In the years that I sold and delivered firewood there was seemingly no end to the ways that customers could inconvenience me. You have to smile, say thank you, and move to on. I would have loved your new system for delivering 1/3 cord orders! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Tbh - that was your fault. You didn’t confirm when the “iron was hot” and you made him either find someone ready to confirm or second guess even needing it. And why would you load up your whole truck without a confirmation from the customer?? Just text him that you need to know by for same day delivery and stick to it. Not a big deal - just small business practice to save you headaches! Anyone who’s serviced residential customers has heard it all, so gotta put up guardrails! Love the content!
That is excellent ingenuity. The only change I would make would be to have at least one chain speed binder - ratchet straps are good, until they're not. Long time subscriber - keep up the great videos, just a matter of time to go viral.
Jake great video. I was watching the tail gate that you have, might be a good idea to secure that in place before it bounces off & hits a vehicle. Keep the videos coming. Dave from Maine.
That Cummins would make a sick firewood truck! I’d be super proud to rock that! I was thinking part time when I bought my new wood truck and now I’m opening a 2 acre wood yard that can be almost full time. I ended up with a long bed small block ferd when I should’ve bought a one ton diesel, Gona be a struggle with that lol on another note I absolutely can’t stand people that ignore you unless it’s convenient for them, try selling soft wood in a market dominated by one species of hardwood, people hit you up when their out and if you don’t have it ready to go sale lost
I’ve had your second delivery happen to me one time. now we agree on a time, and I tell them I will be messaging them say an hour before delivery to confirm with them that we’re still on before loading there wood. If they never respond I don’t load it.
Normally, that is the way I do things, this time because he was wanting delivery same day. It didn’t work out quite that way. Ended up selling that wood to a really great customer the next day.
How much do you ask for the delivery service with the skid steer for only one ibc? Looks like the delivery is more expensive than the firewood itself. We have the same problem here in Germany with potential customers. So many people ask for wood and then you never hear anything from them again. You will not have that problem if you have your own Onlineshop where thy can purchase the wood directly.
Cool deal. I used to do the same stuff years ago. Got to a point where money was not coming in like it should for the set up. Would love to go over the numbers with you personally. 👍🏼
I hear you, I’d imagine it would be tough to make a decent return if all I was doing was firewood. However, by the time I sell the wood as firewood I’ve already profited off it twice, cutting down the tree, and hauling it away off site.
Could you place 2 totes up front, a third behind and to the right, turned 90 degrees, and still get the mini loaded aside the third? One cord and the mini. Would the truck be able to lift it?
It appears from video that if side panels were removed from truck to make a flatbed and then two totes could be rotated 90 degrees and fit/loaded directly from ground onto truck bed and then if mini skid was loaded from rear (rotated 180 degrees so that forks pointed to the rear) doubling the delivery capacity to two totes when/if needed. Truck seemed to effortlessly handle bed return with one tote and mini skid steer. Also if a single 4x4 long enough to span track width was placed at rear of truck steel ramps would not be needed and loading and unloading would be much easier. Just a couple of easy to try suggestions to possibly further increase your options and improve efficiency. If bed is not long or wide enough it could be lenghtened or a simpler solution would be to make a pair of removable drop in wings to widen the front of stake body enough to fit both totes. Ray
I can fit two totes on the front and mini on the back with a fork in each tote pocket same as I showed here. I have loaded the machine by utilizing two small (2’ long) 4x4’s but figuring out the exact placement of the blocks to allow the machine to easily track up and onto the bed was more trouble than it’s worth. Not to mention the machine bucked pretty hard when it comes over the tipping point.
You’re not wrong… however watch how I move the ramps. I’m not fully picking them up, instead I slide them on the bed to avoid handling the weight. At this point my customer base doesn’t take advantage of this additional service enough to justify aluminum ramps that can support the 4-5k lbs of the machine and full tote. I have looked into it.
Frankly I don't see why he needs the ramps at all. A tracked machine with arms to bump the front tips up over the lip has no problem with such a small step-up. Sure he is carrying the basket, but he just needs to set the basket down on the bed, keep the forks in the slots, and mash down to raise his front end. A small movement forward to get the end of the tracks on the bed, and he can lift the basket again and keep rolling forward.
