Not exactly splitting...... but was stacking in the dark tonight. I had 2 pickup loads of split elm from my “ more than one load “ score that I needed to get unloaded before the weekend. Also gave me a chance to try out my new 1955 model 200a Coleman lantern that I got last weekend. Had 3 lanterns and a fire going in a short barrel. Temp was about 22* & no wind. It was peaceful & enjoyable & good for my soul.
I sort of had a discussion with someone I work with a few weeks back about this. I kind of looked at it like this ; in the summer when it is still light out until 8 or maybe almost 9 o'clock people are out cutting lawns , blowing leaves etc. and often people have windows open in their homes. No complaints from neighbors. During the winter when it snows I often hear snow blowers in the late night hours or very early morning hours before people have to go to work , granted at this time of year windows in houses are probably closed. Again no complaints Splitting after dark I really don't think it is an issue as long as it is a reasonable time frame. If it's dark at 5 and I split for a couple hours after dark I don't think it should be an issue. Heck in the summer you could be cutting your lawn during the same time frame. No complaints ( yet ). Just a thought.
I was out pretty late for a thursday, i only have one neighbor but he says he cant really hear the splitter. I cant wait till summer. I just bought that double halogen because my single broke and this double was $30 something at walmart and lights up the whole front yard really nice.
Its 3:00 Am right now, and, i'm thinking i should head out and cut some wood, lol. But, the wood cutting area's out of town up on a logged over unit!! Went up the other day to look it over a little bit, took my saw, cables, gas, oil, fiskars x2 maul and X27. Came home with a nice load of red fir. I've been under the weather the past couple of wks and really felt good, so, why not? Sure felt good to run the saw again, took my Echo 590 this time. I'm really liking that little saw, i've got a 261 Stihl that i was going to take as well, but, this one did the trick no problem. Besides its a pretty new saw and needs some gas through it, and some more cutting time, its still in the break in mode. So, i'll wait till light, then head out, not really a good idea to be out messing around on a landing, by yourself in the dark with nothing but a headlamp on cutting wood. Some one might see you, call the cops and they might haul me out of there in a backwards white jacket and slap me in a rubber room, lol. Just thought of some thing, my toyota FJ, is set up for a 110 system, i could take my 25 watt led light plug that in and make it like day. Put the trailer behind it and i'm set! But, if the little lady found out, she'd have a cow, better stay and wait till light. ha,ha,. Now i'm thinking of all kinds of options, take my honda generator, same LED light, that would work perfect too. I better quite thinking like this or i'll get every thing loaded up and head out.
Not saying I will go out and run the splitter at 3am with a headlamp in the middle of a wood lot by myself. But if it gets dark early and I wanted to get a couple hours in again I don't see it being a problem. Then maybe in the middle of August when the neighbor is cutting the grass at 9 o'clock at night or all the little rug rats are running around screaming , swimming in the pool and playing in the street I will just have to deal with that. So far no complaints but I don't press the issue and still do what I have to in what I consider a reasonable time frame. Maybe next time I will take the muffler off the splitter and aim the exhaust right next door and work at midnight.
I was looking at that cs590 but im having trouble with the fact that its 17lbs. Thats more than my 576 and more than a stihl 660. I cut alot, everyday and all day on weekends so thats a huge drawback for me. I love the price though and you cant find a bad review.
There was a discussion on another thread and I am pretty sure it was determined to be the wrong weight. I’ll see if I can find it.
I'm 72 and have no problem with the weight, if i feel it getting a little heavy, i start loading the wood i already cut. lol. One thing i did do, is change out the front bar for an aluminium bar, the feel alone, was to me worth the money i spent for it. I have some pictures of how it looks in another posting. I didn't like the flexing i was feeling in the factory bar, so, i ordered the metal one and never looked back.
Found it. This is what James Miller wrote “It doesn't. Mine with a 24 and full tanks goes justover 18 on my scale.”
that looks very peaceful especially with the fire going. I used to burn in a 30 gallon barrel when i owned my house.
This thread reminds me that I need replacement mantles for my white gas Coleman lantern. I don't use it much, but if I do, it's because there's no power. A gallon of white gas will go a long way in the event of a power outage.
Well, i didn't get to split wood in the dark, but, i was able to get a nice load of red fir, in not too good of weather. lol Supposedly it was going to be kind of nice here today, well, not on the hill where i had the permit for. So, the min i crossed the bridge and got on the gravel, a real storm moved in. The farther i got up the hill the harder it rained, got to the landing, and boy, was it blowing, and raining. Totally sideways rain. So, slipped into my good old yellow rain gear pants, then jacket, and proceeded to cut wood. About every 15 or so min i had to take my gloves off and wring them out, about 1/3 of a cup each time. Had my trusty short topped rubber calk boots on, my feet stayed nice and dry. But, it continued to blow hard and rain about as hard as it was blowing .I'd guess about 20-25 knots, and i was on the up hill side. At least the rain gear kept me warm, lol. It was right on the boarder line of snowing, but never did, for now. Didn't take my ipad, so, no pictures, sorry. It was ''interesting'' deciding to stay and ''play'' or go home, I decided i'd come this far, for wood, so stuck it out, and got a good load. Came home, unloaded the wood, split some with the fiskars 8lb maul, yes i have a gas splitter, but, opted for the hand splitting this time. Then broke out the pressure washer, gave the truck a good once over and headed to the shower when i finished. Days like this, really make me appreciate the work that goes into getting a load of wood. If its early summer time, the heat is the deciding factor, and in a clear cut, it can get hot fast, and lots of heat. So, you do what you have to do, and yup, i still enjoy the challenge of getting a nice load of wood. I'll get pictures for sure next time. Oh, as i loaded the last bit of wood, the wind dropped off, it was misting, not raining, and actually was great wood cutting weather, it don't get much better than that. And i had a good safe trip.
Truth is truth, call it like it is. I'm not cutting in the rain and wind unless tree is blocking the road or house.
