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arboriculturist

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Everything posted by arboriculturist

  1. arboriculturist
    Apologies, typo - SB Larch 55%MC
  2. 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?
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. arboriculturist
    Tech.Cert.Arb.(AA) If things have changed, check with Dave at Treelife.
  7. arboriculturist
    That storage building looks supreme! Are those insulated roofing sheets? The custom overhang is a well conceived addition. Thanks for posting the images.
  8. 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!
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. arboriculturist
    Is it a star segmented configuration like the other knives you have?
  12. 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.
  13. arboriculturist
    Did you groove for louvres with a dado head on your radial arm saw or use router with a jig?
  14. 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...
  15. arboriculturist
    Looking forward to those!
  16. arboriculturist
    Apologies, of course there has to be constant venting as you are creating kiln internal positive pressure - I had internal kiln fans in my mind like most commercial lumber kilns. I appreciate that to keep costs down all the Firewood kilns use plate heat exchangers with integral fans - as you know, not as energy efficient as heat passes straight out but to go the route of internal titanium heat exchangers and internal fans with humidity stat. controlled vents with exhaust fans adds massivly to initial costs. With the RHI knowone seems to care about efficiency for clear reasons. You must tire of the endless posts about kiln drying now that you are less involved, however your input is much appreciated on the Forum. Any change of some more images of the finished heiz boiler firewood drying installation?
  17. arboriculturist
    That is an impressive setup ! Do the heat exchangers have integral fans and is the kiln constantly vented out at the far end or do you have operational vents that are controlled by a 'wet bulb' stat. which open periodically to dump the moisture laden air every few minutes?
  18. arboriculturist
    Not sure about the Tafjun, but with an 8 way in ours we always end up resplitting about 15-20 % unless dead straight uniform Larch or similar. We tend to re-split as we go rather than trying to sort out oversize later to split.
  19. arboriculturist
    Yes this Larch is a good price and the perfect size for processing - not too large for processor and dead straight all of what I have seen and plenty more on the site.
  20. arboriculturist
    That's a refined Italian boiler ! Quality and impressive efficiency figures, so I can clearly see why you chose it. What Kw is it? Did you get it from Mibec in Whitchurch and can you remember the retail price? Why did you buy 2? Perhaps 1 alone was short on Kw to utilise a 40ft container? I was investigating a Farm 2000 175Kw batch boiler, however knowhere near the level of yours. Thanks for the info.
  21. arboriculturist
    What make of boiler do you have, is there a reason why you chose the make you did and do you feed it with 0.5 m lengths of split Larch? Thanks
  22. arboriculturist
    Have you found a solution to getting the crates at the far end of the container to dry at a similar rate to those closer to the fans/heat exchanger?
  23. arboriculturist
    Thanks
  24. arboriculturist
    John - Your INBOX is FULL !!!
  25. arboriculturist
    Do you rate it over a Posch 360 with TCT circular saw blade?

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