How BIG a splitter do I need for this project?

[Diamondpilot]

I have split stuff like that with my 30 ton splitter.

To be honest I will never touch another piece of wood more than 14" or so just not worth it for my back.

Chris

 

[LD1]

Nice choice of tractors ductape. Not so much for the saw though

 

[homedad]

Cut into 4 pieces with a chainsaw. I've used a Husqvarna 3120xp with a ripping chain then a 27ton splitter. Any way you slice it, it's a pain to deal with. The crotches are impossible. I'd rather just rip it with an Alaskan saw mill and use the lumber.

 

[Arkaybee]

Ductape:
Wow, thanks for the advice from EXPERIENCED pros who have handled and split blocks as large as those I am facing.:thumbsup:

I don't own a hydraulic splitter, either horizontal or vertical, but I see how the vertical one would be best for this size block. How does one maneuver those big ones on the ground?:confused3: I see how it would be easier on frozen or snowy ground.

My tractor doesn't have enough ballast on the rear to lift them with the bucket and tongs (which I don't have either).

hr3:
And I don't own a backhoe. But if I did have it would be a great advantage to lift and place on a
splitter.


Doloe an Ted:
There are no 15 year old boys around to convince that swinging a sledge for a few hours would be a great workout and body-builder.

And Ted you are right that there are not enough sledge handles available to make it worthwhile to use two teenagers(I have learned that like you).


I have had a bit of experience splitting oak blocks as big as 24-30 inches in diameter and two feet in length using wedges and a sledge but none the size of these monsters.

joshuabardwell right you are:
So, it is back to the old-school method which is slower but THE WOOD WILL YIELD TO THOSE WEDGES.:thumbsup:
Here are the tools I have to work with: three steel wedges, one dogwood glut (wedge), one larger wooden glut, one 6-pound 34 inch sledge, and an ax. I also have a 1 inch by 7 feet long steel bar to help pry apart the split sections. It is amazing what these simple tools will do with patience and perseverance.

Now, I will admit that, at 75 years of age, I didn't know if I could split these large blocks but I recall seeing some old-timers split some big ones like these when I was just a kid. So I thought I would try. I will also testify that each session left me rather worn out and the hands were tight but the next session I felt stronger and my belt seemed not quite so tight. I spread out the sessions with several days or even a week between to let the muscles and hands recover.

So here is how it goes: (see the thumbnail photos at the bottom) First, I start a slender wedge in a developed crack near the edge of the block and drive it in until it bottoms out (the crack will yield and begin to open up more.)

Next, drive in a larger wedge just inside the first wedge and the crack really begins to talk to you and open up even more.

Then drive in the dogwood glut inside the last wedge to release the other wedges.
Then drive in a steel wedge on the outside near the bottom to complete the split and widen it.
Next drive in the larger wooden glut to really expand the split.
Using alternating wedges, continue to move the large wooden glut across the widening split until the split is completed across the width of the block.
Repeat these steps around the block until the sections are all free (in this pictured example there are seven sections from this block; sometimes there were nine depending on the nature of the block).

My goal was to get the blocks split into pieces that I could manage to load into the tractor FEL and move across the street to my place where I could continue to process them at my leisure (if there is such).

Even this bucket-full of blocks made the back of the tractor a little light even though there is a Landpride tiller on the back.

I have a growing pile of block sections at my place now.:dance1:


There were ten of the giant blocks to begin with and there are now two remaining awaiting those powerful wedges and sledge.

Now that I have exercised those wedges and sledge enough maybe I will find a hydraulic splitter (that has a log lifter on it) with which to complete the process of turning these blocks into manageable firewood.

I'M TIRED but satisfied I probably won't volunteer to take the next big tree that goes down :laughing:

I will try to remember to up update this project when the processing is complete. I, like you, am wondering just how many cords of firewood I will have stacked when this is finished.

Arkaybee

 

[mbrule]

I have split Maple rounds that big with a maul and wedges just take your time.

