The Economics of Firewood...Buying Poles From Loggers
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- The logging truck showed up today with beech logs ready to be made into firewood. The Japa 365 firewood processor will be hard at work for the days ahead. I decided a while ago NOT to take free logs from tree service companies because they were too much work to make into good looking firewood. A lot of different lengths, unknown species, infestation, crooked pieces etc all make for a tough job. Buying my logs from loggers certainly adds to my expenses but they are much easier to make into firewood and I am able to control the quality of my final product. The simple reality is the prettier the firewood, the more you can sell it for!
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ohiowoodburner...
Very interesting. I am 74, live in S. Ontario, Canada, and for the last few years I have enjoyed access to quality trees, locust, ash, maple, apple, elm, birch, that various people have wanted removed from their premises and didn't want to pay expensive tree service companies for their work. All I want is the wood. These people answered my internet ad, and after an initial site visit to review the trees' location, (near neighbours' fences etc..) if everything was ok, I'd return with my truck and two trusty Husky saws. This year, I have been overwhelmed with work, and have been working my way through about six cords of good hardwood. I'm not finished yet, and have put to one side the lumps my 5hp splitter can't handle. (It doesn't refuse much), before I rent a large Wallenstein for a day to handle the remainder. I have decided this is my last year of harvesting my own wood. I'm going to go the triple axle trailer route, for about Cdn$1300 for 6-7 cords, and have it all delivered right to my property. I'm starting to realise my limitations. Good video.
Thanks for sharing Tony. Even if you have the logs delivered you can still get your fix with an occasional resplit, stacking etc. I really think there is something therapeutic with firewood and, despite its challenges, makes us all younger at heart. Joe
Tony Quance Wow 74 and your starting to feel it, your middle name must be Superman. You will feel just as good stacking somebody else’s hard work.
You certainly deserve to chill🔨
Yeah going to get free wood is really really time consuming
My dad did firewood for something like 30 years here in Oregon. Almost exclusively lodgepole pine. When he first started it was taking the truck out and selling truck loads. Then he got into selling semi loads to SoCal, then Reno. The last 15 years or so was delivering local retail buying log truck loads.
Thanks for the comments Timothy. You dad sounds like he kept busy! In my area of Ohio the big logging hub is MIddlefield. That's where all the mills, pallet factories, etc are at. There are logging trucks on the road all the time. Firewood here is mostly guys making it on the side. Not many full time firewood companies that I know of. I hope you subscribe to the channel if you haven't yet. I will be posting more firewood vids and more of the log deliveries. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Hey I live in Cuyahoga county, I would like to buy logs but I don't have the property for these big log trucks and these 7 cords of logs how can I go about getting smaller shipments like a cord or two, or a 8ft logs?
Always enjoy watching the oldies again! Hey i wanted to say that i have recently finilized my LLC and have got our first log truck of poles scheduled for delivery. I have to say thank you Joe for the motivation and continous helpful tips, and ideas that really made me want to take my hobby 1 step further! Keep on keeping on buddy
That looked like a decent load for that type of truck. I have been buying log loads for personal use for more then 15 years. It takes time to find a decent logger. My first 5 years I was dealing with anyone who could get me a hardwood load. I live in upstate N.Y. and loggers come and go quickly. After trying many loggers I started to understand how the industry works,at least how it works around here. In my area there is one logging company who buys from most of the smaller companies. They then resell the logs in bigger quantities to milling companies. The wood that's not mill quality gets sold as firewood poles. I bought from the smaller loggers in the beginning. They always seem to be struggling and there quality of wood wasn't the best. The major player around here is a company called Klein and son logging out of white sulfer springs N.Y... there wood is always top notch. They do charge $50 more then everyone else but it's well worth it. There loads are always 7/8+ cords. Sometimes I buy 2 loads at a time and they have taken off a significant amount of money. Do a little research there is probably a major player in your area who you can establish a very good relationship with. The last 10 years I have only had to deal with 2 different drivers... I always tip them as you do. They definitely remember who treats them well and they show the appreciation. Good luck in your search for a logger. Thanks for the awesome videos.
Thanks for your nice comments Glenn and sharing your experience. It seems like you have it figured out where you live. Still at the top of my list of worries is my supply. It seems I am always running out of logs. but I will keep at it! Joe
Thank you for this information
I sometimes struggle to get loads of logs. The one guy I prefer to deal with, hauls 5.5 cords. Another guy that I am lucky to get 2 loads a year from, hauls 6-6.25. I got a load from another guy, and he had over 7 cords on the truck. He picked up his rear axle when he pulled in the driveway, and when he came up the little hill in my driveway, he could barely steer the truck. Some of the logs were 24' long. He had them piled above the bunks. I have video on my channel were I talk about why I buy logs. I think it is cheaper to buy logs, than to cut them yourself. I need to get this pile worked up I have and if I had 3 more loads I would be good for what I want to do. I also tip the driver, which the one is the owner of the company.
When I got started in firewood, heating with a Hardy H2 my personal policy was the wood MUST be free. It was easy for me to find free firewood...I had to hustle and work...but it was free. I would have NEVER considered buying firewood. Now that I am full time and "produce" firewood buying it and buying logs from a logger totally makes sense and in the end makes me more money. Being full time I have learned there is a difference between "making" firewood and "producing" firewood! Joe
what a difference from spring to winter, really enjoy the videos ..
Glad you like them!
Do you know what grows under a beach? Sons of beaches!!! Lol
Lol
That is great! What a load, I have starting to look for a triaxle load for the future. Seems to be difficult so far, most that I have found are somewhat far away. Thanks for taking us along, take care!
Sure thing Dave. Believe it or not there are a LOT of logging trucks out there. You just have to find them and work something out. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner and i just seen this comment, 3 years in the making haha. Its happening now :)
Congratulations on your 100 subs!! Awesome watching guys like you grow your business thanks for taking us on the journey.
