With doing as much firewood as I process, I need to make goals to keep motivated at times. So I will look at a pile of logs or a pile of splits and set forth some sort of manageable plan to have it all cut or split by. So I’m looking at these logs and figuring I want them all cut by 4/11 which gives me exactly 3 weeks to get them done. Not many big logs mixed in and I’m guessing it’s about 18-20 cords. Let’s see how it goes
I got into some beech near the end of my cutting time today. I don’t get much of it usually but I probably have 2-3 cords worth laying around. Boy is this stuff heavy!
Honestly, it really does help. Some days I feel like I don’t even know where to start. Do I move logs around, do I cut and if so where will the oak piles go vs where will the mixed piles go. Is it time to cut nothing but big logs, etc? By setting goals, it gives me a clear plan (doesn’t always work out) but it keeps me focused and motivated.
Btus are right up there with oak but dries much faster. Can be a bit rough to split where the trunk isn’t straight
Even though I haven’t been able to do much due to my back spasms, my one worker has been splitting this week. Here’s the progress of the two mixed piles.
Well, I know I am motivated when I see you hoarders with mega amounts of firewood processed. So how do you crazy people get motivated? Maybe you get motivated that you motivate the rest of us under 30 cord folks?
I really need to try that and stick to it. Moreso stick to it. I get overwhelmed at times and has caused me to lose some sleep.
Well, it helps if you actually like doing it. If you like doing something you don't have to worry about self-motivation. I like to cut and haul. I don't mind splitting, but it's the stacking I don't care for. But if I don't stack, I won't be splitting more than what my ATV trailer holds, so that gives me no choice in the matter. I don't do it year around though either. I do it in the winter months on the weekends, mainly from December through February and start splitting when the snow disappears, usually in March sometime. This keeps the novelty of it up I guess, as I'm not doing anything related to processing wood for probably 2/3rd's of the year.
It’s much looser than yesterday. Already been cutting for about an hour and a half and feel much much better then yesterday. Still being careful how I work though and am not picking anything up...thank god for my tractor with forks!
Due to taking my big splitter to 3 different friend houses and splitting about 8 cords collectively and then my back locking up last Saturday, I am falling way way off that last goal I set. It’s not worrying me but it will motivate me to push harder this week.
You nailed it- you have to like it and the more you like it, the more you find yourself out there doing it. It’s therapy to me...provided no break downs whether that’s equipment or my body haha
Good point here. I may feel more overwhelmed if I did it all year too. My year started in mid November cutting. Cut through March with some splitting in there. Hope to have everything split by the end of May. Take four months off. Usually start selling stuff in late august starting with my faithful customers. Once everything is sold, then I start cutting again. Breaks up the monotony.
