If you have a lot of fallen trees on your property, you know there’s no shortage of creative things to do with them.
One of the most common things you can do with excess wood is, of course, use it for firewood.
No matter what you choose to do with the wood, you know you need to cut it into smaller portions and for that, you’ll need every man’s favorite power tool: the chainsaw.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to split firewood with a chainsaw both safely and efficiently.
Grab your machine, we’re getting started.
How to Split Firewood with a Chainsaw
Has a fallen tree caught your eye? If you’ve got a lot of wood you want to cut into firewood, then know exactly what you need to get the job done.
Wear Protective Equipment
The first thing you need to do before picking up a chainsaw is getting ahold of your safety glasses, gloves, earplugs, and work boots. You should cover yourself head to toe before using your machine.
Every year, hospital reports indicate that nearly 36,000 people report injuries directly relating to chainsaws. No matter what you use your chainsaw for, be sure you’re using it safely.
Pick the Right Cutter, Chain, and Chainsaw
When it comes to chainsaws, there’s no shortage of competition or options. Depending on the job at hand, or specifically for this case, the type of wood you’re cutting, your tool can vary.
Your best bet for cutting down felling trees is to use full chisel cutters, especially if you’re cutting through harder woods like oak or ash. For softer woods like pine, you can get away with using a semi chisel cutter.
Depending on the type of job at hand and, you’ll want to choose between and stand, full, or semi skip chainsaw chain. For a more in-depth guide on choosing the right chain and chainsaw for the job, click here.
Cut Your Wood Correctly
For large tree trunks, start by keeping the trunk on firm, even ground. Grab your spray paint or a marker and mark sections of your trunk evenly into one-meter parts.
Ensure your trunk cannot roll as you start to cut. To do this insert a rubber wedge or a piece of wood. Power up your tool and start cutting on the pre-marked lines.
Cut the log 3/4 of the way through to avoid cutting into the dirt. Move to the next line. Roll the entire trunk, readjust your wedges, and continue cutting through the last 1/4 cuts.
From there you can use your wedge or an ax to split your wood into further sections if needed.
Broken Chainsaw? Learn How to Fix It
Now that you know how to split firewood with a chainsaw, you might encounter a problem or two if you work it too hard.
Learn about how to replace a chainsaw chain or chainsaw maintenance by reading through these guides on the Chainsaw Geek website.