@@DudeRanchDIY Thanks for the info. I haven't had this problem with other machines, but now that you mention it and I'm looking at the shape I see what you mean. This is different from e.g. a Cat 262 that can be rolled onto its butt if we're not careful!
Good video 👍 Just out of curiosity, can you pull off the sides then place two totes on the front and then drive the miniskirt on and lift it? Just wondering if it has the lift ability for a larger delivery 🤔
@@DudeRanchDIY We have been using an International with a Stellar 52" Hook lift , four containers and one flat bed for the past 20 years in our firewood business. One of the containers has a separator gate for multiple deliveries in one trip. Handiest rig all around. Good setup you have going there.
You need new storage trolleys ,you can get storage trolleys that fold flat, and can be stacked like supermark ones , they also have a hinged front, meaning uou can get the contents out , without having to mess about as currently are. Yes it is more money initially , but in the long run. It will be more financially beneficial.
Shoulda just committed on delivering the wood on the first call with the customer, instead of saying “ya, I might be able to squeeze you in, I’ll call you later.” Just my thoughts. You can always squeeze someone in!
I am confused? You refer to that ibc tote as 1/3 but it looked loose stacked and from my understanding that would only be 1/4. Have you ever checked your quantity by stacking and checking? I haven’t took the time to do it myself but I wouldn’t want a bad reputation. Or am I missing something?
You aren’t missing anything, I referred to it as 1/3 cord but that was a small basket you are correct. I deal with so many this time of year sometimes I mis speak! I have dumped them out and stacked to compare and the large totes loosely filled are 1/3 cord.
Great first delivery!! Second non delivery sucked!! I think we've all tried to help our customers only to be not needed!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
Just an idea for you I have recently started delivering firewood in my IBC totes and leaving them there for a $30 deposit and then just swap them out with the next delivery
Yeah I tried the whole tote deposit thing but at the end of the day, none of my customers that want the additional service want the empty totes just hanging around. I charge an additional $25/tote for the service and they happily pay it and call me when the totes empty or they need more.
Only reason I use ratchets is because they are a bit quicker than traditional chains/binders. With each having a 3k load capacity I think 4 on the machine and 1 on the tote with forks in place in more than adequate despite all the armchair truckers on here.
Your makeshift tailgate will get lose over time and when you hit a bump it will bounce out from experience might want to be able to fix it so you won’t lose it, if you haven’t thought of it.
I just have one question: Have you ever been stopped at a DOT checkpoint?? I’m asking because you would probably be put out of service with that International. The sides are not secure and that tiny wooden tailgate is dangerous only being held in place by the two small pieces of wood in the stake pockets. Plus, the way you load it with the machine on the tail end makes the truck an unstable safety hazard. That roll-off body was never intended to haul a machine with a high center of gravity. You would be much better off getting a medium duty tandem axle landscape trailer that is much lower to the ground. I like what you're doing, you just need to invest in the proper equipment for safety’s sake.
Never been stopped and I’ve driven past DOT frequently. That is a 13,000lb hook lift... The 3,000lb machine and 1,300lb tote is well within my legal load limits… if I had the dumpster can on filled to the top it would have a much higher center of gravity than the mini skid... I frequently see guys hauling mini excavators on the backs of these types of trucks. I also have a 14k tandem axle equipment trailer and dump trailer. Thanks.
Isn’t it great when people flake out?!? Must be a Connecticut thing, I get that too. If your situation is like mine, he found someone cheaper. Mind you, I said cheaper, not better 😂
@@DudeRanchDIY the customer that pays money to burn wood, then pays to have it delivered then pays extra to have it put out back. It's a luxury I might not ever realize. Not trying to shame or diminish him, at all.
As someone who is forklift qualified ,can I give a bit of advise, your machine is dangerously un balanced , it's centre of gravity Is near the front , whereas it should ideally be towards the rear of the vehicle on the centreline. That is why it keeps bouncing.
Although this machine has forks it’s not a forklift. Im forklift certified as well… any rigid tracked machine will bounce around over contours no matter the weight of the load on the front.
I'd keep that person's number and name, and next time I wouldn't have wood for him, you are going to move it don't worry. I'm still not impressed with your machine it's way too bouncy plus you had to rewire the electrical no, something not right. Interesting video and well explained keep them coming.
