Timber Stack Volume quibbles

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I've got what I measure and the buyer as near as damn it agrees is 1168m3 larch stacked up (2.25H x 3.63L x 143m).

 

What we don't agree on is the conversion for air space. I've never really disagreed with the blue book at 70% for larch i.e. 817m3 unless for irregular stacking. Now the stack annoyingly doesn't have an even top but we've taken 100 measurements and average is 2.25m as above.

 

The buyer is reckoning on 55% c/v i.e 45% air space.

 

BS right?!

[Lumberjack Pad]

For an average stack (ie. not complete bent rubbish) it should probably be around the 65-70%.

 

Sounds like the buyer is trying it on.

[slack ma girdle]

Pass.

How much do you stand to lose if you go with the buyers verdict ?

[kernowstu]

always have worked 70% best of luck,sounds like a national firm

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Pass.

How much do you stand to lose if you go with the buyers verdict ?

 

£thousands+

 

always have worked 70% best of luck,sounds like a national firm

 

exeter area surprise surprise

 

As a slight derail, what percentage would you go with for hardwood thinnings? Some slightly bendier stuff in there, 3-14 inches.

 

What species? Poker straight alder can be high i.e. 0.65, 0.55 to 0.65 is text book but u can guarantee the buyer will see more air in there than you! Personally, even with poorly stacked bananas I struggle with going into the low 50's...

[muldonach]

175 cubes is worth arguing about - how about sampling it - mark of a couple of 1 x 1 sections and measure the base area of all the timber inside the lines? Should not take too long and will indicate who is nearest.

 

Altenatively sell by weight? No arguing with a weighbridge ticket.

 

Cheers

mac

[gensetsteve]

I have always bought beech on 55% wood buts its a bit bendy compared with Larch. You could try meeting in the middle but you probably will still loose out. Cut the volume you sell to them down and spread your eggs and avoid them in the future.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I'm going to top diameter measure the face, the buggers won't be able to argue with that!

[slack ma girdle]

Stick to your guns and call there bluff.

Surely there must be some other buyers out there that are easier to deal with ?

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Stick to your guns and call there bluff.

Surely there must be some other buyers out there that are easier to deal with ?

 

Trouble is we cut it for a "consultant" who BS's to the agent who answers to the land owner etc etc; the buyer is the 4th party! Bonkers! Same consultant who caused no end of grief as per previous thread of mine.

 

The estate loose out as much as I do in less sales etc.

 

I could have told the "consultant" for free that the buyer was effectively insolvent, won't pay for as long as possible and all that. Well known around here for buying up chip for Slough H&P and leaving it in the wood for ages all the while offering the highest £/m3. I knew a much better outfit who pay only a £1 less but would include more lop and top, chip on site and pay x wood, but no the birk wouldn't listen. I could have marketed the whole damn harvest better but red-tapers sold their cheese; rotten cheese it is too.

 

There is some really dumb stuff going on tbh; for instance there is a mixed JL / DF stand and the JL was pronounced clean at last FC inspection. Well it aint no more. I told them to fell it quick; larch firewood is £45/m roadside here now; that's more than double 2 years ago.

 

Funny how the estate continue to employ someone who makes big errors, not least a standing volume to supposed stack volume with an over 200m3 difference! Another gang, supposed to be turd hot put over 5 inches on chip bolts / bars only for euroforest to reject it. The saga continues!

 

Give me a harvester and PB modern forwarder; scientific calculators on wheels!