Thank you for the kind words John. COVID certainly cut into our sales this year but it has given us the time to start this channel. I hope we can keep this up AND keep sending the firewood down the road. Joe
17.6. That happened fast.
@@foolwithatool2052 - 36.4K subscribers now!! It's well deserved!
I'm a municipal lineman we have a line clearance crew that is always looking for ppl to take wood we will take loads of small stuff to ppl on a list. But we have a hard time finding ppl to take all the stuff we have to give we like ppl that will take and burn stumps and crap wood too but few ppl have that kinda room.
Wow Joe! Going back to this old video (still great stuff) and you only had 100 subscribers back then??!? Crazy!! Today, 2 years later, you're at 36.4K!!!! That's awesome. I've been going just 1.5 years and have 60 subs..... I guess it'll take me 3.5 more years to get to your level -- probably more like 20 years! LOL Cheers. Keep up the great job!
Joe has come along way since 100 subs.
Good video. I live in South Carolina and have thought about selling (surplus wood from my property) to lumber yards. But the shipping cost is prohibitive. One local guy I talked to wanted $400 to ship 7.5 tons. That would be a loss with most grades of wood I have.
Hi RJA and thanks for watching the video. Maybe selling your trees as firewood could be an opportunity? There are a lot of options out there. I hope you are staying cool! Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Thanks Joe. I've thought about the firewood option. I'd have to get a better spliter than I've got. (I.e. one with a hydraulic lift.) And of course, a lot of the surplus I've got is pine. And nobody wants that for firewood. Maybe I need to get into the milling business.
I'm not familiar with what logging trucks charge, but with 53' dry vans and reefers, you're usually looking at a minimum $400-500 just to get a truck to show up, even for a 20 mile shipment across town, and the difference in cost to ship a full truckload 150 miles instead of 20 miles is usually mínimal. By the time you factor in time to load, unload, and drive to their next customer's load, a $400 or $500 minimum isn't unreasonable (at least for 53' highway loads), given the costs and time involved.
This is all assuming that you are only getting occasional loads... If you have regular loads going short distances, especially loads where you can offer the trucker loads in both directions, you pay a lot less.
Just subscribed. I just process for myself and my wood stove. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome Richard. We bought our house in 2003 and couldn't afford to heat it! i bought an outdoor wood boiler and that was my start in firewood. We post every Wed and Sun. Hope to hear from you again. Joe
Reminds me of when Dad and I would go to the mill with a tractor and have a decent sized trailer filled up.
This was the early 90s in south Derry, Ireland.
And yes a tip for the loader.
Thanks for sharing your memory Eamonn! Sounds like you had a great childhiod. Firewood has its way of bringing out happy memories. Joe
Thankfully I got in good with one logger in the area brings nice size logs mostly ash, beech hickory and some birch gotta love cutting and selling firewood
That sounds like a good logger to keep on your speed dial! Glad to know you and me have the same passion! Joe
I have acres of beech unfortunately they are young. Only 30 years old. Nice load. Congrats on 100 subscribers.
Thank James! That is young for a beech tree. I found some interesting reading on the internet about Beech. I find myself appreciating trees and different species being in the firewood business. Seems odd but I enjoy learning as much as I can. Joe
Lol really enjoy your videos and I love the Hamilton shout-out!! You are positive and doing things right.
If you are referring to my "obscure" comment in a different video you are the ONLY subscriber to catch it! I don't think it was in this video that you commented on. LOL. I thought i would drop that Easter egg in and see if anyone noticed. Just you wait! Joe
@@ohiowoodburner lol the lyric from My Shot is "And there's a million things I haven't done
But just you wait, just you wait" and you said something similar at 19 seconds nice coincidence then
@@huynhfamily8215 You got it right! And It WAS from this video. I forgot about the intro we made to it. This was filmed this summer and we just hit our first milestone, 100 subs. Now we are starting our countdown to our 5000! How far we have come in such a short time! But just you wait! Joe
@@ohiowoodburner I really love your channel. I already have a small business fabricating and installing frameless shower doors but love firewood. We are in Texas so it doesn't get as cold still, I am going to do a small stand on my driveway through spring. You are knowledgeable and just plain positive. I love the highlighting of your local business parnters. I am a new sub and watching some of the old stuff keep up the good work.
PS my daughter is on the track team in college and you are right taking time off to watch them compete is the best I have been doing it since she was 10.
Nice load of wood you got there!! And congratulations on the 100 subscriber mark definitely looks like your growing now👍👍
Thanks for the nice words Armand. I wish these logs were as straight as the ones you get! Also, I can only hope that my processor could make HALF the cords that your's has made in its lifetime! What a little workhorse. I hope you stay cool. Joe
Congrats on the 100 subscriber marker..
The logs look great too..
Thank you Daniel... You have been with me from the beginning and I will always be grateful for that. Joe
I sell firewood in Brookfield! Lived in Youngstown for years! Drop N chop LLC! ...love your videos! Always have firewood for sale!
Hi, great info, bought a wagon load of timber myself, to fit in when things went scarce, allowed me to keep on producing good split, dry logs,,,, 👍
A wise person once said, when you think your firewood pile is large enough, make it 5 times larger! Joe
Great video thanks for the info, considering the firewood industry as a next business move in UK.
I hope you take the leap Chock...our industry has a lot of room for more good people! Joe
Hey I just found your channel cool info, I live on 25 acres and the idea of camp wood processing looks interesting as we have 4 campgrounds within 10 miles of my house. Keep up the hard work. I currently cut and stack my own wood for winter and find it very relaxing to do..
