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arboriculturist

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Everything posted by arboriculturist

  1. arboriculturist
    How many tonnes do you air dry annually ?
  2. arboriculturist
    That's impressive nick and up to 15" down to 25% in 12 months, must be a breezy site with plenty of sun!
  3. arboriculturist
    How much roughly do you air dry?
  4. arboriculturist
    Sorry, massive firewood cubic meterage output. I assumed you had a kiln as I guessed you processed 2-3000 cu m of firewood annually. Had no idea you air dried that amount?
  5. arboriculturist
    I know what you mean - perhaps it is just so much easier and more efficient to kiln dry, as you are dealing with such small amounts of timber at any one time and can have a massive meterage output on a very small footprint?
  6. arboriculturist
    Ah, more usefull data thanks. Without a RH stat and associated extraction fans, the fan speed settings to give the required frequency air changes are all down to the individual's experience. I expect you spent many hours checking RH levels in prototype kilns before arriving at the settings you use today. I suppose if you are in your 20s' buying an Australian or American style of kiln with programmable humidity control and associated drying schedules, insulation, heat recovery etc etc. and a hefty price tag may be a worthwhile long term investment, that said I am sure 'most' UK kiln packages are very much hit and miss as far as efficiency is concerned. Without the RHI incentive can it ever be viable to kiln dry firewood for sale?
  7. arboriculturist
    Air drying is ideal for those that have the space, capital to invest in containerisation, undercover storage, stocks of roundwood and associated processing costs. The kiln dryers can instantly react to demand with little yard/storage space and minimal capital. Enviromentally not great, but how many profitable businesses are.
  8. arboriculturist
    Ah, more usefull data thanks. Without a RH stat and associated extraction fans, the fan speed settings to give the required frequency air changes are all down to the individual's experience. I expect you spent many hours checking RH levels in prototype kilns before arriving at the settings you use today. I suppose if you are in your 20s' buying an Australian or American style of kiln with programmable humidity control and associated drying schedules, insulation, heat recovery etc etc. and a hefty price tag may be a worthwhile long term investment, that said I am sure 'most' UK kiln packages are very much hit and miss as far as efficiency is concerned. Without the RHI incentive can it ever be viable to kiln dry firewood for sale?
  9. arboriculturist
    That's interesting - I am surprised at the short drying times at such low temperatures 50-55 degrees and 45-50 degrees at the far end, with up to 12" logs also. I don't doubt your figures as I expect your container is insulated and or course you have the Rolls Royce of chip boilers. Have you a view on optimum stillage spacing between crates horizontally and vertically for optimum air circulation?
  10. arboriculturist
    Yes 24 hours a day running.
  11. arboriculturist
    Apologies, typo - SB Larch 55%MC
  12. arboriculturist
    There have been many posts on the Forum about kiln drying firewood to x% moisture content (MC) in x days in a shipping container, batch boiler setup. A large proportion of customers want a quality product i.e. firewood with a MC 20% maximum. I know there are several of you with commercial kiln setups and I am interested to learn how many days on average it takes to dry average hardwood/softwood down to 20%. (putting all the variables to one side as there are too many) My research has given the following results: Sweet Chestnut green 61% and some Larch green 65%. Using 20% MC fuel to fire the boiler - my figure would be approx 3 1/2 days to reach 40% and a further 2 1/2 days to reach 20% MC. Final MC tested by 'oven dry' method. This is running with an internal kiln temperature of 70 degrees C. How does this compare with your findings?
  13. arboriculturist
    Apologies, I ommitted to include the Consultant aspect. Of course - a 'GOOD' Consultant could be worth whatever they charge - finding a 'Good' one is another matter. The 'right one' usually has a fair idea of the likelyhood of a successfull application if they have had extensive experience of similar cases.
  14. arboriculturist
    Some sound advice posted by others. This is not going to be 'industrial', 1 acre, you will need to apply for planning permission and business rates will be payable. I would suggest seek pre-application advice from your LA. Setting up without all the boxes ticked close to suburbia and the LA enforcement officer will descend on you swiftly. Good luck.
  15. arboriculturist
    Generally NEVER create a wound of that size especially with Ash. In an ideal world you would leave a strong growing point 1/3 the diameter of the parent branch that you are shortening, however most accept 1/4. Failing this, you risk the chance of the branch shutting down and then dying back. Prune to what you have at 6m and if the limb dies at least it will give the tree time to produce an internal reaction zone which will prevent decay/pathogens entering the main stem. Good luck.
  16. arboriculturist
    Tech.Cert.Arb.(AA) If things have changed, check with Dave at Treelife.
  17. arboriculturist
    That storage building looks supreme! Are those insulated roofing sheets? The custom overhang is a well conceived addition. Thanks for posting the images.
  18. arboriculturist
    Wow that is a lot of output for a 10ft HQ! Not surprised at your drying times, although I expect the logs end up at around 25% MC drying green wood. Very envious of that setup!
  19. arboriculturist
    The speed of drying is the objective. May still make a window knife as you suggest using a 6 way configuration with central window, as most seem to want small logs. Most knives are boron steel which give consistent through hardening and can be cut with a grinder. Almost impossible to drill though unless cost is no object. Just need to monitor timber being processed with window as has been mentioned.
  20. arboriculturist
    We have it on the list to make one, but decided on 12 segments as less chance of jam ups and our processor only takes 350mm.
  21. arboriculturist
    Is it a star segmented configuration like the other knives you have?
  22. arboriculturist
    As stillages were just mentioned, does anyone know if the roller bearings in 100mm cast iron stillage wheels will withstand kiln temperatures? I am thinking the rubber bearing seals may give up.
  23. arboriculturist
    Did you groove for louvres with a dado head on your radial arm saw or use router with a jig?
  24. arboriculturist
    The best I have seen! We nearly made a 150m3 drying building of similar design this year but if it was not for potential complainants - we would have. (Still plan to one day) Ticks all the boxes...
  25. arboriculturist
    Looking forward to those!

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