Felling wedges - felling with a plastic wedge

As you might have guessed, trees are felled with the help of a felling wedge. Felling work should generally be carried out by an expert. Accordingly, work with felling wedges also requires a practised hand, the appropriate know-how, and should not be carried out by amateurs. The actual felling of the tree consists of alternating cuts with the chainsaw and driving the wedge deeper into the trunk. The felling wedge prevents the weight of the tree from pressing on the working tool and jamming the chainsaw. The scales prevent the wedge from jumping out during the work process. In addition, the user takes advantage of the wedge effect: with each blow with which the wedge is driven deeper into the cut, it aligns the trunk further in the desired direction of fall.

Plastic wedges are very suitable for felling. For work far outside, they find a place in the forestry belt and mean hardly any additional weight. The high-quality polyamide plastic makes them particularly impact-resistant - even in extreme cold. Use at low temperatures, or even in frozen wood, is no problem. Since, contrary to popular belief, trees are no longer felled with axes but with chainsaws these days, the decisive argument, however, is that the use of a plastic wedge virtually eliminates the risk of injury. When steel meets plastic, no splinters or dangerous particles fly and there are no violent recoils or chain cracks.

In addition to the proven plastic wedges, there is a universal wedge made of aluminium that is also suitable for felling. If the chainsaw collides with the wedge, the chain may at most jump off the saw's guidebar. However, as with the plastic wedge, the user is safe from dangerous parts and chain recoil.

Splitting wedges - splitting with a universal wedge made of aluminium

Here, too, the name says it all - splitting wedges are used for splitting wood and, as soon as the splitting axe reaches its limits, are the saviours in an emergency. With a few exceptions, aluminium wedges are suitable for both splitting and felling. The OCHSENKOPF OX 42 aluminium solid wedge is an example of the all-rounder among wedges.

In combination with a wood splitting hammer, the universal wedges are used to cut wood into logs. The wedge surfaces of the universal wedges have a special surface which is provided with so-called "scales". This prevents the wedge from jumping out of the wood. The incorporated grooves and ridges must not be missed for better guidance of the wedge. Perfect for easy handling!

Aluminium is very popular for splitting wood. The forged aluminium wedge is very robust and therefore also suitable for frozen wood. If the user hits the universal wedge with a splitting hammer, there is no risk of splintering the material. Although a beard may form around the striking surface of the wedge, which can be ground off, the risk of injury is virtually non-existent.

Even more efficient: the rotary splitting wedge

For all those who want it to be even more efficient, there is the rotary splitting wedge! Due to its shape, it is intended exclusively for splitting firewood.

Our OCHSENKOPF aluminium rotary splitting wedge has a shape that is rotated by 30°, which extends the stroke height and achieves the maximum splitting effect of the wedge. In addition, the wedge has acute-angle engraved grooves on the front, an additional saw tooth on the back and barbs on both sides, which become particularly useful to the forester when working with frozen wood, as they prevent the wedge from slipping out and jumping back when driving it in.

Steel wedges - an OCHSENKOPF note

Never hit steel on steel is an important maxim when working with wedges or other forestry tools. As a matter of principle, wedges made of steel should be avoided. In the Accident Prevention Regulation for Forests, §5 (3), the use of steel wedges is even expressly forbidden when working with chainsaws.

Conclusion

Whether felling or splitting; the decision for the cheaper and lighter plastic wedge, the more robust universal wedge made of aluminium or the special rotary splitting wedge always depends on the application, the weather conditions, properties of the wood and of course personal taste.