Tomatin Firewood

I was wondering if anyone has a kiln running off a 50KW log boiler and whether this would just be too small?

As I already have the boiler on commercial RHI tariff for the boiler (heats the cottage and my office/workshop), I wondered if there would be any scope into looking into this?

Hi

A few of my customers would be keen on bulk processing for biomass boilers and I was wondering if anyone has experience on this? Ie the tractors are red diesel and if you were pulled by VOSA you could not pull the agriculture purposes card?

Is this legally a no can do?

Thanks for all the replies.It has been really useful to get a guide on what other folk are getting.

It sounds to me that worst case scenario you will get around 37.5 cubic meters from a 25T artic, norm of around 45 cubic meters and anything better a bonus. I have done well this year then with 55 cubic meters per 25T load @55 /T ex vat delivered!

Hi Everyone

I just finished processing an artic load mainly consisting of beech, with some elm and syscamore. There is still a couple of tons of larger stuff to process but have filled 55m3 bags. I have to admit did not expect to get as much volume and once the other stuff processed will be close to 60m3.

Some of it is quite fresh but some of it is drier.

My question is what are other folk achieving from 25T artic lorry load on average with fresh hardwood?

With fresh birch was getting nearly 2m3 to 1T so was pleasantly surprised with this beech.

I would be really interested to hear other people's findings.

Thanks

James

In the end I got Tajfun extractor at great cost and it sort of does the job, but it does block with bits of bark mainly and have had to change from 1080 pto to 540 in offer to give extractor enough juice so tractor consumes almost twice the fuel. Barely worth it. I think Deedside's idea is not a bad one.

I managed to find a 2006 N91 Valtra at Netherton tractors, 7199hrs, loader,for £16,800. Went to see it so looked like the best option and will get timber trailer from JASP.

Hi I am on the hunt for a used Valtra Tractor.

Firstly will be buying from dealer with tractor checks to ensure not stolen.

I am looking for a tractor that is manufactured after year 2000, hours under 10K for pulling a timber trailer.

Most work will be forwarding timber roadside to processor although it may occasionally visit woods. I have already sourced a 11T timber trailer from JASP Wilsons but am on look out for a good tractor, Reason I want Valtra is because a lot of their models have swivel seats which important for me as I am just recovering from a spinal fusion so will have to be careful about twisting in future.

Jasp were offering a 2000 Valtra 6400 with 8,500hrs for around £15.7K which I felt was maybe about £2K too much. Does anyone have thoughts or advice on this?

As you may know I got pulled over by VOSA over tacograph affair in January but because my firewood business is part of an active farm I was exempt and after much chasing I even got £400 back from VOSA for the days they incorrectly prohibited my trailer.

My MP, Danny Alexander wrote to Mr Peoples about it and I did even get an apology letter from him!

There are some exemptions but you do need to check you whether or not you fall within the categories. If unsure I would contact VOSA to check.

For instance if I get a driver to deliver my loads then I would need a taco.

I got the impression that all the big houses up there had either switched to biomass or were in the process of doing so. I guess I only deal with the ones that are organised enough to sell their timber to sawmills, so they tend to have the biomass side of things nailed as well.

 

The closest estate to you that I know does biomass in a fairly big way is Alvie. If memory serves, they chip and dry (using an RHI accredited kiln) about 2000 tonnes of chip annually. Given the profusion of demand up there, it might well be worth speaking to them about their experiences. If you approach them the right way, they might be happy to show you what they do. Competitors can sometimes work quite cooperatively

I know Jamie at Alvie quite well, I have already had a look around their chipping operation which is impressive.

My main thoughts were whether these drying shipping containers were any good?

Also I hear what other are saying regarding chipping seasoned wood, it would mean less drying and I have a big shed where I air dry the logs. Up here it is always raining so for chips I think it would require some form of artificial drying to ensure they are of a sufficient standard.

I know Jamie has queried me about firewood processing in past so maybe I should ask if there is a way we can collaborate.

Hi Everyone

There are a number of large estate houses up my glen all guzzling oil and I know that at least one is planning on changing to woodchip.

As I already do the firewood I thought I could expand into this area if I spoke with estates and they showed interest.

The only thing is costs! I would need another tractor and timber trailer, a decent chipper. I would of course need somewhere to keep and dry chips.

Are the sea containers which blow hot air through any good at drying chips? I could install a log boiler to dry the chips?

Has anyone experience on this?

I realise there is a big investment on all this new machinery and one of my biggest concerns would be the cost of building a number of large stores, which might make the whole thing unfeasible?

Be grateful for thoughts?

James

I have only had 360, what i like is when you have a log that is under 35 cm in breadth but good a 40cm height it still goes through. It will handle twisted bent wood but you really have to cut slowly, I have already caught blade a few times on bent lengths of wood which kills the belt.

you would not want to be going for a stroll anywhere near that thing! Imagine the splinters!

Awesome machine but I can imagine maintaining those cutting blades must be a bitch, particularly if you hit a stone.

I get by very well with my second hand Bobcat 863 (£8,000 cost me delivered Ebay) which can lift 1T pallets, can turn like a tank, easy to change from bucket to forks. I think it could just about stack 3 1m3 bags high although I only ever stack 2 high.

