Do you have a sawbuck?

[horseyrider]

Naw, I don't mean a ten dollar bill. I mean, one for cutting logs into lengths for splitting or burning.

I'm tired of rigging up weird stumps and rolling dangers. I want something that can save my old arthritic back and save my chainsaws at the same time.

I'd really like to benefit from your experience and would appreciate a picture or two, as well as to hear what you like about yours and what you don't.   

[graywolf]

I cut mine on the ground. I use the tractor to bring logs to the woodshed and buck them up right where I'll split and stack. I never lift a log except one time when the tractor scoops them up in the woods.

I'll keep an eye on this thread in case there is a clever way to avoid lifting the log into/onto the sawbuck.

After a few years of this I have an area probably 30' x 50' that has a few inches of sawdust for the chain to go into when I cut through a log. Good mulch to keep the weeds down around the shed too.

[Deleted]

I don't have one, but MullersLaneFarm's husband, Sometimes Paul, has one. We used it when bucking logs for splitting one year. He's got it rigged with an old tow strap he can loop around the log to keep it from shifting. It's a good idea, but there's still the pain, strain, and effort of getting the log INTO the sawbuck in the first place.

Rather than do that, I bought a timberjack. It's essentially a peavey with a leg, so that as you use it to roll the log over, it rolls up onto the leg, lifting the log off the ground. To lower the log to reposition the timberjack, just roll it back over the other way, off the leg and onto the ground. CAUTION: Don't let the handle whack you as it comes over, it can move pretty fast! I put a chunk of log in front of it, and push the timberjack away from me, and just let it fall.

[mikeinohio]

I tend to cut the logs to length where the tree comes down. Depending on a variety of factors I may cut it on the ground, I may use a timberjack or I may use the tractor and FEL to lift one end and slip already cut logs from large branches under the trunk to keep the trunk off the ground.

[Deleted]

I only have a 1 man saw and a bow saw. I have a big log round with an old wood vice mounted on it, to hold whatever I cut. The round is also where I split kindling. My wood comes from log landings in the woods, tops and limbs and waste lumber from construction sites. Good friends and Timber Co. people drop of a few big rounds now and then, I just have to split that. I have no timber of my own. All the wood has to be cut 12" for the wood cook stove. I like Douglas Fir limb wood, waste to others, lots of pitch, burns hot, no splitting, easy to cut....James

[sawmilljim]

Not yet but I got a idea for one .I plan on a though with a chain that the log will lay on to advance it.Aim to mount if over the wood splitter with a saw on a hinge to cut the blocks .

I got all the steel it is just finding my round tuit I have a front-end loader with forks . Here we have lots of oak and hickory

[horseyrider]

I faked something yesterday with a massive forked piece and a round up on it's end behind it. It got me through, and it's a nice height; but not as stable as it probably should be. It was nice to not have to cut on the ground.

Graywolf, I have an area similar to yours where a couple of trees were ground up by a pro a couple of years back. That really makes a difference in feeling like I'm taking care of my saw! I just really need something higher to save on my spine. Degenerative arthritis and a herniated disk with no pain-- unless I'm bent over too long.

Sawmill Jim, I envy you your wealth of oak and hickory! When we lived in southern Indiana, we had a wood burning furnace. We used all red and white oak and hickory, custom cut, delivered and stacked, and never paid more than $200-300 a heating season. That was in the early 80s, but I still miss that furnace and the wonderful fragrant wood. We do have a fireplace now, and we enjoy the open flame. Unfortunately the availability of wood in our prairie area is too unreliable to be the main heat source.

jwal10, you must have massive arms.

Mikeinohio, what's an FEL? Do I need one?

n9viw (Nick), I think I need to go googling for timberjacks. That sounds very interesting. I'm hoping there's a YouTube out there so I can see how it works!

I really do appreciate your help, folks. I'm a team of one, a 5'3" lady whose husband is very ill and no longer able to help. I do have a splitter but it's a PTO to my front end loader. I figured I could take the really big rounds that are already cut and roll them up one of those ramps we have to load vehicles in the back of the pickup or trailer. I'm pretty sure I can do that; and if it doesn't work, all I have to do is let go and get out of the way! I won't freeze if I don't have the wood, but I hate to waste those really big rounds and long hunks. There are winter days when there's nothing quite so nice as being next to the fire with a hot cup of coffee and a few dogs at my feet. Kind of makes everything else seem less horrible.

Thanks again for your help. I have a LOT to learn, and I'm so grateful for your willingness to share what you know and what works for you.

[Deleted]

No big arms here. I am 5'3" and mostly use 1 arm as the other arm and hand were injured. I cut a little at a time, we don't burn a lot of wood, as our places are all small. The lake cabin has timberlands all around and I have a permit, 1/2 a cord is enough. We usually take some kindling and boards each time we go. We use wood washed up on the beach at the beach cottage and whatever we take....James

[rick]

take your pick - from a youtube search:

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=making+a+sawbuck

I looked at this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=waxfOrAjWvE

It is an awesome , easy and quick project, for sure.

[Deleted]

HorseyRider: Timberjacks: www.google.com/search?q=timberjack&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=timberjack&safe=off&tbm=shop . I'd steer clear of the steel handle jobs; I have one, and I bent the handle trying to cam over a 30" log. Stick with the wooden handles.

Also, FEL is an acronym for Front End Loader, which it sounds like you already have on the front of your tractor. I imagine, if you have bale spikes in place of or mounted to your bucket, you could get under a log and lift it up so some of it was off the ground, and cut the end that's hanging in the air. Work your way down as it gets shorter.

[sawmilljim]

Here is the one I want I just need the valves and a few switches Did I tell you I am old and lazy .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmrU4V-K-K8

For those with a slow connection you just load the log deck and catch the split firewood at the end

[horseyrider]

Whoa Nick, it's like a cant hook with a kickstand!!! I think I need that! It's light, portable, and inexpensive! Woot!!! We have a winnah!

Sawmilljim, I'd really like that one from YouTube. I'm old and lazy too. Does it come with the crew?

Thank you so much, folks!

[sawmilljim]

Apr 1, 2015 1:42:43 GMT horseyrider said:

Whoa Nick, it's like a cant hook with a kickstand!!! I think I need that! It's light, portable, and inexpensive! Woot!!! We have a winnah!

Sawmilljim, I'd really like that one from YouTube. I'm old and lazy too. Does it come with the crew?

Thank you so much, folks!

If you were closer and I get one built it could come with half a crew . I got a crew coming tomorrow evening to cut fire wood .It is volunteer crew but I do the same for them . I am in charge of splitting .  

[Deleted]

Probably a little late horseyrider, but if you're still looking for ideas here's what I did. I got the plans from here:

I built mine from scrap I had laying around.

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