Firewood

bczoom

Senior Member
Staff member
GOLD Patron
OK, we've got a lot of members that use their RTV and other equipment for harvesting firewood.

What's your routine?

PS. Let's not get into the Stihl vs. Husqvarna thingy... It's already been beat to death.
 
I use my tractor and winch to drag my trees (full lenght) out to a landing. Then when I think that I have got enough I wait until the snow is gone. I use log tong to hoist them up to cut and load them into the rtv and take to the wood shed. With my RTV and the tracks I have been thinning all winter. I got enough wood out to last me 3 years.
 
<FONT size=6>[:D]</FONT><FONT face=Garamond color=#ff0000 size=4> I VOTE FOR THE STIHL <FONT size=6>[:#]</FONT></FONT></P>


I'm not sure what your question is. Normally I will get the RTV warmed up, if it's cold I file the saw while it warms and if not that is done prior to warm up. </P>


I load up the saw and head up on the hill. I have alot of stuff on the ground from a couple of utility right of ways. I usually cut what will fit in a load or two and haul it in. </P>


Pre RTV I used the tractor. It would haul a whole lot more than I could put in the bucket so I would start by cutting a few pieces small diameter and about 3-4 ft long, lay them in the bucket extended forward making a larger platform to put the wood on. I could get several times the wood in in one load that it would have normally taken 3or4 loads to haul.</P>


I will build some side boards this summer for the RTV. I have not come close to what that beast will haul with the regular bed sides.</P>


Is that what you were looking for? </P>
 
We burnand sell firewood that we get from jobs as well as I purchase loglength truck loads. I split with two Timberwolfs: TW-6, TW-2HD & my M5700 with a 3pt. splitter and use theRTV to transport my Huskies from the barn to woodpile.</P>
 
My routine is to gather all the good logs that are put out on the side of of the road for spring cleanup (saves a lot of packing). After that We'll go up the logging roads and find deadfall off to side. I think a winch would be be nice for dragging them up. But sometimes I have a hard time deciding what to burn and what to make into furniture.
 
[quote user="rapracing"]<font size="6">[:D]</font><font color="#ff0000" face="Garamond" size="4"> I VOTE FOR THE STIHL <font size="6">[:#]</font></font>[/quote]
OK, I knew the brand wars couldn't stay out of it... Don't know what Stihl you run but I'll put my Husqvarna against it... (365 Pro, pushing 4.6 HP or my 338XTP weighing less than a gallon of milk but pushing over 2 HP). OK, and PS... If either of these saws actually quits, I'll get a Stihl but I don't think I can kill either of these saws in my lifetime...

I hate cutting 3-4' logs. They keep spinning when you put the saw into them....

Not sure I'd add sides to increase the log capacity of the RTV too quickly. You can put over 1000# in the box without sides. With steep hills (and lift kit in my case), I wouldn't want to go much higher/heavier...

Like Deerlope, I'm years ahead. In a normal year, I'll burn about 4-5 full cord (full cord = 4' tall x 8' long x 4' wide). My wood shed(s) are partitioned into about 12x12' areas (as a sub-section of 12x24' wood sheds) which works out to about 1 season of wood. My woodstove doesn't go off from about October to April. I have several partitions filled and more incoming wood than I know what to do with. I have one of those 10x20' white canvas topped carport sheds to hold the overflow. I have another 10x50' building I had planned for wood but it got filled with other "stuff" so it needs emptied before I can get firewood put in.

I think what's unique in my approach is how I bring the wood into the house.
Like most others who has a woodshed away from the house, I bring the wood in on a trailer to the back of the house.
What I do is use those Rubbermaid (or similar) tubs from there. I go from the trailer into these tubs (about 10 of them) and stack the tubs outside the back door of the house. I then bring in a tub as needed. I can fill the stove almost twice from 1 tub. Being closed, bugs don't climb out (if they have a chance to defrost), the chips fall to the bottom of the tub instead of going on the floor and they're easy to handle. It's just the right amount to carry into the house at a time...
 
