Bit off more than I could chew today...

Get some help (guy with hyd. splitter) and split the rounds to a size you can load, take them home and finish the job, reward your self with a beer or 2.

 

So I started splitting this stuff today and it's nasty. Knots and twists galore and I split by hand. Based on how much work it was to get and how much more work it is to split, I'm not going to head back and get more.

But thanks to all for the tips for next time - and next time, it probably won't be gnarly maple.

 

That's nice when they are straight rounds, but with the flare on the one his maul is on you won't be splitting that with a hydro, not because it won't do it, but because it will not stay on the wedge or foot of the splitter which means you will still have to cut off the flare of that one in particular. Any of the others that are not straight on the sides will still need to be cut straighter or they will also kick off the splitter which means you will still be breaking out the saw to help. And even if you get them to "pop" on one side with the splitter you will sill be swinging the maul to break the other side open or turning the log around to get the other side on the splitter foot and will have the same issues with the side of the round not being square to the bucking cut.
Now the other tricky part is getting them to the splitter or getting the splitter to them. I would wonder if you've ever worked with rounds of that weight(just wondering) as they are a messed up back waiting to happen. I see your age and maybe your just a hard working ole timer, I try hard to work as little as possible, but do like some good physical labor .
I like to load the rounds or noodled down rounds into the back of a truck or trailer and then I split right off the trailer or truck with a hydro splitter. A pickaroon is a great tool to use to get the wood pilled to the edge of the tailgate/back of the trailer. Why throw the wood on the ground only to lift it to the splitter again.
Don't forget you will also have to load and unload the splitter on both ends of the job and make an extra trip to get the splitter there and one to get it home. When I process wood for someone I use my quad to load the splitter on and off the trailer and to get it closed to the wood to be worked over.
Hope this all helps,
Brett

 

Bummer you don't have a hydraulic splitter available there is some great BTU's in those rounds. If you are the wheeler dealer type and have extra cash laying around you could do what I do, I will find one on Craigslist for a good price and grab it up, then I split all I need to at that point or for that year and then I sell it normally at a profit.
As oldspark was saying some help would be a great thing. One way to get that going is to start a thread looking to meet other members in your area. Provide food and drinks and some premix as well as bar oil and you'd be surprised how many guys will come to your aid, and don't forget the barley pops if that's your thing also . In other forums I'm involved in we call events like that mini GTG (get togethers) and have a very nice time getting to know one another as well as getting a lot of work done in a short time. That's one of the great things about a place like this is not only being able to learn more/share common interest online but being able to meet like minded individuals from your area.

 

There's always the option of renting a splitter for a weekend. Shame to leave such "treasure" behind.

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I like your economics. The 362 that I have now with a 20" bar vs. the old 026 with a 16" bar, plus using better techniques may make it work better for me. I don't think I would buy another saw and dedicate it to noodling. I am more than sure that noodling is practical in some situations.

 

That was spot on. I do have some old saws that I use for noodling because there is no chain brake and they will clear noodles like nobody business. I also have certain saws I use for stumping too.

 

Thanks Kent.
The 362 should do a pretty good job of noodling. If it doesn't and you have a lot to do you could always get a wide clutch cover for it and that will help it clear the noodles even better. I don't really have one dedicated to it myself, just having a little fun is all. I have a few that can handle the task at most any given time, just not a specific one assigned to the task .

Thanks Mag.
Some of the oldies will really spray the noodles even in the stringiest of woods. It sure is nice to have a saw specifically for stumping to. I mainly cut firewood but do an occasional tree job and it's not fun putting a pretty saw into the dirt and dragging the clutch cover all the way around the flare while scratching the heck out of it .

 

I've done that without cutting it, takes a little patience but it can be done.

 

I've done that many times before, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

Splitting wedge and sledgehammer would probably be better than maul.


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Yep I have a old big Poulan that has the exhaust near the back of the saw instead of the front of the saw. Because of that it points straight down so when stumping it is pointed sideways. I like that.

 

Me to, but I don't like working that big of a round bent over, I always mess up the lower right side of my back .
One thing I do when working with the splitter vertical like that is to lay down a 2x the wider the better usually. That way I can have the round somewhat level with the splitter, then I find the spot on the round that will be most advantageous for staying as close to the beam of the splitter so the wedge has the best chance of staying in the round the longest. I will also carry big rounds like that with my tractor to the splitter and then I can adjust the angle of the bucket instead of having to lift the log manually. Even with having the equipment I still make better overall time noodling most any round I cant lift to the splitter, and I can wrestle a pretty good sized round onto the splitter(in the horizontal position.
Beside I may not be as patient as you .

That sounds like a beast, which model is that.

 

What I have is a PP 405 with a 455 boost port top end making it 72cc. The saw has a lot of torque and will just keeping on chugging away when stumping. I do not stump a lot of trees bigger than 24" diameter so this saw works great. If bigger, than that I have a Poulan 5200 or a Husky 2100, but to be honest I rarely use those saws. Once in awhile I might come across a big cottonwood where I can use those.
I also have 3 Poulan 505's which are 82cc and the Jonsered version 2083. All in good running condition.

 

That was back before I started square filing. Now thats all I use unless its semi.

 

This is some square on. Kind of hard to find bigger wood to test saws with at times.

 

Looks great.
So what's the adjustable carb here, are you guys swapping the m-tronc ones out now, didn't know that if you are.
Were you at Randy's dec 3.
How about the Ohio races will you be there.

 

That one is a wj69 on. I have swapped out on a bunch of 661s. There are gains but I dont think its worth it for a work saw. Now for the cant only 661 Im building absolutely usable.

I was at Randys last year. Im kicking around going to Tundras but Im not sure yet.

 

Nice, I didn't know anyone was doing it, but it makes sense that many would try .
I was there with my wife and kids, but wouldn't mind heading to the races there also.
I'd like to be able to hand with some of you guys and learn a bit more about chains.

 

That's a bad xass saw! My son loves to noodle. Don't know why, it just makes him happy Chief