Never Stack Firewood Again | Splitting Wood Without Bending Over

After refining my firewood setup I have decided I will never stack firewood again. On today's episode I'm doing what I do whenever I get a spare moment. The pile of firewood that needs splitting never seems to end and so I"m utilizing my utility trailer to get the log rounds off the ground en route to being nicely split and thrown into IBC cages. After years of stacking firewood my body decided that there must be a better way. Loose-stacking firewood (or as I like to call it: throwing) helps me to reduce the amount of effort and energy required to get my firewood where it needs to go en route to drying. Each IBC cage full of firewood you see on today's episode holds about 1/2 to 2/3 of a face cord of firewood. Using a hydraulic wood splitter helps me to further reduce the amount of energy that I need to expel when getting the firewood ready for drying. Over the years I've found the firewood that gets loosely-thrown into the IBC cages dries very well as the air is able to get all the way around the wood without issue. Then to finish things off, I'm able to use my tractor and forks to move around the IBC cages of wood close to where it's needed for heating. Thanks for watching folks, here we go!

[@morgansword]

My worst day out cutting wood sure beat staying in the house cooped up. Finding someone who also enjoys the smells and sounds, the deliberate choice makes for a great day

[@sawingwithsandy]

I know what ya mean there Morgan!

[@wattowadeo]

Amen

[@kdegraa]

Depends who you are cooped up with.

[@mikeysmokes247]

Yes sir, I have no trailer, no tractor, no machine. Fall and buck the longest rounds I can shoulder and taker to the truck. Then use my old man's German axe to split. I even take the ol Mac power saw out when I'm feeling strong. I just love being outside and in the woods . Remember boys you don't need all the equipment when you're starting off. It takes time and money, we will all get there.

[@tripleemowingandlandscapin4001]

Agree, I bought my first wood splitter 3 days ago and feel like a kid with a brand new toy lol

[@colbiecolbie6979]

That’s where the saying.....rode hard put away wet! Must come from? You run it like you stole it. Great stuff Sandy. You’ve got me hooked on your posts. Keep up the great work

[@dennyofthepines1457]

I had to redo the seals and hoses on my splitter this spring. I found the hardest part was fitting the wiper seal into the end cap. I ended up taking it to a local shop and they told me that the other shop sold me the wrong size seal and then sold me the right size and installed it perfectly for like $10. If you can take that part into a shop it'll save a lot of time cussing at your bench. I also installed a second splitting bit on mine. it's a home-built unit that runs on a gx 160 and I split aspen and knotted spruce/pine. I found that if I install the second splitting wedge far enough back on the primary wedge that the first split is complete (where the main bit is 1 to 1-1/2 thicl) when it hits the second set of blades it doesn't increase resistance too badly. One extra set of blades doubles the productivity of your machine and cuts your cycle time in half, making it nearly comparable to a kinetic splitter but still with the safety.

[@benscoles5085]

I have always tried to be the DIY Guy, but there are some things you just do not do yourself, I agree fully

[@farmboyaaron]

I like that rack on the back of the splitter. I made one this year to surround my electric splitter so the pieces don’t fall on the ground and to raise the splitter up to a better working height. Used a couple pallets for mine, and then I can move the whole thing around with pallet forks on my skid steer. In western Canada, we don’t have a lot of hardwood, so I burn 100% softwood, as do most around here. Works fine like you said. Just make sure it’s dry and keep up on the chimney maintenance.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Sounds like a great setup there Aaron! I'm with ya on the softwood. Have to burn what I've got. Thanks for watching

[@kingtut5923]

Sandy really love watching you start you engine , great exercise.

[@sawingwithsandy]

haha yeah it's a job some days

[@dabprod]

I was comparing, and I think we have basically the same splitter. I bought mine new from Northern Tools about 12 years ago. 6 1/2 Briggs engine. They look almost exactly alike, minus your modifications. Bought a 4 way slip on wedge last fall but haven't used it yet. Going to have to grind a little on things to make it fit just right. Nice video.

