The vertical splitter really does a great job on those big rounds Matt. I like the precise size of the splits and no scrap (as compared to big rounds with a box wedge). I think loose thrown wood will dry quicker than stacked… more surface exposed to air flow.
Yesssir. Im thinking loose thrown in should work better. But… I’m going to test both and see what happens. I think I need that extra space so I’m going to stack some.
That big table on your splitter sure makes a great work space. As for drying, I've been cutting and/or selling firewood since 1968 and I've found that for green pine or green Doug fir, long rows just two rows deep, and facing the summer sun has worked best.
Very nice video Matt . I’m not sure one way is better than the other it’s more about what works for you a the splitter your using . Love how you have ben comparing the 2 different splitters good stuff .
I'd consider placing a very thick plastic sheet (10 mil) on the ground under the pallets. Will stop the weeds and keep the ground moisture from affecting the wood.
Throwing in the IBC totes allows more air to flow through. Because because if it's stacked in there, it's stack. Nice and tight so there's less air flow
On those big rounds you need a small peavy on hand, when they're stringy like that you can probe the peavy tip into the split and peel them apart. Plus you can use the can't hook to spin them instead of the pickeroon, leverage is your friend and your back will thank you later in life. Any way you slice them big rounds are always a PITA
Vertical is definitely the way to go with rings of that size. How many sizable pieces would have fallen over the sides of a horizonal splitter doing these? I couldn't agree more about what a big help picaroons are round a splitter.
Also never ever put your hands on top of piece you are splitting! Phil from Allen family firewood lost top of thumb doing that! Accidentally hit foot pedal while maneuvering the piece.
The wood will dry a little faster if it is just dumped into the tote. However, you will get more wood in each tote if you stack it in there. You might want to stack a few, leave them out in the direct sunlight for a while and then measure the moisture content against a few totes that you just threw the wood into. If there isn't a huge difference in the moisture content, I'd stack it because you can get more wood in one tote. I know we can get about 10 more bundles per basket when we stack it VS just throwing the wood in the basket.
Yeah I agree with you. From now on I will stack the totes just because I worried about space. I will leave the ones I have unstacked just to test the drying speeds. Thanks for the input!
If you can find the time and of course the space the fastest drying time for the best burning wood that I have ever found is to crisscross stack the entire inventory again space is certainly needed to do so have seen various oak species seasoned dry in months vs years time well spent my friend always
Matt, I think you are on the right track with quartering the rounds, but I would take it a step further and split 1/6 or 1/8 pieces on the 30” size. I noticed the splitter likes to break the round roughly 1.5x longer/wider than the single wedge (approx. 16-18” all the way through - or roughly half the round). While making 6th’s or 8th’s, you’re going to make pizza slices that need to be split 1 more time on the radius and then the pizza can be rotated 90 degrees to slice the specific size pieces. Also by breaking the round into 6-8 pieces each one will be easier to move. Also, Sadie is amazing and tremendously understanding to allow the “new look” of your woodyard in her front yard! Have a great week Around the Yard Sir! 😊
Yeah I think that’s a good plan! Yeah she’s not a fan but I tell her it’s a big bank account in our front yard lol. There was no grass over there to begin with lol Have a good day!
From what I have found, some logs split better pealing and some you can split in long chunks, and others will quarter okay, even the same species. May depend on knots - I have found hidden knots in beech. Big rounds like that I have been cutting in 1/2. Probably 1/4 is ideal. I have about 49 hrs on my Axis. I like the vertical splitters for large rounds if you don’t have a box wedge on horizontal splitters those rounds are harder to handle. The vertical will do them but it is still a lot of work ( sometimes if it doesn’t want to split I keep inching it away from the back and usually it will split 3-4” from the outside of the round). Nice video
I love the look of that machine not just the functionality. The look reminds me of the V rod Harley motorcycle that came out with years back the stainless steel oil tank all the other non-painted steel parts and components on the machine pop with that satin black paint I think maybe Chris should’ve named that Model, the V rod. it’s got that new school, but bad ass look 🙂👍
Man I wished your process worked for me. Not enough wind too much rain and too much humidity caused too much of a headache. And critters caused a bit of an issue. But lucky for me I did it on a small scale and could change direction easily! Good luck!
