Firewood Processors

[strider]

Help required,

I am a green woodworker who has been processing firewood for about 4 years on a very small scale. Last winter the demand went through the roof and has not stopped since. I am looking to invest in a portable self powered processor, either JAPA 300 or Hakki Pilke hawk. As this will be a vlarge investment any advise or expereice with either or both machines would be much welcome.

Also can somebody point me in the right direction for getting the machine insured for public liability and theft.

Many thanks

[Chris Sheppard]

I had the first road towable Hawk in the UK, brilliant machine for the sort of use you'll be giving it but a bit lightweight for full on commercial operations. There are a few modifications you can do to make it faster without compromising any of the safety features - great on straight grained green timber - lacks a bit of oomph on seasoned stuff especially with the 6 way.

 

As far as I know the japa is 99% a mirror image of the hawk so should be as good.

 

Can't help insurance wise, used to store mine with no drawbar and chained to the barn, blocked in with the tractor,

[strider]

Many thanks for your response, there dosn't seem to much between both the machines. Most of my own spitting will be Sweet Chestnut, which splits lovely. Insurance is becoming a real headache, cheapest quote is just under £1000.00, far to much money, but hopefully I have made some new enquiries which might be cheaper

[Ian Leach]

Were about are you based and how much sweet chestnut have you got??? Sorry to derail thread:001_smile:

[strider]

Based in essex, 163 acre woodland but owned by the local council, I only get to coppice a couple of acres a year, mainly used for coppice crafts, then charcoal and finally for the firewood market.

[felixthelogchopper]

Wherabouts in Essex are you? That's my neck of the woods

[strider]

Billericay, Norsey Wood, very lovely place to work but I'am biased.

[felixthelogchopper]

Certainly is, I used to walk my Lab up there years ago. I was in Belfairs for a bit this year doing firewood but now I work out of Tillingham.

[strider]

Sorry to say I've not been to either Belfairs or Tillingham, must find the time to visit other woodlands but its quite difficult to go to other places when your in such a nice one. Even take my springer collie cross walking there when I'm not working

[felixthelogchopper]

Belfairs is a big chunk of ancient pollard-cycle woodland on the Castle Point/Southend border, and Tillingham is where the yard of the firm I now work for is, up on Dengie.