Not that I've been into firewood very long, but I started in my 50's. And still in my 50's. Here are somethings I've noticed in 2022. My back starts telling me to take a break about 2 cuts before the saw runs out of gas. The splitter runs longer on a full tank. It doesn't split more it just runs longer. The breaks are longer. Looking forward to it being dark at 8 instead of 930-1000. Not so guilty about calling it a day before dark.
I know many (most?) of you are older than me. I just hope to be able to keep it up as long as you guys are.
It’s good to be ahead on firewood. There’s no urgency to how much gets done, or when it gets done. My goal tomorrow is to cut. If I feel ok after, I’ll move the splitter and maybe make a few splits, or just sharpen a saw. Easy does it
A cord of wood gets smaller when asked how much you have? Lighter saw longer bar. The ground gets farther away when picking up rounds.
I know what you mean!! I have crazy arthritis and frequently I run out of body before the task is completed.
Just turned 59 and I am sort of a fitness freak. I am usually up at 4:30 and working out in my home gym by 5. If the temperate will be below 80 by 9am, I am out cutting and hauling a full truck load. If I was cutting just for my own use, no way would I be cutting in the summer. However, I can sell every stick I can cut for decent bucks. So, all you cutters should have some sort of fitness routine to keep going in the later years. Yes, cutting firewood and all that involves burns a lot of calories, you need to build and maintain strength by working out. For example, I curl 50lb dumbbells and this makes my chainsaw feel like a feather when cutting. My father used to tell me he gets all the fitness he needs from cutting firewood. I am now cutting all his firewood because he doesn't have the strength to do it.
Know some of those feelings Dave! I think im a lot younger but the old body reminds me im not. Some days i do okay and other days i take ibuprofen! Hoard on...slowly!
I've been hand splitting the Black Locust I got Memorial Day weekend. I did too much yesterday and I ache everywhere.
Yes to all of this , I am definitely older and slower than I used to be. Just put it out of your mind and hoard on. you just got older while reading this post , time is ticking so enjoy it now!
You are fortunate you can cut that long before your back hurts. But go as long as you can! I am only 3 months from turning 80 so when I read of others with problems it is easy to relate to but I feel for them. I can no longer work for long periods but am fortunate to have a good wood supply thanks to my friends who come here in the spring. We have a party, do plenty of work, enjoy the friendship and in general, have a good time. We call it a GTG of firewood hoarders.
I too just turned 50. I think I can still hoard as hard but I'm starting to feel more sore for more days after. The other weekend, with a little splitter lever help from dad, we split over 5 cord in 2 days. I don't think I've accomplished that before. I think the older I get, the smarter I work. Ultra heavy stuff gets noodled down to more manageable size. And I've bought more tools to help make the job easier (pickaroon and firewood tongs). Breaks are more frequent as well.
For me, the big/heavy rounds puts the splitter into vertical position. And use the timber claws to move the rounds to the splitter. Those things give you a great handle.
69 and still going. After recovering from a broken back at 50 and 10 days in ICU and surgery at 51 after a bicycle crash. I did move to a hydraulic splitter at about 63. That helped the aches and pains. My plan is to slide sideways into the grave all battered and brused with my last words being: "Man! That was one wild ride!"
I've tried vert a time or two. Being bent over, most times on knees, to shuffle large stuff into the right spot was very uncomfortable to me. And I never split on site, so everything needs to be brought home reasonable size. The first time I did it was about a 40" diameter plus ash tree. My BIL and I shared the score but you should have seen us trying to move those huge rounds after they were laying flat on the ground. It was not fun.
Im not 50 yet, but I can see certain areas of my health where I may have future issues, namely my knees and one wrist. Too many bike accidents, 3 wheeler rollovers, rough housing games, jumping out of trees and off roofs when I was young and dumb.
