stihly dan
Addicted to ArboristSite
Get checked for a hernia. Hate to have balls fall off cause intestines chocked them off.
Is it time to retire the sledge and wedge and just noodle cut big rounds?
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Get checked for a hernia. Hate to have balls fall off cause intestines chocked them off.
stihly dan
Addicted to ArboristSite
16 lb maul is the problem. Get the X27.
atvguns
Addicted to ArboristSite
Awesome
zogger
Tree Freak
--there's this nifty invention called "the inclined plane", or "ramp".
but I know what you are saying though. I don't have a boom or grapple, but I did build a box for the hayforks on the tractor, with a removable back. So right down to ground level, roll or flop in the big ones, put the back back on, lift the box, toodle on home with it. I don't do any giant lifting, simply can't, but once home I have various heights splitting blocks and can flop the real big ones over on to the shorter and fiskarize it then.
The only splitter I ever used had a log lift, and frankly, I can't see shelling out the large dollars (large as in $1,000 or more) for a gas splitter that doesn't have one. No fooling around with those whoppers, roll them into the lift, yank handle, up to split.
When I was using that trailer a couple weeks ago I just used an old pallet as a ramp to roll the ones in I couldn't lift up. That's lower than a pickup bed though....but...you can pull a trailer like that with the pickup, and keep your saws and gear in the truck, and the wood on the trailer.
Was at a store a few weeks back met some old geezer in the parking lot who had an engine hoist bolted to the rear corner of his truck. He said he used that to haul in anything from engine blocks to other equipment to big wood, whatever he needed. He said not expensive, but not sure how much that really cost. The boom on the thing was adjustable, the farther out, the less weight, but still..hmm..I am thinking the farthest out said 200 lbs, nearest inside was like 1000?? I forget now, more than enough for most wood rounds though. If it will do a v8 engine, that seems stout enough.
cowroy
Addicted to ArboristSite
Zogger, Is this what you saw in the back of the guys truck?
1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch
Coupled with a set of tongs and I like it. I would have to find a good way to secure it to the little toyota, or buy a bigger truck.
A fella on the previous page replied with this link.
1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch
Coupled with a set of tongs and I like it. I would have to find a good way to secure it to the little toyota, or buy a bigger truck.
A fella on the previous page replied with this link.
zogger
Tree Freak
Boy, sure looks a lot like it! I made a point when I saw it to go over and ask the guy about it. He had a large piece of flat steel bolted to the bed, then the crane thing bolted to that. It looked jamup near perfect for lifting big chunks 0 wood into the bed. I mean, for cheap bucks. Add a tong to the rig, you in biznezz
Isn't old age wonderful? Ya got me beat but only by a year. If it weren't for the parts that hurt, I wouldn't have anything working anymore
Harry K
benp
Addicted to ArboristSite
Depending on saw and clutch configuration, that may not be needed. My Dolmars are noodle machines, the 394 takes a touch more finesse.
Also I have found that noodling at an angle initially on one end then going parallel produces less clogging as opposed to just laying the saw parallel to the round and going in.
If I can't make any headway in 2-3 whacks with the x27 it gets noodled. This is especially true when out in the woods scrounging blowdowns. Nothing wrong splitting wood with a saw.:msp_thumbup:
You could be right...years ago I used an 8 lb. sledge but found the 16 would pound the wedge right through most things-now that was back when I was "younger" lol!
I also realize that I have had this upper-back muscle pain issues for awhile now and thinking back over the last few weeks "remember" it was showing little "signs" of returning; I guess this stupid episode just REALLY cranked it up. It's that feeling that your upper back muscles and neck muscles are so strained and inflamed that you can't move without something hurting and pulling-it almost at times feels like your neck and upper back are broken. Well, I started doing my exercises again, increased my vitamins and even though I'm not big on drugs maybe some Aleve or Aspirin short-term wouldn't be a bad idea. And time will heal it...but like you guys I just keep working and don't have much time to give it a lot of time to heal but I'll have to!