[@patriciahibbert6139]

Another to do list LOL. Wow another one-man wood working guy like me ,sawing logs , cutting firewood , loading, hauling, unloading , splitting , shoveling , aw crap the load of work never ends , the road goes on . I know how much work it is cause seems your doing it in the east & I am doing the same in the west .A one man construction crew. Just my Boss , manager, funds supplier stays in the house and does the meals for us , But I know it is hard work but it is better than sitting around with the hand sticking out for a $$$$$$ free hand out. Hey my friend keep it up . Good work.

[@RavenSaint1]

Wish this was affordable for my home. Though, getting it up and down our 10 acres of mountain also is not very affordable for us. Would love to have this and be able to do this for us. Disabled and only able to get so much. Went after last year's warm winter and were happy that we had enough for that.... Gone through that and into next years cuts (green wood from this fall's three trees) We have no where to get extra wood from this year and too hurt to chop it even if we got it. We have axe and a small sun joe for the thicker branches and tinder splits. Nothing that we can use to go up and get cut wood away from the house. Pandemic made everything go up in price. Tractors, trailers, firewood cutters, fire wood itself.

[@bluethunder1951]

Running that splitter like a rented mule, got love it 😜 my 5ton electric for doing splits won’t even budge in the cold temperatures, that’s when I get my work out on the axe.

[@sawingwithsandy]

haha yeah this old thing has some issues so I figure may as well give it for all its worth. I can't blame your splitter, I don't even like moving around much in the cold haha

[@stonevalleyozark475]

I keep a can of starting fluid handy for my splitter. The choke is bent and won't close correctly so a little shot of ether usually gets it going on the first pull.

[@lotsofstuff3860]

Two words: starting fluid. I love that stuff.

[@contrafax]

Love your channel, watching you work is amazing.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks appreciate that!

[@feelingold2995]

The fun never ends.. Sounds like someone messed with the governor spring on the motor. Might want to have a look before your forced to swing the axe again lol Have a great day my northern neighbor..

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah the throttle linkages are all broken so I had to jerry rig some wire to hold it in place.

[@saintaugustine1715]

Sandy yes the splitter even if it leaks it does the work i notice you had white Burch if you got an old time cook wood stove i was raise with one and learn how to cook on that also we used to keep a lot smaller round pieces of the tree branches down to at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter it was good to help keeping the temperature more even specially when you were cooking bread or cakes or other things that require a steady temperature well continue having fun and have a great day

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Yeah buddy, I've been thinking this is the way to go. Too much touch time involved with firewood. Gotta minimize whenever possible. Only got to watch a portion of the video now, will catch the rest tonight. 👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm with ya there. I'm trying to make my setup more efficient as this sure takes some hard work if not. Thanks for watching!

[@burp1914]

Iwas waiting for him to put oak piece up there that was 18" across.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’d typically put my splitter in the upright position if the wood is too big

[@boatrvme8478]

Now I'm to exhausted to split wood!🤣

[@rosethroop8410]

I see you have a garage in a box .I had two off the same they were both 20 feet long and 13 feet wide same style as your as yours and the cover on both came apart where they join the seams. they did not last a year but credit to the company they replaced both covers. I have not replaced them jet. I did what you did and put grey tarps on but it did not last long so what I did is get a , couple of white tarps and put them over the grey ones and they work great.

[@russbonk1372]

Hey Sandy!! Watching you pull, and pull, and pull, and pull reminds me of why I keep a can of Ether handy! 1 teeny little squirt and away she goes!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

This old things sure could an old can of ether on auto-pilot as it's a dog to start some days haha

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Great Idea, Take Care 🪵🚜👍🏼🇺🇸

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching Larry!

[@deniseseifried3403]

Looks super efficient!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Denise! Does the trick

[@redneckengineeringbybillyb6159]

I like that you use a old pos splitter I see so meny videos were everything they use is brand new and top of the line , I personally don't have 10,000 a year for toys like alot of people.