Keep on nagging them day after day, wear them down! That is what I do!

Why did you go for a 360 not a 400?

I found that I was spending a lot of time sharpening chains, bars etc, a lot of maintenance issues as well, oil pump going, blocks etc. I felt Circular blade the way to go and thus far am really pleased with my decision. Will cut out oil costs, fractionally less sawdust waste, cleaner sawdust. Costs of bars and chains will be much the same as circular blade maintenance and eventual replacement.

Saying that the 400 is an impressive piece of kit, but I do not think I would ever go back to chains and oil again. Not sure if inhaling chain oil from processors year in year out is such a good thing either (something Wilson s told me about although this was after I had got the Posch).

I think it all comes down to want you are comfiest with. Also I found with Tajfun 380, folk helping me even after being told still forced the bar through the wood, affecting the chain, bar, sprocket, drive shaft and drive belt! I think the Posch will be a bit more use friendly.

I'd agree been chasing syc for years nobody will sell it or its just not about very much syc n beech what I prefer. estates round perth are buying processors rather than putting timber on market timber supply looking grim.

Drove past a scottish woodlands job the other week all the hardwood trees had been chopped into the brash matt.

Brash. That is a real shame. I find Scottish Woodlands up with me since they got a new chap in very difficult to do business with. In fact I think I could say the same for most of the large contractors and hauliers now as they are only interested in large jobs with the mills.

Hi Hodge,

I do not mind sycamore either but I find a lot of my customers just seem to prefer birch.

I am on the look out for most things

I have to say so far my 360 has been a joy to use, must have cut a good 100T (a lot of it quite small stuff and not so straight) or so in the last month or so since I have had it and blade still cutting fine. Only thing is with very bendy bits of wood you have to be careful, I have already got blade stuck a few times when the log has moved whilst cutting! Apart from that it is a joy to use with log deck. Also whilst it cuts 35 wide, if the log has height of up to around 45 cm, it will fit through, which is quite handy. That Pinossa looks amazing I like the way it cuts and hold the timber.

Hello looking for a good supply of hardwood

Am willing to pay £60/ton delivered (ex vat) for birch, beech, oak, ash.

Will also take elm and sycamore for around £40/ ton.

Preferably processable stuff. Please feel free to PM if you can help or even if you know of anyone who may be able to help out.

I think if you have perfect diameters you should really be able to get a good output. It also depends on length you are cutting and if the lengths require cleaning or the odd branches snipped off. Myself I am just getting used to my Pocsh 360. I would say the circular blade actually cuts fractionally faster than the chain did on my old Tajfun 380. The big difference for me is that I am fiddling around with oil, servicing bars and chains which takes quite a bit of time. Saying that I think Tajfun 400 makes excellent value for money and 600 which they are developing will take even bigger logs! Myself I just got fed up of fiddling chains and oil on an almost daily basis.

I would be a bit wary letting someone else use my processor, would definitely need to be me processing! This would obviously put costs up. Also you would want to assess the timber to be processed to make sure it is right size and not full of wires, mud and stones!

I think there is an opportunity here for sure if you have the time and can move your equipment.

Thanks for suggestions. I will be looking for one to run of the back of the tractor as I do not have close electric supply.

Hi

I have bitten the bullet and upgraded to Posch s360 with log deck but I do not have a sawdust extractor. Anyone with one of these machines able to recommend a decent extractor that is not ridiculous money?

Also looking for around 200T of hardwood for next season. I am 20 mins south of Inverness.

Many Thanks

James

Just back from the pallax demo all I can say is diabolical, 50 min walked around not a single member of staff even aproached us attempted a good morning to someone on the rabaud kindling machine that was greeted with a gormless stare but no reply and even worse in all the time I was there not a single machine was in operation. I was interested in the net Shute & the hydraulic cleaner/tumbler but will have to be from a different company I award them 0-10 for customer service.:cursing:

I was thinking about driving down to the Caledonian forestry show with a friend, but sort of glad that I didn't now!

I just realised the palax 100s does not cut 20cm length, minimum is 25cm which probably means that Posch 360 would be the better option. I do quite a bit of 20cm logs for folk with smaller stoves.

It is interesting to get feedback on Palax machines. The lads at Ardersier are nice blokes but I reckon they have a good arrangement with Tajfun which is why they push them so much and perhaps are negative on the brand they do not sell.

I am thinking about upgrading possibly next year from Tajfun 380 to either Posche 360 or Palax 100s.

I am sick of problems from oil blockages, oil pumps, oil sawdust clogs, chain and bar issues etc........ and think circular saw way to go. Also my wrist is not so good as my Tajfun does not have a joystick (manual pull) and I think my extensive use is affecting my wrist now.

I would quite like to see both in action first. Palax takes bigger logs has a more powerful ram but it does not look very moveable at 1.8T if I read specs correctly!I notice it can have a trailer, I wonder if it can operate on the trailer?

The posch does not cut such a large diameter but from what it seems appear to best make? The local dealers of mine do not have kind words for Palax, say cheap make, poor quality parts. They specialise in Tajfun but do the posch as well. What do other folk think of Palax as a brand?