How to build a successful Firewood Business : simplebooklet.com

Introduction Are you interested in starting a firewood operation or do you consider the upgrade from a splitter towards a full featured firewood processor or usefull tips for your current firewood operation Then this guide is for you Here at Hakki Pilke we have over four decades of experience with firewood processing and the workings of the industry Getting a firewood operation up to speed might seem like a daunting task at first but we are here to help We hope this guidebook will answer many questions you 1 In the first section we take a look at all the features and variables that you need to consider when you are getting started and choosing the right processor for your needs We also cover the reasons for making the jump from a splitter to a processor might have concerning firewood processors and the best methods for producing highquality firewood for your clients Whether you re just getting started or aiming to develop your firewood operation further we hope this guide gives you valuable insight on the things you need to take into account when planning your operation We ve divided this guide into four sections 1 Getting started 2 Before processing 3 During processing 4 After processing 2 Pages 3 5 3 We then in third section discuss firewood processor features that come in handy during processing In this chapter we touch upon user ergonomics and safety chainsaw maintenance and distribution of work Pages 8 9 2 2 The second section covers things you need to know before you start processing firewood We shed light on how to sort and feed the logs into your processor We also discuss the importance of choosing the right log deck for your operation Pages 6 7 4 Lastly in the fourth section we take a look at what you need to do to your firewood after processing storing drying and packaging Also included are ideas on how to sell and market your firewood product Pages 10 11

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1 GETTING STARTED How to choose the right firewood processor When you are planning to start a firewood operation or you are considering to make the jump from a splitter towards a full featured firewood processor you want to make sure you choose the firewood processor that fits your needs There are tons of options in the market for efficient firewood processing It s easy to get lost in all the features styles and sizes of processors when looking for just the right machine for your operation Make sure you consider at least these key points 1 The size of your operation 2 Average diameter of logs With a large operation the professional features as a large live deck are the ones to pay attention to With smaller operation more important are features such as fast set up and ease of use Make sure to choose an appropriately sized processor for your logs Measure the average size of your logs and pick a model that is one or two sizes larger to accommodate most logs 3 Productivity 4 Operating costs Firewood processor productivity relies on efficient handling of logs smooth material flow and user ergonomics For example the smart operating systems prevent unnecessary breaks and human errors that cause down time Pay attention to the maintenance need and serviceability Remember that for example advanced hydraulic designs make for low fuel costs and reliable electrically controlled systems are durable 5 Safety 6 The resale value of the processor Remember to check the manual for built in safety features and maintenance requirements to avoid any problems with the machine in the long run Make sure that the safety conditions and CE mark are in especially if the machine is used by someone else such as an employee 3 Remember to consider also the resale value for the processor This leaves you roomfor upgrading your to a larger model later on as your business grows 3

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A Firewood Processor with a circular saw or a chainsaw When buying a firewood processor many are pondering one question which one is better a circular saw or a chainsaw Both have their pros and cons but here are some things to consider when making the desiccion With a circular saw the sharpening interval is longer and you don t need chain oil for the maintenance On the other hand changing and sharpening the cutting blade is slower and more expensive Many circular saw processors use V belts to rotate the blade and therefore they contain wearing parts for the transmission Chainsaw machines do not have these wearing parts because the hydraulic pump is connected directly to the power source Firewood processors with a chainsaw are considerably smaller in size than the machines with a circular saw They have a larger wood diameter than circular saw machines of the same size Furthermore large circular saw machines 30 cm are more expensive to manufacture and thus sales prices are higher compared to a chainsaw of the same size One of the best features of firewood processor with chainsaw is that the firewood processor and the chainsaw have the same chain and chain bar and these can be varied when needed It is common misconception to think that circular saw is more dangerous Modern circular saw firewood processors are safe to use as they follow the EU safety regulations Make sure the machine has the CE mark to ensure a good level of safety no matter if it is equipped with a circular saw or with a chainsaw It may seem circular saw produces less sawdust than a chainsaw This is however not the case Sawdust from the circular saw machine is just very dense whereas sawdust from a chainsaw machine is fluffier There are quality TCT blade available for the firewood processors with a chainsaw A chainsaw quieter you can sharpen yourself chainsaw chain is cheaper to renew and change TCT chains available cuts bigger wood diameter with the same size machine electric processor needs less power electric processor works in cold weather without problems A circular saw 4 longer sharpening interval cutting does not need lubrication oil