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

We just bought our winter firewood supply for heat at The Ole Church!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah can't go wrong there. Some days I think about doing the same thing just to save some time, I wouldn't mind getting a load of logs delivered one day just for a good stash of hardwood

[@4821jeffrow]

I'm the same as you with the wood work it is hard work but I really do enjoy it but like to make is easy as possible. I like the rack on your wood splitter and I will be making one soon it would save a lot of bend over work and that is not my favorite haha. Great video Sandy

[@sarahdonahue1433]

Love what im seeing on your channel! What an interesting lifestyle.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Sarah

[@warrenvalentino5763]

love watching your awesome videos. that is the best way to split wood. noting like riding a wheeler in snow. :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm with ya there Warren. Love getting out and putting some snow on the tires when I can

[@joeymcclure9463]

Hi Sandy great way to split wood. Really saves the old back mussels. I would tinker around with your govener a little and see if it is stuck. Its thaþ little rod under your gas tank that goes to the carb and over to a lever thing coming out of the motor. Try and wiggle it back and forth you will see that the rpms will change maybe its stuck. Thats why it dies right down when the cylinder moves. Let me know what you think. Have a good day. Happy belated new year.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah the linkages on that old motor broke on me after too much snow squashed the carb mount one winter and so there's just some wire holding everything in place. I"ll likely run it until it won't run anymore for now and then see about a replacement which I've got in my shop.

[@mikespain8655]

3600 rpm is maximum for a small engine. Your engine is over revving and needs to be adjusted promptly.

[@brianhanrahan7561]

It sounds like the govornor rattled right off. It should not.be runny ng that high. And the machine has no power because the air fuel.mix.is not right

[@Timr45_70]

Love cutting and splitting in the cold, even with a maul.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Can't go wrong with the fresh air for sure!

[@rexhavoc2982]

I like your work in any weather attitude. Your splitter is slow as sap. As easy as your wood splits Put on a 3 inch cylinder, or buy a bigger pump. A 4 way wedge can be built in a 1/2 day just weld it on about 5 inches above the bed rail, you will love it. 4 pieces in one pass. Small wood dries faster, and you will done in 1/2 the time.

[@russellbelliveau1694]

Nothing wrong with mixing up the firewood just curious what type of heating appliance do you have ? Wood stove or furnace. I think that may be an older MTD woodsplitter looks like one we fixed up last winter for a cousin of mine. Great work !

[@davidloy8376]

I have a435 lost count of the chains I gone through always starts. A solid saw

[@douglasker9770]

I'm 72 and stacking and hand splitting firewood has not been a significant back issue, yet. However, I suspect your stance while milling lumber may soon contribute to either lower back or posture issues in the very near future. Sandy, please raise your milling bed at least 18 inches.

[@Andrew_From_NB]

This was a nice day out for sure! Ahh.. I wasn’t aware you a had a 435, hopefully it’s been a solid performer for you. Enjoy the splitter vids! Good notes on the softwood / hardwood burning and ya if anything, it’s gotta be a hot fire 🔥 👍 that’s for sure! Glad the equipment held up for ya buddy! That’s a good day if my book lol! Good man, keeping the sludge handy! Anyways take care Sandy! Andrew from NB :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

The 435 has worked good for years but just a few days ago the pull cord let go so have to replace that

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

That old splitter looks identical to my Forrest King my father bought at Menards 10 years ago.....yours obviously has been "UPGRADED" or had some major swapped parts, but everything else the same. Ours has heated two homes for a decade and now splits the wood we heat the Off Grid cabin with.....Keeps on going. Best wishes

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Jay and Jen! It sure is a workhorse but as you can see, has seen better days haha

[@joelolofsson3604]

Birch is definately the most sought after for Firewood here in sweden, mode energy than spruce or pine. I would say its about 30% of each pine, spruce and birch that we have here for firewood. Some other leaf woods aswell

[@zygmuntkuzminski8312]

is nice to watch other working

[@rogerbelanger295]

Looks like perfect winter conditions to go out in your woodlot….frozen ground and just a little snow.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Exactly! This early winter sure is helpful to get things done. Its trouble when the deep snow sets in

[@jseif5844]

I saw where a guy built a blade where he could split the wood into 4 pieces at once.