I have also done it with my 70's vintage tiny (4 hp), 18" cut about 10" off the ground Craftsman splitter, lot of muscling the wood but split in small bites and it worked!

 

[aczlan]

Dad and the neighbor built a horizontal splitter that would handle those all day long. The key is a log lifter. Noodle them in half next to the splitter, the put each half on the splitter and split pieces off of it.

Aaron Z

 

[PAGUY]

Looks like you figured it out on your own. I was going to suggest drilling a hole in the center and filling it with black powder. Packed tight and a fuse to ignite it would probably do the job.

 

[Ted Summey]

In our area, log splitters rent for about $100 per day. At least that's what the Sunbelt Rental place charges. That would go a long way toward making small pieces out of the big pieces. I use my loader to move quarters to the splitter and allow the bucket to catch the large unsplit sections like a table. That way I don't have to keep picking up the unsplit section. Just have to roll it back onto the splitter. The split pieces go on a trailer.

 

[Ted Summey]

Arkaybee, I've only heard the term "glut" since before my father in law died. He suggested dogwood for making one. Other than selecting the appropriate size blank what else is there to making a glut? My FIL never explained what else is necessary. I am speculating that drying is a requirement?

 

[Arkaybee]

Ted:
GLUT means to overfill. Thus a glutton overfills himself. Deglutition is the act of emptying the mouth, i.e. swallowing. So a wooden glut overfills the split in the wood like a wedge.

Somewhere, long ago, I read that Dogwood was used to make the gluts which were used for splitting long poles or logs for making split-rail fences that I bet are still visible in N.C. as they are in Ark.

The Dogwood glut I was using in those photos is at least 25 years old and may be as old as thirty years. Dogwood is an amazing wood. There is a lot of it growing in the light sandy soils of East Texas where we had some family land several years ago. A seismic surveying crew came through and knocked over several large Dogwood trees so I salvaged those and made gluts of them. The one in the photo is about 8 inches long and about 3-4 inches in diameter. I wore out some larger ones that were about 20 inches long and of larger diameter, maybe 6 inches. The qualities of Dogwood allow it to be struck repeatedly with steel sledges without "mushrooming" the struck end and without splitting. I think I began using them without drying first. I would guess that as they dry they get harder for sure. They are so dry now that one of them split during this process and the other one may be on its last leg, so to speak. The other large glut is of unknown species that I found in the neighbor's woodpile and put into service.

Persimmon wood might make a good glut but I haven't tried that. I know it is a very hard wood and was used in making wooden golf clubs like drivers, two-woods, three-woods and such before steel was used. I still have some of those and they were very durable although one would occasionally split.

To make a good glut from Dogwood I just cut it to the length I wanted and tapered the end that was to go into the splits of the oak (don't make that tapered end too thin but leave it 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick so it will be more durable). Then bevel the other end to be struck which seems to make the glut more durable and less likely to begin fraying around the edges. You can literally flail away with wild abandon on that Dogwood glut with steel sledges and it just gets shiny and glazed looking but it will do what it is supposed to do and that is MAKE THE OAK YIELD. In splitting poles or small logs to make split-rail fence rails all you have to do is get the split started at one end and then using a few Dogwood gluts just walk them right on down the length of the log or pole and there you the beginning of the rails. Dogwood was much cheaper than steel back in the day and much more available but yet effective. I sound nostalgic I guess and I'll admit to that.:laughing:

Ted
good idea to rent a splitter providing it has a lift or as you suggested, to use the FEL. I still would need another pair of strong hands and at $100 for a day would be good but would work us extra hard to finish in one day

PAGUY
There have been times in this project when that black powder idea surfaced in my mind too.

aczlan
I only wish I had access to a splitter that powerful:licking: the chips would really fly.

mbrule
You and I are of the same mind--just take your time and slowly the wood comes apart. Thanks.

Thanks to each of you who have enjoyed this project and have made useful suggestions. But it isn't finished yet.
More later.

Arkaybee