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How to Start a Firewood Business Find a reliable supply of logs Source your logs from multiple suppliers to ensure that you will always have logs available This also enables you to source different kinds of logs for varying firewood orders helping you grow your business towards new segments Understand your customers Why do people burn firewood in your area Which firewood sizes they prefer Studying the needs of your customers is crucial for meeting these demands and planning your firewood production accordingly When is the right time to invest in a firewood processor The modern firewood processors are not only for big businesses but can be a huge help for anyone When the production volume starts to be above 100 cubic meters or when your business is growing and you are ready to take the next step it is definitely a time to think about investing into a more efficient firewood processor or to make the jump from a splitter to a processor This will take the next step to increase your volume of firewood it is a time to change a log splitter to an efficient firewood processor avoid excess manual labor Modern saw machines are incredibly efficient compared to a chainsaw This means that the work of cutting the logs separately is completely eliminated increase productivity of your operation increase the volume of firewood When The firewood processor helps you to make the your business is growing and you are ready to process easier faster and more ergonomic CUSTOMER STORY SPLINTA S FIREWOOD Hakki Pilke customer Splinta s Firewood from New Zealand made 150 m3 of wood 40 cord in a year with small splitter When they decided to purchase Hakki Pilke 43 Pro it helped them to increase their volume to 450 m3 of wood 125 cord 5 5

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2 BEFORE YOU START PROCESSING FIREWOOD What to look for in a Splitting Wedge Professionally welded splitting wedges with highest material quality will last for years and split logs with minimal force while keeping the splitting cycles low and firewood quality high Look for a splitting wedge with sharp knives and industrial quality steel for longterm durability firewood for bundles and restaurants Larger logs require at least a 12 or 16 way splitting wedge to avoid time consuming re splitting If your logs vary in diameter sort the logs before processing to split small logs with an 8 or 12 way wedge to restaurant and bundle firewood Process the larger logs A splitting wedge with thick knives and wide to another pile for customers looking angles requires considerable force to split for larger sized firewood for heating the wood Higher splitting power translates to longer splitting cycles of over four or six There also solutions avaible where seconds which decreases the productivity of system measures the diameter of each the processor Additionally high force and log and adjust the splitting blade height too wide splitting angles force the wood to accordingly to get the optimal result For tear apart instead of splitting which causes example the innovative HakkiMultiBlade has more debris and results in lower quality automatic splitting blade control and you produce can split the log into 24 pieces and easily change to 8 parts in seconds This ensures If you can source logs that are mostly under consistent high quality firewood even when 12 in diameter you can use a 6 or 8 way the diameter of the logs varies splitting wedge to make small enough TIP 6 Keep a couple of different sized splitting wedges at hand to maintain constant firewood size even when log sizes vary Customers are willing to pay higher prices for not having to deal with large chunks among nicely split firewood that might not fit into or burn efficiently in their wood stoves

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The Importance of log deck A poorly designed log deck results in tedious and labor intensive firewood processing The log deck is arguably one of the most important features in a firewood processor and a key ingredient in streamlining your process Without a log deck it is impossible to unlock the full potential of your firewood processor Home built log decks tend to lack the most essential features required for high productivity and user ergonomics The three main features of a well built log deck are 1 A large loading space for maximun efficiency higher productivity and smaller labor costs A log deck that requires frequent filling consumes time and increases labor costs A solutions that allows logs to be piled in several layers helps save time as it requires less frequent filling of the deck and minimizes the amount of production pauses operating the deck and separate logs with a joystick without having to step away from the processor 3 Excellent Infeeding Capabilities Knotty and curved logs might get stuck in a conventional infeeding chain and infeeding grapples are slow to use Hakki Pilke log decks feature a durable design that is well suited for large and heavy logs Three infeed rollers 2 Log separator and dispenser features that are synchronized with the processor s own infeed conveyor allow the processing of for full control of your logs long poles This confirms delay free infeeding Accidental infeeding of multiple logs causes capabilities for long knotty and curved logs production breaks Hakki Pilke processors are designed with features that allow for TIP 7 Keep a couple of different sized splitting wedges at hand to maintain constant firewood size even when log sizes vary Customers are willing to pay higher prices for not having to deal with large chunks among nicely split firewood that might not fit into or burn efficiently in their wood stoves 7

