How long does it take you to process 1 cord of wood?

Good question. I cut all my wood in the Fall/Winter/Spring let it sit for a few months then split it all ( i split 1+ cords an hour ) let sit for a few weeks and then stack all at once. I've never cut, split and stacked in the same day let a lone in the same month.

BrotherBart said:

My wife just chimed in and says a cord takes me two six packs.

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LMAO ! That explains the extra time.

In my prime it was 20 minutes to cut the cord and throw off the log pile. (One tank of gas) Splitting the cord with a 6lb maul (green alder) 1 hour 15 minutes. Stacking is 20 minutes.
This was 20 years ago.

Today it is much faster, I write the check on quick books (10 seconds)

Thomas

That totally depends on the species of wood.

If it's ash or maple, I'd say I could do a cord in around 3 hours If I was really moving and had large rounds to start with.

If it's elm or wet pine, days. Although my technique with elm is getting better. TOTALLY different strategy in splitting and stacking that god forsaken stuff when compared to Ash Maple or Oak.

That's the spread.
White oak, Maybe 5-6 hours. Cherry, 3-4 hours, Apple 5 hours. It all depends on a lot of factors.

How wet, how knotted, how large the rounds are.

With easier to split woods I try to cut lengths of 16-17 inches. My stove states a 16" max but I can push it a bit, and have put peices as long as 20 in. (Bay window helps the diagonal a lot)

With tougher woods like Knotted mulberry, elm or knarly oak, I cut disks with the saw. I cut 8" max long "rounds" more of a disk shape and count on the larger diameter to give me stove length peices. I have access to some very large elms that result in 16" or longer chunks, 8" wide. I split the disk into 3's. A center section and two smaller side sections. That's the fastest way to split, and results in reasonable stability in the stacked peices.

<edit> You said cut to length then split, so I'm assuming a bunch of chainsaw time included in the task.

I tend to split about 1/4 cord, then stack, then split another 1/4 and repeat. It breaks up the tasks a bit and keeps you from getting as tired.

George said:

michaelthomas said:

I am just wondering if I am slow or what. I was out there cutting to length, splitting and stacking for almost 8 hours and only got about 1 1/2 cord stacked.

How long does it take you to cut to length, split and stack a cord of wood?

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Don't rush, no points awarded for speed. Still got all your fingers and toes?
If you don't need nursin', you did exceptionally well.
Lot's of people out there couldn't hack n stack 8 hours.
Put your feet up, have a beer. :coolgrin:

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True that , the time it takes YOU .........IS ........ the time it takes. cheers.

It depends on wich splitter I am using. The one I built for my Dad, in about 1 1/2 - 2 hours I can split a cord. If I'm using MA Logger's woodsplitter, 45 minutes to an hour with no back pain. He has one of the best woodsplitters I've ever used. It is very fast, very efficient and the log lift is a dream. That time doesn't include stacking.

I think your pace is pretty reasonable. Just bucking, splitting and stacking probably takes me 4-6 hours per cord. Lot of factors: whether you are splitting by hand, type of wood, whether you are stacking right next ot you or have to move to stack, etc.

I'd estimate that getting my equipment ready and then felling, bucking, hauling, splitting and stacking takes me about 10 hours per cord. Obviously there are a lot of variables -- it's a lot faster for me to do a few 15" trees than to do a 30" one since it's easier to cut and move the rounds. It depends where you are getting your wood. It depends how efficient your layout is and whether you are having to move wood twice (i.e. whether you can split onsite or have to bring it back and then split it). Doing three smaller trees that equal one cord means: felling and bucking 3-4 hours, hauling 2 hours (trips from a nearby neighbor's yard), splitting 2-3 hours (sometimes done in the other yard, sometimes at home) and stacking 2 hours. I'm pretty deliberate about it, so I'd think I'd be on the slower end.

I just split and stacked 1 cord yesterday using my little 8 ton splitter. Took me 2 hours including a lunch break and a couple beers.

I like to get 1 or 2 years ahead, and then it's not a big rush to get it ready for fall. Now I can do a little bit at a time whenever I have the time.