Your hard working man. Love watching your video,s. I like to stack my wood but we don,t have IBC totes. That way I no how much wood I got. Just use for own use the wood. But if you no how much you got using a trailer or truck I say it will dry okay loose except closer to the center area. Save time loose. Try it bud. Cheers.
Great video Matt love watching your channel.If this helps when I split on my 35 sho I flip over a IBC Tote to throw my bigger pieces on until I'm ready for them.just a suggestion to keep from stacking on your splitter table..
I could see that putting wood in a tote loose, it probably would dry faster cause more air could circulate around it. The drawback is you get more wood in tote by sracking it.
Do you think quartering those big rounds before splitting would make the splitting process quicker? The extra time to quarter those rounds would make them easier to maneuver them on the splitter table.
I was wondering when you were splitting the first one why you didn’t just cut off the edge, that’s how you use an axe when you split that way. Chip away on the outside
Another that'll speed things up on both splitters is take your bar oil "I mean vegetable oil" you got at your local dollar general. Pour some on the ibeam,log lift table,your table on the vertical splitter. Those big bastards will spin and slide like butter!!! Want to get the oil off grab a hand full of sawdust and work it in like floor dry. Or use your peavey to turn the block of wood I know it's a pain to work with them big things but have to work smarter not harder and hurt yourself so what if it takes a couple mins longer, if your using the big tools for big wood it's going to slow you down wear you out...but the rewards are it makes more wood
@FirewoodontheHill since you are selling it or if you intend to bundle...you may want to consider the vegetable oil "for customers sake" but we've used bar oil for over 30yrs for personal and some small sales
I love that your front yard is also a wood-yard! How does your wife like that? 😂 I prefer stacking versus loose-stack. In my experience it dries more uniformly, and faster,,, but that's just my observation not a "hard fact". I do a lot less wood than you, so I have time to stack into IBC totes as I split
I have said this on every splitter made! Not sure why a slash isnt cut into the table to allow spliiter head to go down further. This needs to be done on all splitters- vertical and horizontal
Why didn’t you use the pickaroon on the second demo? It was working great. And if the second way was preferred for some reason at least that factor would be the same moving forward. Just curious not a criticism.
Good question. I didn’t use the picaroon on the first run and wanted to compare it with that run(other video). Also since I was peeling I was on inching the piece over where the picaroon is good for turning the whole round in a circle. I felt like with just short movements the picaroon wouldn’t be as helpful.
It looks like a lot of your struggles were due to the fact that you did not let the splitting knife go low enough, causing the pieces to still be attached to each other and the big round.
Pickaroon was a good idea! I use mine to drag pieces out of the truck or dump trailer more than I do to pick up rounds! I think that vertical is a little better if you choose to split the big rounds whole. It all stays on the table and is not falling off like it does on horizontal splitters. Take care Matt👊🏻
Love your content, love to invite you to take part in the Firewood Addicts Podcast Series if you're interested to help share the knowledge of firewood. Let me know, keep cuttin'!
Splitter is nice , try turning tote open end towards splitter table then you can just slide pieces in, great video
Good idea, but I did that before and pieces were falling back on the wheel well of the splitter. That ls why it’s facing that way.
The vertical splitter really does a great job on those big rounds Matt. I like the precise size of the splits and no scrap (as compared to big rounds with a box wedge). I think loose thrown wood will dry quicker than stacked… more surface exposed to air flow.
Yesssir. Im thinking loose thrown in should work better. But… I’m going to test both and see what happens. I think I need that extra space so I’m going to stack some.
That big table on your splitter sure makes a great work space. As for drying, I've been cutting and/or selling firewood since 1968 and I've found that for green pine or green Doug fir, long rows just two rows deep, and facing the summer sun has worked best.
You can’t go wrong with stacking!
Very nice video Matt . I’m not sure one way is better than the other it’s more about what works for you a the splitter your using . Love how you have ben comparing the 2 different splitters good stuff .
Yeah it’s all about how you like to split. That’s for watching. I’ve been having Fun compare these two.
I'd consider placing a very thick plastic sheet (10 mil) on the ground under the pallets. Will stop the weeds and keep the ground moisture from affecting the wood.
Yeah I’ll try that on a corner and see if I can see a difference.
Fun to watch you bust up those big grounds on the splitter, but that log would have made some beautiful lumber.