Thanks for watching Terry! If I waited to be all set up 100% before I started looking for sales I would have never knocked on a single door. The best thing I can recommend to you is to get a few bundles made as samples and go visit the camp grounds. I still feel like I have a tiger by the tail because I always say YES when the phone rings. When you get the bundle account, and you have no bundles to sell, trust me, you will find out a way to get it done, and now you are on your way! Stay cool Terry, it's hot out there! Joe
Just found you congrats on the channel. I live in w ny state. I get a truck load like your s every year and I track how much I get by taking ruff measurements. I get 3 ruff lengths 8 12 18 ft. They are normal 6 to 18 inches. About 700 ft of length and I end up with about 20 face cord. It’s the cheapest for me. I sell half and keep the rest. At 65 buck a face cord I almost pay for the load in sales. Truck cost 750 bucks. Pretty good margin. I only split and cut when I have time. So I don’t count my labor and it’s just fun doing it. All equals out tome heating my home for just me free time. Happy cutting splitting and stacking.
Thanks for the nice comments Stan. I like your logic and how you make things work best for you. And you hit the nail on the head. FUN!. My rule number one is this must be fun or I'm not going to do it. I just drove past you last week we took a day to go to the Falls and I visited my favorite pizza parlor in the world in Williamsville. I used to work in Buffalo and spent A LOT of time up there. Stay cool Stan. Heat and firewood don't mix! Joe
Ohio Wood Burner Ltd It’s only 82 today and just nocked of 3 beech logs of the pile. Mostly in the shade in the hills of the finger lakes. Turned 21 18 years ago in buffalo and glad I got the bars open till 4 out of my system. I wish you the best
I am a homeowner with a lot of wood ready to split, I reckon, 2-3 years worth out seasoning just now but it now needs split, I have hydraulic splitter so that is no bother but the issue is storage, my winter store is full and most wood already at the 12 month mark but I am fed up with 3-4 foot lengths of firewood lying everywhere and it needs to be split and stored once and for all to tidy it up and stop it sitting out all year. I have a large wrap around garden but the issue is that it is all quite nicely presented and I need to find a way of incorporating mass log storage neatly. Could you do a video on storage you see, particularly where you customers have nice gardens yet the wood stores just sort of blend into the background. I think a wood store is a nice looking thing and stacked with logs it is not an eyesore but I still need some ideas and I have already exhausted Google images!
Thanks.
Hi Peter. I think you would be disappointed if you saw my stacking...lol. It's not very creative...I have a utilitarian approach to stacking wood. Its all based on efficiency. The key for good firewood is that it IS stacked...off the ground and preferably facing north-south. That will keep mushrooms growing on the north side. Joe
Cut two loads a year since I was just a young kid living with my parents. Used to get a tri axle for $300 growing up but now its $650. After gas, oil, bars, and chains I will pay $150 a chord split. I still grab a few pick up loads myself off my land just to remember how to sharpen a saw these days. I'm in NY so most all the firewood you buy is Ash because of the Ash Bore Beetle. Everyone is selling their logs to China in containers, log length. The loads I cut myself I cut Oak, Maple, Beach, Burch and mix my fire for time and heat.
Thanks for your comment Butch. Sounds like you have been doing this for a while. It never gets old. Joe
I'm also in NY. I know a lot of the ash has gone to China like that but is it still doing so now. Did the market take a hit with Coronavirus or are loggers/buyers paying good $$ for ash again?
@@davidsheffield1769 It's at a low point, bottom of the curve. Probably come back up for winter or after the election.
GOOD JOB
Thanks Buddy!
Costs all depend on what part of the country your in, a cord of softwood dry is 350 here and a cord of hardwood 455, the hardwood is trucked in from 400 miles away.
I'm right outside of Baton Rouge and
that's about what you will pay for a cord here.
If i could find split fire wood for $150 a cord i would sell my saw and splitter in a heart beat !
I'm wondering if the farther you live from a city the cheaper the wood? When I see the prices wood is selling for in Cleveland I'm shocked bc I can't get near that here in the Mahoning Valley. Joe
New subscriber, enjoying your channel! Just got a double load delivered-57000 lbs in logs!
18 cords estimated, staying busy!
Welcome aboard MP. That sounds like a big load!
@@ohiowoodburner thank you Sir!
Yes Sir, it was a dbl semi trailer (2 big trailers behind a semi) load, but the more I-buy the more $ I save buying wood in logs. Love your channel and tips, advise, etc.
I've been in the wood game for 8 years now.
Looking now for "wholesale wood" out of my state to buy other species of wood as we only get Ponderosa Pine or Spruce here in South Fork Colorado.
Stay warm and busy!
@@Smiling_mike if missouri is not to far away for you to travel i will sell green oak for 100 a cord
Wow, so July 8,2020 you had 100 subscribers? It is December 20, 2020 and you have 5k. Great content!!
Thanks UC... I can't believe how fast this has all happened! Joe
Jan 2021: 10.2k subs
Well I been doing fire wood for 30 years in buffalo ,our log loads we buy hold bout 18 to 24 face cord loads on eather truck ,,,I run timberwolf processor, it the best
How are you doing Mke! 30 years! wow! I use to work in Buffalo in the early 90's. My favorite pizza is at Picasso's in Williamsfield. Love that place. I drove the family to the Falls a couple weeks ago and picked up a pizza there for them. Those Timberwolves are awesome machines. How old is yours? Hope you are well and staying cool. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner that's awesome ,,,we bought it in 2010 and let me tell you its been a game changer ...be for we use to use the tw5 and tw6 by timberwolf.great spliters to
Good channel! Thanks
Thank you Capt Greg! So far making the vids have been fun. i hope to keep it up. Stay cool. Joe
You got a new subscriber!
Thanks Horatiu! I hope you enjoy the vids. We post every Wednesday and Sunday. Joe
Good stuff.
