Hi all, Looking into next year and am thinking of getting some log length to cut and split myself. In your experience, is it worth it. I have not priced it so I have no idea what the savings will be. I was paying 250$ for seasoned last fall when I moved into a new house with no stacked wood in Maine. What have your experiences been? Thanks, Kevin
I've only done that twice, and the price was right. Takes a fair amount of time to process. I think I paid about $75/cord on the first load, and the 2nd was a bit more about 1.5 years later. Probably saved me about $90 per cord, but doesn't include my time, fuel, and oil.
75$- maybe a little more though is pretty good when I was popping out 250 for a cord last fall. How do you order it, it is the same "cord" or "loggers cord"? Thanks for the input.
I think it's called loggers cord, but don't quote me on that. Dennis Backwoods Savage would know, I bet.
My brother and I do several loads a year-he has an OWB and sells some firewood. It's a faster way to make wood than almost any other way. I think he pays around $90-100 a cord for the logs, but many times he barters with a logger buddy-does some excavation work for him and is paid with wood. If you can get log lengths for half or less than half the cost of processed wood, I think it would be worth your time, if you have the time and enjoy cutting wood.
I had a load dropped off here I split with a friend a few years back. We ended up with right around 6 cord it ended up working out to around $135 a cord just for the wood. Plus your time, equipment and fuel. It was fun though bucking decent sized wood 8-16” diameter stuff. Ash, cherry, oak and maple. I thought it was a good price seeing as how I enjoy it and split stuff runs near $300 a cord around here and chances are it’s as seasoned as the logs we were cutting.
Spring of 2017 I bought log length firewood. Cost new $125/cord cash. Bought 3 cords. My wood guy let new buck and move each cord before delivering the next. There was about $50/cord savings over cut/split from the same guy. It was a decent price for this part of Massachusetts. Sent from my SM-T280 using Tapatalk
That's about the same as around here, between $750-850 for a 'tri-axle' load of logs. I get around 20 face cord of wood from mine, so nearly 7 cord, and paid $850 for the load. I got our second load 2 years ago and I'll be finishing up that load this year, some has started to punk out at the ends. I have a LOT to clean up on the property this year, but will likely be setting up for another log delivery in the late summer/early fall. I don't have to worry about de-limbing the tops, and don't have as much time spent in 'moving wood around' rather than cutting/splitting/stacking.
We bought two tri axle loads the first year here, $700 each. I guess we got around seven cord each once processed. It's easier than scrounging, but costs about $100/cord more.
Just call around and let it be known you want a truckload. I've never heard it called anything special around these parts; just a truckload and most times they will tell you how many cord the truck will hold. It can be a good way to get wood as bucking it up is a breeze and no limbs to contend with. If I did not have our own wood I might go that route. ON the down side, some are beginning to charge a lot for those loads especially where there are pellet plants around as they are getting some good prices so beware. In addition, make sure of what you will get. Hardwoods or softwoods. Also realize that things like cottonwood and even willow is actually a hardwood. Anything that drops leaf is a hardwood so ask specifically what kind of wood you will be receiving. I've also known a few (fortunately only a few) who liked to load crooked logs then could not get as many on the truck but would charge the same amount. As always, one has to make sure what he is about to buy.
Depending on the amount of wood that you need, and I'm thinking Maine needs a far sight more than most members here, it is a time saver to have the logs in your yard for processing them. Also saves wear and tear on your vehicle form scrounging and driving out of the woods with all the weight of a load. Usually, we will buy a load or a partial load every 3-4 years or so. This spring, I think we'll be getting one delivered.
All great input, thank you. I do enjoy bucking the logs and this way I can cut it to the length I need. It does seem to be more economical. Do logs season well in the log length or is it best to get it all cut and stacked?
Without a doubt, cut and stack...at least Split would be even better. Log length does dry some but sure takes a lot longer.
I've never bought a log truck's worth of wood, but a few years ago, I got several full dump truck loads from a contractor friend for $200 a load. It worked out to be about 2-1/2 to 3 full cords per load. He was clearing land and so I got whatever fit on the truck. Everything ranging from 24"+ diameter down to some 2" and 3" stuff, and a big mix of species. I think I wound up with about 10-11 cords after all. It was worth it, because my father, brother, my kids and I just made an assembly line out of it. All dumped on my driveway, we had a flat, safe place to work, and each of us could do something different. My brother and I did the bucking, Dad and the kids did the splitting and piled it in my tractor bucket, and I drove loads down the driveway to the woodshed when it was full. I think it only took a couple days to process all of it. Guaranteed if you leave it in log length, or even unsplit, it will have a tendency to rot faster, and will not dry well if at all. Get it cut, split and stacked and you will be good for next year.
We order a grapple truck load every year 900 cash for 8ish cord. I ordered late this year and now have to wait for the weight restrictions to be lifted.
Something to consider guys. Try making some connections with local tree services. My buddy gets a hefty amount of logs for his sawmill this way. Works well for everybody. Most times they bring it right to the mill. Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
