Lorry load of logs. What kind? How much?

superdextaa

Hi everyone.
If any of my questions are answered already just direct me to the link. Thanks

I have a thriving little turf business selling bags mainly into supermarkets etc. I'm looking to diversify into logs also, and with the threat of the banning turf cutting it might be a good idea for the future to get into logs. I have a few guaranteed customers to get me running. I'm looking to get organised early in the year and over the summer.

My questions are, who do I contact for wood?
What kind of wood am I looking for?
How much (roughly) is the cost for a load?
What size is the load?
How many 20-25kg bags would be in a load or what weight (roughly) is in a load?

If anyone could help with some of these questions or even impart whatever knowledge they have it would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to pm me if it suits.

Ps I already have my own log splitter.

yourpics

superdextaa wrote: »

Hi everyone.
If any of my questions are answered already just direct me to the link. Thanks

I have a thriving little turf business selling bags mainly into supermarkets etc. I'm looking to diversify into logs also, and with the threat of the banning turf cutting it might be a good idea for the future to get into logs. I have a few guaranteed customers to get me running. I'm looking to get organised early in the year and over the summer.

My questions are, who do I contact for wood?
What kind of wood am I looking for?
How much (roughly) is the cost for a load?
What size is the load?
How many 20-25kg bags would be in a load or what weight (roughly) is in a load?

If anyone could help with some of these questions or even impart whatever knowledge they have it would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to pm me if it suits.

Ps I already have my own log splitter.

PM sent

simx

yourpics wrote: »

PM sent

will you pm me too please:)

Chevy RV

Hello All,

Could i please also get these details as i am starting this type of business in Tipperary area.



Thanks,


Chevy RV

noddyone2

Just a short bit of advice: If you're getting forestry logs - spruce, fir etc. make sure they've been dried for a year ideally. If fresh, they just will not burn - bad for biz. All stove makers insist that dry wood be used, or there will be issues with pipes rusting, creosote build-up in pipes etc. Ash will burn wet or dry. Make sure replacement trees are planted. Best wishes.

yourpics

noddyone2 wrote: »

Just a short bit of advice: If you're getting forestry logs - spruce, fir etc. make sure they've been dried for a year ideally. If fresh, they just will not burn - bad for biz. All stove makers insist that dry wood be used, or there will be issues with pipes rusting, creosote build-up in pipes etc. Ash will burn wet or dry. Make sure replacement trees are planted. Best wishes.

Some good advice here, they need to be well seasoned and you need the space to store even timber to keep the rotation going so that you have a constant supply of seasoned timber.

superdextaa

yourpics wrote: »

noddyone2 wrote: »

Just a short bit of advice: If you're getting forestry logs - spruce, fir etc. make sure they've been dried for a year ideally. If fresh, they just will not burn - bad for biz. All stove makers insist that dry wood be used, or there will be issues with pipes rusting, creosote build-up in pipes etc. Ash will burn wet or dry. Make sure replacement trees are planted. Best wishes.

Some good advice here, they need to be well seasoned and you need the space to store even timber to keep the rotation going so that you have a constant supply of seasoned timber.

I hear ya. It means tho buying an extra load or two to get ahead. I've plenty of space so that's not an issue. Sooner I get started the better

superdextaa

Thanks for the advice. I still need some info on buying logs and ballpark prices. What kinda numbers of bags a load will get ok?

Thanks

Fiskar

superdextaa wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I still need some info on buying logs and ballpark prices. What kinda numbers of bags a load will get ok?

Thanks

Bags are different sizes, I would look for the amount in cubic metres from a standard artic delivery which should be 52cubic metres approx fully loaded. Probably 35cubic metres when cut allowing for stacking spacing and saw cut waste.

superdextaa

Fiskar wrote: »

superdextaa wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I still need some info on buying logs and ballpark prices. What kinda numbers of bags a load will get ok?

Thanks

Bags are different sizes, I would look for the amount in cubic metres from a standard artic delivery which should be 52cubic metres approx fully loaded. Probably 35cubic metres when cut allowing for stacking spacing and saw cut waste.

I use 25kg bags. But I know this is a tough question to ask. Basically was wondering how much a bag roughly works out at cost To me.

Thanks

O.A.P

Keep your turf business going as long as you can and forget timber.
I have both and turf is much easier to sell because an awful lot of lads off the sites have the same plan.
Ash is what you need or well seasoned birch or beech. That can be got off the the forestry but its not cheap and by the time you add your labour your on minimum wage if you sell it.
Its only viable when its your own timber same as the turf

yourpics

superdextaa wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I still need some info on buying logs and ballpark prices. What kinda numbers of bags a load will get ok?

Thanks

I gave you that info! Re-read the PM!

Wild Bill

yourpics wrote: »

I gave you that info! Re-read the PM!