Thanks !! Joe
FYI. there is a natural succession of tree species in any forest. One species succeeds another as the forest evolves. Beech is the oldest species of hardwood in the forest. Not the oldest tree, but the oldest species. The catch phrase "beach to beech" reminds us that what begins as a sandy beach evolves into a forest full of beach trees.
I find this very interesting. What are the dynamics of a beech-maple forest? I know they choke out the forrest floor except for early spring flowering plants but why do these 2 species seem to flourish together?
nice video
Thanks Jared. Joe
I always tip my drivers, you would believe the benefits you get from that over time.
Edit: If course just as I post that I come across the portion of tge vid where you say you tip your driver lol
What do you tip?
@@justinjustin337 $20 per load, it tge thought that goes a long way so $10 is fine.
Blue Ox Nice!!! Thank you for the heads up! It surely goes a long ways.
Great informational video but I would like to know if you don't mind how much do you pay for a load of logs like that.
The prices range due to qty, species, diameter etc. This is a typical load and they range from $550--$650. This load gave me almost 6 cords. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Thank you very much and now I can do a little price checking around here. Again, thank you!
The green hickory gives off more smoke!
so for non-commercial use, I am obsessed with bonfires!!! Does it really matter the type of wood? What do you like to use, any aromatic yet affordable? Lastly, ever heard of scenting a firepit with dried citrus/cinnamon/herbs? I use whatever Home Depot sells (unfortunately) which is usually RUBBISH birch or a miscellaneous mixture and use (believe it or not) heat treated (HT) wood pallets (not MB though). The pallets are there for kindling, but also mid sized pieces to smoothen out any "smokey" logs. I am in the inner city, so your fire pit game must be strong, the slightest bit of white smoke will get the cops / fire dept called on you!
Hi, sorry....what's a cord? I'm from Italy Alps and I find your channel very interesting... I do about 30 tons firewood per year of firewood only for me... ciao.
Cord is a stack of firewood 4 by 4 by 8 feet, or 1.2 by 1.2 by 2.4 meters. You see many BCS or Grillos ?
Hi Leo! A "cord" is the official unit of measurement for firewood in the States. It equates to 128 cubic feet. Height X Length X width. A traditional cord is stacked with three rows of 16 inch logs stacked 4 feet tall and 8 feet long. Joe
I'm trying to rebuild a cabin.
Have you found a way to connect with loggers?
Best thing to do is find them around town. At a restaurant, fuel station etc. Go introduce yourself to the driver and see if you can get onto their list. Joe
I own 25 acre mixed hardwood lot, have a 40hp tractor with loader, a dump trailer and chainsaws. It doesn't pay me to cut my own wood. I do for the exercise and being in the woods. But anyone that relies on fire wood for income should take a serious look at other ways to make a living.
Random question I know, but what kind of glasses are those?
They are Iron Man's. I wear them for running as well. I think these came from Wal Mart but I have them for sale on my Amazon page. Thanks Dale!
www.amazon.com/shop/ohiowoodburnerltd
How much did it cost for that truck load of logs? What is the return on investment for that truck load?
I think I paid $550 for this load. I try to average $500+ per cord when everything is sold. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Do you get 6-7 cords out of this load, typically?
Do you ever use Sweet Gum for wood? Or do you stay away from it? I have not had good luck with curing it
Awesome, congrats. I'm 104 sub.
I have a couple wood cutting vids.
Thanks Tim. I will check out your videos. I hope you are well and keeping cool! Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Oh it's been brutal in ohio. I've been building a log cabin. I'm mocking it up at home. Then we will move it to the woods. I work on it in the evening for an hour or 2.
@@MrThenry1988 that sounds pretty industrious. It must be nice to have those skills. I will stick with firewood. If I were ever to build a house it would look like something out of a Dr Seuss book!
@@ohiowoodburner Your channel has taken off. Good show man.
I have the cabin up in the spot it will stay. Made a few more vids.
one point is..... what is your labor worth an hr
No doubt. There is more involved then just the wood. Joe
It’s not $150 where I live, more like $250
There is a lot of variance across the state but around here I can find firewood that price all season long. Joe
Guys those prices are a lot cheaper than in Ireland... where I live one bay of the truck delivered is €350 and that's usually soft wood normally used in plywood production...not a great eh...
$100 a cord?? Price per cord in my area is $350 plus 🤔
Hi Tyler... I was talking about the Average purchase for the wood off one of these trucks. If the truck load costs $600 delivered and your yield is 6 cords...which is a generous assumption.
Tri-axel???
Cord or Face Cord?
cord. 128 cf.
What part of Ohio are you in
Hi there Dow Jones. I am in the Mahoning Valley...NEO Youngstown, Warren area. Right now Im trying to to pass out from the heat. Heat and firewood don't mix! Please subscribe if you havent yet. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner I just subscribed!! Im gonna be doing a large lot clearing in the Cadiz/Jewett
area.
@@dowjones9663 Cadiz is gorgeous area. My friend hunts there yearly. My Uncle hunts the coal mining property aroumd there.
@@ohiowoodburner it is beautiful. My dad grew up in Jewette. If I get into some good wood I'll be giving you a call!!
Dow Jones I'm just south of Cadiz and looking for many truckloads of logs. Saw another comment about you clearing a lot near there.....would like to get in touch with you Sir.
I would like to see this on a non Big Tech platform.
Please.
I'm not sure what you mean. Thanks. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner
I do not like to give traffic / clicks to companies that censor people's attitudes that are not in accordance with their political views.
It's nice that something is free if you do not understand what they are harvesting information on which they make huge sums of money.
Then it's not free anymore, many just do not understand that they pay.
I use as an example Bitchute:
www.bitchute.com/video/oiLEEfLElMRo/
I wish you all the best with what you do.
