dave1949
Super Star Member
I hear ya. Today, I'd buy or build a firewood processor in a heartbeat.
But back when I was much younger, I put myself thru college with the GI bill and selling firewood just that way. It was the 'energy crisis' of the 70's and you could really sell firewood at the time. I bought an old rust bucket '59 Chevy pickup, installed a new short block engine, built a wood flat bed on the back that could hold good 1/2 cord, and peddled one load every afternoon after classes, 2 loads on Saturdays, door-to-door for $25/load.
Started with an old Homelite XL-12 inherited from family, soon bought my first Sthil....041 Farm Boss...and paid for the saw in 2 weeks ! I cleaned up laps from timber sales on the National Forest and had an unlimited supply. Did it for 2 years nearly every day the weather would co-operate.
Wife had a job as a pharmacy clerk, and we actually lived pretty good ! Didn't have to borrow a dime for school, boy, THOSE were the days !
Yep, those were the days. College costs have outpaced firewood prices unfortunately.
I don't know how to figure the amortization of a processor, or how many cords of standing timber is needed to justify one. They aren't cheap and once committed to buying one you have to put the wood through them or have an expensive barn ornament. On the other hand, already having a tractor provides the tools to handle log lengths.
A tractor, stand alone splitter and decent chain saw is probably the sweet spot for a one-time, weekend warrior clearing of small ?? acreage.