Yeah sold the wood the following day, the machine was very bouncy going up those equipment ramps due to the rigid track idlers. The electrical really wasn’t a big deal just had to figure out which wires controlled what.
Thank you for collaborating with us.😁
Thank you for the opportunity!
Truly the ultimate truck setup!
It works very well for my operation
In the years that I sold and delivered firewood there was seemingly no end to the ways that customers could inconvenience me. You have to smile, say thank you, and move to on. I would have loved your new system for delivering 1/3 cord orders! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks it works well!
Brilliant setup, best on the net! Keep up the great work!
Much appreciated!
Thank you an incredible video
with no cover on that connection. keep some dielectric grease on it to protect it.
Dude that’s an awesome truck set up
Thanks!
Tbh - that was your fault. You didn’t confirm when the “iron was hot” and you made him either find someone ready to confirm or second guess even needing it. And why would you load up your whole truck without a confirmation from the customer?? Just text him that you need to know by for same day delivery and stick to it. Not a big deal - just small business practice to save you headaches! Anyone who’s serviced residential customers has heard it all, so gotta put up guardrails! Love the content!
Hello Jake, very clever, love it how all The Wood Hounds find their own little niche👍🇺🇸
Thanks! It was good seeing you at Bunyan!
That is excellent ingenuity. The only change I would make would be to have at least one chain speed binder - ratchet straps are good, until they're not.
Long time subscriber - keep up the great videos, just a matter of time to go viral.
Thanks for watching! I have plenty of of binders and chain but I need to cut them shorter so they are easier to deal with.
Jake great video. I was watching the tail gate that you have, might be a good idea to secure that in place before it bounces off & hits a vehicle. Keep the videos coming. Dave from Maine.
It’s super tight in there, I have trouble getting it off myself, the steel one I build will be secured
That Cummins would make a sick firewood truck! I’d be super proud to rock that! I was thinking part time when I bought my new wood truck and now I’m opening a 2 acre wood yard that can be almost full time. I ended up with a long bed small block ferd when I should’ve bought a one ton diesel, Gona be a struggle with that lol on another note I absolutely can’t stand people that ignore you unless it’s convenient for them, try selling soft wood in a market dominated by one species of hardwood, people hit you up when their out and if you don’t have it ready to go sale lost
Yeah it’s a nice truck, perfect for what he’s doing with it.
I’ve had your second delivery happen to me one time. now we agree on a time, and I tell them I will be messaging them say an hour before delivery to confirm with them that we’re still on before loading there wood. If they never respond I don’t load it.
Normally, that is the way I do things, this time because he was wanting delivery same day. It didn’t work out quite that way. Ended up selling that wood to a really great customer the next day.
How much do you ask for the delivery service with the skid steer for only one ibc?
Looks like the delivery is more expensive than the firewood itself.
We have the same problem here in Germany with potential customers. So many people ask for wood and then you never hear anything from them again. You will not have that problem if you have your own Onlineshop where thy can purchase the wood directly.
I charge an additional $25/tote for the machine delivery service.
Great roll off set up!
Thank you! It works very well for my needs
You need to check the track tension on that mini skid. Those tracks are loose and its only a matter of time before you throw one...
Yeah I noticed it looked a bit slacked out.
Nice!!! I like the video……..Lots advice for you to review 😮
🤔
Great job jake and Chris!!!
Cool deal. I used to do the same stuff years ago. Got to a point where money was not coming in like it should for the set up. Would love to go over the numbers with you personally. 👍🏼
I hear you, I’d imagine it would be tough to make a decent return if all I was doing was firewood. However, by the time I sell the wood as firewood I’ve already profited off it twice, cutting down the tree, and hauling it away off site.
@@DudeRanchDIY Yes that’s a different story for sure. Obviously I don’t know what you do fully. Can’t judge someone from one video. Keep on rockin!
Could you place 2 totes up front, a third behind and to the right, turned 90 degrees, and still get the mini loaded aside the third? One cord and the mini. Would the truck be able to lift it?
Probably could, although I’d probably use my trailer at that point.