Yes that was a nice log. Makes me money in firewood and not in log form haha
@@FirewoodontheHillselling it to someone nearby with a mill is also money 🤷♂️
@@homersimpson5668 yeah have plenty of trees around here. You can’t give wood away haha
Good job. I prefer my horizontal splitter. With a 4 or 6 way wedge. Less handling of the wood. Wolfridge makes great splitters.
Yes honestly I’m not sure what I like best. I can’t make up my mind lol
Love this idea on using the ibc totes as walls
Thanks I think it will be efficient!
Throwing in the IBC totes allows more air to flow through. Because because if it's stacked in there, it's stack. Nice and tight so there's less air flow
I think I would agree with you.
yup!
On those big rounds you need a small peavy on hand, when they're stringy like that you can probe the peavy tip into the split and peel them apart. Plus you can use the can't hook to spin them instead of the pickeroon, leverage is your friend and your back will thank you later in life. Any way you slice them big rounds are always a PITA
Oh alright thanks for the idea!
Vertical is definitely the way to go with rings of that size. How many sizable pieces would have fallen over the sides of a horizonal splitter doing these? I couldn't agree more about what a big help picaroons are round a splitter.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
Good idea....tote walls....we have talked about doing the same thing too!
Thank you. Ibc totes are definitely the way to go in my opinion. They will last longer and are easily moveable. Thank you for watching Chris!
Let me know when you have black ones available, what is the price and how much is shipping. Thanks
$20 for the hat. Plus shipping which is like 5-6 dollars
@@FirewoodontheHill do you receive Venmo if so what is the exact amount with shipping to centra wis.
Also never ever put your hands on top of piece you are splitting! Phil from Allen family firewood lost top of thumb doing that! Accidentally hit foot pedal while maneuvering the piece.
The wood will dry a little faster if it is just dumped into the tote. However, you will get more wood in each tote if you stack it in there.
You might want to stack a few, leave them out in the direct sunlight for a while and then measure the moisture content against a few totes that you just threw the wood into.
If there isn't a huge difference in the moisture content, I'd stack it because you can get more wood in one tote. I know we can get about 10 more bundles per basket when we stack it VS just throwing the wood in the basket.
Yeah I agree with you. From now on I will stack the totes just because I worried about space. I will leave the ones I have unstacked just to test the drying speeds. Thanks for the input!
If you can find the time and of course the space the fastest drying time for the best burning wood that I have ever found is to crisscross stack the entire inventory again space is certainly needed to do so have seen various oak species seasoned dry in months vs years time well spent my friend always
Yes, that does dry the fastest but it’s very time consuming!
Matt, I think you are on the right track with quartering the rounds, but I would take it a step further and split 1/6 or 1/8 pieces on the 30” size. I noticed the splitter likes to break the round roughly 1.5x longer/wider than the single wedge (approx. 16-18” all the way through - or roughly half the round). While making 6th’s or 8th’s, you’re going to make pizza slices that need to be split 1 more time on the radius and then the pizza can be rotated 90 degrees to slice the specific size pieces. Also by breaking the round into 6-8 pieces each one will be easier to move.
Also, Sadie is amazing and tremendously understanding to allow the “new look” of your woodyard in her front yard!
Have a great week Around the Yard Sir! 😊
Yeah I think that’s a good plan! Yeah she’s not a fan but I tell her it’s a big bank account in our front yard lol. There was no grass over there to begin with lol Have a good day!
From what I have found, some logs split better pealing and some you can split in long chunks, and others will quarter okay, even the same species. May depend on knots - I have found hidden knots in beech. Big rounds like that I have been cutting in 1/2. Probably 1/4 is ideal. I have about 49 hrs on my Axis. I like the vertical splitters for large rounds if you don’t have a box wedge on horizontal splitters those rounds are harder to handle. The vertical will do them but it is still a lot of work ( sometimes if it doesn’t want to split I keep inching it away from the back and usually it will split 3-4” from the outside of the round). Nice video
Yeah it really comes down to the wood. If that was ash or maple I bet it would’ve split all the way through. Thanks for watching!
What I like is If you don't like the way you hack a tote apart you can all ways weld it back together and try it a different way!
This is true.
