireplace. Contra-flow aka masonry stoves are big in Europe. They have huge amounts of radiant heat. One load of wood will heat for 8 hours or more. My father built one in his house many years ago. The sauna was on 24/7 from fall right through spring. It also had a small bakery oven bulit in.
Tinmouth Gallery :: Turtlerock Masonry Heat
and Masonry Stove Builders - masonry heater manufacturers
For a project guy like you this might be right up your alley although I don't know if you get much use of it down there in Texas.
As for me, I am not good at big projects so I had our zero clerance (almost zero BTU) fireplace ripped out last month and installed one of these soapstone beauties from Vermont
HearthStone Wood Stoves
It also features great radiant heating and with nice seasoned maple heats almost my whole house
. I hate the power company so I am happy with this.
My bothers joke that after buying all the gear (tractor,chainsaws etc.,) and accounting for my time my cost per cord is $600. I can't help it though as my parents are from Finland so we were brought up to be self reliant and frugal; for better and for worse.
Eddy-check out this fireplace. Contra-flow aka masonry stoves are big in Europe. They have huge amounts of radiant heat. One load of wood will heat for 8 hours or more. My father built one in his house many years ago. The sauna was on 24/7 from fall right through spring. It also had a small bakery oven bulit in.
Tinmouth Gallery :: Turtlerock Masonry Heat
and Masonry Stove Builders - masonry heater manufacturers
For a project guy like you this might be right up your alley although I don't know if you get much use of it down there in Texas.
As for me, I am not good at big projects so I had our zero clerance (almost zero BTU) fireplace ripped out last month and installed one of these soapstone beauties from Vermont
HearthStone Wood Stoves
It also features great radiant heating and with nice seasoned maple heats almost my whole house
. I hate the power company so I am happy with this.
bjcsc
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2007
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- Location
- Johns Island, SC
- Tractor
- JD 5225, JD 555B, JD 333E, JD 225DLC
I smell another 3RRL super build coming...
Eagleview
Veteran Member
Arrow , in my minds eye you would need to put a cutting edge right across the front of the tynes . This will stop any of the splits wedging between and spreading/bending the tynes . With the cutting edge it would then be an easy matter to "Dolphin swim" the bucket through the pile to get above and below the splits that undoubtably get in the way and stop your entry . Also to be able to lift long lengths , it would be an easy matter to have pin on side straps which could be removed . Maybe some 1 1/2"X3/8" flat bar or angle with a 3/4" hole in each end that would slip over some short Cat 1 linkage pins on the side of the bucket , 4 Lynch pins and their off . A 160 amp welder is as big as you need and a packet of 12P WIA Austarc 3.2mm rods . It will pay for itself many times over through the years and when your finished with it you will get most of your money back when you sell it .
I tell ya IH, when brains were delt out, you and I went to the same store. I've built this thing in my head at least 11teen times. And like you I thought about the front support so the tines would be stabilized. I also had a side delatch system for the long log lengths. I then find a company called Haala Industries and they make almost my perfect bucket except for the smallest being 70" wide. Maybe I'll give thm a call and convince them to make a 60,54 and 48" bucket for us compact owners. I wonder if rebar would be strong enough for the inner tines.
