I guess it doesn’t matter a whole lot as what you end up with is what you get. I have equipment to handle the larger stuff, but I usually hand split. I can use a forklift to load this press in the machine shop but then I have to clean up my mess vs. just going at it in the yard. The press works well on dry brittle stuff that readily pops but is too slow for stringy stuff where full travel is required.
I have used a borrowed vertical towable press and wrestling 54lb/cuft big Euc rounds into it was a chore even at ground level. Once it’s good and dry, it usually splits ok, if not I put radial cuts in it with a saw.
I have another one: goldimaul. The 7lb council axe eye on a straight stick. I’ve tried a Lot of different splitters and I think it’s winning.
What are the common species in your area David? Are there a lot of burners in your locale? When I think of wood and fires, Southern California isn't the first place that comes to mind. Interesting to see what you work on and harvest. Thanks for sharing.
I have what would be considered an 'extensive' trail system that covers a lot of ground and I still have stuff that ends up out of reach. Much of that has to do with terrain. Not much flat ground. I have about 50 feet worth of chains but rarely try for anything that requires more than 25' or so. If you do decide to make new trails, take some time and walk them out. Preferable to plan for best overall access rather than access just to a certain point. Loops are great.
No sir, I'm a member on AS but haven't visited that place in a decade. I'm almost too busy to even be on here half the time lol....
I have one customer/buddy who heats in the winter with wood. It’s not very cold here so sometimes they have to open the doors . But they like burning wood. I guess wood here is used in winter mostly like summer there, for outdoors and camping, etc. I am in the desert. Eucalyptus, mesquite, Aleppo pine, Indian laurel. An hour away in the mountains, big live oaks. A little further and higher, ponderosa pines. Lots of people in the mountains heat with wood. San Diego, lots of different trees, mostly Euc. Jealous of their taller, straighter ones.
I'm splitting it all down to firewood size anyway, so I don't see any advantage to huge rounds. Gimme easy to handle rounds every day.
Define efficiency. A big pile of splits at the end of the day or a high ratio of heartwood to sapwood ? Something else ? My most memorable red oak to burn was some HUGE rounds that were A LOT of work to process, but man, oh man, that was some primo burning heartwood. It was horribly expensive firewood given the number of hours and effort I put into it and would have been a deal breaker if I was in it to make a buck. I'm now 72 and my back takes me out of the running too often. Gimme the easy to handle stuff. 4 to 8 splits per round, and I have a small stove so need "small" splits.
I mainly sell, so efficiency would be most splits produced in the least time with the least effort. I think the big stuff wins if you have the equipment, fitness, and methods to deal with it. big round that split easy are awesome. I get some sometimes. Produce a lot of wood in a hurry hand splitting without chasing pieces around.