Henrik
Did u says bought that load of wood for a hundred bucks
Hi Randy... I didn't explain it clear LOL. It averages out to about $100 a cord. I paid $600 and there was about 6 cords on it. Joe
In New Zealand we don't tip as the employer should pay their staff fairly.
Hi Owen and thanks for the insight. There are some traditions we have, tipping for example, but as you identify many jobs that are supported by tipping it seems the employer exploits by paying a much lower wage, servers, concierge for example. In this case the driver is well paid, an independent owner. I was just being nice. Joe
So is that what Domino's does when they're out on a pizza delivery they deliver their pizza and then stop at Pizza Hut or Papa John's on their way back and pick up another pizza to resell
Hi Charles. I operate with the assumption that I can sell EVERY stick of firewood I can get my hands on. So far every winter my supply gets low to where I WISH I had made more...had more...than what I have. Instead of pulling an empty trailer home I maximize my time by back hauling more supply. Honestly, I have yet to buy a cord of firewood that I could flip for an immediate profit. I usually have to stack it to season, resplit, sort out the poplar etc. It makes sense for me. I appreciate you watching. Stay cool... It's darn hot outside now. Joe
Every firewood producer sells every piece they can get their hands on. The demand always far out numbers the supply. If some customers don't get any firewood big deal they burn some more oil or propane. I hope you tell your customers when you deliver somebody else's firewood that you had zero tondo with the product other that chauffeuring it around. That you simply just picked it up on the way back from your last delivery to maximize your ugly greediness.
You've got at least 14% minimum of waste from a loggers cord. If you are paying for 6 cords on a log truck, you aren't selling 6 cords from it
Thanks Tyler. I'm not sure if I ever got 6 cords total from a tri axle. I was just simplifying my measurements and cost for the video. One of the advantages for my situation is I take all the off cuts, ugly logs, crotches etc and they go into my own wood shed. By the time I get stacking the wood for inventory I usually can't remember how much I threw into my own shed! I enjoy running the business but sometimes the accounting, hair splitting etc isn't any fun for me so I don't do it! One of the best things I do to maximize qty from a truck is cutting the log in half while accounting for kerf. I only have 1 off cut from one half of the log. My machine can't pick up the entire log so I cut them in half. Thanks for watching Tyler. Please subscribe if you haven't yet! Joe
There is tons of free wood and I like the exercise from it. We only split hardwood in the south. Mainly Oak, hickory.
I still get the free stuff but when I started doing this full time I learned the log trucks allow me to have more consistent firewood. I got my start in firewood by heating my house with a Hardy H2 and I found free wood for the first 12 years using it. Thanks for watching Dave. Please subscribe if you haven't yet. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner how do you go about finding free wood
@@bjornegan6421 ask the healthy trees where the sick ones are.
@@bjornegan6421 drive around suburbs and rural areas in the spring. Look for piles on the side of the road.
Ask independent tree service guys too.
Nice video. I look forward to seeing more.
In this part of PA, a tri-axle load of wood runs about $900. I’ve never gotten less than 8 cords from a load and it’s usually 9. All front mounted cranes though. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you Rob. I will eventually have this industry figured out. When I do come visit me at my nursing home and I will share it with you! lol. Joe
Same here in pa
About 20 years ago I got a tri-axle of culls from a Georgia Pacific mill. I paid $650 and got ten cords per load. After processing, I sold it for $150 per cord.
@@ncompton31 the most i ever got was 9 cords and it was all red oak heavy stuff
@@ncompton31 amazing that prices are still pretty much the same
It makes sense not to want seasoned hickory if you are using it to smoke. Unseasoned should give much better smoke.
I have never smoked before but I have heard both sides of the debate. As long as the food is free I agree with the cook! Joe
Ohio I am surprised this was at your 100 subscriber mark - I will keep dreaming. I just published a video proving the cost benefit of burning firewood! Great for firewood businesses. Curious of your feedback. Cheers.
Congrats ! Says 1.04K subs here, and you can add me to the list, I process my own firewood by hand, I find free wood and cut and split it by hand, chainsaw and an axe, I just enjoy relaxing at home outdoors near a nice fire....coffee, anyone ?
You have coffee?? Count me in! Thanks for the nice words Chris. I LOVE firewood and it sounds like you do too. I hope you are doing well and staying cool! Thanks for subbing. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner yeah it's been unbearably warm, but I have been doing just a little fire each evening, I love how relaxing it is. I always have coffee, it's a fact of life for me. Cheers.
Where is free wood found?
I own a tree service here in michigan and at times give quite abit of wood away simply because i dont want to deal with it. I have found a few people that heat they're homes and just send them a text with the address and they go get it. I don't sell firewood myself and my employees heat our homes so it works out well. Getting paid to heat our homes is a win win..
That is certainly a good market to look for if you are in to making firewood. I got away from tree service wood bc it was too difficult for me to make into firewood. I have limited machines and some of the stuff I was getting was HUGE crotches, knots, mystery wood etc so I have found mill rejects is the way to go. Even though I have to buy it I am much more productive. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner i get that completely. When we are on the job it is about efficiency for us so big knotty pieces get taken out with the loader. Not to mention...lord knows what you will find in them to damage your processor. The last job i took out a 67" (at the base) black oak and cut right through a 3/8 eyebolt imbedded 6" in with my 880 and a brand new 59" chain...first cut of the day..go figure
Hello Joe, I agree with you on the fact of buying logs (beech or other species) certainly at a cost, but it allows to produce quality firewood easier to work, we win largely in time and pain, more logs have in the end a much more beautiful appearance
Now, if you had your own self loading log truck you could buy logs direct from the logging company.
