This is a question for the loggers like LodgedTree: how much should I pay for a delivered load of logs? I realize there are many variables like distance, type of wood, area of the country, etc. but I'm trying to get a general idea; and appreciate your knowledge and advice. I moved and am starting to build my three year plan from scratch, so figure a couple of log trucks worth of wood would be a good way to start that.
My BIL shared a truck load with a friend a few seasons ago and it was $700. I'd have to ask the cordage, he told me but I forget what it was.
If you want tree length firewood, which means clean wood with no mud, not too big and not too small on the butt ends, wood species that have decent btu's like Yellow Birch, Beech, Maple, but limited amounts of White Birch and Ash, but no Basswood or Oak; the amount you want is 3/4 of a load or more...it is about $125 a cord delivered within 50 miles. For me a truckload equals 10 cord. The size of the delivery matters because if a person wants only 3 cords, its not really worth delivering that much wood, but if the person wants almost a full load, then it makes it worth it. For us the cut off is around 7 cord.
In our area, a Tri-axle load of mixed hardwoods will cost between $650-750. That's down from $900 2 years ago. We normally get 6.5 to 7 cord of wood from a load. Will
Around here I'm told $650-$700 gets you about 7 cords This would be a good way to get back on the three year plan, VOLKEVIN !!
That's some good info, thanks guys! Depending on what kind of wood they have access to, I'd be up for a delivery of 2 full trucks. Obviously I don't want 20 cords of poplar, but if it was a mixed bag of oak, maple, ash, beech, etc. I'd be happy with that. The drop off would be easy too for them, as I have a separate gravel drive that they used to run the 18 wheelers of cattle out of. They could drop everything near the barn and then head right out. I'm doing an outdoor wood boiler, so I can take almost any size logs; and then CSS!
I figure that if I give myself a 16-20 cord head start, I can continue the scrounging and sourcing on my own to build off of. 3 trucks...goodness, I'd have to change my last name to Overkill! Lol
It is a slippery slope my friend (laughing, because I am just teasing you on this)... You'll buy a few truck loads, then as you are sitting their enjoying a cold one, go, "Jeesh, why should I scrounge for firewood when I could just get another truckload for a measly $700), and then pretty soon you are thinking, "That was easy, maybe I should pay some whipper-snapper $100 bucks to buck it into rounds for me too"...and then you start thinking...
I to have an OWB. I like most of the rest of you also work full time. The only way I can keep up with the demand of our burner is by buying loads of logs. There’s just not enough hours in the day through out the year to scurry around our woodlot & gather enough wood for a years supply. I can completely relate to what your trying to do Volkevin.
That was the way my father was when he had his outside wood boiler: he was either cutting wood for it, hauling wood too it, or putting wood in it. It consumed all his time...
But we're not factoring in one big variable, the fact that I get enjoyment out of CSS'ing, and like being outside working on the wood. Finishing a day's work and looking at the stacked wood gives me satisfaction. And come winter time I truly like that our heating bills are lower!