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3 DURING PROCESSING What makes A Firewood Processor Safe and Ergonomic A firewood processor with inadequate guarding and poor safety measures can lead to very serious accidents Always make sure to check and study the safety features when purchasing a splitter or firewood processor to avoid potential danger to you or your workers Ergonomics are also a key factor in preventing workplace injuries Unergonomic designs and working positions are the most common causes for long term damage An ergonomic firewood processor features Smartly designed joysticks that give the operator full control while retaining precision cutting and splitting Semi automated features to reduce delays in the cutting and splitting cycle A simple user interface for minimizing human errors Electric or PTO powered model firewood processor 8 8 THREE reasons for buying an electric combi model THREE reasons for buying a PTO powered model Low operating costs and high resale value Highly portable with three point hitch Compact machine with clean working Less expensive to purchase compared to the environment electric and engine models Quietness and environmental friendliness Great for seasonal use

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Good maintenance will ensure your processor serves you the years to come Taking good care of your chain and chain bar ensures that your processor will serve you for years to come and the chain sprocket wears faster In heavy use the chain is recommended to be changed daily Regular maintenance of the chainsaw chain and chain bar is important for maintaining a high standard of firewood quality and maximizing the lifespan of your firewood processor Hakki Pilke firewood processors minimal need for service equals less downtime and more firewood processing Using a dull saw chain can cause a variety of problems the machine heats up the chain bar heats and wears the saw slows down and more time is needed to cut Automatic chain tensioner increases the life of the chain AND QUIDE BAR Tungsten carbide tip TCT chain is has longer service intervals Hakki Pilke Pro series firewood processors feature TCT chain available for the chainsaw where the our highly efficient and patented AC 10 automatic carbide tips are soldered in the same way as in a chain tensoner that keeps the chain in optimal circular saw blade With the chainsaw also the TCT tension at all times preventing breakage and chain can be sharpened at home with a dedicated loosening orrect chain tension greatly increases file or with TCT grinding wheel The TCT chain is the the useful life of the chain and guide bar and best option with sandy and dirty logs Although the improves cutting speed sawing is generally faster with normal chain if the logs are clean if you need to change the chain frequently 9 The hydraulic chain tensioner doesn t require any TCT is faster because it stays sharp longer Therefore manual tensioning and allows you to replace your it has long service intervals and last longer periods of chain in less than 40 seconds time than normal chains 9

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4 after PROCESSING Get dry and clean firewood efficiently Cleaner firewood helps to reach high profir margins Most of the modern firewood processors come with some kind of cleaning system to start with If you are producing large quantities of firewood there are many cleaning equipment on the market designed especially for that They are usually tumbler style cleaners or have vibrating parts to separate the debris Drying your firewood as quickly as possible speeds up the entire production process When you consider the method for drying your firewood you should consider both the amount of firewood you produce and your customer needs Investing in artificial drying is a good choice if you produce firewood professionally need a shorter circulation time for your firewood or if your customers have special requirements Firewood bags minimizes both the firewood drying time and the handling required Store your firewood more efficiently in durable and reusable bags Lift them on your customer s truck or yard with ease using a grapple or skid steer Most bags are made of highly breathable The artificial drying methods speed up the drying process truck bed In some countries firewood can be sold with a better price if it is marked hot kiln treated Offers flexibility to produce any length of firewood by the order despite the time of the year Clean debris free pick up for your customer no need to clean the yard or Possible to make dry firewood all year round and achieve lower stock levels material for quick and easy drying For example a kiln dryer or an air dryer is used to The natural drying method Works relatively good when the weather conditions are correct enough wind and sun Does not work efficiently if it is too rainy and the relative humidity is too high In most countries inefficient for at least part of the year 10

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How to promote your firewood business Events as a tool for marketing Real life experiences are usually more engaging than any other marketing method Well organized event will help you gauge people s interest create awareness around your business and build relationship with the community Market your firewood business online Although the traditional methods often work well it is not a bad idea to use digital channels for your marketing as well Creating a website or and a social media accounts for your business is cheap and not at all as complicated as it might sound Traditional marketing methods The world is going digital but many traditional marketing methods still work very well in the firewood industry For example permanent classified ad in the local paper will often give you very satisfactory results Do not forget existing customers You should never underestimate the power of word of mouth and after the first few years you can most likely grow your business with less effort and money But first you will have to make sure your existing customers are happy and that they stay happy The happy customer is a loyal customer Know Your Customers Starting a firewood business requires in depth knowledge of your customer base Firewood heats homes helps prepare food and produce charcoal just to name a few applications Understanding why your clients burn firewood is the key for better profits and improved customer service The most typical segments in the firewood market are For heating Large predictable quantities small profit margin For atmosphere Small seasonal quantities high profit margin Wood fired restaurants Profitable longterm accounts high quality requirements Campgrounds Great accounts for offseason Retail stores Profitable accounts with strict requirements 11 11

How to build a successful Firewood Business

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