sixgun
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm looking for ideas to save work and my body. I process about 8 cords/yr, starting when the log truck drives away. My tools include 2 Husky saws - a new 357xp and a 20 yr old 50 Special, a Kubota compact tractor with a 3pt American splitter (and loader) and a 5'x8' utility trailer. The splitter is a horizontal only model w/o a table to catch splits.
Last year's wood was huge - most rounds between 16 and 24 inches in diameter, so I had the splitter sitting on the ground and made a crude ramp to roll the rounds up to the beam. This was a real backbreaker. I did move the splitter frequently so I didn't have to move the rounds very far. Then I'd periodically use the loader to collect the splits and move them to the stack pile. I didn't use the utility trailer in any way last year.
This is what I'm thinking for this year.
1. Ask my wood supplier for some slightly small logs.
2. Set up the splitter so that it is about waist high.
3. Build a table to catch splits.
4. Throw splits into the utility trailer, which will be set close to the wedge.
5. When the trailer is full, use the receiver hitch on the tractor bucket to move and dump the splits near their final resting place.
6. Use the loader bucket and another table to stage the heaviest rounds.
I figure I can make split catching and staging tables by stacking pallets in the right spots. I use my tractor bucket to get the wood to the bulkhead door when needed during the mean season.
Does this seem like a reasonable plan given the equipment that I have? Any ideas for improving the suggested system using my current tools or suggestions for additional tools to make life easier?
Last year's wood was huge - most rounds between 16 and 24 inches in diameter, so I had the splitter sitting on the ground and made a crude ramp to roll the rounds up to the beam. This was a real backbreaker. I did move the splitter frequently so I didn't have to move the rounds very far. Then I'd periodically use the loader to collect the splits and move them to the stack pile. I didn't use the utility trailer in any way last year.
This is what I'm thinking for this year.
1. Ask my wood supplier for some slightly small logs.
2. Set up the splitter so that it is about waist high.
3. Build a table to catch splits.
4. Throw splits into the utility trailer, which will be set close to the wedge.
5. When the trailer is full, use the receiver hitch on the tractor bucket to move and dump the splits near their final resting place.
6. Use the loader bucket and another table to stage the heaviest rounds.
I figure I can make split catching and staging tables by stacking pallets in the right spots. I use my tractor bucket to get the wood to the bulkhead door when needed during the mean season.
Does this seem like a reasonable plan given the equipment that I have? Any ideas for improving the suggested system using my current tools or suggestions for additional tools to make life easier?