Why so much Firewood kit for sale?

[mendiplogs]

When I stopped doing the logs I was still getting calls from customers. I went to a fella two miles away that was happy to fill my cabstar for a Oner a time. I was delivering the logs for One and half. Ok it was a mix of hard and soft wood but it was all seasoned and ready to go. Why keep a dog and bark ya self!?

 

Hi eggs nice one mate Jon

[eggsarascal]

:

:thumbup1:Like that

 

I can't remember who coined the phrase on here, it could have been Ted (easy lift guy). Whoever it was it stuck with me. He said "work smarter not harder"

[mendiplogs]

I can't remember who coined the phrase on here, it could have been Ted (easy lift guy). Whoever it was it stuck with me. He said "work smarter not harder"

 

Hi EGGS I like that mate Jon

[eggsarascal]

Hi EGGS I like that mate Jon

 

It could have been Pat Ferret! Both very shrewd men.

[gensetsteve]

When I stopped doing the logs I was still getting calls from customers. I went to a fella two miles away that was happy to fill my cabstar for a Oner a time. I was delivering the logs for One and half. Ok it was a mix of hard and soft wood but it was all seasoned and ready to go. Why keep a dog and bark ya self!?

 

I have tried that in the past and they just cant bring them selves to do it. Even paying what they charge the end user and saving them having to deliver it. They just think they are missing a trick and pile on a bit more and some 20% vat for good measure.

[gensetsteve]

It would be so easy to give it up but it just carries me through those quieter cold months and if I'm honest I enjoy it in a strange way.

 

Part of the reason for doing logs it fills my quiet time in spring and summer when the generators are quieter. But I found 99% of people want small loads in the depths of winter when we are busy getting generator jobs set up. Also its one of the few things you can do for the public when vat registered. I enjoyed the work but cost of kit, wood and fuel is making it difficult to get a margin. Our kindling business has filled the space and time so still get my wood fix.

[Woodworks]

Noticed a lot of firewood processing machinary for sale in June Forestry fournal, are people going out of business or gearing up?

 

Any of the kit in my part of the world (south west)? Just about to buy some new kit as not seen much second hand. Where could I pic up a copy of this months forestry journal?

 

Thanks

[Chris Sheppard]

Spot on there, I have been selling timber as cord in the round as the prices I can get for cord mean it isn't worth processing. I am still selling logs for the same price I was 5 years ago. I have sold 250 ton of cord in the last year though.

 

I'd agree with that. I've not sold logs for a few years now but they locally they aren't that much more to buy than they were when I was selling them.

 

Roundwood on the other hand has nearly tripled in price and the demand for it is unreal.

[csservices]

Maybe they have worked out how long it will take to break even given given the cost of the processor plus the cord plus the fuel and time to run it and deliver the end product, an old estate woodsman told me years ago logs are a hard way to make a living, not that I listened

[Alycidon]

I think I have the most expensive logs in the area and I am not making what I would call a good margin once you take into account delivery costs etc.

 

I just dont know how people can buy in cord at £55 a ton, so about £35 a cube, then process it, store it for 9 - 12 months then deliver it, all for £25 a cube plus a bit of VAT. I can buy it in processed at about £45 a cube + VAT. Did buy in 40 cube last year and will probably buy in 60-80 cube this year depending on how much of my own cord stock that I buy in I get processed.

 

No one seems to be prepared to take the lead and say thats my price, take it or leave it. Usually the early season price is set by the Arb guys or farmers sons after a bit of pocket money who get some timber for free or take it in part payment for arb work. Usually the quality is average at best. Once that has gone then its only the better firewood guys who have stock remaining, they will be buying in cord and should be charging a far higher price than they are if they want to generate the capital to grow their businesses organically.

 

Last year I generated enough to pay for my equipment, this winter I hope to generate enough to be able if necessary to invest in a far bigger processor and maybe a hydraulic deck.

 

A