Never really kept track of it
I guess if I hated doing it I would be more cognisant of the time I was spending

I go out 1-3 times a week for 2-4 hours at a time. For the past 2 years I have been cutting in an area that was logged-out about 5 years ago. (A-lot of downed trees so no felling of the trees. Most is White Oak, Cherry, Elm and Ash.) I usually buck, and split a cord in 4-5 hours (by myself). If I have help then of course it goes much quicker. I keep it in the woods stacked until I need it. Then in September and October I bring it in and restack it at my home. I have cut and split a cord of Pine in a-lot less.
But, as said in a previous post. Don't get in a hurry. that is when accidents happen.

"When you rush... That is when accidents happen."
-Bachman in "Down Periscope"

One common theme I see here is that cords is measured not by clock time but by beer time. It's a good point to make here. It's nice to grab a brew (or 3) and split. It's a relaxing task that can be done while I watch the kids. The processing station is right next to the swingset so I can push my 3 year old, split a log, take a swig, push my 3 year old, split a log....

While I could split faster and in some cases I've really done a lot in a short time, more often it's a more sedate pace that goes well with a nice Sierra Nevada Pale ale, A Monkschof Swartz Bier, or a Dogfish Head IPA.

If your rushing to split wood you won't enjoy it for long. The legal disclaimer: I wouldn't use Elks latest splitter with 3 beers in me.

I save the beers for when I'm done for the day and all the tools are put away. I'm not a big fan of jocking a chainsaw or a wood splitter with a few beers in me.

earthharvester said:

I save the beers for when I'm done for the day and all the tools are put away. I'm not a big fan of jocking a chainsaw or a wood splitter with a few beers in me.

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I agree if there is power involved, definitely with regard to chain saw. But for swinging a maul...a Brew is a nice companion.

Have you ever wittnessed what a chainsaw will do to the body. WOW! And it doesn't take much. Just a milisecond and it does considerable damage!! In my 15 years in the rescue biz, I have seen some dandy injuries. Most could have been prevented. (Wear chaps and gloves or at least a heavy pair of reinforced Carhartts.)
Not to long ago I went on a call where a guy was... Well he was tuned up. He had a "Monster Maul" type maul. He was carrying it while walking backwards talking with another... tuned up individual... And tripped. He had the maul land on his hand and it essentially blew his hand out. Literally smashed his hand as if it were in a press.

I like the way you think BrotherBart!

BikeMedic said:

Have you ever wittnessed what a chainsaw will do to the body. WOW! And it doesn't take much. Just a milisecond and it does considerable damage!! In my 15 years in the rescue biz, I have seen some dandy injuries. Most could have been prevented. (Wear chaps and gloves or at least a heavy pair of reinforced Carhartts.)
Not to long ago I went on a call where a guy was... Well he was tuned up. He had a "Monster Maul" type maul. He was carrying it while walking backwards talking with another... tuned up individual... And tripped. He had the maul land on his hand and it essentially blew his hand out. Literally smashed his hand as if it were in a press.

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Unfortunately I have more than once. Chainsaw cuts remind me of shrapnel wonds in the Marines. They are very,very nasty.

BrotherBart said:

earthharvester said:

BikeMedic said:

Have you ever wittnessed what a chainsaw will do to the body. WOW! And it doesn't take much. Just a milisecond and it does considerable damage!! In my 15 years in the rescue biz, I have seen some dandy injuries. Most could have been prevented. (Wear chaps and gloves or at least a heavy pair of reinforced Carhartts.)
Not to long ago I went on a call where a guy was... Well he was tuned up. He had a "Monster Maul" type maul. He was carrying it while walking backwards talking with another... tuned up individual... And tripped. He had the maul land on his hand and it essentially blew his hand out. Literally smashed his hand as if it were in a press.

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Unfortunately I have more than once. Chainsaw cuts remind me of shrapnel wonds in the Marines. They are very,very nasty.

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Yep. There is nothing quite like looking down and seeing your leg opened up to the bone and being a long way from anybody that can help.

Be careful out there folks.

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Cell phone ,Maxi pads & Duck tape and a lot of hope. Dont cut by ones self and if you do make sure someone knows where your at and what time your going to be home. have a calling check in point ............. every hour , ect ....

You guys are killing my keyboard with all the coffee I spill on it. BB did that happen to you?