I'm in southern Ohio and have a outdoor wood boiler. I order a load of logs from a local logger - love it when I see some of that beech in the load. I'm paying equal to what the logger would get for pulp wood at the paper mill. So, I don't even think about trying to sell firewood, at my age, 74, I figure I'm doing good to keep enough cut, split and stacked in the shed just to keep the chill off the house.
Thanks for the videos and stay safe out there in the wood lot.
Thanks for the comment Trapper! It is great to see you are still at it. Having the logs delivered certainly helps with making firewood vs driving out into the woods. That would be a lot of back and forth. Joe
It's definitely been hot Joe, besafe my friend! I think the beach firewood is excellent firewood, and your correct the elm is a nice firewood but a little ugly! It sure burns hot! Nice load of logs take care buddy I truly enjoyed 👍
Thanks for the kind words Dave. Beech is a heavy log somewhere between maple and oak but I lover the smell of it when split. Has a spicy smell. It is a tough log to split...not stringy like elm but very tough to split. I was running these logs thru the Japa this morning but only for about an hour...too hot. The heat really slows us down. We can make and stack about 1/3 to 1/2 cord max a day when the temps are in the 90's. Stay cool! Joe
I used to love getting a truck load of logs. My black Lab would climb to the top and I'd join her with
a cup of coffee. Then it's time to get to work.
You may notice in some of the videos our black cat hanging out around the logs. Deadly mouser!
Watched my first video here this morning - new sub - look forward to watching and learning - Boto Bob from Central PA - I lived in the Dayton, OH area from 1984 to 1989 when I was stationed at WPAFB.
Welcome aboard Bob. I live just north of the Youngstown AFB 910th airwing. All C130s our here. Glad to have you and Ohio will always welcome you back! I used to work out your way...Clearfield, Huntingdon, Altoona... Joe
That was a good video. I want to transition from oil to firewood in a couple years. Never considered buying wood by the truckload. That’s genius for a consumer.
Even with some labor, $600 for a winters worth of firewood is a good price. My neighbor pays $2k for his pellet stove every year.
I still have a lot to learn about firewood. Subscribed !
Thanks 4Phillipp!! There is something to be said for the convenience of having all of this wood delivered to your house. If you factor in all of your gas and Hauling and labor going out to the field bring that same amount back you might be close in cost. Thanks for watching! Joe
Ohio Wood Burner Ltd cost is just part of it though. Wood lot management, removing fallen trees and general cleanup still need to be done. Of course the more wood is needed the more likely one want to just buy it, all done. I know some people who burn 8 cords of wood. That’s a lot more then the 2-3 I should be needing. Small cabin is easier to heat ;)
Our prices are close. I just bought 15 cords of Birch for $95/a loggers cord. That however, is the highest I have ever spent for firewood. I do mill some of the nicer logs.
I had another vid where I talk more about my procurement problems. I think it was the vid where we were making the logging road. I didn't get enough logs this year and I'm trying to fix that. Joe
That’s a dream load of wood on that truck. Loggers are a better source to buy logs from, usually no nails or junk wood. Buying from tree companies in my experience is not as good. Huge diameter logs, twisting logs, are a recipe for a short amount of cord wood. I would of been super happy with that load.
Thanks Dennis. It turned out to be a good yeild. I got a full 6 cords from it. I usually get less bc I QC out some wood for my own shed. This was all very good, straight. Joe
Joe, Great video! I want to develop relationships with loggers in my area, but I can see the value in buying wood already split from small operations. I've also considered buying it in rounds since I have a fast splitter and conveyor already.
You are probably on to a good approach. I seem to sleep better at night having multiple sources...either logging trucks, or purchasing. I have 4 individuals who make firewood for me and I will also buy random firewood I see on my route. The more sources you have the less impact losing one will have on you. Thanks for watching PM.
Joe
Looks good I think it all depends on your time as well fast splitter saves time increases your money agreed i get with more with crane on front as well at least a cord and a half more
Agree. U can really make these into firewood fast. I think the time savings should be considered when justifying the cost. I enjoy your channel btw! Joe
Here in Canada is the same if the driver calls the answer is yes.. the problem up here is the mills.. if they want wood we get nothing... you should try a find a guy with a pup you will double your load.. good luck and keep chopping
Thanks Dan. Last year was very bad on the loggers w the rain. Our biggest mill shut down in June/July bc there werent any logs coming out if the woods. This year has been more steady Its been a workout for sure. Thanks for ur comments. Joe
hello there i am a retired logger from the PNW just curious how much u pay for a log load? then how do you do a cost break down of processing the logs into firewood stacking loading delivery unloading labor cosy fuel costs trucking costs ins etc
Thanks for watching and posting Blanchard. At least for me I am not an accountant but rather an opperator. I don't get too wrapped around the axle with #'s but in the case of what you ask these are totally on my radar. I worked with an accountant who helped me understand what I am doing well and where I need to improve and the "cost of goods delivered" was the big takeaway. Accounting for everything you list really hammered away that I make much less $$ when I buy wood already made vs the truck. Processing at my labor of $15 an hour I make much more $ then by trucking in split firewood. Still the final takeaway was I needed to raise my prices, which I did, and didn't lose a beat. Thanks for watching. Joe
Great video joe! 👍🏻 very well explained my friend. I do the same thing.. break it up with log loads in between procuring my own. Keeps me and my equipment out of the woods and saves time.
Thanks for the comment Woodguy! It makes good business sense to have multiple streams of product coming in! Keep up the good work with your channel. I enjoy what you do. Joe.
