advice on firewood processor / grants

[timberdelf]

I am looking for advice on best set up firewood processor wise?

 

Ive been told to steer clear of belt driven set ups?

 

Also any supplier details for new and second hand machines?

 

I have a chance of a grant to pay for processor but part of the deal is to supply three indipendent quotes for machines as well to qualify for my grant so any input on pros and cons on models and suppliers would be great

 

thank you

[leotandoh12]

My old boss had a posch 350, was a great machine.

but all depends on budget, and what you have to power it

 

Ive also being trying to find a grant, how have you gone about it?

[mendiplogs]

I am looking for advice on best set up firewood processor wise?

 

Ive been told to steer clear of belt driven set ups?

 

Also any supplier details for new and second hand machines?

 

I have a chance of a grant to pay for processor but part of the deal is to supply three indipendent quotes for machines as well to qualify for my grant so any input on pros and cons on models and suppliers would be great

 

thank you

 

HI TIM AND size of timber you going to put into it thanks jon

[rovers90]

Depends on a lot of things - how much do you want to spend for a start. How much do you anticipate tonnage wise being able to sell? What are going to use as a raw material - are you buying in timber to process? Do you have access to a tractor for pto power or do you go electric - careful as most are three phase.

 

As for suppliers try Caledonian Forestry for Palax, M Large for Hakke Pilke and Wilsons for Posch.

 

The three quotes have to be for similar machines, ie three different manufacturers machines that have similar spec. Good luck in applying for a grant; I have been to a few meetings run by the Forestry Commission and they reckon the grants should be out in a few months time. However, they reckoned the chance of getting a grant for a firewood processor was slim as a lot had been given for this purpose in the past. Don't forget if you go for the grant you have to pay for the item outright before you claim the grant funds back.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[timberdelf]

ok

 

I have budgetd for £5000 to £10000

 

 

I have always used arb waste or felled my own trees and a tad of luck and buying from local lads..but its gone as log biz from streth to strength but I can no longer use ..axe..hydrolic log splitter and towable circular saw as demand is now exceeding my own capabiltys so its either stay as I am or go over the bridge and processor etc?

 

I do at the moment about 6 to 12 cube per week

 

from looking at processors its strait timber otherwise it wont work..jamming up etc?

 

so it would be buying in etc..and the only way I cann afford to buy in from say forestrys is to be able to process at least two artic loads per week to make it pay as otherwise doing it by axe and set up I have at the mo would not allow it to pay

 

I was thinking elecrtric or petrol driven as no tractor yet...but a cheap chearfull tractor not out of the question etc

 

im going to get a loan from council at 6% and then they give you 30% back in in grant so I can either pay £3000 with grant off loan from council or use the £3000 for growth capital ie buy timber in etc...yep about finishing grants soon ..but the gent from council said they would be very keen to lend the money on back end of flow cash projections I have to produce due to yself also wanting to take extra staff on as well..he seems to think he can process the application and pay out in two weeks!!

 

they seemed to really want to help and also help to prepare my cash flow..presentation so all good.

 

hpow it works is they or you get a loan pay for machines first then they pay you ;

[timberdelf]

ps its warickshire small business growth hub in coventry

[timberdelf]

HI TIM AND size of timber you going to put into it thanks jon

 

 

not having a processor before im not sure of timber size or iwndeed what factors are key in this?

 

can you advise?

 

also help would be not sure of timber suppliers..any help with this would be great???

[Mortimer Firewood]

ok

 

I have budgetd for £5000 to £10000

 

 

I have always used arb waste or felled my own trees and a tad of luck and buying from local lads..but its gone as log biz from streth to strength but I can no longer use ..axe..hydrolic log splitter and towable circular saw as demand is now exceeding my own capabiltys so its either stay as I am or go over the bridge and processor etc?

 

I do at the moment about 6 to 12 cube per week

 

from looking at processors its strait timber otherwise it wont work..jamming up etc?

 

so it would be buying in etc..and the only way I cann afford to buy in from say forestrys is to be able to process at least two artic loads per week to make it pay as otherwise doing it by axe and set up I have at the mo would not allow it to pay

 

I was thinking elecrtric or petrol driven as no tractor yet...but a cheap chearfull tractor not out of the question etc

 

im going to get a loan from council at 6% and then they give you 30% back in in grant so I can either pay £3000 with grant off loan from council or use the £3000 for growth capital ie buy timber in etc...yep about finishing grants soon ..but the gent from council said they would be very keen to lend the money on back end of flow cash projections I have to produce due to yself also wanting to take extra staff on as well..he seems to think he can process the application and pay out in two weeks!!

 

they seemed to really want to help and also help to prepare my cash flow..presentation so all good.

 

hpow it works is they or you get a loan pay for machines first then they pay you ;

 

So your going from 12cube a week to 5200 a year

 

That's over 150 k for cord with out the transport so by the time you found somewhere to store that volume payed for the bags payed the fuel it's going to be into 200k

 

Am I missing something as I can only add a 40% to my volume per year?

[farmer_ben]

Dont get caught up on the whole 'it must be arrow stright to go in a processor' talk. Yeh it helps but id still say 70% of the stuff I put through mine isnt overly processor friendly straight stuff. Still easier and quicker and safer then a bench. I didnt buy my processor to do 10 times more wood, I got it to do what I have been doing 10 times quicker and safer. Think of it like that and you wont be disappointed

[timberdelf]

So your going from 12cube a week to 5200 a year

 

That's over 150 k for cord with out the transport so by the time you found somewhere to store that volume payed for the bags payed the fuel it's going to be into 200k

 

Am I missing something as I can only add a 40% to my volume per year?

 

 

 

not sure were you got those figures from ?

 

what I am saying is I would be happy to double my 12 cube a week at £70 per cube 22 cube @ £70 = £1540 .

 

I am aware that some artic loads can cost £1700 for 27 ton = approx 54 cube when splitpherhaps more?