A question was raised along the way when
Not to further complicate this thread but here goes. I am interested in buying rounds that have been cut and stacked by a homeowner. I told him that in order to be fair for both of us I would set up a skid with a sides to measure out a cord. He has cut all of the pieces to within a couple of inches of 16". Would splitting the rounds generate a better yield for him prior to stacking them in a cord measure or does it not really make that much of a difference? I would think a better measure of the cord would be acheived by stacking split pieces. I have offered the use of my splitter ( his gas) so that he can split the wood. It is mostly Locust and Cherry. We have the sheisters around here too when it comes to selling a "cord" that does not measure up. Make sure they have a firewood license!
What I got from his post was the question
Would splitting the rounds generate a better yield for him prior to stacking them in a cord measure or does it not really make that much of a difference?
From experience, the stack will get bigger the more it is split.
Did I read that wrong somewhere ? He asked about stacked rounds versus stacked splits. Which would make me think that the homeowner was going to be stacking it, filling the voids with smaller ( round ) wood. At the least, not going out of his way to maximise the amount of airspace in the stack.
You are saying that by filling the voids between large rounds with smaller chunks you do get more on your truck. I agree, completely. No arguements.
But do you get as much wood in your truck loaded to the same height and width if it is split and well stacked as you do when loading your well stacked rounds?
Just thinking about this with the bucket analogy and from experience I say ( resoundingly ) No.
You dont get as much wood on a truck or in a skid if it is split as you do when loading well stacked rounds of assorted sizes. Anyone can overload a 1/2 ton with assorted dia. rounds a lot easier than they can if the wood is split and stacked.
Above, I explained that a 5800 pound log takes up less space than 5800 pounds of processed firewood. Both are a cord of wood as loosely defined by being 4X4X8 feet. But cut and processed there is more than a cord of firewood in the log. While there is only a cord of firewood in the 4300 pound stack of processed firewood.
His wood cutter would infact make more money per skid if it is split but at the expense of the time and effort running the buyers splitter. Depending on the value of their time it is a good deal for either one of them. One guy makes more money by splitting the wood. The other doesn't have to spend his time splitting it.
I think we are both argueing the same side but from different viewpoints. Your view seems to be that you
can get more by filling the voids between rounds with smaller rounds. Which is correct, BTW. While I am saying that by splitting the wood he is creating more gaps giving him less wood. Which, Is also correct.
I know who Alfred is. I'm sure any man over the age of 30 does too. I'm dragging 40 now, instead of pushing it. I'm not here to brag about the size of my saw, shinyness of my truck, how much it will carry or the # of cords I process a year. And don't really care if I get taken seriously or not. I add my opinion to a discussion since that is all it is, just my opinion. Some are based on fact and others on experience. I make-do just fine with what I have. I have enough wood at the end of a days work to suit me. Firewood isn't my main staple. I cut wood because I like the sound of the saw and the mind cleansing experience. All I am worried about, as I crack open the throttle, is getting a clean cut through the wood and making sure it isnt going to fall on anything important. Once it is cut, loaded, home, axe split and stacked I use it to heat with. It gives me satisfaction knowing that with our effort (my boys and myself) that we are going to be warm this winter. We have no worries about the grid going down. If we sell some even, better as it helps put some cash in their pocket around Christmas. It is all good.
Critisism for the avitar: noted.
Offence taken for critisism: none. Alfred's face is a bit easier on the eyes.