It appears from video that if side panels were removed from truck to make a flatbed and then two totes could be rotated 90 degrees and fit/loaded directly from ground onto truck bed and then if mini skid was loaded from rear (rotated 180 degrees so that forks pointed to the rear) doubling the delivery capacity to two totes when/if needed. Truck seemed to effortlessly handle bed return with one tote and mini skid steer. Also if a single 4x4 long enough to span track width was placed at rear of truck steel ramps would not be needed and loading and unloading would be much easier. Just a couple of easy to try suggestions to possibly further increase your options and improve efficiency. If bed is not long or wide enough it could be lenghtened or a simpler solution would be to make a pair of removable drop in wings to widen the front of stake body enough to fit both totes. Ray
I can fit two totes on the front and mini on the back with a fork in each tote pocket same as I showed here. I have loaded the machine by utilizing two small (2’ long) 4x4’s but figuring out the exact placement of the blocks to allow the machine to easily track up and onto the bed was more trouble than it’s worth. Not to mention the machine bucked pretty hard when it comes over the tipping point.
@@DudeRanchDIY Just a thought never can be sure of measurements from video, Thanks for the response Good Luck. Ray
You're breaking your back with those steel loading ramps ! Buy a set of aluminum ramps and never have to visit the Chiropracter ! ~ 40 lbs !
You’re not wrong… however watch how I move the ramps. I’m not fully picking them up, instead I slide them on the bed to avoid handling the weight.
At this point my customer base doesn’t take advantage of this additional service enough to justify aluminum ramps that can support the 4-5k lbs of the machine and full tote. I have looked into it.
Frankly I don't see why he needs the ramps at all. A tracked machine with arms to bump the front tips up over the lip has no problem with such a small step-up. Sure he is carrying the basket, but he just needs to set the basket down on the bed, keep the forks in the slots, and mash down to raise his front end. A small movement forward to get the end of the tracks on the bed, and he can lift the basket again and keep rolling forward.
@@PiraticalJessI’ve tried this, the back of the machine bottoms out and scrapes the back end.
@@DudeRanchDIY Thanks for the info. I haven't had this problem with other machines, but now that you mention it and I'm looking at the shape I see what you mean. This is different from e.g. a Cat 262 that can be rolled onto its butt if we're not careful!
Good video 👍 Just out of curiosity, can you pull off the sides then place two totes on the front and then drive the miniskirt on and lift it? Just wondering if it has the lift ability for a larger delivery 🤔
Yep I sure can
@@DudeRanchDIY 😊
That hook lift is great , have you seen any other wood yarders that use one ?
Nope
@@DudeRanchDIY me neither
@@DudeRanchDIY We have been using an International with a Stellar 52" Hook lift , four containers and one flat bed for the past 20 years in our firewood business. One of the containers has a separator gate for multiple deliveries in one trip. Handiest rig all around. Good setup you have going there.
first off, nice work 👍!!!! didnt you have rotating forks that AJ was letting you use?? do you still have them?? do you like them??
Thanks! Yes he brought them by for me to try and they worked but too heavy for continued everyday use on my tractor. I didn’t end up keeping them.
You need new storage trolleys ,you can get storage trolleys that fold flat, and can be stacked like supermark ones , they also have a hinged front, meaning uou can get the contents out , without having to mess about as currently are. Yes it is more money initially , but in the long run. It will be more financially beneficial.
I’ve gotten over 175 totes for absolutely free and they work extremely well the way I use them. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
@@DudeRanchDIY always someone who wants you to fix some that’s not broke.
Shoulda just committed on delivering the wood on the first call with the customer, instead of saying “ya, I might be able to squeeze you in, I’ll call you later.” Just my thoughts. You can always squeeze someone in!
I don’t want to make commitments to customers I can’t keep.
I am confused? You refer to that ibc tote as 1/3 but it looked loose stacked and from my understanding that would only be 1/4. Have you ever checked your quantity by stacking and checking? I haven’t took the time to do it myself but I wouldn’t want a bad reputation. Or am I missing something?
You aren’t missing anything, I referred to it as 1/3 cord but that was a small basket you are correct. I deal with so many this time of year sometimes I mis speak! I have dumped them out and stacked to compare and the large totes loosely filled are 1/3 cord.
