The title basically says it all, but here are a few more details. I have a bunch of logs stacked, and am considering bringing in a guy with a processor. He says he should be able to do about 20 cord in an 8 hour day (machine time). Before I bring him out, I want to ensure that I have enough to make 20 cords, and to keep him humping all day. Otherwise the economics gets wonky. I know I can measure the stacks of logs, but these aren't all neat and tidy stacks like on the back of a log truck, and they all have differing lengths. I'm just hoping to get a visual reference point from someone with experience. Thanks.
I'm trying to visualize your stacks, but it's not coming to me. Do you have pics of your stacks? 2.5 cord per hour sounds like a lot for one guy. Hope he has help.
I'll try to get a few pictures tomorrow, but it's going to be tough to judge it. Thanks to you PA Mountain Man and to Warner
First welcome to the FHC How many logs you got? If you need a really accurate answer go to resources tab put in log length and diameter and add it up otherwise it’s just a Wild azz guess!
Thank you for the welcome. I posted a few other times and lurked even longer. I sure appreciate the hospitality. I have a lot of logs of many different diameters and lengths. I am clearing my property and I have lots of dead and dyeing red oak to clear due to oak wilt. I've been at it many years now, and "foolishly" gave a bunch of wood away to a local church that heats with an OWB. That was before I got mine. This is my 1st year heating my home and my shop with wood. As you can see in my signature, I need a new splitter and also a younger body to feed it! Since I have all these logs on the ground, I'm strategizing about bringing in this guy with his processor to get it cut and split in a day. Then I simply have to stack it, and then worry about buying a new splitter next year.
Definitely not privy to the whole processor thing, so take it with a grain of salt, but does he guarantee his productivity. Seems like a Guy could have a per cord price for splitting then everyone wins. I know when you rent the machine it usually a per day price and you’re at your own mercy. Whats the common practice when hiring someone with a processor who also runs the processor?
I have no experience with processors.... But wow 20 cords in an 8 hour day sounds ... I'm not even sure if the word shoud be crazy, unvelievable, awesome or what... Perhaps unfathomable is best....at least in my un-processor-experienced mind. All you have to provide is the logs? He does all the rest? Does he move the split wood away from splitter or do you have to? (I imagine you will be responsiblr for putting it where you want it and stacking.) Mind sharing what that will cost? I am just trying to process in my mind all the costs associated with self-processing 20 cords...lots of stuff to add up.... You have really got me interested in seeing how this plays out...
20 cords sounds easily doable...many of those machines are rated to process 3-4 cords per hour...it would take 3-4 experienced guys to run at that rate though...and some straight logs.
Chipmeister With the model OWB you have, it'll be best to split those rounds and get them partially dry by next burn season. Must be the reason you are offered a MM with the purchase of it! I assume you're from the L.P.??? 20 full cord should last you a long time!
yooperdave , I have about 8 cord already under roof and down around 20-25% or so. I have standing dead (or laying down dead) red oak on my property. I'm heating a 2100 ft2 house and 1200 ft2 shop with the OWB. This is my 1st year with it, and I know I didn't burn it effectively in this 1st year. I knew it was going to be a learning year, and it was. The last thing to learn is how to clean this messy beast for summer shutdown! I wish that I had a way to know how much I actually used this year, but my 8 cord shed wasn't filed and I scrambled to keep things going, by burning thru some wood that wasn't fully dried. I'm guessing roughly 12 cords, but I could be way off. Next year it will be easier to figure out. From your lips to God's ears about 20 cord lasting a long time. I view firewood as money in the bank, and once I have it all put away and waiting to warm Mrs. CM, I will be a very rich man!
For my OWB I clean all the ash and scrap it all down as clean as I can get it then I get a cheap spray bottle and put a lighter weight auto oil in it and spray down all the metal inside to keep it from rusting, cap the stack and I keep the water pump running year round, just turn it to the lowest setting,. I burn about 10 to 12 cords a year, so that 20 cord will keep you warm for probably 2 years!
I start our each year keeping track of how much I burn and lose track every year. Probably 10 or less. Mostly split wood in furnace but lots of nuglies and odd pieces in stove upstairs. Makes it a little hard to keep track. You couldn’t be more right....money in the bank!
