Man, moving those big ash rounds wore me out today, but I got a bunch split. It feels good to start seeing some progress. I couldn't start splitting because we had so much snow, then it was so wet. I like the big stuff because each round makes so much wood, and most of it doesn't have bark. I did notice today that I was splitting larger than I normally do. I think my perception was off a little because the rounds were so big.
There is no, one-right-size. I don't even think twice when splitting. Doesn't matter how big or small the splits are, I just crank out wood. Big splits, medium splits, small splits, they all have a spot in the stacks. I do tend to look for the larger splits for the overnight fires. And small splits to get a fire going faster. I have started to make my splits bigger now that I'm running the IS. It was harder getting the big ones in the Fireview.
I'm finding that Ash splits very easy with just a regular axe, so if the splits are a bit too big for your liking....easy enough to knock 'em down to a size you like. I've been doing that to make smaller pieces for SS. Works great. You got a lot of work done. Gooder.
I noodles the biggest rounds(48"s) and used a two wheel dolly to move them to the splitter. The rounds that are 30" or so I have been putting them in their side and rolling to the splitter.
Yes, these are all EAB killed trees. They had a little life left in them, but not much. It's good wood so I'm happy to have it. I would rather have the living trees though.
Pretty much what I do except I have to use the loader on my BX to move them to the splitter the manhandle onto the splitter base. Dead ash is all I cut now. I just cut 8 a couple days ago. They were smaller trees, 10 to 14" in diameter. I've got 40 to 50 more to cut plus 2 that are in the 32" range to cut on my place. The first 3 of 8 bucked. Next problem is to get yhem off the hill!
Gravity always redirects toward your vehicle. Just saying... I use gravity when possible, but you have to plan for any possibility of dents.