I love the look of that machine not just the functionality. The look reminds me of the V rod Harley motorcycle that came out with years back the stainless steel oil tank all the other non-painted steel parts and components on the machine pop with that satin black paint I think maybe Chris should’ve named that Model, the V rod. it’s got that new school, but bad ass look 🙂👍
Haha yeah I remember when those came out! They were sweet rides at the time. I love the color of this machine!
Thanks for the video! Do you have a preference for tote size or is it “whatever is available”? Thanks.
Large tote is the way to go. I take whatever I can get though.
@@FirewoodontheHill Thanks…kind of what I was thinking!
Man I wished your process worked for me. Not enough wind too much rain and too much humidity caused too much of a headache. And critters caused a bit of an issue. But lucky for me I did it on a small scale and could change direction easily! Good luck!
It gets pretty hot down here and we don’t get too much rain.
@@FirewoodontheHill I’m jealous lol
Good job on your video.
Those big grounds are a pain to handle. As always stay safe.
Thank you!
Your hard working man. Love watching your video,s. I like to stack my wood but we don,t have IBC totes. That way I no how much wood I got. Just use for own use the wood. But if you no how much you got using a trailer or truck I say it will dry okay loose except closer to the center area. Save time loose. Try it bud. Cheers.
Thank you! I still stack just not everything haha. Yes my truck and trailer will measure a facecord and cord so that’s how I will know.
When are you going to have caps available
I have some blue ones available right now. What color do you want?
Great video Matt love watching your channel.If this helps when I split on my 35 sho I flip over a IBC Tote to throw my bigger pieces on until I'm ready for them.just a suggestion to keep from stacking on your splitter table..
Thank you. Oh that’s a good makeshift table. Thanks for the tip!
You’re doing good with it. This machine is tall.
Thank you and yes it is.
Must say can see some nice clear face grade lumber out of those logs
Yessir there’s nothing like the clean split of a
Single wedge
I agree completely, my brother. The hatchet is completely useless. The pickeroon is an awesome tool, and the 17vs a rockstar piece of equipment. Chip
Agreed!
I could see that putting wood in a tote loose, it probably would dry faster cause more air could circulate around it. The drawback is you get more wood in tote by sracking it.
Agreed! Space is my concern so I’ve started stacking them.
Also after watching alot of people operating a vertical splitter, working left to right seems more efficient
Do you think quartering those big rounds before splitting would make the splitting process quicker? The extra time to quarter those rounds would make them easier to maneuver them on the splitter table.
Yes on a normal day I would quarter these up. This is just me testing to see what’s fastest.
I would also quarter those huge rounds for easier manuverability!
Agreed.
The picaroon worked, the hatchet didn't!! I like your stacking method, loose in totes should be better!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
I have said many times I understand why the table is slick but Dimond plate would work well under that wedge .
Hmm I’ve never thought of that. Yeah you want it as slick as possible.
I have wondered the same thing…some type of traction under the wedge but keep the rest of the table slick.
I doubt that the surface area air circulation is much different from the stacked or thrown in. Only benefit i see is the stacked looks better..
Yeah I think you are right.
How deep is the table ?
I’m not 100% sure but I believe it’s right at 30 inches deep.
@@FirewoodontheHill that’s a bigget than I thought, but I noticed the wedge is pretty large/long on the 17VS. Looks handy for big rounds
@@nicholascooper1193 yes the wedge is bigger the most vertical and horizontal splitters. Definitely helps with splitting large rounds.
I was wondering when you were splitting the first one why you didn’t just cut off the edge, that’s how you use an axe when you split that way. Chip away on the outside
Yeah I feel like I I couldn’t make the nice pieces I want to by peeling the edges away.
Another that'll speed things up on both splitters is take your bar oil "I mean vegetable oil" you got at your local dollar general. Pour some on the ibeam,log lift table,your table on the vertical splitter. Those big bastards will spin and slide like butter!!! Want to get the oil off grab a hand full of sawdust and work it in like floor dry. Or use your peavey to turn the block of wood I know it's a pain to work with them big things but have to work smarter not harder and hurt yourself so what if it takes a couple mins longer, if your using the big tools for big wood it's going to slow you down wear you out...but the rewards are it makes more wood
Yessir I need to put some on the vertical splitter because I believe that will be very helpful.
