Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't do any heavy lifting of big rounds, I move the logs with my tractor and then cut them to length over a wagon,

or a trailer,

and then roll the big rounds right onto the splitters beam using a board,

It works very well, and I don't have to deal with them on the ground at all.

SR

 

[ning]

My splitter goes vertical, and I do use it that way for anything I can't pick up without substantial risk of rupture, but splitting vertically it seems moves the splitter all over the place.

Seeing a couple pics recently in this thread it looks like I need to weld a bigger footplate onto my splitter; mine only has the basic square end to the splitter which is also tough to get a big round onto in the first place...

 

[WinterDeere]

I usually put a few scraps of bark on the ground in front of or around the foot plate, which helps with the issue of getting around onto it, or holding it up and level while the wedge comes down.

 

[ning]

I usually put a few scraps of bark on the ground in front of or around the foot plate, which helps with the issue of getting around onto it, or holding it up and level while the wedge comes down.

Definitely done that to get it on; I think what I'm complaining about is when the wedge is splitting a big round, part(s) of the round tilt down/are forced into the ground, and the continuing splitting action shoves the splitter around. If it was connected via the ball hitch to something it probably wouldn't be a problem, but when it's just free standing it definitely moves around a bit, particularly if it's not on flat ground in the first place.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yep. Happens whenever the round slips off the foot plate, or some part ends up lower than the foot plate. Usually just rotating or repositioning the round resolves this, but rotating big rounds can be a PITA.

One thing I can say, after years of processing some pretty huge and heavy rounds, is that I spend a lot less energy per pound moved today, than I did when I was starting out. You learn how to use a little simple physics to your advantage, I guess a little like Judo, using your opponent's strength against themselves. I can tip a round up on it's narrow edge and roll it one way or another, landing it back on the foot plate without all that much energy spent.

Thinking of the problem you're describing, I can usually get a cant hook on the round, even if not set at an optimum angle when the round is on the splitter foot, tip the round up on it's edge, roll it a foot away from the splitter, then reverse the tip and roll it back at a new clocking position, in order to get it sitting square and right. It doesn't take all that much practice, but do mind the fingers when maneuvering heavy rounds near the I-beam, they'll pinch you as they come back down onto the foot plate.

 

[ning]

Yep. Happens whenever the round slips off the foot plate, or some part ends up lower than the foot plate. Usually just rotating or repositioning the round resolves this, but rotating big rounds can be a PITA.

One thing I can say, after years of processing some pretty huge and heavy rounds, is that I spend a lot less energy per pound moved today, than I did when I was starting out. You learn how to use a little simple physics to your advantage, I guess a little like Judo, using your opponent's strength against themselves. I can tip a round up on it's narrow edge and roll it one way or another, landing it back on the foot plate without all that much energy spent.

Thinking of the problem you're describing, I can usually get a cant hook on the round, even if not set at an optimum angle when the round is on the splitter foot, tip the round up on it's edge, roll it a foot away from the splitter, then reverse the tip and roll it back at a new clocking position, in order to get it sitting square and right. It doesn't take all that much practice, but do mind the fingers when maneuvering heavy rounds near the I-beam, they'll pinch you as they come back down onto the foot plate.

I use my legs and knees a lot in moving big rounds about. Like, position my legs next to the round, and anchor my hands on my thighs and hold the corner of the round (round things have corners too! I mean the top edge here), and then move my legs to shove the round, often just by lifting my heels. My legs are a lot stronger than my back and there's nothing that hurts there.

To get a round on the foot I usually tilt it this way ^ and then roll it on its edge. I haven't tried using a cant hook for it, but luckily I don't encounter really big rounds very often - will try it next time. Really my biggest complaint is the splitter moving; I think even making the foot a few inches bigger all around would be a big boon.

 

[Gordon Gould]

My splitter goes vertical, and I do use it that way for anything I can't pick up without substantial risk of rupture, but splitting vertically it seems moves the splitter all over the place.

Seeing a couple pics recently in this thread it looks like I need to weld a bigger footplate onto my splitter; mine only has the basic square end to the splitter which is also tough to get a big round onto in the first place...

I split big rounds vertical also. Break them down to manageable size for horizontal splitting. I split off of my carry all. The smooth surface and step allows the round to slide easily into place on the splitter foot. I don't have to fight to keep the round tight against the beam. It just sits there. Usually I don't have to hold it at all. The splitter will move and buck if the round is not on the foot of the splitter because you are pushing against the ground.

gg

 

[Molalla1]

I split big rounds vertical also. Break them down to manageable size for horizontal splitting. I split off of my carry all. The smooth surface and step allows the round to slide easily into place on the splitter foot. I don't have to fight to keep the round tight against the beam. It just sits there. Usually I don't have to hold it at all. The splitter will move and buck if the round is not on the foot of the splitter because you are pushing against the ground.

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gg

I also split vertical because most of my rounds are big (Doug fir), and my turned upside-down bucket to sit on is my friend.

 

[wolc123]

I use a bucket for a seat also. About 90% of the firewood I’ve burned, the last 15 or so years, has been ash. I split anything that’s about 22” diameter and larger with the splitter vertical, while seated on an upside down 5 gallon bucket.

I always have my tractor bucket next to me, to load the split stuff into (holds about 1/2 face cord), and I’ll roll 5 or 6 big rounds within easy reach from the “seat”. There’s no heavy lifting involved whatsoever. Smaller stuff I split while standing up (tractor bucket in same spot)and with the splitter horizontal.

I do nearly all of my splitting on rainy days in my “splitter shed”. The tractor has a canopy on it so I stay pretty dry while transferring the split stuff to my woodshed, which has a very wide overhang that also helps a lot in the rain.

I don’t have to worry so much about efficiency, while splitting on rainy days, because there’s usually not much other work to do in those conditions. I wish I had some big rounds ready to split in the shed now, but last Saturday was rainy, also and I split all that was in there then. I do have quite a bit of spring equipment maintenance to do, in the shop, and I’ve got to run for fertilizer and seed in the morning so that will kill most of tomorrows rain time.

 

[cmyoung2]

Here are a couple of shots at my firewood handling. Old Huskee rebuilt splitter with a Gorillabac log lift. The log lift is just a small crane with a small electric winch, but it is really useful on the big stuff. I am one of those that just hated to use the splitter vertically, and haven't taken the time to put a hydraulic lift on the splitter. I really like the IBC totes, just toss the wood in, don't tough it again until it goes in the outdoor water stove. I normally don't get logs this big, but they were already cut to lenght and free. 4 of them filled up a tote. I have about learned to toss the wood instead of stacking, can't get quite as much in, but my L3600 can pick it up and move it better(not as tippy). At almost 70, I am still getting ideas from this bunch(some more expensive than others)