This was one of the crazier hoards I've done... What I had to leave behind... My haul, stacked up at home. The RAV4 got me home like a champ!
You probably got alot of crazy looks from passerby's, working that pile in this heat/humidity. Going back for the rest, when it's cooler?
I can't get back there until Thursday, I have to babysit tomorrow. I told the owner if someone else takes it, fine, but if it's still hanging around Thursday AM I'll come back for it. The road is fairly busy so I bet it disappears.
I got some skinny beech and a little black birch from a Craiglist offer today. The homeowner had a tree service cut back the perimeter of the yard. Big fancy houses, separated by woods. I asked for the skinny stuff because I'm a little afraid of splitting beech. Skinny or not, it's very heavy. I only felt like loading my car up to the windows. Anyway, it's close, and the homeowner ( nice lady) invited me back to take more.
And I have decided to go under the alias Tracy when I inquire about wood from now on. Molly and I both emailed this woman, but girl power gets the preferential treatment it seems. I didnt even get a response!
I got some decent sized beech logs a couple of years ago. While it's not like splitting red oak, it wasn't too bad with wedges and sledge. Nice sized branches there. Make sure you run your saw lengthwise on the birch, before cutting to length. I hear it may get punky otherwise.
The wife gets tasked with the Craigslist chores, so other women get the nod, less threatening and more sympatico.
Third and final load. The homeowners are finishing up with a rented chipper, and after that, responders with big saws and tractors will get the rest. My final pile of beech, plus a small pile of black birch: This is where I was taking it from. Tomorrow I go get black locust branches and limbs from the other place.
Wasn't really worth my while, just branches and anty pieces. But there are a couple more locusts in the back yard, and I told her to keep me in mind.
This happened this morning, right around the corner from me. I left a note in their box! Mwalsh9152, there's enough for both of us.
The homeowner called back, I offered him $100, we settled on $150 for all the black locust logs. I start cutting it at 7A tomorrow. A different company is supposed to pick up the logs, but the homeowner is home tomorrow and will tell them not to take the locust, only the pine, if they happen to show up tomorrow. I hope this goes alright! Mwalsh9152, if you show up we can share it. This will be the first time I've cut long logs like these. I'm concerned about keeping my saw out of the dirt. There's a fairly skinny log in front, I'm thinking of cutting that first and getting sections of it under the bigger ones. Suggestions?
Bring some wedges and a hammer/lump hammer to keep from getting your bar pinched. And a few extra chains. Locust may not be as hard on a chain as Osage, but it will dull them teef.... If you don’t have a peavy or logging tools for leverage, maybe at least a 6’ piece of 4x4 and a log or block for a fulcrum. Be careful
There's a few loads of wood. First off, as Eric VW said, be careful. Anything that is already in the air, I'd go after first. Start with a shallow undercut and then finish from the top down. I don't have any wedges, and not as much experience as many others here, so not sure how good of advice I can offer. On the ones that will be topside pinch points, I'd start on the top and then finish with an undercut so that the bar won't/shouldn't get pinched. Cut them into manageable sizes, then cut, roll, finish the cut. Beware any situation where the log has ample opportunity to roll on you, or see-saw once you make the cut. I have a collins pry bar (link: Collins 70 in. L x 1 in. W Forged Steel Red 1 pk Pry Bar - Ace Hardware ) that I use for rolling the logs as I don't have a peavey, but the homeowner may not like that as it tends to rip up the lawn a bit, especially on large pieces. As I said, I don't have as much experience as many others, and I'm sure my technique lacks any "finesse", but I've managed to keep myself in one working piece, so far. Be careful, and don't hurt your back on those large chunks.
That’s gonna be the real trick.... noodling goes a long way, but it’s slow and hard on a chain with those locusts. Do that last.
