Alycidon

What sort of diameter are the main stems?. Seems there is not a lot of interest, I am about 25 miles away. Stems are almost certainly to big for my processor. Thanks A

Put a post in either end between the base timbers. Get about a foot up the stack, tie a piece of baling string to a log, stack this log at least three feet into the pile, tie the other end to the end post. Stack logs above string, repeat every foot or so. The weight of the logs above the string will then hold the posts upright. A

Almost all the forecasters this time last year said last winter was going to be far worse than the winter before, and look what happened. Build a big heap of logs then you have all bases covered !!. A

Poplar is sometimes offered here free to collectors. Burning it in a stove is fine if a bit fast, mixed in with other timber then no complaints. Friend of mine sold maybe 100 ton of pop some 5 years ago, got under £5 a ton for it, it was it mainly 500mm + dia trunks so not easy for a small processor. A

Fuelwood usually have something around, I bought a tidy refurbed used one from them a while ago. A

If thats Nippon Denso which it looks like then I was one of their first UK agents in the late 70s. Normally plugs were changed at 6,000 miles, they said their twin groove electrode ones would do 100,000 miles. I put a set in my 1.6 OHC Cortina Mk4 and did 120,000 with them no problems at all. Really good gear let down a bit by so so marketing, or thats what is was like then. A

And three lads are worth no lad at all. A

Usually on US stuff there are two carriage charges, one to the UK point of entry, and a second payable to HM Customs for any duty plus carriage to your address. I have occasionally had things come striaght in with no additional costs but usually get clobbered with a duty/carr bill. A

Looks similar to the US Rapid Loco processor of which there is at least one operating in the UK. Looks a pretty serious bit of kit, loading ramp is perhaps a bit short, it would need constant loading to get the best out of the machine. A

There ahould be no problems at all with MOT and emmissions. A

Harry, You might try to use it without the cat, took the cat off my Disco a couple of years ago, improved performance and passed MOT no problems. Call me for details. A

That is burning well, only problem is that 80% of you heat is going up the chimney. A stove properly installed would resolve that for you, up to about 80% of the heat generated by your fuel comes out into the room rather than up the chimney. A

It can certainly be downplated yes but I think the new plate needs to come from the trailer manufacturer. I used to be in the HGV industry, to downrate a 5th wheel coupling from say 32t to 28t needs an id plate from the coupling manufacturer. The coupling manufacturer also sent instructions on how to downrate or uprate ( add extra bolts) and supplied any necessary extra bolts in the kit with the plate. Treequip, Your comments above seem to suggest that a trailer rated at 3500kg does maybe not require O lic etc and 3501kg does. I thought ( but am quite happy to be corrected) that 3500kg was O lic and 3499kg was not. I am looking to add another trailer next year, the ones I am looking at are all 3500, I will want less than that, pulling with a tacho fitted Disco, no O lic etc. Was thinking fo having one built at 3300, only going to carry about 3 cube of logs so actual weight is not really an issue. A

I did have a long chap with one of their guys at the stove trade show last month, designed round a vortex principal. He did explain how it works, but I cant just remember the detail. For what it is it does seem costly and therefore probably only going to be used where flue problems have been found that standard cowls cannot alleviate. A

I know but most of their bigger trailers are 3500kg, thats O licence territory. 3499kg and below is Tacho only. A

At 12 I was driving tractors, ( Dexta, Super Major and E53A Major) and using implements like thistle cutters etc. In these days of Health and Safety then you will probably be limited to bagging kindling as already suggested, cleaning equipment again as suggested and if he is keen and ready to progress as a reward perhaps a go under close supervision with some equipment. Mind you when he tells his mum its probably doghouse time for you !!. A

When I looked at an IFW about 18 months ago the tailgate only hinged up, for logs you need one that will drop down. IFW were doing a redesign that should be about due for launch now. I did have one of their drop down prototypes for a week or two which worked well. Atlas also look a decent tool, resale value wont I doubt be as good though. Personanly I decided to wait for the new tailgate, meanwhile my customers have all moved to bulk bags so I am instead probably going for an IFW tiltbed and load three pallets plus a pump truck on it. Maybe leave that till next year as my current GD85 will handle 2 pallets. Be aware though that any trailer with a GVW of 3500 will need operating center, O licence, tacho, the whole nine yards if used for hire and reward. I would therefore suggest than any trailer you buy comes in below this, then you will only need a tacho. Dont worry about reversing, that comes with practise. A

Talk to your local tractor dealer reps, they often know where gear that people want moved is. I bought a tractor like that a couple of months ago, it stands them in good stead with the seller. A

Does seem to be good value agreed. A

Me to, did exactly the same, got fed up of seeing customers sold wet wood. Reping, its a very lonely job, but remember that you will be no worse off if you don't sell anything during the day. No one is going to pull a gun out and shoot you. What you are attempting to do is to build a long term relationship, that is not achieved in a 15 minute call. Go tooled up with samples as suggested and a moisture meter, talk about the quality of your product, even size split logs, moisture content ( check some of his current stock, take an axe to split one as it will be dry on the outside). When walking in just have the moisture meter and maybe some supportive literature. It is better to make cold phone calls first to ensure that you are talking to the correct person if you get an appointment, no point in doing a super pitch to someone that does not have the authority to use you. A bit of research before hand with the meter will give you an idea of the quality of product they are using. Good luck, you will need to persevere but there is business out there to be had. A

Minimum 5 ton load and cannot be delivered to roadside. One ton of fresh hardwood will cut into maybe 2 cube, that in a 5kw stove will last 2 months burning most nights and weekends. Maybe you might be better looking at the parks trust and at their 5 ton loads . A

Next year may consider putting up a dutch barn to put cubic meter bags under instead. Does anybody have any advice / experience on this? A Dutch barn traditionally has a roof and maybe one end enclosed only. My existing site uses a barn with 1 closed side and both closed ends, works well. My new site will have one closed side only although the other side will be 20 feet away from the edge. Was thinking of some of that fine netting to hang down that I have seen on cattle barns, keeps most rain out but allows ventilation. Not sure yet how that will work. A

Looks like prices might be on the rise looking at some of the national pricing thats about, one guy selling half cube bags of unseasoned at £90. I have not sold any for some weeks, got one order to go out. Not that bothered as I am a bit tight on stock or will be by Xmas unless some late processed hardwood comes through which I doubt. A

Got mine done by a guy in Bozeat Northants including 2 x 250mm blades for about £25 + VAT. I suppose you would have to add carriage both ways to Norfolk though. A

You will certainly need O lic, operating center, 6 week checks, Tacho etc, you will very soon also need a CPC, this is soon becoming a mandatory requirement for all holders of HGV licences. A