I’ve thought about getting log trucks before. I would love to get my hands on one but I’m in the same situation. I don’t know many people in the business or anybody local so I’d have a huge delivery bill to have it brought in from over an hour away
Thanks for the comment Adam...This was one of the big leaps I took when buying my first load. I hadn't a clue what I was getting in to! I wasn't sure if I would get huge logs, skinny logs, pine, oak etc. Where I am now my sales are limited by my supply. I know I can sell everything I can get my hands on. I really enjoy your channel btw. You are one of the guys I follow and try to learn as much as I can. Thanks! Joe
Ohio Wood Burner Ltd I have only been doing this as a hobby for probably 3 years now. Honestly you probably have more experience since you are 100% committed full time. I am starting to grow and it is starting to become more and more realistic this could be a full time thing. I just got 2 more bundle locations today for a total of 5. Just sold my 500th bundle in 60 days
@@HometownAcres, Get to know you're local tree service guys. They always need a place to dump wood. Cut up and sell the good stuff and spend $10 on some kerosene to get rid of the brush and junk wood every couple of weeks.
Hometown Acres ask the guy you buy your ICB totes from. If you have any Amish mills near ask who they get logs from too.
Hi Adam,
What are you currently selling each of your bundles for?
This guy let me cut some odds and ends on his property and was so appreciated for it. He had some piles that he was selling and didn't want anyone to cut on them. No problem. He was spelling it by the load for 300 dollars. The trailer was a lowboy for hauling a small dozer. Seems kind of expensive by the time you cut it up and get about a cord for 300 dollars.
That is the same thing I grapple with. After all the labor you put into the logs you still think they are worth way more than what you can sell it for! Joe
First time I've seen your videos in my feed. Very interesting, and you've earned a new sub! Tried to go to your website, Facebook, and insta, with no luck, though! Are the links bad, or is something else going on?
Hi CO... Thanks for watching. I am having server probs with the web site and hope to have it fixed soon. My FB and IG seem ok. Not sure. I will look into them though. Thanks for watching. JOe
Good basic video and gives people something to think about. If this is going to be a business, you really need to understand all your costs and markets very well. Having a processor is easier but those machines are costly to buy and repair, plus you usually have to pair it with a conveyor and someway to load the wood onto it. Also things like fuel costs, what your labor is worth and also you are left with a lot of mess of bark and sawdust etc. that must be delt with. Also competition is a factor. To be honest i do wood myself about 40 cords a year in central newengland with tree service and logging waste. My costs are lower and i have no lack of clients who are more concerned with fair volume, species and price..not buying wood to look pretty on the porch. Therefore i can easily make a profit and undercut others in my area. oh, im not knocking your business model..but definetly a lot of factors to really think about
Thanks Leon. I think most sell wood like that. I used to too. My goal was to be able to make a living selling wood so I made these changes I try to show in my videos. I think we all should do what makes us happy and serves our goals. Still, I think anyone can make more $ per cord just by selling smaller quantities, smaller splits. Even a few cords a year would be a good test to see if you can develop a new market. Thanks for watching Leon. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner Have you ever done demo test burns of your seasoned firewood. What I found is firewood from the store doesn't burn well. I had to find and season my own firewood to get a decent burning fire. My wife doesn't like a smoky fire as it tends to smell up the house. Thanks for your videos!
Hi I am actually a Logger/trucker/Firewood guy from west Wisconsin. Her in WI our trucks usually are called Tri axles, with the 2 dualled drive axles plus the single drop axle, thus three, or Tri axle, plus the front steer. Our loaders are on the rear, so we pull a "Pup" trailer which has 2 axles. Usually we haul 5 to 6 logger cords on the truck, and 5 to 6 cord on the pup. It goes by tons of payload. So with greener Oak, mabe 10 cords per full truck/pup load. If the wood is seasoned for a few months and dried down some, or there is more ash/elm/maple we might get up to 12 cords per load. usually a going rate to pay for delivered F/W up to 50 miles would be about 100$ green, or up to 120$ per cord seasoned. Mostly the wood is free, what U R paying for is the cost of cutting/skidding/processing/trucking the logs. That log truck is actually a Quint, or 5 axles on the rear. If your guy is 6' high x 8' wide x 16' long would B about 6 logger cord. Good F/W vidja.
Thanks Dog, I needed that info! Like I said its an area that I dont have much experience with but I want to learn as much as I can. Stay cool! Joe
So the key to getting best pricing would logically, and it might not be true, but to find the closest supplier so transport costs are least. Also being able to store overflow or at a moments notice like in this video saves the other person money so you get a deal.
so how much was the full load? $100 or 5-600 ($100 per cord?)
This load was...I think...$600. I know I didn't explain that clearly. LOL. Sometimes my mouth runs faster than my brain! Joe
Why didn’t you get the driver to lower and lock the other wheels, so it would reduce the depth of the ruts in your yard?
How are you doing Steve. I guess it never crossed my mind lol! That area of the yard is all clay...it was fill from when we dug the pond. Its pretty hard this time of year but the outriggers still will sink. I take a lot of pride in many things I do by my yard isnt one of them! Lol. I hope you are staying cool. Joe
@@greggbrady5728 Thanks for that Gregg...I just learned something new! You are welcome to the channel anytime buddy! Joe
@@greggbrady5728 Log trucks, cement trucks and milk trucks almost always have 4 way lockers. That means he can lock all four sets of drive tires for traction. OTR semi tractors usually have a two way locker, which locks the axles front to back, allowing power to one set of wheels on each axle.. That truck could definitely have spread the weight by dropping those tags and pushers, especially in flat dry ground.
@@ohiowoodburner Hey Joe, it's a small thing, but that's a 5 axle, not a triaxle. Not a big deal, but a truck with two drive axles with no pushers or tags is a tandem, two drive axles with a tag or pusher is a triaxle. Two pushers or tags is a Quad.
@@greggbrady5728 Technically correct is correct. Those tags and pushers are there to distribute the load over a larger footprint. If they were dropped, they would take some of the load from the steers and drives. If the driver some how did have traction troubles like you claim, he could just lift 'em again. I'm not gonna get into an argument over this, so I'll just back on outta here. Have a good day.