@FirewoodontheHill since you are selling it or if you intend to bundle...you may want to consider the vegetable oil "for customers sake" but we've used bar oil for over 30yrs for personal and some small sales
Slip plate graphite just be ready for the slick
I love that your front yard is also a wood-yard! How does your wife like that? 😂
I prefer stacking versus loose-stack. In my experience it dries more uniformly, and faster,,, but that's just my observation not a "hard fact". I do a lot less wood than you, so I have time to stack into IBC totes as I split
She’s not a fan but it’s as close as we can get to growing money in the front yard lol.
Question How big was that peace of wood,the first one? WOW! Like your splitter, this was a great video.
32 inches I believe. Thanks!
Good video 👍 I like the peeling method better, but on pieces that large I agree that it's probably not the best way to do it.
Thanks for watching!
We can always learn more
You are correct
Will you eventually build a gazebo or structure over the splitter to keep it out of the elements/ you out of sun/ rain
I won’t have the splitter long as this was loaned to me by Wolfe Ridge Manufacture for a short period of time.
the wedge needs to come down more to separate the pieces of wood.
I have said this on every splitter made! Not sure why a slash isnt cut into the table to allow spliiter head to go down further. This needs to be done on all splitters- vertical and horizontal
Torch and or grinder wheel would certainly cure that fabrication overkill
Why didn’t you use the pickaroon on the second demo? It was working great. And if the second way was preferred for some reason at least that factor would be the same moving forward. Just curious not a criticism.
Good question. I didn’t use the picaroon on the first run and wanted to compare it with that run(other video). Also since I was peeling I was on inching the piece over where the picaroon is good for turning the whole round in a circle. I felt like with just short movements the picaroon wouldn’t be as helpful.
Take a look at Allen Family Firewood he has a vertical splitter might give you some tips also rounds over 18" would be easier to handle if noodle
I watch him and yes I’m just doing big rounds for TH-cam haha
It looks like a lot of your struggles were due to the fact that you did not let the splitting knife go low enough, causing the pieces to still be attached to each other and the big round.
Yeah trying to be fast could slow you down a bit haha
Pickaroon was a good idea! I use mine to drag pieces out of the truck or dump trailer more than I do to pick up rounds! I think that vertical is a little better if you choose to split the big rounds whole. It all stays on the table and is not falling off like it does on horizontal splitters. Take care Matt👊🏻
I agree it’s safer for sure!
I think your body will tell you which way is better. Sore arms and legs are very good indicators.
Yes and no. They both do a number on you haha.
Love your content, love to invite you to take part in the Firewood Addicts Podcast Series if you're interested to help share the knowledge of firewood. Let me know, keep cuttin'!
Thanks man. Maybe one day I’ll get on there. I’m pretty busy right now with a baby and other kids sports. Thanks for the offer!
Try using a digging bar for prying pieces apart. Can't beat the leverage.
its all about time if you stack vs or not. If you have the space i would not stack but do totes
Yeah I don’t have the space to just do totes unfortunately. Takes a lot more room than you would think.
👍👍
Looks like a good snake pit next to the house.
That’s why we got a cat 🐈
Common sense would go a long way
Do it for TH-cam lol
Wood it be better to noodle into 4 pieces first
I believe so.
Amazing how both methods came out the same, but the pickaroon is definitely worth having in your daily arsenal.
Yessir!
hi there interesting john
I try to keep it interesting
belangstel🤝✌️
Thanks
10:08 You wasted a lot of time after that first cut when you could have just spun it around and finished that split....
I know it shouldn’t matter, but that metal detent noise it makes bugs me.
Thoughts on maybe a 14-15” handled pickaroon? Maybe easier to handle.
You don’t really notice it when you are running it. Idk about a shorter picaroon because the more leverage the better but it might be easier.
True!
Extremely sharpened hay hook just don't let go of it works well
dont know why your wasting your time with that hatchett, when you have a 30 ton splitter inches away !
If I could’ve busted the two halves apart it would’ve saved a lot of time and effort. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out haha.
Use the hatchet with a 4 LB hammer
I quartered big red oak with that method. Saw in one on a you tube site
Yeah that’s an option!
What a pity!😭😭😭
Very disorganized
Very messy 👎👎👎👎👎
Morning Matt , good video . The picaroon was a very good idea !!! 👍🏻🔥🪵🇺🇸
Good morning and yes it was!