Perfect! and well put. For me, the Buggy works and I understand it isn't for everyone. My back bones and discs or shot! I would give anything to have the strength and the physical power to do the grunt work. Age and body abuse says differently.
I'm 32 and in solid physical condition, BUT I can say that my approach in my second season of collecting firewood is completely different. I worked 3 times harder last season to collect firewood. I spent too much time cutting up small trees and dragging firewood long ways. This season, I've focused on bigger trees and pulling my vehicle right up to the logs. If I were you, I'd run a pulley system to pull sections of logs closer to your vehicle or use a hand truck. I've also parked my truck at the bottom of the hill and literally sent the rounds rolling down into a ravine. I want to be able to do this at 60 and not be reserved to a recliner lol.
I'm gonna speak for myself but at 32 years of age, I was in pretty Good shape myself! Worked out 3 times a week, split wood by hand, blah, blah, blah... But you never know what Injuries you'll receive down the line and pray you stay healthy! Here's where I (Think) I speak for many of us in the over 60 crowd; Those small Injuries, bangs, bumps, bruises, wrong twists, broken bones, any operations and just General Muscle aches, Come back to haunt you!!! I have Arthritis, 2 types to be exact and it is hereditary, something I had no control over. I get days and sometimes a week straight when I fight to put my shoes on or even sit in a car/truck to long. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it could and all I'm saying here is be kind to your body. There are things I wish I had done differently. My vocation in the military of 27 years and 4 ships, up and down ladders about 200 times a day, standing on cement for hours on end etc... It catches up to you. I am not a recliner king by any stretch and sure wish I had the abilities of being 32 again! But I do believe any one in the over 60 crowd will agree with what I'm saying!
Wow! $850 for half a face cord of cherry? That’s incredible! At that price, I’ll deliver some of my cherry to Nashville. It’ll be like the peach trucks that come north and everyone with an order goes and picks up their peaches.
Im in the under 60 crowd and starting to agree with you Dave. Still think im 30 years younger but my body tells me im not.
I can relate, snow mobiles , quads , dirt bikes and anything else that has a motor didn't help me either. It just makes getting banged up worth it. Feeling it now but not quitting. Doing things different would have been a good idea but I missed that boat a long time ago. For the young guys , put this in your memory banks! You will understand why in the years down the road!
Guess I have been throughly out voted in keeping it simple. I turned 60 two weeks ago and can just about go full throttle 12 hours a day. I am up at 4:30 and hit my home gym for about a hour before heading out to cut. Working out with weights and riding my mountain bike has really put me in top shape for wood cutting. I bagged the 22' inch Ash today that I posted a picture of two pages back. Got a full cord out of it on two cutting and hauling trips. I would be outside splitting right now, but lightening is crashing down.
I delivered 3 face cords and 1/2 a FC of cherry was picked up at my Woodyard. I am currently selling a FC for $250 and $260 for white oak. Charged $100 for the 1/2 FC of cherry since I didn’t have the diesel expense or 3 hour round trip of driving. My first pickup in all most three years. I like my privacy and learned long ago people don’t show up on time or even at all. I control everything when delivering only.
I do greatly appreciate all the advice and tidbits of very helpful information I have taken onboard from fellow FHCers. I just love hard work and the satisfaction of filling up my truck with firewood with minimal stuff. I do love my 372XP I purchased about 9 months ago and is worth every dollar I paid for it.
We are not trying to give you a hard time.. just words of wisdom we all wished we listened too in our youth… but if it works for you work it!
I vote keep it simple, but as i age simple is not as easy as it used to be. I NEVER thought i would go hydro but two years ago my friend got one and let me use it and i never looked back. If i was splitting for my own use, i would not use one but doing volumes to sell like you it saves me time. Still a workout lifting bending hauling etc but not like hand splitting. I still section round at a cut with the maul/axe etc and will hand split on occasion where a hydro is not at my disposal. Happy belated birthday. Hoard on and work safe!
Thanks Brad, you are my hoarding inspiration. I have life very easy here in Middle TN. The best kind of wood with the best kind of customers. Every round I get into my truck is a great accomplishment as is all for you other FHCers.
I don't mean to di mish youth, but I'll but my 60 year old firewood cutting body against any youngster. If I go full throttle, I can easily cut, haul, split and stack $700 worth of Nashville firewood a day.
That pic is a thing of beauty right there. Thought of you the other day when i used the last of a roll of synthetic felt for a top cover. Three half cords of hickory i CSS a while back. Thanks for the tip. How long will they last based on your experience
Have been using the roofing underlayment for about two years now. It is doing a super job against tarps I bought the last couple years. It is also very easy to roll up when dry and redeploy before rain. I take a lot of effort to keep my firewood dry and perfect looking for my high paying customers.
For those premiums id stack it in my living room. Id get from her though! I treat most of my black locust like that.
