I won't be noodling. Much easier to split them with a sledge and wedges. Black locust is so brittle it doesn't take much effort.
They are piled up, so I'll start with the top one. I went out and got a 60" Husky pry bar, a couple of plastic wedges, and some chaps, which I'm sure are huge. If I can get one trunk cut up and transported home tomorrow, I'll be happy.
What size bar do you have, was it a 16"? You can cut a log wider than your bar. Start and the top like you normally would, go down about 4" then bring your saw up and put the dogs (teeth o front of the body) at the top of the log and roll it into the backside of the log cutting the widest part in about 4-6" Then go back to the front side and cut down through the log like you normally would. I've cut 24" oak with my 18" bar using this method. Another good idea. Tape measure and some sidewalk chalk if you have it. Before you start cutting measure out and mark all your rounds so they will be the same, and not like all the craigslist scores that are all different lengths. Might want to add a hammer to that list too. Get about halfway through a round, put the wedge in and give it a few taps with the hammer. Concentrate on the smaller stuff you can get without killing yourself. If it's real close you can make a bunch of trips Friday when you have help to load it.
Yes a 16" bar. That's a good technique to cut big logs. These logs are maybe 18-20" at most, but very long. One thing I have is lots of sidewalk chalk, multiple colors! I intend to use those plastic wedges. Going to go nice and slow, and try to stick to a method. I won't kill myself, the heat will take me out by noon I'm sure. Would be nice if that cold front came a little early. Looking forward to seeing you and the Bronco!
Borrow some of those cut rounds that I can see that are stacked, and see if you can get them under the logs that have air under them. That'll keep them above the dirt as you cut. If not, bring some 2x4s and slide them under. Good luck. FYI -The last time I paid for delivered log lengths, I paid $125/cord. Mixed species.
Good idea. I'll probably use rounds cut off the ends of the locust logs, though. The rounds in the driveway are pine, and probably sappy. And the homeowner is saving them for something, wouldn't want to get them dirty. I offered him money, because it wasn't Craigslist, and he's probably feeling poor after paying for the crane truck! I just realized I pulled a Mike! I walked outside, heard chainsaws, and honed in on that sweet sweet wood.
No ants yet, really nice wood. I count 7 logs. Some pine on top of some. Pickup guy coming Friday at earliest.
Looks nice! Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to get there tomorrow. A big account I've been trying to get in for 6 months just asked if we can be there tomorrow. It's too big of an opportunity in a bad year to hope they can reschedule. Saturday?
I can be there Saturday for a few hours in the early AM. Then I have to make a mega batch of cornbread for a pig roast we're going to in the afternoon. The homeowners are very nice, and understand that slow and steady is the way to go. I started a little after 7A, and just knocked off @ 9:30. I have a dentist appt., and I feel pretty rubbery. I'll just move rounds in the afternoon. Those plastic wedges were a godsend, I used them on every cut for insurance! The two ends in the middle is where I cut back to.
Really nice score there Midwinter. I think its neet all the good advise you are getting but have a suspicion that you know all or most already. Really like the way you and Mwalsh9152 share and cooperate! Be safe and look forward to pics of the stacks!
Honestly the chaps stayed on for about 10 minutes. They are seriously too large. I'll try to hem them.
