One man log splitting service

[slack ma girdle]

On 07/10/2023 at 10:31, JDon said:

Well then, another idea in my head (becoming all I think about these days) but I've seen a lot of guys advertising on FB etc for a log splitting service and taking down windblown trees etc and logging up for firewood on a day rate. 
 

 

Knowing most of this forum is mainly arborists and trees surgeons I thought I'd ask if there is sometimes scope for a man to follow behind a tree surgery gang and processor logs for customers? For example if tree surgeons are too busy/not wanting that kind of work. 
 

Forestry cutter so know my way around a saw but only asking as I'd have to buy a good quality road towable splitter. 
 

Looks to me locally guys are charging 30 an hour for log splitting and discing. 

One of my subbies has a rock 22 tonne splitter,  and is utterly shameless in putting himself forward for dealing with arb waste, when working for me.

That seams to work quite well for him.

Its not something that I do, so i don't mind.

[Dan Maynard]

You might start with something like a Bandit ZT1844, think then bit less than 20k. Not a super strong machine but hydraulic head means you're not physically pushing the cutter yourself.

[Donnie]

Seems like you need to spend a hell of a money to be competetive in grinding. Maybe one day... 

 

@slack ma girdle

 

I see a lot of people advertising it on FB with the same sort of machine. They seem not too bad of a splitter for 2-3K. 
 

Does he get plenty work out of it?

2 Saturdays a month for me at 200 a day (normal price I've seen on FB) would be absolutely spot on, any more would be a bonus. 

[slack ma girdle]

4 minutes ago, JDon said:

Seems like you need to spend a hell of a money to be competetive in grinding. Maybe one day... 

 

@slack ma girdle

 

I see a lot of people advertising it on FB with the same sort of machine. They seem not too bad of a splitter for 2-3K. 
 

Does he get plenty work out of it?

2 Saturdays a month for me at 200 a day (normal price I've seen on FB) would be absolutely spot on, any more would be a bonus. 

He generally gets about 2 or 3 days a month from me, but i don't know how much other work he generates.

The Rock splitters seem to be reasonable for what they are.

But they need additional tables on either side preferably with rollers on one side to minimise the amount of bending.

Also the ram speed is quite slow compared with my Thor splitter

[Donnie]

28 minutes ago, slack ma girdle said:

He generally gets about 2 or 3 days a month from me, but i don't know how much other work he generates.

The Rock splitters seem to be reasonable for what they are.

But they need additional tables on either side preferably with rollers on one side to minimise the amount of bending.

Also the ram speed is quite slow compared with my Thor splitter

That would be the shot 2-3 days a month. I'd more than likely finance a splitter over the course of a year if possible. 
 

Rock's seem reliable and quite cheap tbh. 

[Stubby]

I would get a small tractor ( as doobin says lots of other uses ) and a PTO driven helical cone splitter . Way faster than hydraulic .

[Donnie]

56 minutes ago, Stubby said:

I would get a small tractor ( as doobin says lots of other uses ) and a PTO driven helical cone splitter . Way faster than hydraulic .

Be a fair out lay with my current financial situation, only been cutting a year so it's been spend spend spend which I'm fine with buying gear but it'd be more of a weekend shift if possible and scale it up from there!

 

@doobin @Stubby

 

What would class as a small tractor? I'm in no way into my tractors but a quick search on market place says you'll have one for about 4K? Kubota M6060. 2014 - 4.8K
 

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by JDon

[doobin]

15 minutes ago, JDon said:

Be a fair out lay with my current financial situation, only been cutting a year so it's been spend spend spend which I'm fine with buying gear but it'd be more of a weekend shift if possible and scale it up from there!

 

@doobin @Stubby

 

What would class as a small tractor? I'm in no way into my tractors but a quick search on market place says you'll have one for about 4K? Kubota M6060. 2014 - 4.8K
 

 

That’s an out and out scam. 
 

you’ll get a modern ish 26hp hydrostatic Iseki for 6k ish. Good all rounder, nimble and productive. 
 

I had this old dog advertised for 4k for over a month and not even and offer. So she’s staying. I really like her, she has a charm of her own. Runs the processor no drama and I’ve recently hired it out with a flail for a few afternoons at £120 a time too. I sent off for the v5 based upon a number plate I found behind the seat and so she’s road legal now too.  Only 1200 hours. 38hp, shuttle gearbox with creep speed, two spools both with float, power steering and 4x4. That’s serious value for money. All secondhand Iseki are, they are just as good as Kubota but don’t hold their money so much. 

Edited October 9, 2023 by doobin

[Donnie]

20 minutes ago, doobin said:

That’s an out and out scam. 
 

you’ll get a modern ish 26hp hydrostatic Iseki for 6k ish. Good all rounder, nimble and productive. 
 

I had this old dog advertised for 4k for over a month and not even and offer. So she’s staying. I really like her, she has a charm of her own. Runs the processor no drama and I’ve recently hired it out with a flail for a few afternoons at £120 a time too. I sent off for the v5 based upon a number plate I found behind the seat and so she’s road legal now too.  Only 1200 hours. 38hp, shuttle gearbox with creep speed, two spools both with float, power steering and 4x4. That’s serious value for money. All secondhand Iseki are, they are just as good as Kubota but don’t hold their money so much. 

I take everything on marketplace with a pinch of salt. It's ruined with scams now. 
 

That looks like a decent work horse. Unfortunately don't have that kind of money right now as would then need to buy a bigger van/pick up to then tow it to jobs etc then comes a plant trailer etc. 

 

 

[Mark Bolam]

A tractor mounted machine is certainly productive, but what would put me off in your situation is the haulage you’ve described above and the fact you wouldn’t get it in to every job.