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
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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
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
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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.
3RRL
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Eddie,
What a great way to put it!
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!!!
What a great way to put it!
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!!!
Eagleview
Veteran Member
Arrow , The Haala is just what you need , but i would still fit the side straps to stop any small rounds rolling out , which wont happen until your level with your trucks back window . The other one is OK too but you can't carry a log with it .
Timber
Veteran Member
when I was a boy we would burn 11 cord of every winter. I would split and stack every bit of that myself with a 12 & 14 pound hammer and wedges. I can tell you this there is no easy way to load and transport split wood. You are either going to load it by hand and do 1 trip or try to scoop it and do 5 trips for the same load. I have learned that sometimes a wheelbarrow is faster than the tractor depending on the task. I say this all the time hear, tools have limitations & sometimes it is faster and less frustrating to just get your hands dirty. It can take a lot more effort looking for a way to avoid work than it takes to just to do it
Timber,
Many times I have confronted with just what you were saying. And many times you'd be absolutely right. I split wood by maul for 30 years even though I worked as a professional wood cutter with all the equipment, when I got home I did it all by hand. (Not the cutting however). Split it, wheel barrowed it, stacked it, unstacked it, carried it to the wood stove and then I just got tired. My body would ache after a session of splitting. My production got slower and slower so in 1985 I got a John Deere tractor. The bucket took the place of the wheel barrow. In 1997 I purchased a simple wood splitter but still loaded all by hand. I would split the wood right at the stack or it would go right to the bucket and then to the stack. Then the stacks got full. I made more stacks until I'm three years out in firewood. I still want to split and harvest so I just keep splitting. I want something to be able to have to pick up the wood from the firewood pile, dump it in a wood wagon and then bring the wagon over to the stacking area. This way I've eliminated one whole bending, stooping, throwing process because as I get older I have to pace myself and its not going to get better as my genes from my ancestors weren't that good. I'd love to be that 82 year old who still splits wood by hand. That's just not going to happen for me and believe me it wasn't caused by a sedentary lifestyle
Iron Horse. The Virnig would hold a log if I cut the 2 first sidestraps and then pinned them back on for loading which I'd be forced to do if Haala wasn't willing to make us a narrower rock bucket. As I bring my tractor into some very dense forest, a 70" wide bucket (their smallest)could really be a pain thru the woods.
Many times I have confronted with just what you were saying. And many times you'd be absolutely right. I split wood by maul for 30 years even though I worked as a professional wood cutter with all the equipment, when I got home I did it all by hand. (Not the cutting however). Split it, wheel barrowed it, stacked it, unstacked it, carried it to the wood stove and then I just got tired. My body would ache after a session of splitting. My production got slower and slower so in 1985 I got a John Deere tractor. The bucket took the place of the wheel barrow. In 1997 I purchased a simple wood splitter but still loaded all by hand. I would split the wood right at the stack or it would go right to the bucket and then to the stack. Then the stacks got full. I made more stacks until I'm three years out in firewood. I still want to split and harvest so I just keep splitting. I want something to be able to have to pick up the wood from the firewood pile, dump it in a wood wagon and then bring the wagon over to the stacking area. This way I've eliminated one whole bending, stooping, throwing process because as I get older I have to pace myself and its not going to get better as my genes from my ancestors weren't that good. I'd love to be that 82 year old who still splits wood by hand. That's just not going to happen for me and believe me it wasn't caused by a sedentary lifestyle
Iron Horse. The Virnig would hold a log if I cut the 2 first sidestraps and then pinned them back on for loading which I'd be forced to do if Haala wasn't willing to make us a narrower rock bucket. As I bring my tractor into some very dense forest, a 70" wide bucket (their smallest)could really be a pain thru the woods.
Timber
Veteran Member
I do understand what you say, I too am not getting any younger. I will disagree with you on thinking you have no choice in going the way of your ancestors. It is true we are all confined to work within are genetic makeup but that doesn't mean we are condemned by it. But now we are on another subject.
I think you question has been answered hear for you at any rate I would have to agree that a set of brush forks and a bucket grapple are what your looking for to accomplish this task. What you realy want are Manure Forks
I think you question has been answered hear for you at any rate I would have to agree that a set of brush forks and a bucket grapple are what your looking for to accomplish this task. What you realy want are Manure Forks
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davidseaquist
Silver Member
I cut and split my wood, for personal use and the satisfaction of it. I hate to split the wood let it drop to the ground than pick it up and move it again. I was looking on some of the firewood processor sited and jappa and other European sited. Some use a mesh bag open on both ends. You set a pallet on the ground put this collapsible metal frame around put the mesh bag on the inside of the frame fill the bag while you split. Than tie the bag at the top remove the metal frame and lift the pallet of wood and stack it where you need it I think the bags cost about $10.- apice David
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davidseaquist
Silver Member
I was told the bags last a few years and the wood drys out. Seems like a good job to save space. Keep the wood clean let it cure and not Handel it by hand a lot. David
jimmysisson
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Then what? If it's your own, you can re-use the skid and frame if not the bag. If for a customer, do you deliver the whole skid/frame/bag, leave it for their use, then retreive it for next season? Or deliver just the bag and dump it? Or deliver the bag with a boom truck? I don't get the idea?
Jim
Jim