Whatever he offered you I''ll beat it by 50c/m3

greenfingers89

Fiskar wrote: »

Bags are different sizes, I would look for the amount in cubic metres from a standard artic delivery which should be 52cubic metres approx fully loaded. Probably 35cubic metres when cut allowing for stacking spacing and saw cut waste.

artic loads are generally 30-35m3 "solid". as regards when its blocked and split the amount increases greatly, not decreases like said above. 30m3 solid would be anything from 40-50m3 "loose"..... theres far more space between blocked timber than stacked full length logs

yourpics

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/firewood-forum/

Great forum

sasol

Folks - a quick question, that you may be able to answer for me.

Approx how many bags (fertilizer bag size) of timber would you get from a cubic meter sack ?

Wild Bill

You'd get about 0.65m3 of firewood so that would be....eh.....loads of bags :cool:

ianblyth

just found this thread.. interested in prices for lorry loads..... softwood and hardwood.. process myself

vibes23

yourpics wrote: »

PM sent

And ME!!!

betonit

vibes23 wrote: »

And ME!!!

can you me please, thanks

betonit

i see an offer of 10cubic m of split logs for €500. I can store it, and have a multi-fuel stove with back boiler & oil. Is it good value, how would it equate to €500 of oil?

Agent_47

Betonit,
Very rough guide is that the wood per kg is 1/2 the heat value of oil. Cannot compare costs, but a tonne of fully seasoned logs roughly equates to 500 litres of oil.

The_Conductor

And it depends on what sort of wood it is, how well its seasoned and its BTU rating. Spruce or any of the lesser dense wood, make very poor firelogs, even if you season them for the prescribed 2 years.

The British Forestry Commission have a very interesting booklet on this.

betonit

Agent_47 wrote: »

Betonit,
Very rough guide is that the wood per kg is 1/2 the heat value of oil. Cannot compare costs, but a tonne of fully seasoned logs roughly equates to 500 litres of oil.

thanks for the reply... i suppose the to maek real savings you need to source the wood and process yourself

Agent_47

betonit wrote: »

thanks for the reply... i suppose the to maek real savings you need to source the wood and process yourself

Exactly, you get better heat output on stoves with back boilers heating with coal. I use a stove for space heating and wood is suffice. What wood I get is scronged and I supplement with coal.

Jack180570

betonit wrote: »

i see an offer of 10cubic m of split logs for €500. I can store it, and have a multi-fuel stove with back boiler & oil. Is it good value, how would it equate to €500 of oil?

I see that the Donegal Woodland Owners Society Ltd are selling trailer loads of split logs 'Trailer load (3.0 x 1.17 x 1.62 = 5.9 dumped volume) €280'.
Now I know if you do the math it comes out closer to 5.7m3 but im assuming the extra 0.2m3 is to account for the clamp on top... Anyway this gives us a price of €47.50m3 or €475 for a 10m3 load... not sure if its good or bad value but at least its a comparison for you...
Donegal Woodland Owners Society Ltd was set up by, among others, John Jackson who was the head of the IFA Forestry Section and he has done a huge amount of good work for forestry in Ireland. I know him personally for a good number of years and would say that he is 100% honest and a man of integrity.
Hope this helps

Jack180570

smccarrick wrote: »

And it depends on what sort of wood it is, how well its seasoned and its BTU rating. Spruce or any of the lesser dense wood, make very poor firelogs, even if you season them for the prescribed 2 years.

The British Forestry Commission have a very interesting booklet on this.

Agent 47's point, which i think your reply is related to, is valid irrespective of whether the firewood is softwood or hardwood as it measures the the logs by weight rather than volume and all species have largely the same heat value per KG at the same moisture content irrespective of whether its hardwood or softwood. By volume, hardwood can contain 1.5 to 2 times the heat value of softwood.

I have found from experience that well seasoned for two years down to around 20% MC burn extremely well in the stove. I think a lot of people are unfairly negative towards spruce.

Oldtree

from here:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/eng-yh-carbontrust-biomass-09.pdf/$FILE/eng-yh-carbontrust-biomass-09.pdf

Some of the sitka I've cut down was very dense and my saw had difficulty cutting it compared even to oak, maby it should be reclassified as a hardwood.

nigelm485

nigelm485

Hi can i get these details on lorry loads of timber

yourpics

Ok here is what I PM'ed to others, save everyone sending me PM's!!!

I know a fella that splits logs for firewood. A good straight load of timber gives him 1000 fertiliser bags filled to the lip. A load costs him 700-800. He sells the bags for 2 euro each so that is 2000. He would easily have a profit of 1000 allowing for other expenses etc.
I think he could easily sell for 2.50 euro a bag and increase his profit.
The key is a straight load, not one were a pile of logs are bent and you end up getting less.

He has a splitter, cost him 10K so obviously this has to be paid or before any real profit is made.

A load is usually measured by volume of timber as opposed to weight as the timber will be heavier anyway if wet

Jack180570

yourpics wrote: »

Ok here is what I PM'ed to others, save everyone sending me PM's!!!

