firewood business start up, need some help

[D&B Mack]

I know what you're saying D&B and I agree, to a point. But this is true only if one is selling everything they can produce. Most don't. I have all the time in the world but can't afford (but more important "can't justify") expensive equipment to maximize efficiency. I might manually handle the product/wood more than some which means I'm not as efficient. But my methods are less costly. (I don't sell firewood so all of this is hypothetical.)

Sorry, when I said "keep handling to a minimum" I did not mean go out and buy equipment so you are not touching it.

What I meant was actual physical times you are moving the same wood around. Not for OP's example, but in general, you may have to cut your wood at one location, load & haul back to your lot, unload, split, stack. Then, once sold, load back up, deliver, unload. If you can reduce labor in that process, you will be much further ahead than buying any equipment will get you. When I started, I had to hand load and unload everything, whether is was procurement or retailing. Adding an ez unloader for a few hundred bucks eliminated two hand unloading steps of that process. Made a huge difference in the amount of wood I was able to move.

But this is true only if one is selling everything they can produce. Most don't.

And I believe the OP's question was getting started into the business of, which is what I was directing my comment towards.

 

[KenJax Tree]

I agree with the guys; a dump truck is an essential tool for delivering firewood to customers. Don't forget, you'll need a CDL to drive it on the road.

Before committing to this purchase, have the truck inspected by a qualified mechanic. If the seller won't let you do this, walk away. That last thing any business needs is equipment that becomes a money pit. There's no telling if the previous owner maintained it well or at all.

In Michigan you need fo be 21 to get a CDL not sure about Maine

 

[D&B Mack]

In Michigan you need fo be 21 to get a CDL not sure about Maine

Here in PA, matters on the GVW of your truck. If it is the same in Maine, could get a lower classed DT w/o a CDL.

 

[jrider]

I agree with the guys; a dump truck is an essential tool for delivering firewood to customers. Don't forget, you'll need a CDL to drive it on the road.

Before committing to this purchase, have the truck inspected by a qualified mechanic. If the seller won't let you do this, walk away. That last thing any business needs is equipment that becomes a money pit. There's no telling if the previous owner maintained it well or at all.

I have an F350 stakebody dump truck that will hold 2 cords thrown in loose and a CDL is not required in NJ for it. Can't imagine a CDL needed in any state for a truck that size. How big of a truck would you use to deliver?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Here in PA, matters on the GVW of your truck. If it is the same in Maine, could get a lower classed DT w/o a CDL.

I meant 21 years old to get a CDL. The weight here is 26k for a CDL.

 

[ShaneLogs]

hey every body i'm lookin for some help with figuring out how to get started into the business and what equipment i should buy. i'm only 16 but i have a good work ethic and have been cuttin wood for a while. i would like to buy a cheap dump truck and splitter to get started, my dad has a tractor with a loader i can load the truck with but i need some advice on just getting started haha. thanks tanner

Hey there MaineLogger1995, I am also 16 and I live up there in Calais and I sell firewood too. If you need some help pm me ?

 

[4seasons]

I agree with the guys; a dump truck is an essential tool for delivering firewood to customers. Don't forget, you'll need a CDL to drive it on the road.

Most states you don't need a CDL until the vehicle is tagged for over 26,000 lbs hauling more than 15 passangers or hauling hazmat. I would imagine that the OP is talking about a 1 ton with a dump bed not a tri-axle with air brakes. Now if you are pulling a trailer in excess of 10,000 lbs then you also need a CDL. Some of the regulations vary from state to state but individual state CDL licensing requirements CAN NOT be applied to drivers from other states. Of course I doubt that someone in the firewood business really needs to worry about what the rules in other states are.

 

[mainelogger1995]

In Michigan you need fo be 21 to get a CDL not sure about Maine

yeah in maine i can get my cdl and class a license through the truck driving program at my school

 

[mainelogger1995]

Hey there MaineLogger1995, I am also 16 and I live up there in Calais and I sell firewood too. If you need some help pm me ?

10-4 shanelogs sounds good

 

[KenJax Tree]

When i was 16 firewood was the furthest thing from my mind, i was up to my ears in........well nevermind.

 

[Oldtimer]

There is NO money in splitting your nuts:bang: al so stacking brings bucks we get 75.00 a cord extra

He's in Maine, my second home. I know the clientele, and I know the going price for delivered green firewood. I have done enough firewood to be an authority on the subject in NH and Maine.
People here are ALL about saving 10 cents. There's a market for the cheaper delivered wood.
So....
If he starts with a cord of wood on the landing:

Cutting, splitting, loading, and delivering a full cord of wood will take him the best part of a day.

That's $180 for some serious labor- not to mention time he could be LOGGING.

Or, he can have the log truck toss on the same cord, and deliver it. $100 the easy way. No labor, no time. In time, if he has the ethic, he can buy up a cheap skid-steer, and then he can load 8' wood by himself. He will not have to rely on the log truck. THEN, he could deliver as much as 8 or 10 cords in one day. LOTS more money for LOTS less labor.

 

[D&B Mack]

Of course I doubt that someone in the firewood business really needs to worry about what the rules in other states are.

Come on man, you have to think big. Bill Gates probably never said to himself, "Hey, no guy would ever want to be able to communicate through a computer."

 

[Oldtimer]

In NH, and I believe Maine too, you need a medical card for anything over 10,000 pounds, and a CDL-B for over 26,000.

Mind you, the DOT is busting guys for being over-weight with a cord of green wood on an F350 / Chevy ton dump. The GVW of the tonners are too low to be "legal". This is why I bought the F550.
1 cord is no sweat, and 2 is possible "legally" if it's dry or all ash.
Keep in mind, they go by TIRE rating first, then they look at GVW..if the tires are not rated for the load, you are fined.

 

[KenJax Tree]

I should start processing firewood it would make me sick if i knew how much firewood was processed from wood i just dump everyday.

 

[zogger]

I should start processing firewood it would make me sick if i knew how much firewood was processed from wood i just dump everyday.

Plenty of guys out of work all over. Find someone who will really hustle, you provide the dumped wood, he processes and sells it and you get some sort of percentage back.

 

[mainelogger1995]

I have an F350 stakebody dump truck that will hold 2 cords thrown in loose and a CDL is not required in NJ for it. Can't imagine a CDL needed in any state for a truck that size. How big of a truck would you use to deliver?

i just want a 1 ton dump for now

 

[D&B Mack]

i just want a 1 ton dump for now

You haven't bought it yet? :yoyo:

Good luck to you. Work hard and smart, be honest, and you should be go to go.