Powered Wood Splitter Productivity?

scott_vt · Feb 7, 2006

Mornin Dan,
Good thread! I use a 8 lb mall.

There are a few different factors that go into wood splitting and making it a successfull adventure IMHO. First lets start by saying that no matter how you do it, its hard work.

I cut the logs 16 to 18" long because the woodstove is not that big. By cutting that length, they split much easier especially if the wood is frozen. I can do alot more work in the colder weather and not get as fatigued. The type of wood being split is a big factor. Alot of what I split is oak and maple. They are both pretty straight grained woods that lend themselves to easy splitting. On a cold morning I can split oak faster than you can with a splitter. but to be fair about it, I will tire out faster than the log splitter /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Im closing in on 55 pretty quick and can still do a few hours of that kind of work, although not all day anymore.

I also help my neighbor, who burns about 8 cord per year, but I use his splitter then.

Bottom line is I still use it as a form of exercise, but maybe my time is running out using that method /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

Boondox · Feb 7, 2006

When I see that much wood stacked up I get the same warm feeling as when I have a large balance in my savings account!

Lordy, what a nice thing to wake up to! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

JimR · Feb 7, 2006

Here's a small pile I split up with my splitter. I would not even want to guess how long this would take by hand. Most pieces are 2 feet long.

scott_vt · Feb 7, 2006

( Here's a small pile I split up with my splitter. I would not even want to guess how long this would take by hand. Most pieces are 2 feet long. )

Gee Jim,
That dont look like such a small pile to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

Boondox · Feb 7, 2006

That's beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

Back when I married and gave up teaching at a big city university to join my wife on her ancestral farm I used to long for things like new cars, powerful computers, killer stereos. Now that I've lived in the country for a decade my desires have changed. Tools, tractors and implements, nice firearms, a killer woodsplitter...

Life is good! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Pete

dmccarty · Feb 7, 2006

Jim,

That kinda looks like one of my mauls.

I don't want to hear about you chasing your "neighbors" with a Lickety Splitter! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Even though there would be some satisfaction in the chase and catch. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan

dmccarty · Feb 7, 2006

arthr31,

I don't mind the exercise. I like it but I am short on time and there are other things needing to be done. So I'm looking at the powered splitter. And you are right about a long term project. When we add phase two to the house I am pretty sure we will put in a wood furnece as well as one more wood stove. That and my parents needing wood will more than pay for the splitter.

And the rental costs can add up quickly. I figure I would have to rent for 4 our so days to get the wood we need split. I'm not sure on the rental rates but we could pay for the splitter in a couple of years for sure.....

Actually Dad is talking about buying and splitting at least for this year. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Eventually I'll be doing it for them.

Later,
Dan

dmccarty · Feb 7, 2006

scott,

Except for the age I'm right on with your comments but I just have too many other things to do to keep splitting by hand. My wife just got her real estate brokers license so I have to watch the kids on the weekends as required. That cuts into my work time. So I'm going to have to maximize my splitting time to get things done. But I do like the excercise. I cut the rounds to about 16-18 inches as well because of the stove which helps splitting and drying. And doing this when its hot and humid will wear you out. I know this summer I went through close to a gallon of water in a couple of hours.....

Trying to get 'er done before it gets hot!

Later,
Dan

dmccarty · Feb 7, 2006

Jim,

That pile is bringing back nightmares!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I worked on a farm as a kid splitting wood that the man sold. Hour after Hour, Day after Day, Week after Week splitting wood. I HATED that wood splitter. It was low to the ground and SLOW. This is part of my aversion to getting one. But the new ones seem so much better now a days.

Later,
Dan

JimR · Feb 7, 2006

( Jim,

That pile is bringing back nightmares!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I worked on a farm as a kid splitting wood that the man sold. Hour after Hour, Day after Day, Week after Week splitting wood. I HATED that wood splitter. It was low to the ground and SLOW. This is part of my aversion to getting one. But the new ones seem so much better now a days.

Later,
Dan )

Mine is on the back of my tractor hooked up on the 3pt hitch, I can raise and lower it as I please to whatever height I feel comfortable working with. I don't need to bend down excpet to pick up logs. For big logs, I lower the splitter and roll the log onto it. I wish I could afford a Lickety Splitter. Here's a shot of my homemade splitter.