Firewood Cutting Time Again (pic heavy)

[Timberline]

Dh and his partner are cutting firewood again with the wood processor. I thought some of you might find it interesting. I like to sit and watch. The machine sure makes a big job much easier, as dh says, "Hydraulic power is GOOD!" The machine processes a cord an hour, they are cutting 10 cords in a day (just 2 days a week since they both have other jobs).

Editing to add: this is part of our income, some of the first posters seemed to think this is just for our wood supply, I wasn't clear about it. Around here with the economy the way it is, it's not what you do for a living, but how many things you do. Just wanted to clear that up. This equipment would be way too expensive to justify using for just a few cords a year.

Winching a log in.


Here's the guillotine blade that cuts the logs.


Here it is making the cut.


As the log is moved forward, it shoves the cut piece through the splitter bars.


More wood coming through pushes the split wood into the bottom of the conveyor.


Up the conveyor it goes.


Where it drops into the dump trailer (or onto a stack). Dh's dump trailer holds 2 cords.


My house will be warm and the cookstove going all winter.

[kirkmcquest]

I often wonder what the cost of fuel, maintenance, and purchase price is for those machines, and whether it negates any benefit of burning wood instead of oil or propane.

[FarmboyBill]

Dang, Whats something like that cost. ? Looks like it only takes around 16/18in dia logs tho, Bet its nice and quiet. Tho likely quieter than my buzz saw. I aint cutting any wood till Oct I hope

[Forerunner]

I often figure..... it's all fun while it lasts, but I keep in practice with an axe, maul and wedges.

[mamita]

oh goodness, that's sweet machinery. BUT..looks a little big for our world. love the pics, tho!

[homesteadingman]

Glad you all can do something like that. I use a good ole' axe and splitting maul. I also cut 2 cord a week from Memorial day weekend to labor day weekend for selling campwood to tourists. This will be the first year I do my own wood (hopefully).

[Timberline]

Originally Posted by kirkmcquest

I often wonder what the cost of fuel, maintenance, and purchase price is for those machines, and whether it negates any benefit of burning wood instead of oil or propane.

It wouldn't be, if they didn't cut a lot to sell. That income going into winter really helps.

[Timberline]

Originally Posted by Forerunner

I often figure..... it's all fun while it lasts, but I keep in practice with an axe, maul and wedges.

Oh yes, we have and use those, too.

[Timberline]

Originally Posted by FarmBoyBill

Dang, Whats something like that cost. ? Looks like it only takes around 16/18in dia logs tho, Bet its nice and quiet. Tho likely quieter than my buzz saw. I aint cutting any wood till Oct I hope

He bought it used and 10 years old. It still works good. The cost of new ones is staggering. It's actually not as loud as you might think, though the diesel engine is noisy.

[Vickie44]

Thats really neat . I felt special just having a borrowed gas splitter ! How many cords do you keep for yourself ? Where do the logs come from?

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I love those things! First time I have ever seen a guillotine bucker. I wonder if it would work in harder wood than pine? Do they truck it around and cut for folks on site, or do people bring their logs in to have them cut?

[Timberline]

Thanks, Vickie. We usually burn 5 cords a year, and keep a few years' worth around. They buy the logs from a local logging company.

Matthew, I don't know how it would work in hardwoods. We used it for pine, aspen and cottonwood. It doesn't like real dry, dead wood, that pretty much explodes rather than cuts.

Dh and his partner cut and sell their own wood. The friend we bought it from used to take it to different places and cut people's wood for them. They may do that in the future, but neither has the time right now.

[salmonslayer91]

DANG i remember cuting a years worth of wood with a chainsaw axe and wedge this makes short work of what used to be a longs days work!

[elkhound]

i love it !!!!! thanks for sharing pic's !!!!!!

[Roadking]

Love it! However, my maul and my ash trees are my main source of exercise..if you don't count the gardens, lawn (getting smaller), two young kids and restoring old cars...
That machine would make me get lazy...LOL!
Matt

[big rockpile]

We cut up on BLM land and mixed Coal in with it.Got a Permit for so many Cord but nobody ever paid attention to how much they cut.

big rockpile

[TNHermit]

Just think how much better it would be if the rescinded the stupid anti logging rules. And a lot less fires. Any hope that could happen there. Sure seems like people would be wising up

[FarmboyBill]

SSIf you cut up a years worth of wood in one long day. I think you oughta change your nic to Paul Bunyon lol

[salmonslayer91]

Originally Posted by farmboybill

ssif you cut up a years worth of wood in one long day. I think you oughta change your nic to paul bunyon lol

like*

[Cascade Failure]

Originally Posted by Forerunner

I often figure..... it's all fun while it lasts, but I keep in practice with an axe, maul and wedges.

Yup, I love my saw and splitter but I have made sure I can keep my family warm if I can't run them.