[@davidcurtis1486]

thanks for all your content. i just found your channel.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Right on! Welcome to the channel David. Glad you found it

[@SuperNath97]

Having a way to raise the whole splitter would indeed reduce even more neck bending from looking down all the time.

[@torstenjoergensen]

I agree - a kilo of dry wood is a kilo of dry wood, wether it is soft or hard when it comes to energy, but as hardwood is more dense, it takes less volume. I use mostly spruce and pine in my boiler in the basement. Burn it at max draft for 4-5 hrs 3-5 times a week and store heated water in big insulated tanks for radiant heating. Not a spec of creosot in chimney (stainless steel) at all - clean it twice a year. Concider converting the splitter to use the tractor hydraulics - guess it will be cheaper with tractor on idle (diesel) than the small petrol engine at max rev - and a fun project and basis for a couple of videos. Stay safe, Sandy.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Those wood boilers are nice. Great to hear you have the same experiences with the softwood and no creosote. I burn very much like you do with hot fires and dry wood. I'll have to see about that littler splitter. Ideally i'd upgrade one day to something a bit faster but see what comes. Thanks for watching Torsten!

[@destinationunknown7857]

A lot cheaper to buy a new 6.5 or rebuild it than it is to overhaul his tractors engine or hydraulic pump.

[@aaronsalvesen4553]

It’s not how much wood you need to heat but how much can you heat with your wood. MHU(Masonry Heating Units) will heat your entire house on an arm full of wood, all day! Old technology from my homeland in Norway and Scandinavia. You either put the work and $ into building the MHU or you put in ten times the work and $ doing it any other way! Great video, Great Microphone too!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great points Aaron. Here the trouble is I can’t get home insurance without certain commercially made wood burning appliances

[@cabwaldo]

If you built a little loading dock type hill to set the splitter + unproccessed wood on with a retaining wall to set the IBC tote below you wouldn't even need to throw it.

[@avalonhomestead9077]

I have a 435 and it’s a good everyday saw.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I"m with ya there. Never let me down

[@steveelford97]

I wonder if you could re-use a bunch of the parts off that splitter and make one that runs off the PTO on your tractor.

[@bfoutdooradventures]

As long as the splitter keeps running its saving you money from buying a new one. The big box store splitters are not cheap and perform the same as yours does(without the leak). Keep up the good work even if it takes bubble gum and duct tape to keep it running.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm with ya there! If it's not broke, why fix it. I try to keep reminding me of that everytime I look at a new splitter haha

[@safffff1000]

I can't even find one used under thousand,

[@jfitz9624]

@@safffff1000 that’s why I decided to buy a new one. Back 3 years ago the tractor supply 25 ton was 1100 new, everything used was like 800-900 so might as well spend a few hundred more and buy new. Been super happy with it ever since. They are more like 1400 new now which Is still worth it imo,

[@safffff1000]

@@jfitz9624 Harbor Freight has a 20 ton that's splits wood in both directions of the piston for a grand

[@ironsales5669]

I am not throwing stones, I love your videos and look forward to seeing them as they come out. Just a couple thoughts...suggestion... if you pull the air filter and open the choke then shoot in some starter fluid it would fire up a little easier. What did your log splitter set you back? You could probably get a cheap Predator motor from HFT to bolt right on as a replacement... Last thing do you sell firewood or just keep for the syrup processing?

[@neilmicke1622]

Move your wood trailer closer to the splitter, it takes you longer to get a block, than it does to split.

[@zerpblerd5966]

you need to give a wink to the camera when you say you've 'got wood for days...'... and then I can be like "but it's soft wood..." bdpmtsss

[@sawingwithsandy]

I keep it rated "G" around these parts haha

[@zerpblerd5966]

@@sawingwithsandy that's the great thing about euphemisms ( : it's all G(ood) but please excuse if I give a swear here and there and other less-than-wholesome innuendos and whatever elses

[@dannyoutdoors5322]

Does it not have a choke that you can turn down.. Needs pull start sorting too with carb Sounds like it needs oil in fuel too..

