Felling Wedges

[redtractor]

I like the Stihl. Had cheap yellow ones
that broke up bad so I don't mind paying the Stihl dealer his due.

 

[CoreyB]

I used aluminium wedges "back in the day" as they say. I think today's plastic wedges are superior. No worry of pooching your chain with the plastics.

I think the hardhead ones from Beaver State plastics are pretty good, as are the k&h red heads. The hardheads have a textured finished that helps them bite, but not as well as some with teeth. I have some with "teeth" that work gooder in the winter, but I don't do a lot of winter felling anymore. Forget the brand off hand maybe oregon.

If I need a lot of lift for wedging a tree over, I like Black Bear rifled wedges for stacking. They have a v groove that locks them together and keeps them from slipping sideways on ya.

I like the Black Bear ones as well. I have not got a ton of use on them but so far they are holding up great. I will see how they are this winter that can usually find a weakness or two.

 

[czar800]

I like the Stihl. Had cheap yellow ones
that broke up bad so I don't mind paying the Stihl dealer his due.

I don't mind buying small stuff off the dealer either, plus I get to look under his work bench.

 

[trooney]

I use Stihl and K&H. No complaints.

 

[RI Chevy]

I think I am leaning towards K&H red head wedges. Made in the USA.

 

[Shawn Curry]

Of the 3 brands I've tried, I prefer the K&H redheads. I've also tried "Timber Tuff" (cheapo Amazon ones) - the heads are pretty smashed up but I still use them occasionally. They have decent teeth and the best grip of the ones I own. I don't like the Husqvarna ones for felling. They're too narrow to get any decent lift, and they're rather slippery so they have a tendency to get spit back out. You might say I've experienced frequent restart issues with them.

 

[RI Chevy]

This is a photo of the Oregon wedge I have used for a loooong time. I hit it s few times, smashed it with a 3lb hammer and dropped a lot of trees with it.

 

[Stump Shot]

This feller doesn't do a lot of felling, the Oregon ones been good to me that I purchased locally. Seems like a lot of people like the K&H redheads, maybe I'll put them in with an order some day and give them a try, as double stacking the Oregon ones seemed very difficult and my only complaint.

 

[Philbert]

Some people have said that certain plastics hold up better in cold weather. I use a variety of wedges, and re-condition them when damaged.

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/wedge-renewal.299485/

- I cut the damaged tips off with a bandsaw (hacksaw, or any fine tooth saw would work);
- Form a new bevel / taper with the belt sander, and re-shape any damaged parts;
- Cut off any 'fuzz' that forms with a sharp utility knife - the thermoplastic wedge material gets soft (and hot!) when sanded;
- Square the end with the disc sander;
- ***Form the final edge bevel by sanding into the wedge***. The thermoplastic material will melt back into a smooth, solid bevel, instead of forming a goopy, fuzzy, soft mess at the end.

Before:


After:



Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Good idea Phil.

 

[mdavlee]

Are K&H and redheads the same?

Nope. Different companies.

 

[junkman]

Some people have said that certain plastics hold up better in cold weather. I use a variety of wedges, and re-condition them when damaged.

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/wedge-renewal.299485/

- I cut the damaged tips off with a bandsaw (hacksaw, or any fine tooth saw would work);
- Form a new bevel / taper with the belt sander, and re-shape any damaged parts;
- Cut off any 'fuzz' that forms with a sharp utility knife - the thermoplastic wedge material gets soft (and hot!) when sanded;
- Square the end with the disc sander;
- ***Form the final edge bevel by sanding into the wedge***. The thermoplastic material will melt back into a smooth, solid bevel, instead of forming a goopy, fuzzy, soft mess at the end.

Before:
View attachment 32859

After:

View attachment 32860

Philbert

So i see i am not the only one that has orange and green and white wood chips when cutting

 

[Shawn Curry]

Are K&H and redheads the same?

Nope. Different companies.

An internet search for "Red Head Wedge" will probably return a brand of concrete anchor bolts. But I often see them sold as "K&H 'Red Head' wedges". They have a white wedge and a red, plastic, striking face. Hard head wedges are made by another company and they're not the same. The striking face is also red but it's made out of steel.

 

[mdavlee]

K&H on top. Red head on bottom. Red head is made by double taper wedge company.

 

[Philbert]

So i see i am not the only one that has orange and green and white wood chips when cutting

Actually, none of those in the photos were mine. I clean them up for some of the storm cleanup volunteer groups I work with.

That's not to say that I have never hit one, or sent one flying like a rocket!

I have red ones, yellow ones, orange ones. . . had to go out west to get the blue ones. When they get small they go in my back pocket for bucking smaller logs.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Hard head wedges are made by another company and they're not the same. The striking face is also red but it's made out of steel.

I bought some of those to try, but they were so heavy that they kept pulling my pants down!

Might be good for falling big trees.

Philbert

 

[Al Smith]

I've got a bucket full .Anything from 4 inch to 12 inch.Orange ones from Baileys,blue ones I made myself from Nylon 66 at work which are a darn site tougher I might add .Plus about a dozen steel I have collected over the years .

How in the world those west coasters drive a wedge with an axe is beyond me . If I try that all I get is a busted wedge .A 4 pound dead blow beater is what I use .

 

[redoakneck]

Anyone make your own out of Osage orange or elm, ???

 

[Stump Shot]

Have 'em made of oak.

 

[junkman]

I've got a bucket full .Anything from 4 inch to 12 inch.Orange ones from Baileys,blue ones I made myself from Nylon 66 at work which are a darn site tougher I might add .Plus about a dozen steel I have collected over the years .

How in the world those west coasters drive a wedge with an axe is beyond me . If I try that all I get is a busted wedge .A 4 pound dead blow beater is what I use .

I use this little guy ,works good .Stick it in the tree you are felling first ,Then it is handy when ready to beat wedges .