A couple years ago, I decided I had to come up with a less labor intensive way of processing my firewood. Basically, I needed a method where I didn't have to bend over as often and lift as much. Here are some pictures from this evening that show how I've been processing the wood this year. My Kubota B7610 plays an integral role in all aspects. Holding the log as I block it: Using the picaroon to move the blocks to a pallet: Blocks on the pallet ready to be lifted and driven to the splitter; Rolling them off the pallet onto the splitter; Taking the trailer loaded with splits to be stacked.
I like the process seems like it would save your back. My splitter is only horizontal so I made a log lift that has saved my life. The lift also doubles as a table once the rounds split and try to fall
Nice use of the tractor pallet forks. I have come close to getting some on more than one occasion. You just gave me another reason why I should.
I use two sticks of c channel that chain and binder around my loader bucket. They can take some serious abuse!
I can say without any reservation whatsoever that I don't know what I would do without my tractor and the bucket tines. They both are indispensable to me in my firewood operation. And most importantly they save my back!!
And it's horizontal Dascro-really really beautiful, extra, extra smart---Brilliant I say!!! And ohiowoodcutter love your set up and workshop, very envious...just awesome sir!
Thanks a lot I'm way more lucky than I am good. I have blindly stumbled into a lot of good deals to be able to even come close to affording most of my stuff.
Rather be lucky than good any day my friend-where are you located in OH? Maybe we should consider trading whitetail hunts-got some brutes here too-used to hunt in OH, never scored on a swarper though...
Great setup. One day I will have a splitter and will copy what you have going on. Until then the X27 and back exercises will have to do. Thanks for posting
Thank you for all your kind comments. The process I use now was developed out of necessity. I am tall and in my late 50's. The constant bending over and lifting that was inherent to the way I had processed firewood for years was taking a toll on my back. I have never had back problems and didn't want to start having them now, so this is what I came up with. It works for me!!
@Drascro, one more back saver you might consider are some log tongs. I'm a bit older and no doubt have a much worse back than yours and can say without a doubt these things have saved me a lot of work and pain. I think they are almost worth their weight in gold. It surely saves a lot of bending and for some reason or other it seems that the wood seems lighter and that is a big plus. I have two of them but usually use only one at a time.
Just think of it this way, you are making the " Good old days " to look back on. Remember when I used to do all this by hand ?
Love what you are doing @drascro Having a tractor with forks is like having a work crew helping you. I split all my small stuff like you do but instead of throwing splits on trailer I put them on a pallet that I can move with the forks. You might want to tinker with that idea. Could make you handle wood less! In The pic I'm splitting vertical but putting right on pallet. You could do the same thing while splitting vertical.
I'll have to give your log tongs a try Dennis. mikeward, I think your pallet idea makes a lot of sense and may be a keeper for me. Good idea!!
Dascro I've got aroun 50 cords of wood stacked up here and there's no way I could have it all on pallet racks. I've got 71 pallet racks full, its around 23 cords of wood the rest is stacked as described below. I make some pallet racks and use them as bookends for a stack 10 to 20 ft apart. Then I use 2 pallet racks as carriers to go back and forth from the splitter and unload them between the bookend racks. The advantage over lifting your small trailer is no sides to lift wood over. I can lift pallet up to match height if stack and quickly slide splits onto the stack. Goes quickly then I take the 2empty pallet racks back to splitter and repeat. In the pics you see 2 pallet racks on top of each other for bookends. I make the top one 2 1/2 ft tall. That makes the finished bookend around 6ft tall. In the last pic you can see the 2 pallets i'm using to transport splits for stacking I love using my tractor to move firewood. I can just lift one pallet of wet red oak a food off the ground. After drying for 3 or 4 years it's much lighter and I can lift it full height of forks.