<FONT face=Georgia>I don't bring anything inside, I don't split anything and it can be green. I have an outdoor wood furnace. I sell and install them. Keeps the smoke, dirt and bugs outside. Also the fire hazard. </FONT></P>


<FONT face=Georgia>Sounds like you have a good deal going though bczoom</FONT></P>


<FONT face=Georgia>I just have a Stihl 029 super. I have had the saw for probably 20 years. I add oil and gas and a chain on occassion. It has been a great little saw. It even fell out of the bed of my truck at about 20mph onto asphalt and survived.</FONT></P>


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[quote user="rapracing"]<font face="Georgia">I sell and install them. </font>[/quote]
Do/will you go 100 miles (ballpark) to install one at my place?
 
I pack (and I mean pack) an Echo 750EVL W/ 24" bar. It sure seemed a lot lighter 22 years ago but the beast will cut through anything. I need to get a lighter one to save my back some pain.
 
No Fireplace at Two Guns place >>>></P>


Only firewood is smokin' woodfor the Cochon de lait</P>


Use RTV to bring in hogs, firewood, and other cookin' supplies </P>


Down here in the south, you might leave our beautiful place, but you will not leave hungry !!!! [:D]</P>
 
[quote user="cabin feaver"]My routine is to gather all the good logs that are put out on the side of of the road for spring cleanup (saves a lot of packing). After that We'll go up the logging roads and find deadfall off to side. I think a winch would be be nice for dragging them up. But sometimes I have a hard time deciding what to burn and what to make into furniture.[/quote]</P>


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<FONT color=#ff0000 size=5> Mister, that is beautiful work ... That's what I like !!!</FONT></P>
 
[quote user="cabin feaver"]I pack (and I mean pack) an Echo 750EVL W/ 24" bar. It sure seemed a lot lighter 22 years ago but the beast will cut through anything. I need to get a lighter one to save my back some pain.[/quote]
I'm not familiar with that Echo model. Was it new 22 years ago?
I know what you mean about lighter. That's the main reason I got that 338XTP (little saw).
 
Yes, matter of fact, going to have a big cookin' this Saturday.... We'll have three of thesecookers a rockin' with pigs, boiling crawfish, frying catfish, and just having a good 'ole time, with good 'ole folks...
 
Absolutely!</P>


PM me your phone and or address and I will get in touch. If you would like I have an 800 number you can call me. </P>


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[quote user="cabin fever"]My routine is to gather all the good logs that are put out on the side of of the road for spring cleanup (saves a lot of packing). After that We'll go up the logging roads and find deadfall off to side. I think a winch would be be nice for dragging them up. But sometimes I have a hard time deciding what to burn and what to make into furniture.[/quote]</P>


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That is a nicetable and bench and it shows good workmanship.</P>


I have 3 Stihl saws</P>


MS-230</P>


MS-260 pro</P>


MS-361 pro.</P>


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Brian had you not mentions the saw wars.. I don't know if anyone would have mention anything [:)]</P>


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I have 2 Homelite saws, 1 Stihl, and 2 Huskys.</P>


I use the Huskys The Homelights are ancient and I don't think run. The Stihl was my father inlaws.. and has not been used in a few years.. I suspect it needs some carb cleaning. </P>


Hey if you love orange... use orange. I also .... years ago had a husky dirt bike... man what a beast.</P>


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Ok so now to the question that Brian did ask. </P>


The RTV is new for me.. but previously I used a toro twister instead... so the procedure will be similar. </P>


I cut down and pull to the trail [I used to do this by hand , on the RTV I will have a winch] I cut to length and load. </P>


I use a lot of small stuff, so I have build a rack on a trailer frame that I load all the small stuffinto [1 to 2" up through to maybe 6"]. This way I can cut a lot of stuff at once.. it is held in place,and off the ground ... which is better for the saw... and the back. The rack is devided so I can cut at 16" lengths. I unload this to put in the back of the RTV. Until the RTV is full. For larger stuff I do have a timber jack to assist with my cutting.. without having to lift it into the rack. </P>


I will then Haulthe woodto one of my woodracks or sheds. I will split it as I unload it, .then stack it in the rack. </P>


For use in the house I do have a woodbox beside the stove, and a half cord rack on a screen porch. I have a spot in the barn for dry wood.. that is close by. in addition to a couple of other storage area's.</P>


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glenn</P>
 
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