@@DudeRanchDIY thanks for the info all my totes are the small ones
Jake,well maybe 🤔 his other contact will be a sour source and he’ll be calling you back soon if not sooner 😮😊❤👍
Great first delivery!! Second non delivery sucked!! I think we've all tried to help our customers only to be not needed!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
Haha thanks for watching!
Just an idea for you I have recently started delivering firewood in my IBC totes and leaving them there for a $30 deposit and then just swap them out with the next delivery
Yeah I tried the whole tote deposit thing but at the end of the day, none of my customers that want the additional service want the empty totes just hanging around. I charge an additional $25/tote for the service and they happily pay it and call me when the totes empty or they need more.
This a great idea don’t listen to these idiots. I suggest binder and chains ⛓️ other than that the hook lift is genius for your business.
Only reason I use ratchets is because they are a bit quicker than traditional chains/binders. With each having a 3k load capacity I think 4 on the machine and 1 on the tote with forks in place in more than adequate despite all the armchair truckers on here.
Your makeshift tailgate will get lose over time and when you hit a bump it will bounce out from experience might want to be able to fix it so you won’t lose it, if you haven’t thought of it.
I plan on making a more permanent tailgate out of expanded metal and tube steel over the winter.
Out of curiosity, what is that kind of truck called?
The truck itself is a ‘92 International 4700lp the mechanism on the back is called a hook lift made by Ampliroll
I just have one question: Have you ever been stopped at a DOT checkpoint?? I’m asking because you would probably be put out of service with that International. The sides are not secure and that tiny wooden tailgate is dangerous only being held in place by the two small pieces of wood in the stake pockets. Plus, the way you load it with the machine on the tail end makes the truck an unstable safety hazard. That roll-off body was never intended to haul a machine with a high center of gravity. You would be much better off getting a medium duty tandem axle landscape trailer that is much lower to the ground. I like what you're doing, you just need to invest in the proper equipment for safety’s sake.
Never been stopped and I’ve driven past DOT frequently. That is a 13,000lb hook lift... The 3,000lb machine and 1,300lb tote is well within my legal load limits… if I had the dumpster can on filled to the top it would have a much higher center of gravity than the mini skid... I frequently see guys hauling mini excavators on the backs of these types of trucks. I also have a 14k tandem axle equipment trailer and dump trailer.
Thanks.
You don’t know what you’re talking about
Isn’t it great when people flake out?!? Must be a Connecticut thing, I get that too. If your situation is like mine, he found someone cheaper. Mind you, I said cheaper, not better 😂
Yep it happens 🤷🏼♂️
Save that contact in your phone - name w/ burnt so next time the number calls it pops up and you dont have to answer it if you dont want to.
Looks a lil short
Sometime before i die id like to experience that gusys disposable income.
Which guy’s disposable income?
@@DudeRanchDIY the customer that pays money to burn wood, then pays to have it delivered then pays extra to have it put out back.
It's a luxury I might not ever realize.
Not trying to shame or diminish him, at all.
Stuff comes up, give him snother chance,
What's wrong with delivering wood in your pick-up? It's a grocery go getter?
It’s a short bed with a tool box so doesn’t hold much and I’d rather dump firewood than unload by hand.
As someone who is forklift qualified ,can I give a bit of advise, your machine is dangerously un balanced , it's centre of gravity Is near the front , whereas it should ideally be towards the rear of the vehicle on the centreline. That is why it keeps bouncing.
Thats just apart of the game when it comes to these machines..
Although this machine has forks it’s not a forklift. Im forklift certified as well… any rigid tracked machine will bounce around over contours no matter the weight of the load on the front.
@DudeRanchDIY man , i,wouldn't trust that , to sketchy
Forklift certified. Hide your wives
@@davewarrender2056 people use these all day everyday.
I'd keep that person's number and name, and next time I wouldn't have wood for him, you are going to move it don't worry. I'm still not impressed with your machine it's way too bouncy plus you had to rewire the electrical no, something not right. Interesting video and well explained keep them coming.
Yeah sold the wood the following day, the machine was very bouncy going up those equipment ramps due to the rigid track idlers. The electrical really wasn’t a big deal just had to figure out which wires controlled what.