Which Firewood processor and timber trailer

Hi guys,

I am considering a firewood processor and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations, new or second hand. Something that will do most firewood and will not cost a fortune i.e. over £10,000.

Another thought I am having is whether a circular saw processor is better than a chainsaw processor, as it would be cheaper to run? However, I also understand that a decent sized firewood processor with circular saw is very expensive to purchase. Thoughts on this would be appreciated.

As I own a good couple hundred acres of woodland, I would quite like a trailer with crane for the back of my tractor. I would also use this for managing my stacks and taking to processor. Ideally I would like to operate crane from tractor preferably. Again any ideas on this? Prefer second hand if I can find, but want something that is tough and is going last.

Cheers,

James

You wont go too far wrong with Palax or Hakki Pilke at the cheaper end of the scale.

A Palax 70s circular saw machine can be bought new for the same money as a ks35, but the ks will cut substantially bigger timber. A 90s is a much higher spec machine and is mega money afaik...

you could go for a hakki pilke 1x37 good machine to start off with there chainsaw not circular saw. If I were you I would go for a botex 11ton trailer with a 560tl crane best bit of kit out there.

If it's softwood and in the woods I think the big botex will be over kill and it takes a big tractor to pull it, if you are doing big hardwoods then it's perfect.

speak to Doug Beatie in Ardersier farm and Forestery, he is your local guy and very good.

I have an old mowi bogy which is excellent, the crane is much better than a telescopic 1, the trailer isn't pretty but the crane is excellent and it does the job:)

The Farmi processors are worth a look - similar build to such as Japa and Hakki Pilke but very fast.

Value for money wise, the Farma trailers and cranes aren't bad for lighter work.

Very happy with my Palax saw blade for upto 12 inch timber with an additional splitter for doing larger rings. As for timber trailer I have a 9T Kesla from caledonian forestry. The crane can also go on 3 point link so we can use with our 16 tonne drawbar trailer for road haulage.

we've been pleased with botex trailer and crane. it does manage to pick up some remarkably big logs. for 12"-14" dia hardwoods 4-5m lengths it handles without struggling at all. bigger dia+lengths need a bit more care. the euro 11000 trailer and 570 crane is good. it is heavy compared to the smaller thinnings trailer/cranes, but 100hp 4wd handles it nice.

Thank you everyone for all your replies; it has been good to hear your recommendations.