Anyways. GREAT STUFF GUYS AS USUAL! :msp_thumbup:
benp
Addicted to ArboristSite
I recently got turned onto the x27.
Aside from doing a good job splitting the other MAJOR change I noticed going from a maul or sledge was the LACK OF vibration/shock transmitted to my hands, wrists, and arms.
I was amazed at how well the x27 dampened that. Much less wear and tear on me.
Aside from doing a good job splitting the other MAJOR change I noticed going from a maul or sledge was the LACK OF vibration/shock transmitted to my hands, wrists, and arms.
I was amazed at how well the x27 dampened that. Much less wear and tear on me.
zogger
Tree Freak
--that was it with me and the SS. I was using an 8lb maul then sledge and wedges. Ta heck with that noise! Medieval torture, not needed. It just beats on ya! I can swing the fiskars all afternoon and ..nothing, I don't get tired or beat on.
Some old stuff is good, some new tech is better. When it comes to hand splitting, the modern splitting axes rule.
16 lb sledge is a bit heavy.
Spent a little time with the 8# and wedges busting some 40" rounds down to lifting size just because I didn't want the mess of noodling, haven't done that for a long time. Back bones tend to protest if I do too much of it. They protest even more trying to pick those rounds nowdays.
Chris-PA
Where the Wild Things Are
A 16lb sledge??!! Are you nuts? That's just gonna destroy your back. Each of us is built differently and likely has a different optimum weight to swing, but I find an 8lb is the maximum useful weight for me - and that's maybe even a bit too much. I'll admit to noodling more now than I used to, but only crotches so far - mainly so I can get something stackable out of it. I do like the idea of noodling just to start a notch for the wedges, and I plan on trying that once the deluges stop.You could be right...years ago I used an 8 lb. sledge but found the 16 would pound the wedge right through most things-now that was back when I was "younger" lol!
I also realize that I have had this upper-back muscle pain issues for awhile now and thinking back over the last few weeks "remember" it was showing little "signs" of returning; I guess this stupid episode just REALLY cranked it up. It's that feeling that your upper back muscles and neck muscles are so strained and inflamed that you can't move without something hurting and pulling-it almost at times feels like your neck and upper back are broken. Well, I started doing my exercises again, increased my vitamins and even though I'm not big on drugs maybe some Aleve or Aspirin short-term wouldn't be a bad idea. And time will heal it...but like you guys I just keep working and don't have much time to give it a lot of time to heal but I'll have to!
Anyways. GREAT STUFF GUYS AS USUAL! :msp_thumbup:
Was there something in those ash rounds? How old were they? I split a lot of ash, it's most of what I burn, and I find a lighter sharper tool works better than blunt mauls. It tends to crack if you can get the axe to penetrate.
Had a piece of hard maple this morning that kept ejecting the wedge on the third hit. Had to start another wedge next to the first to get it to pop.
Locust will commonly do that. I grab the 210 an put shallow kerf in, just deep enguht for the wedge to grab.
Harry K
tomtrees58
Addicted to ArboristSite
ShaneLogs
Addicted to ArboristSite
i used forks its easey and fast most wood i cut is 48" +
Wasn't there a steel rod in there holding it together ?
Yes, I'm nuts, but that's not the question here! :msp_tongue:
The Ash was from a tree that was about 45 years-old and twisted and gnarly; not only the worst Ash I've ever dealt with but some of the worst wood I've ever dealt with PERIOD-it won, I lost trying to split it by hand. It was cut into rounds back in February. I used to use an 8 lb sledge but it didn't seem to have much behind it so years ago I switched to the 16-that has clout.
And as a sidenote, the more time that goes by the more I'm realizing that the problem is more my neck than upper back; I think I strained the upper neck muscles and did some research and some neck exercises and it seems to be helping more than the back exercises. Live and learn...
