Firewood Bizz....Log Splitter

I wanna go into the firewood bizz in Phoenix. I just got back from buying about 1/2 cord of firewood (bed rail level) lwb, $120. Juniper and Oak mix.

That was the cost of the cheap wood. Max was $160 for the good stuff, I didn't ask!

While there I scooped out there log splitter. 5" bore with a 2-1/2" rod. Split like butter with no strain. They had the engine in a encloser so I couldn't see that. Manual start and Manual did a fine job splitting.

They had another splitter mounted on a self propelled buggy with lug tires, looked to be 4wd. That Manual followed the chainsaw guy around splitting. I was parked backwards so I couldn't see what size was.

There was probably 6 people waiting in line when I left and this is Phoenix, AZ folks!

So why did I buy the high priced wood? So the wife can keep warm while I'm back in the hospital for 8days. I have wood, just not cut and split. So if this Doctor can't help me Friday I'll be gone for 8 days.

T_Bone

I just happern to have a VW diesel engine for that very reason. Geez hard to beat 1.15gal/hr at 48hp.

It dawned on me this morning that the cylinder was a lift cylinder, may be from a small fork lift. Thats why it had such a large rod diameter in relation to the bore.

Well at $200/cord other places, I don't feel so bad. I guess I passed by the $100/cord days....lol

I'm looking for a 10hp@1800rpm, electric start diesel engine. I want to make a moveable hydraulic power unit that can be easy tranfered to a splitter, equipment trailer, concrete mixer, etc. That way all I have to invest in is more cylinders for the next project.

T_Bone

Hope all goes well at the doctors.

Thats about right. We have a tree called Pala Verde that blankets a good part of the desert. When it burns you can't stand the smell. Yet the indians used to travel for miles to get seed pods for making a flour for baking.

T_Bone

If you could get over to the FL panhandle, you can get all the firewood you could haul for free--of course you'd have quite a drive on your hands. Oak is down everywhere from the hurricane with no end in sight. FEMA crews have been through our area four separate times and we haven't even touched the back of our property.