Firewood season upon us - what are your plans? - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**Ducati996** · 08-15-2008, 04:38 PM

I have been actively seeking seasoned wood for a while now, to maybe capitalize on the probable hyper sensitive heating market coming up this season. Its also another way for riding the season out through the entire year. Right now I got wood

lots of wood best guess over 20 cords worth, with 10 more plus on its way. I have two lots that I keep stock on - my goal is to have 40 cords which I dont see a problem right now. The L39 and grapple have come in real handy, and really help moving the uncut stuff around or quick loading the truck.

Who else here will be pumping the firewood serivces this year? this has to be the year for it, or the peak of it for whats its worth. The prices on the specialty hardwood already is over hyped - for firewood...

Interested in what others will be doing....

Deanster · 08-15-2008, 04:57 PM

I'm just getting wood for heating our house, not to sell. I have some wood down that I need to cut and split - maybe 3 cords. Mostly alder. Some of it is big enough to mill, so I may set some of it aside for the upcoming building project.

I have about an acre of young alders that I am thinking I can harvest continually if I cull it right over time. I'm not sure though. This year will be our first full winter on this property, so I will find out.

A few weeks back I bought a 3-pt log splitter from a guy for $350. We shook hands on the deal, but then when I went back to pay him, he changed his mind. It would have been a great deal.

**PaulChristenson** · 08-15-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanster

A few weeks back I bought a 3-pt log splitter from a guy for $350. We shook hands on the deal, but then when I went back to pay him, he changed his mind. It would have been a great deal.

You mistake was not paying him at the time of the handshake...

Never give them a chance to think about it...

My firewood is almost all split...clear a couple more trees and the supply for next year will almost be set as well...With global warming on the way...I'll probably only need a 1/2 cord...

Deanster · 08-15-2008, 06:41 PM

Paul - is that you gathering firewood on your avatar? You appear to be all set!

**PaulChristenson** · 08-15-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deanster

Paul - is that you gathering firewood on your avatar? You appear to be all set!

Nah...this is what my paternal Grandfather did every winter in MN to help support the ND farm operation...

Al Letts · 08-15-2008, 09:16 PM

Hi Folks,

Well yes that time is indeed near although it's hard to think of it when the outside T2 is over 85 degrees F.

I have a large pile of 5-6 year old wood cut to stove lengths. I sometimes acquire a storm downed tree (this year there were many) and I cart them home and slice and dice. I have many chain saws and a 30 ton splitter.

I don't burn alot of wood, I have a fireplace in my living room and an ancillary airtight wood stove in my shop. I just keep the wood to ease the poropane bill in the shop and also just an occasional fire in the LR.

I hope to loose the gas powered splitter soon, and just transition over to a 3 point hitch beam mounted spreader I can power from the JD 2530. I have the rear hyd outlets for just that purpose.

Main reason is I fear power outages and the resulting lack of heat in the house.

Back at ya...

Alan

Underdog · 08-15-2008, 10:19 PM

i Have a pile of firewood that is so seasoned it is about to rot. Dad left it here. I think he just kept it around for people who needed it. I have been clearing some property and running into a buch of stuff that needs to either be cut up into firewood or sold as way wood. They closed the local way wood place so i guess i will be cutting fire wood.
What is a good length to cut? for firewood.

**irwin** · 08-15-2008, 10:22 PM

Nothing wrong with a little work, especially if the payoff is less money going to big oil. Everytime I feel like the extra work is too much, I just think about not giving them more of my money.

I've got enough wood cut, but still need to split more, I'll get it done within the next three weekends. Glad I've got enough land with trees, should last the rest of my life....but not if I try to sell it. Good luck with that Duc .

Need to figure out a way to produce enough of my own electricity, anyone think the cost of that will get cheaper?

Too bad I don't have sufficient wind in my area.

**Ducati996** · 08-15-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

i Have a pile of firewood that is so seasoned it is about to rot. Dad left it here. I think he just kept it around for people who needed it. I have been clearing some property and running into a buch of stuff that needs to either be cut up into firewood or sold as way wood. They closed the local way wood place so i guess i will be cutting fire wood.
What is a good length to cut? for firewood.

12" to 16" inchs will work fine - around here the hardwoods get more $$

**Ducati996** · 08-15-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irwin

Nothing wrong with a little work, especially if the payoff is less money going to big oil. Everytime I feel like the extra work is too much, I just think about not giving them more of my money.

I've got enough wood cut, but still need to split more, I'll get it done within the next three weekends. Glad I've got enough land with trees, should last the rest of my life....but not if I try to sell it. Good luck with that Duc .

Need to figure out a way to produce enough of my own electricity, anyone think the cost of that will get cheaper?

Too bad I don't have sufficient wind in my area.

right now its easy work - get free wood or have it dropped off, split it and deal with it later. The funny thing is, I dont heat my home with it its more cosmetic (fireplace) than anything. Its just something that will pay for it self very quickly..

as for the electricity thing, thats more straight foward - its the solar panels that generate neough energy so you get creits from the local utility company. I havent found a real replacement for oil heat yet -without really spending more than I would spend on oil heat itself over a number of years.