[@johnmalecki713]

Engine needs a governor I think. Sounds like it has a single stage pump. It looks like a Chinese Honda clone. I like the basket idea for the firewood.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah there's some broken throttle linkages that are causing some issues as you probably can see. The splitter sure won't win any awards thats for sure haha

[@clausb.2032]

andy, the man in wood...

[@sawingwithsandy]

I certainly have sawdust all over me more so than not

[@tmccusk1]

Thanks Sandy! I have a 26hp tractor and I’m not sure it could easily lift a IPC full of wood. What do you think an IPC weighs full of wood. Also, would like to see and learn about the wood stove you burn in.

[@nicholascooper1193]

loose thrown, it will weigh under 1000lbs. Probably closer to 6-700 for lighter wood.

[@trustme7731]

I split standing up to. First I bend over to cut it. Then I bend over to put it on the splitter. Now I stand up to split it like everyone does. I'll bend over at least 6 more times to get it burned. So you see, I have no idea what you're talking about. As far as softwood goes, I never touch it. Its just as much work to get to the burning stage as oak is and you get half or less the burn time. No thanks. I would never leave firewood out exposed to all the weather either. I put all 24 cords in an all metal 12 x 40 ventilated shed that keeps the rodents out. Those crates look like they add more work. How do you get the bottom half out? Start on your knees (bent over) and hand over hand to the top? Not to mention you need a $60,000 tractor just to move the damn things and the $35 each to buy them.

[@reno4819]

How do you burn your wood: fireplace, stove, insert, outdoor boiler, etc? Also how do you get the wood out of the IBC? Do you tip it over or lean in and lift each piece out? Agree on the soft wood. I burn hot and every year I sweep but don't get any creosote. Cheers

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Reno! I burn the wood in a woodstove inside. Since I don't have cut outs in the IBC cages I just reach in and pick it out. Once it's about 1/4 full I tip it over to get the rest out.

[@chugger22]

Start your splitter before you drive to the wood, so fluid will be warmed up. I never walk to my splitter without a can of starting fluid in hand. Also give that spring on the governor a couple tugs to stretch it out, that motor is reving way too high. Good news is once it blows you won’t have to worry about that pull cord not working anymore! 😂 keep at it man, got a bunch to do myself this weekend.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good idea there Chad

[@ALeadFarmerMF]

Hello. Thank you for the video. How many bins would you say make up a full cord?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you liked the video. I’d say for a full cord youre at about 8 cages

[@barrybruckner4334]

ok good ideas here but fix that govenor plz how do you transport that ibc cage ?? heavy ? did you put runners on bottom to act as sled ? i would good work keep it up

[@sawingwithsandy]

Since the linkages are broken the governor is likely going to have to stay as is as for the time being. The IBC cages are quite light. I move them around by hand or with my tractor and forks. Thanks for watching Barry

[@Grizzlife]

I wonder if a rick of wood will fit in the tote frame. 4ft x4ft x 8ft be a good video to take a stacked rick and toss in tote. I burn around 7 ricks a year and with forks a man could stack the totes and take up minimal room.

[@tazzharm]

hey nice vid. I would like to use the totes but can not lift a full load so I think I'll make some half totes in the summer. see how that goes. how did you like the -27C we had the other day. I started up the tractor later in the afternoon when it was around -12C and boy it did not like it . picked up a moisture meter and the stuff I cut for next year is drying nicely . keep up the good work. Glenn.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Glenn! That weather sure has been funny this year. Right now its just below freezing and the other morning it was like 30degrees celcius colder. Wild winter for sure. My tractor was struggling a bit too now that I think about it. Great to hear your firewood is drying up well. Always something to do with the firewood around my parts it seems

[@pavalenta]

I built a standalone log splitter from a 3pt hitch splitter from MarketPlace, I used a 2 stage high flow (11gpm) pump, splitting wood when I did was much much faster. If I ever go back to it a auto retract handle would be the next thing, that way both hands are free to move the split wood while the ram goes back.

