Splitting wood with hydraulics
- Thread starter Backwoods Savage
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HDRock
Minister of Fire
Great vid Dennis, I sure would like to have a vertical splitter for the big uns , one of these days I will
Great Video, would love to see the other one too. Cause I do it with a hammer & hatchet now. May have to explore other avenues.
Machria
Minister of Fire
That looks to be about the best you can do while sitting on a crate, splitting vertically. Nice work Sav! BUT, I have to say my back hurts just watching that. I could definitely not split that way.
A question for you guys, I always split Horiz, until I reach the biguns that can't be lifted, then verticle to split them small enought to be lifted, then back to Horiz. The question is, when I go Vert, it feels super dangerious. I feel as though my hand is often near (not under!) the approaching wedge. It just does not seem to be all that safe, just easier to have an accident than when horiz and my hands are nowwhere near it... Is this because I rarely use Vert, and I'm just not used to it? Or do some of you also feel this way? I'm just un-comfortable when in vert. Anyone else?
A question for you guys, I always split Horiz, until I reach the biguns that can't be lifted, then verticle to split them small enought to be lifted, then back to Horiz. The question is, when I go Vert, it feels super dangerious. I feel as though my hand is often near (not under!) the approaching wedge. It just does not seem to be all that safe, just easier to have an accident than when horiz and my hands are nowwhere near it... Is this because I rarely use Vert, and I'm just not used to it? Or do some of you also feel this way? I'm just un-comfortable when in vert. Anyone else?
Thanks guys. Sorry I was not able to be on the forum last night but I'll attempt to answer everyone now.
Two things to do then. First, if you look quickly at the video right at the start, you will see the handle of the pickaroon or hookaroon just the other side of the crate. Works like a charm to bring some logs closer. Also, not in view, I have a pair of log tongs. The second thing to do is simply move the splitter closer to the logs.
It might Bryan but you won't see one of those for sure. They want you to sit the log on the butt plate, then move so that you are standing clear around the wheel then operate the handle from there. Of course you can't even touch the log from there and I can only imagine how long it would take one to split wood that way. Really silly but they have to satisfy the lawyers here because there are suers (or sewers) all over the place. It's called covering your backside.
If only you knew how I was feeling at the time.... It was one of those days but I got it done anyway.
Exactly. A nice straight round with no knots.
Very few will "explode" if you do things right and with experience you will know the ones or the type that will do that. Many times while doing kindling that will happen. One piece may go flying and it will sting if it hits on its way past.
Two things to do then. First, if you look quickly at the video right at the start, you will see the handle of the pickaroon or hookaroon just the other side of the crate. Works like a charm to bring some logs closer. Also, not in view, I have a pair of log tongs. The second thing to do is simply move the splitter closer to the logs.
It might Bryan but you won't see one of those for sure. They want you to sit the log on the butt plate, then move so that you are standing clear around the wheel then operate the handle from there. Of course you can't even touch the log from there and I can only imagine how long it would take one to split wood that way. Really silly but they have to satisfy the lawyers here because there are suers (or sewers) all over the place. It's called covering your backside.
Nice video Dennis, but next time be sure to wave and smile at the camera.
A little happy dance at the end wouldn't hurt either.
Keep up the good work.
If only you knew how I was feeling at the time.... It was one of those days but I got it done anyway.
Exactly. A nice straight round with no knots.
Very few will "explode" if you do things right and with experience you will know the ones or the type that will do that. Many times while doing kindling that will happen. One piece may go flying and it will sting if it hits on its way past.
Several have brought up the thing about making their back hurts. First of all, yes, it can make your back hurts and that is why you have to experiment with different heights. For my height I have found this to be the ideal. I tried sitting higher and it does indeed make my back hurt and it is much more difficult to bring the new logs to the splitter. I also tried without sitting but down on my knees and it worked for about 2 or 3 logs and that was the end of that.
I've explained some earlier about the fact that I have a terrible back. Scoliosis (from polio), several bad discs (deteriorating disc disease) and have had 3 surgeries. So I know what back pain is as I live with it daily. So I experimented in how best to do this to lessen the amount of pain. This position worked the best. I also learned that when turning a log, especially the bigger ones, I can place my elbows on my thighs and then I have leverage to just lift enough to turn them. This way there is no strain on the back in the least. Besides, this way there is also no way you will drop a log onto your toes!
As for the dangerous feeling, I have never felt that so it is difficult to explain except that many folks feel some amount of fear whenever you have to work close to a machine. What I feel is more respect than fear. When I first bought this machine I put in a lot of thought as to what was happening and what could possibly happen and just went from there. I just know that I feel much more comfortable in this position than I did when trying the horizontal thing.
As for the hand being close to the wedge, it definitely is! And you definitely need to be aware of this. Does it bother me? Absolutely not. I know where I want my hand and that is where I place it. Many times I am within an inch of the wedge and I am comfortable with that. At first, you will probably not be comfortable with it but will in a short time. I will also add that this is just one more case where if a person is operating machinery, your mind has to be on what you are doing at all times. If you have a day when you can not do it, that is the time to reach over and turn that motor off and head to the house.
