TXTreeSurgeon
ArboristSite Operative
So I decided not to sell any firewood this year because I was taking 12 graduate hours to finish my Master's degree at seminary (I am a Southern Baptist preacher). Well, I finished school 2 weeks ago, and I just couldn't help myself when a friend asked me to help him clear a standing dead live oak off of his property. With a good enough excuse to fire up the 362, I decided to help him cut the tree up for free, take all the stuff that was too big for him use for firewood without splitting it, and sell a little firewood to help pay the doctor's bills for my son who will be born later this month.
Now before someone accuses me of overloading my SUV and trailer, I just want you to know that I used to tow a cord of wood behind a Ford Escape. Hey, at least it had the V6 option! Anyways, this is the first wood haul for my new-to-me-but-6-years-old-woodhauler/family car. The trailer is homemade by my dad. It has a single 5,200lb axle, 7,000lb springs, 2 wheels and tires off a wrecked Chevy truck, and 1/4 plate steel floor with 2x6 sideboards. My dad built the sides high enough (2ft actually) that the trailer holds exactly 128 cu ft aka 1 cord of firewood. She sure is ugly, but she hauls wood beautifully!
Here is a pic of the Explorer and trailer after the 20 mile trip home:
View attachment 214879
This is a closer look at the trailer. The rounds ended up being 1-1/4 cords once split:
View attachment 214878
This shows how much clearance I had between the tires and fenders. 1/2"... geeze, I coulda put a few more logs on there!
View attachment 214880
Here is the wood stacked a customer's home. It measured 8' long, 3.5' (42") wide, and 4.8' (58") high. That's a total of 134.4 cu ft.
View attachment 214881
All together I had about 12 hours of total work in this cord of wood, including getting my saw and other equipment ready to go. I only charged $180 because the customer lives within spittin' distance of my house and I don't want to buy any local advertising this year (otherwise the price is $200/cord). I burned through approximately $30 in fuel, mix oil, and bar oil. So, basically I got paid $150 for 12 hours of work. $12.50/hr isn't exactly getting rich, but the money sure will come in handy!
Hope you guys enjoyed!
Now before someone accuses me of overloading my SUV and trailer, I just want you to know that I used to tow a cord of wood behind a Ford Escape. Hey, at least it had the V6 option! Anyways, this is the first wood haul for my new-to-me-but-6-years-old-woodhauler/family car. The trailer is homemade by my dad. It has a single 5,200lb axle, 7,000lb springs, 2 wheels and tires off a wrecked Chevy truck, and 1/4 plate steel floor with 2x6 sideboards. My dad built the sides high enough (2ft actually) that the trailer holds exactly 128 cu ft aka 1 cord of firewood. She sure is ugly, but she hauls wood beautifully!
Here is a pic of the Explorer and trailer after the 20 mile trip home:
View attachment 214879
This is a closer look at the trailer. The rounds ended up being 1-1/4 cords once split:
View attachment 214878
This shows how much clearance I had between the tires and fenders. 1/2"... geeze, I coulda put a few more logs on there!
View attachment 214880
Here is the wood stacked a customer's home. It measured 8' long, 3.5' (42") wide, and 4.8' (58") high. That's a total of 134.4 cu ft.
View attachment 214881
All together I had about 12 hours of total work in this cord of wood, including getting my saw and other equipment ready to go. I only charged $180 because the customer lives within spittin' distance of my house and I don't want to buy any local advertising this year (otherwise the price is $200/cord). I burned through approximately $30 in fuel, mix oil, and bar oil. So, basically I got paid $150 for 12 hours of work. $12.50/hr isn't exactly getting rich, but the money sure will come in handy!
Hope you guys enjoyed!