OK winding down my first year of burning and I'm starting to make some nice scores for wood for the coming years. I've got about 10 cords of pine I'm hauling home that are about 18" long and averaging say 12 to 20 inch in diameter. I don't have any equipment yet but plan to go start with a maul and sledge from Home Cheapo but I think between my back, my tennis elbows etc I'll be looking at buying a splitter some time soon. Also have some ash trees of similar and larger diameter I'll be taking down soon. So questions are:
1) with something this size do you split them as is or do they need a slice or two from a chain saw to make them "splitable" with a maul?
2) If I get a hydraulic or electric splitter (considering renting one also for a weekend) can they handle these pieces or again what is manageable size for such?
3) I'm sure they vary but what "speed" can I expect to get using a electric or hydraulic splitter? Am I looking at splitting one say every 15 secs or so or do they move slower? Just trying to figure out if renting one even makes sense?
Any other thoughts on the subject welcome.
Thanks
1) with something this size do you split them as is or do they need a slice or two from a chain saw to make them "splitable" with a maul?
2) If I get a hydraulic or electric splitter (considering renting one also for a weekend) can they handle these pieces or again what is manageable size for such?
3) I'm sure they vary but what "speed" can I expect to get using a electric or hydraulic splitter? Am I looking at splitting one say every 15 secs or so or do they move slower? Just trying to figure out if renting one even makes sense?
Any other thoughts on the subject welcome.
Thanks