Locust Post
Minister of Fire
velvetfoot
Minister of Fire
If I recall, I try to keep my hands on the sides of what I am splitting so that the wedge can't hit them.
Nice video Backwoods. My hat's off to you. I' ve only been doing it vertical for 30 years. To answer some of those questions out there....if you can't handle a round with one hand, you use two! The average male should be able to slide a 12" round with one hand. If you can't, it's time to hit the gym buddy. What do you do when you can't reach more wood? You do the same thing as you would if you are doing horizontal...you stop, and throw yourself another pile next to the splitter. And as Backwoods said, experience will tell you when a piece will explode. It is usually the dry knotty stuff, not the fresh wet stuff. And as far as what to sit on...trial and error. The lowest stool that will keep you back straight will usually work.
velvetfoot
Minister of Fire
CMAG
Member
Lumber-Jack
Minister of Fire
Nice video Dennis, but next time be sure to wave and smile at the camera.
A little happy dance at the end wouldn't hurt either.
Keep up the good work.
Well, I hope you're feeling better soon Dennis, and I'll be looking forward to that happy dance.
Gark
Minister of Fire
That vid makes it look easy, Dennis. Those few left hand over-the-right-shoulder throws are nifty.
Well, I hope you're feeling better soon Dennis, and I'll be looking forward to that happy dance.
And, of course, you should definitely not hold your breath while waiting for that dance.
Thanks Gark. I used to throw them all with the right hand but now that right shoulder is bad so sometimes I use both hands when it really gets to hurting.
One thing I don't think was mentioned nor was asked, but I did not run the splitter at full throttle. I rarely do that and the splitter works good at that speed. Seems if I run the thing at full throttle I work harder just trying to keep up rather than working at my own speed. So, unless the stuff is splitting hard, it is usually 1/2 - 2/3 throttle.
red oak
Minister of Fire
Dennis - do you split most of your wood in one sitting? Or do you go for maybe a half-hour or hour at a time?
bogydave
Minister of Fire
Nice video.
Sometimes I have a helper bringing rounds close.
Hookaroon & an axe near by also.
Good demo of the easy way to split
Sometimes I have a helper bringing rounds close.
Hookaroon & an axe near by also.
Good demo of the easy way to split
JP11
Minister of Fire
Maybe I'm just young and dumb. I kind of like being UP and moving around. If I've got a pile of 10' logs.. I'll buck off the pile, and when I get around to splitting.. I start by splitting the ones that are FURTHEST away from the splitter first. That way the job's getting easier as I go. I go direct from the splitter to the U I have made from pallets. I touch the rounds once, and the split logs twice. I catch them as they are split, and stack right there with the pallet next to the splitter. Next time I touch them is from the pallet to the Vigas.
Enjoyed watching the video. I still don't think it's for me.. But I've got a crate.. I'll give it an honest try. I'm a bit taller than Sav... guess I'll need to be a bit higher.
Enjoyed watching the video. I still don't think it's for me.. But I've got a crate.. I'll give it an honest try. I'm a bit taller than Sav... guess I'll need to be a bit higher.
That was great to watch Dennis, the only thing I have to say is that in 25 more years I sure hope I can chuck them splits out like that. It seems that you tend to split like I do with no one around to close cause I'd probably hit them chuckin out splits, not on purpose but because I focus on that wedge my hand and log position to keep my pace moving fairly quick. When I'm pitchin splits I'm usually never looking, everyone around here that helps me waits till I'm done or taken a break. lol
I would like to see how you do kinlin, I keep telling my self theres got to be a smoother/faster way with hydraulic power.
Todd
I would like to see how you do kinlin, I keep telling my self theres got to be a smoother/faster way with hydraulic power.
Todd
I am not a vert fan unless I need to quarter big rounds. I feel I can work more efficiently in horizon. But, I have never experienced a feeling of danger when vert. In fact, I've smashed my fingers more in the horiz.
Realizing that I do the cutting in the winter and then all the splitting, for sure the splitting will not be done in one sitting. It really depends upon my body as to how long I'll work at any one time. I've split for maybe 2 hours in the morning and 3 or 4 in the afternoon but also have had times when 1/2 hour is too long. I do find that as the years pass, the time I spend splitting in any one day is a bit shorter than it used to be.
One has to remember that I too was once young and dumb. Actually stupid probably describes my actions better back then. But time does take a toll and then we learn how to do the jobs the easiest way. Shoot, a 10-15 minute break used to revive us and away we'd go. Now a 10 day break doesn't seem long enough...
As for the height, I've stated that many times. You need to experiment to find what is best for you. I find this height to be best because it allows me more leverage if I have to lift, which you do have to from time to time. It body appreciates it.
I agree Todd. If folks are near me, they had best watch out for themselves. I simply throw the wood toward the pile and most times that is not looking; just throwing.
I do promise I will try to make a kindling video before winter if at all possible. In fact, I think I saw a tree down that would work very nicely for it. So stay tuned.
wishlist
Minister of Fire
Hey sav, how bout I bring over some apples for you to press and while your doing that I will fix that splitter of yours? Pointing towards the sky is a big no no
!! Lol....
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!! Lol.....
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