I know a fella that splits logs for firewood. A good straight load of timber gives him 1000 fertiliser bags filled to the lip. A load costs him 700-800. He sells the bags for 2 euro each so that is 2000. He would easily have a profit of 1000 allowing for other expenses etc.
I think he could easily sell for 2.50 euro a bag and increase his profit.
The key is a straight load, not one were a pile of logs are bent and you end up getting less.

He has a splitter, cost him 10K so obviously this has to be paid or before any real profit is made.

A load is usually measured by volume of timber as opposed to weight as the timber will be heavier anyway if wet

It's amusing for someone like me who cuts, dries, processes and sells firewood,
to read 'advice' and 'facts' from someone who doesn't.
For other people reading this thread who might fairly assume that you know what you are talking about, its downright misleading.
You have not specified what size your 'load' of timber is... m3 or tons?
Is it wet or dry and if dry what moisture content? Wet or dry basis?
What species is the timber and what basic density is it?

Qualitymark

smccarrick wrote: »

The British Forestry Commission have a very interesting booklet on this.

Is there a PDF online? Link?

By the way, this talk of 'logs' - there's logs and there's logs. I wouldn't put softwood into my stove - burns like a rocket, consumed too fast, cacks up the chimney. Only hardwoods like beech or ash.

Jack180570

Qualitymark wrote: »

Is there a PDF online? Link?

By the way, this talk of 'logs' - there's logs and there's logs. I wouldn't put softwood into my stove - burns like a rocket, consumed too fast, cacks up the chimney. Only hardwoods like beech or ash.qualitymark...

I'm delighted that you find woods good fuel for your stove. Im not sure what you mean when you say that you find softwoods 'cacks' up the chimney? you might elaborate when you get a chance, thanks.

I burn only softwoods in my stove and find it brilliant. Great heat, perfectly clean glass and firebox, only have to clean out the ashes every two weeks. Controllable heat by correct adjustment of primary and secondary air. Economical. In fairness its an 8-9kw hi efficiency dry insert stove and would not have been a cheap one. I come down in the morning and the house is still warm and cosy from the night before.

I totally agree with you when you say that there are logs and there are logs.

Jack180570

smccarrick wrote: »

And it depends on what sort of wood it is, how well its seasoned and its BTU rating. Spruce or any of the lesser dense wood, make very poor firelogs, even if you season them for the prescribed 2 years.

The British Forestry Commission have a very interesting booklet on this.

I would love to see the BFC booklet you refer to and would appreciate it if you could post the link here.

Regarding your negative feedback on spruce I am curious to know what exactly it is about well seasoned spruce that causes you to say that they 'make very poor firelogs'?

tabby aspreme

I'm burning spruce and elder at the moment, the spruce lasts about 3 hours compared to 4 hours for whitethorn/ash/beech or other hardwoods, it burns very cleanly the inside of the stove has a slight coat of brown dust when it goes out no black anywhere.
the stove is an Invicta rated for 78/80% efficiency 14 kw output wood burning only , l think the efficiency of the stove is often overlooked and too much emphasis put on the type of wood burned, every type of wood burns well even the dreaded lelandi.

Qualitymark

Until smccarrick comes back to us with the name of the British Forestry lads' booklet, here's their FAQ, which is excellent: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-839EC6

Jack180570

tabby aspreme wrote: »

I'm burning spruce and elder at the moment, the spruce lasts about 3 hours compared to 4 hours for whitethorn/ash/beech or other hardwoods, it burns very cleanly the inside of the stove has a slight coat of brown dust when it goes out no black anywhere.
the stove is an Invicta rated for 78/80% efficiency 14 kw output wood burning only , l think the efficiency of the stove is often overlooked and too much emphasis put on the type of wood burned, every type of wood burns well even the dreaded lelandi.

That's good feedback, thank you. Generally the big issue with stove performance relates to the moisture content of the firewood, primarily because 'dry' firewood has up to twice the heat value of wet firewood and in addition, wet firewood causes problems with the stove and flue.

I am not sure what the variation in efficiency is between stoves. I understand that the old stoves are around 50% efficient whereas the new generation of modern stoves being sold now are between 75 and 80% efficient?

Relaxing on the couch watching the news and enjoying the heat and view of the Boru 500i stove with glowingly red spruce logs ;-)

Viper1424

Please could some one pm me info on this please

periodictable

sasol wrote: »

Folks - a quick question, that you may be able to answer for me.

Approx how many bags (fertilizer bag size) of timber would you get from a cubic meter sack ?

25-30 bags

NialMurf

Does any1 knw prices of artic lorry loads of timber northern ireland??

bjk210

I am interested in buying a load of unseasoned logs. Would consider most types of wood. The Coillte loads are too big for my yard so a load half or a third of the size of those loads would suit me.

Effects

Thanks for letting us know your interest.