Arran Woodfuels

Yes. Do you want to come over to Arran with it for a day and crack a few of our larger diameter stuff (that's too big to go through the processor)?

Would one of those be converting from leaf springs to coils???

I have rebuilt it on a Marshland galvanised chassis with Defender 90 suspension and 2.5 NA Diesel running gear. It has a Detroit locker on the rear and 12v winch up front - virtually unstoppable, especially with the 7.50 SATs. Only problem is that it's a bit chilly offroading here in Norway in the winter months......

This is what I waste my money on......... Do I qualify as a LRAG member?

I liked this, Stevie ....................

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught For auld lang syne.

and I thought this was supposed to be an English-speaking forum! Can anyone translate this into something us non-experts can understand?

I mention Paul McCartney, not because he sang the song in Wings, but that he owns a farm on the Mull of Kintyre.............. The neighbouring farmers used to get annoyed with Linda because none of her tup lambs were ever castrated and none of the fences were in very good condition.... (need I say more)

Thanks for the tip, I will look into this...................

Yeah, this is what I've been telling them, and that it will make the straw last longer. The next question is do we charge them by the ton of woodchip delivered or ton of raw timber plus hourly rate of the chipper/tractor to chip on site....... I think we'll try a "time-and-motion" with a friendly farmer and see how the figures balance.....

We are quite interested in offering local farmers woodchip for cattle bedding, using the timber that's too wet use as biomass fuel. The question we keep getting asked is "how does it compare with conventional straw bedding?". Farmers are paying over £120/t for straw, so how do we convince them that woodchip is a better/cheaper alternative?

Well I did say that price was important also. But if your prices are consistent with the local competitors, then customers will go for the "best looking" outfit. Especially if they feel they are getting a better service, which could be down to something as simple as a nice smile from your driver......

I think this thread can be easily concluded, Mr "Log Supplier" is getting a great price for his load of logs - no question He has the equivalent of 6 of his builders bags, which he calls cubes, although almost everyone agrees are not "cubic meter". Most postings here are making the point that to misquote volumes to customers can be harmfull to the industry and overloading a truck can get you into trouble with the authorities. But, at the end of the day, if he is happy and his customers are happy, then that's great, let's just hope he doesn't get stopped by the highway authorities.

Well we have measured our Transit and know that 2m3 is when the load is level with the sides. We call that a 2m3 load (clever - eh?) We also sell full 1m3 bags NOT DUMPY BAGS, but full cubic meter bags. I don't really agree with misleading the public, I wouldn't sell a dozen eggs and only put 10 in the box But if you sell logs in Dumpy bags, then say that, no need to kid on that they are cubic meter bags.

Give this guy a call, he might sell you his processor...... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firewood-log-Timber-Business-for-sale-North-Yorkshire_W0QQitemZ290284473996QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_B_I_Business_for_Sale_CV?hash=item290284473996&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1296%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

He He this guy has a good wind-up going I think :laugh1: Either that or it's time to lay-off the Christmas Sherry

I'd guess you have just under 3 m3 on there, and that would mean you're getting £85 per cube which is indeed a good price.......

My calculations say that you're getting £43 per cube. We are currently getting £50 per cube - for softwood. But, actually, do you really think you have 6 cubes on your Transit, it looks a lot less?

Yes, Arran is on the Gulf Stream and enjoys a relatively mild climate. http://www.visitarran.com/site/arranweather.aspx We even have palm trees (although I haven't tried them through the chipper yet)

The only way it will change is if you continue to let our little secrets out........

You'd have to look in the opposite direction (towards Ayrshire) to catch Stevie in his Valmet & Mog No damage, what so ever, to the Poles. A Swiss did get a thorn in his finger though........... Actually, you spend a couple of hours tidying the hedges and the first passing vehicle stops and complains about the mess on the road.......... He was the council gritter lorry, so I think he was taking the bliss....

There is really nothing wrong with selling softwood logs. For those guys who have hardwood in abundance, then there is no argument, hardwood is preferrable, however where we are, softwood is all there is (in any commercial quantities) and locals are glad to get it to. In our first four months since entering the firewood business, we have sold over 120 m3 and that is on an island with a population of only 4,000 (perhaps not on a scale with some guys here, but we are quite happy). My advice to succeed, you need to price your products according to what the market expects (not too high, and definately not too low). You must present your business as a professional outfit with a good website, attractive local press advertising and tidy, presentable vehicles/drivers. This may sound a bit basic, but it does work and you will leap ahead of the "casual" competitors. However, this is the most important aspect, your logs must be good quality and burn well. They need to be extremely well seasoned and kept dry. If your logs don't burn well, you won't sell a second load, and you'll get a poor reputation.

The neat results of a Monday mornings work on the roadside hedges using my faithfull 30 year old MF575 & McConnel PA34 flail. (That is the Mull of Kintyre in the background, for all you Paul McCartney fans....)

Is it someone here on ARBtalk who is selling? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firewood-log-Timber-Business-for-sale-North-Yorkshire_W0QQitemZ290284473996QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_B_I_Business_for_Sale_CV?hash=item290284473996&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1296%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318