Congratulations on 100 plus subs Joe. Looks like you had some storms yesterday, we need some rain. Stay cool.
Thanks Mark. You have been one of the 1st here and I will always be grateful! We did get some rain but the heavy stuff stayed south. We went on a spontaneous trip to Niagara Falls yesterday and had a nice break. Too hot to make firewood and we didn't have any deliveries on the schedule so...why not? Always take time to smell the roses! Joe
Ohio Wood Burner Ltd 👍
just found this channel Its growing really quick IMO
Not sure where you are but those numbers are way off . A cord is around 3-400. A load of wood brought in by a logger to me for 400 will make 4-5 cords
That sounds about my prices too TNS. I probably didn't explain my self clear. I'm still getting used to being filmed. The tri axle truck holds about 6 cords and it costs me around $600. Joe
So 600 a load and 50 -100 a face cord =900 to 1800
1 cord is 3 facecords
Sub the channel hello from the uk 🇬🇧
Hello Fog! Thanks for the sub. Hello from Ohio USA! Hope all is well with you. Joe
Ohio Wood Burner Ltd all good joe , just enjoy your videos and like what you do
REaly enjoyed your video....I'm not in the firewood business but through the year I've made many a cords of firewood and I can understand the work involved.....I will be watching....CHEERS
Thanks Gator! It's a lot of fun but I feel the strain sometimes! Maybe I should have gotten into pillow dellivery? Nah... Love firewood too much! Joe
I like this guy because he is honest
Thanks for the kind words Joey. I hope to keep the vids coming. It has been a lot of fun. Joe
Just found your video. Have a question(s). Is there a local wood turners club you contact when you get a truckload in? I know beech is and other hardwoods are good to turn (maple, walnut, apple, pear, etc). If I lived nearby I'd be visiting your business!! Again looking forward to new videos!
Hi Rex...thanks for watching. I have no experience with wood working, turning etc. I don't have any contacts in that area. One of the nice things about my business model is I don't have a retail location. All my sales are delivery. This helps with my overhead, labor, insurance and overall fun. I spent 22+ years driving to the same location every day and didn't want to have to do that in my new life! I'm having a blast. Joe
@@ohiowoodburner It's worth looking up woodworking groups and woodturning groups in your area, reaching out to them, and maybe (once COVID is not as bad) attending a few meetings. It is good networking, and woodturners in particular often like green wood, so you may be able to keep an eye out for unique pieces to save for them. Also, woodworking groups would be a good way to meet both potential customers and suppliers... If you can find a guy with a portable saw mill, offer to buy the offcuts from the saw... Might not make the most premium wood, but could be good for kindling.
Similarly, a lot of logs that would be bad to make boards out of (too small, too many branches, crooked logs, interlocked grain, etc) would make okay firewood, and vice versa. If you found a few guys with saw mills you might try asking about logs that they value and offering to do trades.
Finally, if you ever get straight walnut or cherry logs that are pretty big in diameter and not rotten, definitely don't cut those up... With the price of cherry and walnut boards, those logs would be worth saving to barter or sell to the small saw mill guys or woodworkers.
I was thinking the same thing but more along the lines of milling lumber. First thing I think of when I hear "beech" are those Sjobergs workbenches that sell for $1000+. There's a lot of people out there on the hunt for some nice straight grained hardwoods to throw on their bandsaw or even chainsaw mill.
I don't even know where to get some 6/4 & 8/4 hardwood locally. Those bundles that Woodworkerssource sells online are expensive. Walnut is crazy expensive and hard to get, yet I'm looking at a couple walnut trees just out back. They're everywhere around here, there's just no source for lumber
GREAT VIDEO !
Glad you enjoyed it Roger!
Good content....look forward to next one.Best wishes from northern Ireland!
Thanks so much Raymond. You now have a friend in Ohio USA! One of my followers is in Ireland now until he can return home to Georgia USA. I wish you well! Joe
I work for a firewood supplier on a mass production level here in the state of Oregon. We produce quite a few chords every day
That would be pretty cool to see Benjamin. For my gig I did some figuring on how many cords I would need to sell and at what price to pay for the house and keep me in my Dr Pepper habit. I hope my channel shows how an individual can be profitable on a smaller scale. I see myself growing some more but I am not sure if being huge would still be fun. I am more of a wood hick than I am a businessman...It has to be fun for me! I really appreciate your comments and watching our videos. Please subscribe if you haven't yet. I hope you are well out in Oregon! Joe
Chords?
You are a musician too?
You are in the business and can't even spell "cords" properly? Wowsers.
Maybe finish your morning cup of coffee before you start typing. Lol.
That seems to work for me.😀
We bought our 5 here in PA in 1979 there is a big beech tree on the other side of the creek its hollow up to the firsr y maybe 15' probably 24" across. Been like that all this time & still looking good. Patiarch of the forest
The beech is a tough tree for sure. They are very deceptive. You think they will be easy to split like maple but...Nope.. Lol. Joe
Cutoffs. Buy cutoffs. $100.00 for a truck load? I have a beech tree in the yard. It’s a monster. They can live 350 years. The roots grow above the ground under the canopy. It has a lot of wood that’s dead still in the tree. It really needs a good arborist.
Im a new subscriber - think you're doing a great job - these vids are really informative! Thank you for putting these up :-)
Welcome aboard Andy!
Just cut down a beech tree last Sunday to widen a trail. Looking forward to burning that wood once it is seasoned. I personally like how easy it is to split especially since I'm still splitting everything with a splitting maul.
I don't think beech is a bear to split but it can be tough. It is a lot harder to split than maple but nothing like elm. It is not stringy...just tough. I like the aroma...kinda spicy. Thanks Mike! Joe