getting out of logging and going full time into firewood sales!

logman81 · October 21, 2014, 07:44:13 PM

So after much thought I'm getting out of logging and going to do firewood full time. Just to many head aches with trying to find logging jobs and finding truckers to haul my skidder and other reasons. So skidder is up for sale to buy a processor. The market is real good where I am for it more money for me in firewood sales then in logging. It was a tough decision but it is the right one.

brendonv · October 21, 2014, 07:48:29 PM

Was wondering where you went!

brendonv · October 21, 2014, 07:49:46 PM

On the other hand what about a small skidder? Something you can tow with a small truck. A guy called me today looking to trade his garrett 10 for something bigger. You can haul the garrett with a one ton.

Ken · October 21, 2014, 07:59:50 PM

The firewood market is very strong here as well. Many of the firewood processors are having an extremely hard time sourcing wood as they do not have control of the harvesting.

Corley5 · October 21, 2014, 08:12:42 PM

Good Luck.

Dave Shepard · October 21, 2014, 08:30:27 PM

So you are going to just buy log length delivered to your yard? I think they're getting about $800 a triaxle around here these days.

Firewoodjoe · October 21, 2014, 09:30:55 PM

I wish u luck but im in the firewood business and it's hard to make it buying your wood already produced by somone else.

NWP · October 21, 2014, 11:53:22 PM

I've done it the way you're going to try for a long time. Your at the mercy of the logger. The firewood guy is the lowest on the log food chain. You're the last to get loads. Veneer, sawlog, and pallet all come first. I would seriously consider keeping logging to have a good supply of firewood logs and cash flow from sawlogs. That's what I'm starting to do now just to try and secure a more steady and economical source of firewood logs.

Thewoodman · October 22, 2014, 03:20:50 AM

Keep your skidder and loader. Look for trees that are a pain in the ass for the local farmers and log those.

Some times you just need to think out side the squire.

Gary_C · October 22, 2014, 04:22:27 AM

Keep your logging options open.

red oaks lumber · October 22, 2014, 06:04:09 AM

around here the pulp mills and pellet mills are paying $125 cord, pretty hard to compete for wood at that price. a couple big firewood guys have no wood ;) i'm not sure i would shut the door on logging just yet. maybe re adjust your whole operation with more emphasis on firewood. good luck .. tough desicion

Peter Drouin · October 22, 2014, 06:32:08 AM

Here, firewood guys have a hard time to get wood. And if you get it you pay through the nose for it. Hardwood pulp is up big time.

s grinder · October 22, 2014, 12:35:01 PM

logman81,Why not start a small tree service company like brendonv has?My friend has one and does very well,works with his nephew,gets payed to haul away the wood, plus sells firewood

logman81 · October 22, 2014, 01:05:32 PM

Thank guys for the input. I have my ming pretty much made up about it. There is not enough logging jobs for me to continue working in the woods. I can't afford the cost any more involved with logging plus after having a close call with a large spring pole the wife says she doesn't want to be a widow! I have enough customers to make it work and I'm currently lining up several tree length suppliers. I also plan to get back into the bundle wood business for several local retail stores. I can always get a small skidder later on and cut firewood lots.

Joe Hillmann · October 22, 2014, 01:57:56 PM

Keep in mind firewood may have boom and bust cycles and around here at least it is booming but that could change next year.

Around here last winter was extra harsh and long. People were running out of firewood in February that normally would have lasted all winter. That caused prices to rise and many people to start selling wood. Now people are stalking up for another harsh winter which has kept prices up. If this coming winter is normal there is a good chance that firewood prices will drop for next year since people will have a lot left over from this winter and sellers may figure it is better sell the wood they have at little to no profit to get some cash flow rather than keep there price high and not sell any.

beenthere · October 22, 2014, 02:09:42 PM

That is a good point Joe.

I'm just reading about the big boom (and huge investments) in LNG (liquid natural gas) that is happening in the shipping industry (huge transporting ships and huge LNG ports) around the world, that may be nixed because oil prices are dropping so fast now that they cannot compete or continue to risk investing big bucks.

That cheaper oil price will also affect the fuelwood market, I'd think.

Corley5 · October 22, 2014, 05:45:27 PM

Natural gas is cheap enough that I'd burn it if it was available to me and I'm in the firewood business.
Be careful about putting all your eggs in one basket. Being diverse is good.

David-L · October 22, 2014, 08:24:43 PM

I would stay diversified, A lot of firewood lots I get have a small saw log in the butt and 2nd log of some trees. Added value. firewood will always have it's up's and downs for sure but I do understand the part about getting lots can be tough sometimes. I would look at a smaller skidder and get the lots that are undesirable to the big operators. TSI work can be slow and tedious but you usually end up with plenty of firewood. There are alot of guys right now who cant' even get round wood loads, and are scratching there heads. Good luck and hope it works for you.

logman81 · October 22, 2014, 08:30:45 PM

Well I've been doing some thinking and think i might get a good wood splitter and conveyor instead of a processor. I think that would be better as i wouldnwouldn't have to be as fussy with the type of wood and would be more portable should need to move it. Might think about a small skidder that i could move my self behind my one ton. Will see what happens it the next few days as i may have a buyer for the skidder.

Thewoodman · October 23, 2014, 12:49:03 AM

Has any one got a pic of these small skidders? are we talking Clark 664's?

David-L · October 23, 2014, 06:25:33 AM

Yes, 440's, 230's, 664's those smaller machines with a 8 foot width or so. Oh I forgot C-4's ,132 franklins, 405's and the list go's on. These machines are small an economical to run most of the time.

David l

logman81 · October 23, 2014, 07:18:04 AM

yeah im thinking just down size and get a small enough skidder that can be towed with my pick up and get a nice wood splitter/conveyor combo. I dont mind doing tsi work i kind of like doing it and it does produced some nice firewood. i Do know of a mini skidder that a guy might be willing to sell, its a gafner skidder about the size of a garret 10.

timberlinetree · October 26, 2014, 04:14:55 AM

In our operation firewood is the most involved and makes the least. But has helped pay the bills.

glassman_48 · October 26, 2014, 08:32:36 AM

logman81,
My processor has a 14' attached conveyor, most of the work I do with my processor is mobile processing I cannot get a good enough price on pulpwood to make enough profit that way. We also do some firewood bundles (ask corley5 says bundles suck

) We would have to get up to $125.00 a face cord to make it worth while at firewood and our area will not support those prices. I am 61 years old so my days of going out into the woods are over too. good luck,,,,,,,Ed

Nate379 · November 24, 2014, 10:28:33 AM

SINNER! :D

I have natural gas at the house, don't use it for heat aide from backup since it costs too much. I can heat with wood for many years to equal the costs of 1 winter of heating with gas.

Quote from: Corley5 on October 22, 2014, 05:45:27 PM
Natural gas is cheap enough that I'd burn it if it was available to me and I'm in the firewood business.