Mostly Log Splitting

I can now provide an initial report on the performance of the log splitter ... it is bloody brilliant!

There is still a big degree of physicality, especially in the hot sunny weather, but it is much less effort than splitting the logs with an axe or maul.

I spent all morning, and an hour after lunch, processing logs with the splitter, with 30% ferrying my output up to the orchard. She commented that, when I was splitting them with an axe, she could keep pace shifting them up to the orchard, but now I am using the splitter, she returns to an ever increasing pile of logs.  Clearly there is an increase in my productivity, and a decrease in my levels of exertion!

We both avoided the heat of the day, and spent an hour snoozing in the early afternoon.

I then pulled the mower out of the potting shed, and tidied up the front lawn. Unfortunately the bloody mower threw its drive belt AGAIN, so it was a more physical activity than I really wanted.

After recovering from my mowing session, I had a play with the chainsaw.*  I needed to find a way to deal with the larger sections of the trunk, as these are close to five feet in diameter. There is no way I could lift one, let alone load it on the log splitter.

I used the saw to cut out the punky** wood that comprises about 60% of the centre of the tree trunk.  It cut really easily, to leave the outer ring of unaffected timber.  This could then be cut in to more manageable chunks, and loaded on to the log splitter.  I am now slightly more optimistic about dealing with the tree ... although there are some very large sections of branches that are making me very nervous!

After a very hot and busy day, I retired to the shade of the house and took a quick look at my Gmail inbox.  I was delighted to see that someone had purchased the BMW R nine T seat cowl that I had listed on eBay. I am now £200 better off.

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* I really must get my arse in to gear, and get a new chainsaw blade ordered.

** Wood that has been affected by fungus. The fungus has eaten away at the lignin in the wood, leaving behind the cellulose. This leaves a soft, crumbly wood, with no inherent strength.