[@nicholascooper1193]

The splitter I use is built the same way, we converted a 3 pt hitch "County Line" splitter to a push through style, cut the base off and added a wedge to the end, welded a push plate to the original wedge, added a small trailer frame, 14hp Briggs, 22gpm 2 stage pump and a Prince autocycle valve, used the original valve for a log lift. It absolutely flies with the 4" cylinder.

[@pavalenta]

@@nicholascooper1193 The autocycle is the only thing I didn't do, switched to pellets so haven't fired it up in 3 years

[@wattowadeo]

@@nicholascooper1193 Hey Nicholas, anyway you could send me some pictures of what you did to your splitter, I have the same county line 3pt splitter, will also rotate to vertical if that's how yours is, your modifications sound like the ticket! I could send my email or something if you could send me some pics.

[@nicholascooper1193]

@@wattowadeo I’m planning to do a video on it soon. Basically we just used the beam and cylinder. I’m thinking about building another but making it vertical, like a home built Eastonmade Axis

[@wattowadeo]

@@nicholascooper1193 sounds good

[@groundzero.]

you said you get the crates from market place, I'm not finding there website. or are you just referring to a local market?

[@EA-lr7vs]

Hahaha, 'it does start eventually'. We all have machines like that.

[@stevem6711]

Sandy, you need to try to find a Kawasaki Mule ProFX. I've had one for 5 years - much more convenient for what you are doing and can be used year round as opposed to golf carts. I hardly use my ATV anymore. Btw, the cycle time on that splitter is painfully slow. I'd almost want to break out the splitting maul on pine & birch logs. Maybe a bit quicker.

[@goinginsane37098]

I have the FXT and love it

[@harveystrauss6166]

Hey, Sandy, Why don't you use a four-way splitter instead of the one you are using?

[@crazycoyote1738]

Bro, it was agonizing to watch you split on this slow hydraulic machine, and the noise was terrible. I recommend the 42 tons kinetic splitter from power king, it’s faster than your fast forward video . Thanks for sharing!!

[@marilynwhite869]

wow that moth was neat

[@dylangrant7799]

I’m jealous of how cheaply you can buy those I ibc cages, here in upstate NY folks want upwards of $70 USD for them. I’m searching for deals but haven’t found one yet.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I've been fortunate that sometimes they are sold without the plastic totes inside them for a bit cheaper

[@billsmith2593]

@Sandy, wow! I really enjoy watching you run your place. I appreciate your methods and processes. I'd like to ask a few q's: 1) After everything's considered does it cost more or less, doing things yourself (money, time, labor, etc) or does it all even out? 2) What percentage of your time do you devote to doing things this way and can you profit/save from it to earn/maintain a living without needing a J.O.B.? 3) Are you overall glad you have that setup? I noticed that you spend a lot of time traveling around your property to fell trees, grab equipment, splitting wood, etc. Do you like that layout? Thanks for your time! Big fan!

[@stephanpetranker8994]

It all depends upon how much you value time. The greater the value you place on time, the less you want to spend on wood processing - only looking at finances, not on the joy of working in the outdoors! Initial purchase, maintenance of equipment (tractor, forks, cages, saws, chains, sharpening, storage, …. The list keeps on going. Is it worth it depends entirely on how much you value your time, and what you value doing with it.

[@larrymeyers6913]

I find cutting down trees and splitting wood relaxing,but I only spit about 2/3 cords a year.between milling and splitting wood looks like it's a full time job for ya . How many acres do you have ???

[@lovethatbluegrassmusic9899]

What does I.B.C. stand for?

[@VinnieRed71]

Yeah, those Chinese Honda knock-off engines run for awhile but usually self destruct after a few years of good use. About a third of the price tho than a real one which is ok in my book. Good luck.

[@lovethatbluegrassmusic9899]

I wonder what he does with all the energy he saves.

[@garydungelman6530]

You got to start doing some maintenance. Everything's breaking around you start start like that for idle your burn that motor right out set the pressure valve in the pump too slow

[@tomgee2719]

Interesting system you have going there. I would think getting the wood out of the IBC cages is a PITA. The top half of the wood is easy but the stuff say half way down don't you have to bend over to pull it out or do you dump the wood out of the cage with the tractor?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I just dump the cages over once I can’t reach anymore

[@ernestshipman411]

I built 2 “dollys” the size of my IBC totes and put 5” wheels from Harbor Freight under them. It does several things: a. It lifts the totes up off the ground about 10” off the garage floor - now unloading them is not an issue, easy peasy; and b. I can lower the tote onto the dolly at the garage door with my tractor and wheel it to the back of the garage. SO MUCH easier than when I used to bring wood in and stack it in the garage by hand. I throw my wood in my totes, I’m too lazy to stack it. As I split it, I’m just throwing it in the totes. I get about 2 weeks of burn from one tote. This has been a real time/back/labor saver. I only wish I had known this 20 years ago!

[@999benhonda]

Only fun way to heat that I found, was to move south.

[@sawingwithsandy]

haha that's one way to avoid the workload

[@donmotz5528]

Splitting wood...brings me back.....

[@runsolo7418]

Time to look up DIY firewood processor, from log to firewood in one shot. LOL

[@sawingwithsandy]

After reading this comment now you've got me thinking haha

[@sticks7971]

Wolf ridge are nice splitter also . Still some work compared to processor . But I can split 2-3 cord an hour with mine.

[@w8stral]

As long as its small wood, yup, horizontal splitters where you pick the rounds up work great. Otherwise... yikes,, my back!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I agree

[@richvail7551]

Just curious, are you selling that firewood cause it seems like a lot of work and mostly more firewood than 1 person would burn in a season. Thanks Also have you seen videos of people putting spray foam in little tires such as your golf cart one? I tried it on my wood chipper and it’s working out pretty darn nicely.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Rich! I'm only burning this wood for my home. Since alot of wood you see in the IBC cages are softwood it burns quickly and so I end up going through over 20 of those IBC cages per winter to heat my home. I like the idea of the spray foam tires. I may have to look into that!

[@richvail7551]

@@sawingwithsandy thanks for your response. I didn’t think of burn time, so that make sense. Oh also for the carb cleaning try sea foam carb cleaner, if you haven’t heard of it you just pore it into your gas and run the engine. Works awesome and saves a lot of time of taking the carb apart. Obviously if the sea foam doesn’t work then at least you’ll know the time taking the carb apart isn’t wasted time. I can appreciate having tons of little jobs and no time to get them all done. Hope this option works for you.

[@VTKingdomsawing]

Wish I could find those totes around here that are affordable. $100+ each in Vermont. More if they were non-chemical. I think someone messed with that governor setting to get more go-go out of the hydraulic cylinder. If it'll fit, I'd look for a 10hp Honda motor when that Chinese one detonates! Or some quick connects to the tractor! Now there's an idea! Best Regards from St Johnsbury, VT

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Mark. Yeah with the linkages all busted up I just have some wire holding everything in place so likely something out of whack! Thanks for watching

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644]

That constant pulling on a engine that won't start is a good way to completely wreck your rotator cuff ,ask me how I know. Take the time to fix it and save yourself a lot of grief.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I was always the outsider looking in but never understood why people would stack wood. I suppose years ago they could make a fence to keep animals. Me, I'm lazy as the day is long so I throw firewood into a trailer. Small trailers to be specific. Then when the wood is needed....it gets rolled closer to the wood stove. You need to get up pretty late in the morning to out lazy me.

[@stanleykeith6969]

Sandy, why not bring the wood closer to the splitter, less walking time. How Old is that splitter and who make it. It work well. Stay Warm !

[@larasea741]

After 10 years of cutting, splitting, and stacking on pallets, I'm done. I have been converting to IBC totes the last two years. I'm up to 60 totes and recently stopped stacking in the totes. Following your method. Split and throw it in. Thanks. Question: Do you cover your totes and if so when?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m with ya there Tom. I’m not going back to stacking either. I don’t cover the wood at all after I throw it in . I do dump out the wood into a wood shed once it’s fully dried just before winter though

[@larasea741]

@@sawingwithsandy Also moving in that direction. Starting to leave uncovered until just before burning season. I have always covered right after splitting and stacking. I don't have a wood shed so I will cover with a tarp the wood for burning in a season. Thanks for you videos. Enjoy your content.

[@jeffhunter69]

Just how do you know how much wood you've got on the ground if it's just throwing a pile

[@sawingwithsandy]

I estimate based on how much I have split in the IBC cages

[@jeffpeters1014]

I’ve noticed a lot of KZbinrs don’t cover the tops of their wood stacks. Seems a little counterintuitive too burn wood that has been rained and snowed on. Just curious.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good question Jeff. I leave my firewood uncovered throughout the year and any wood thats going to get burned in the house gets covered or put into a shed just before winter starts. I find even with rain hitting the wood throughout the year the benefits of having it uncovered to air dry outweighs it being covered as the rain doesn't soak into the wood but instead evaporates quickly.

[@smallflower7285]

@@sawingwithsandy Back here they teach that firewood first needs to get rain. It opens the cells and actually speeds the drying. But once it starts to dry, you cover it. And bring it inside at least a day before you burn it.

[@sloth9669]

All wood is the same btu per pound. Properly dried wood leaves the same amount of creosote.

[@pierreberg4935]

Have you ever considered build a drying kiln?

[@nicklloyd9165]

You mean the sun? :) do you have plans for a passive solar kiln? Love to see that video

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Nice totes, around me those totes are running $50.00 or more

[@sawingwithsandy]

More I hear what others are paying more I feel fortunate to have found the ones I did.

[@Johnrider1234]

We have 3 splitters

[@jimmychandler9328]

Looks like you need a shed for the splitter.. another project (not pro-ject lol) for the sawmill and your carpenter skills..

[@laurieslade9344]

Hey Sandy, Hard to find IBC cages here in Nova Scotia without the bladder. They want $80 A piece with a bladder. How much do the IBC cages hold and cord volume do you think?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I dumped out a cage one time to find out and it's 1/2 to 2/3 of a face cord I figure depending on how the wood falls in

[@westvirginiaminer3046]

Stacked tight I’ve found it to be 1/3 to 1/2 a cord. A cord is 128 sq ft I believe. Think it’s 4feet wide 4 tall and 8 foot long. At least on the East Coast of the US

[@westvirginiaminer3046]

So I guess if an IBC tote is 4 high 4 tall 4 wide it would be 64 square feet or 1/2 cord, but that’s perfectly stacked with no wasted space

[@smallflower7285]

I have a Japa splitter with a conveyor belt. I put pellets under my pile, usually 6 or 9 pellets, 2 high, then sheep fence 1 or 2 meters high and then do the firewood there. 6 pellets, 2 m high is about 12 loose m3 of firewood (and easy to cover)

[@tomki6asp]

Add the pull starter to the list ;-) Would you say one cage holds one half cord?

[@sawingwithsandy]

haha yeah that old pull starter has just about had it. I'd say 1/2 to 2/3 of a face cord in each cage

[@brianhanrahan7561]

@@sawingwithsandy A cord is 4x4x8 What is a.face cord? One of those bins is about a third cord

[@mikeszczepkowski4864]

the carb govenor is not working thats why its reving then bogs down

[@lannymonroe2727]

Let your hydraulic oil warm up 5 minutes before splitting. If you choose not to do, you will be replacing cylinder seals often.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Sometimes I use a bit of movie magic to cut out the warming up of the splitter

[@jimputnam2044]

We burnt softwood hardwood mix for years, it was easy to get and cheap. Never had any trouble at all. Make sure it is dry and like you said burn at a high heat, no air tight stoves they are a recipe for disaster. Takes a bit more to get you through the winter not as high a BTU's.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I'm with ya there Jim. Sure burns more wood but can't complain here as the price is right

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 👍🏼👍🏼 Approved

[@foxlake6750]

Get an Eastonmade Ultra before the price goes up the end of Jan.. With inflation coming you can us it for 5 years and likely sell it for a good buck.

[@kingtut5923]

New recoil on amazon 12 dollars , just got one.

[@brucealvarez9263]

IBC cages here are 3X what you are paying. Makes them pretty expensive for firewood.