Help Needed: How to split huge rounds

[Diamondpilot]

Trust me, I still cut and split. I do about 5 truck loads a year. Just nothing too heavy.

Chris

 

[Long0]

Here is how I do my large rounds. Set the splitter on the ground, roll the rounds on and quarter them. From there I can put my 4-way back on, set the splitter back on it's stands and 4-way the quarters.

Andy

 

[williekioti]

+1 on the "digging in" method for horizontal spitters on large rounds. I've used this method before on someone else's unit. Work smarter, not harder. A lot of pieces to be had in a 30"+ round, if I cut it going to find a way to use it. But I do see why some decide not to mess with 'em for their body's sake.

All that said, when looking at splitters one of the first things I consider is the ability to operate vertically as well as horizontally for this very reason. I would also caution on the use of skidding tongs in a lifting situation, can be done but don't put anything underneath you are not prepared to crush (yourself included).

Chainsaw quartering is viable method as well for "hard" hardwood (i.e. oak, S. Maple, etc). Start a cut (with grain) a few inches into the round, through the sapwood and finish with a wedge. Oak/maple/etc usually will pop apart no problem. Softer species may not be worth the effort though as they require more cutting................unless you enjoy making long curly saw chips.

 

[Ductape]

I was hoping to just hoist these onto the splitter with the loader........ but on second thought........................................


You guys giving away the big rounds, I wish you were near here.

 

[WilliamBos]

Since our splitter is 3pt, we opted to lower it down, and 'quarter' them up, then lift it back up, and put the legs back on.

My Dad on the splitter...




Don't have a loader, but I guess a cherry picker would work the same, or block and tackle.

Works for us.

 

[Maknwine]

Hey Will, a short piece of PVC pipe say 1 1/2" slipped over the valve handle will help with the bending down aspect. I use a piece on my tractor mt 3point splitter. Makes a big difference in the old man back syndrome.
tom

 

[mojoinco]

Well, we don't have hard wood here (bummer), but my preference is 8" and under wood. One split is enough, if needed. I usually can't be that selective -- but nothing over ~18". A size I can handle, and not too much for the chain saw if it has knots (to cut it in half). I usually use a Chopper1. Not much help on large stuff. Sweat boy, sweat! And nothing wrong with the thermostat (good thing wife doesn't monitor my posts).

Tip a friend of mine showed me to decide when the chain is dull: A sharp chain makes nice chips. A dull one makes almost sawdust sized ones. Look at the chips with a freshly sharp chain for a reference.

Lots of good ideas here though, especially if I ever get a splitter.

 

[schmism]

nothing fancy hear

2-3 wedges a sledge some safty glasses and a splitting mall have busted up 5-6' dia rounds for me in the past.

if its something nasty to split i just take a quick sec to slice it half way through with the chain saw and then its no prob to pop apart.

 

[Baby Grand]

Ditto what Schism said. Just because you have a hydraulic splitter doesn't mean you can't go all old school on those rounds. Wedge & sledge is fast and fun. I have had good luck with just a splitting maul. Cheap, too!

-Jim

 

[nh DRAGON]

Ditto what Schism said. Just because you have a hydraulic splitter doesn't mean you can't go all old school on those rounds. Wedge & sledge is fast and fun. I have had good luck with just a splitting maul. Cheap, too!

-Jim

Yep, Me too. I can split by hand to knock every thing to a lift able size then the splitter takes over while I catch my breath!

 

[escavader]

I have heard of guys with large hoes or excuvators ,splitting them using down pressure,and their bucket teeth Never seen it though
ALAN

 

[WilliamBos]

Hey Will, a short piece of PVC pipe say 1 1/2" slipped over the valve handle will help with the bending down aspect. I use a piece on my tractor mt 3point splitter. Makes a big difference in the old man back syndrome.
tom

Thanks. Never thought of that...

 

[some zilch]

I have heard of guys with large hoes or excuvators ,splitting them using down pressure,and their bucket teeth Never seen it though
ALAN

it certainly can be done, especially w/a large trackhoe...lots of weight there to push with

 

[brandoro]

When I bought my chainsaw, many years ago, the seller said he could put a longer bar and chain on it. The saw came with a 16" bar. I told him if the tree was bigger than that my plan was to walk by it to the next smaller one. That worked well for me for a long time but, a big wind storm took down some trees that are bigger than that. I would never have cut those trees down but once down I wouldn't want to leave them to rot. It would be easy to set my splitter on the ground for the bigger rounds, don't know why I never thought of that. I have my splitter fastened to the carry-all, it's a good work height for wood I can lift easily and I pile the split pieces into the carry-all to transport back to the wood pile.
Never know what you might learn reading through posts on a cold (-34C) Saturday morning.: