Everyone says your time is money so more time splitting smaller pieces makes ya more money . Any splitter out there can make big splits but having that axis lets you do both . Split small ,separated and stacked to dry is a winning combination.
Hi Joe. Another fun and educational video. I've done off site cutting and splitting for customers . This is my last year doing it, insurance costs doubled for this coverage. I got another wood fired pizza account because I supply firewood split smaller and its ready to burn. Deliver a high quality product and charge accordingly. You'll be as busy as you want to be. Quality and professionalism!! We are in the "Golden Era of Firewood".
This is a topic I have been thinking about. I doubt I would be willing to rent out my Axis; but, I have thought about mobile splitting. I think hourly with a minimum price would be best. - customer wants to pay less, then help move wood (2 people and an axis more than double the output of just 1). Great topic and video.
For mobile splitting with the machine I've got is a set rate per hour. I then proceed to tell the perspective customer for a splitting job that there is a 2hr minimum, travel fee if over 15 miles, etc. I move rounds to the splitter, same rate per hour. I have to cut a round to length to make it fit, same hourly rate. I also take time to explain how if the customer provided me help to keep rounds coming to the splitter so i can keep the wood flowing that they will maximize production to lower their cost. Only time i won't do a splitting job is when salt is on the roads or it is stupid hot outside.
Joe, nice Going with that Beast of a Splitter. I do agree that there is Money in a Mobile Firewood Service, but with all the Costs that go along with it, I would continue to do it in the Woodyard only. You made Boiler Wood and Quality Firewood at the Same time which is Wonderful. Somebody that is Younger than Us and Has good time on there Hands to do it would be Good for them. Your Video's are very Informative and great ideas. Thank You my Friend for Some Very Good Information. See you at the Next Video. Ron From the Woodyard in Duanesburg NY.
Oh yah, you worked up a real sweat, what wonderful fall weather. Elaine from Canada here, we too are enjoying some warm days, however, had our first overnight frost. Nice display of the Axis’ versatility and precision cutting (taking in account the skilled operator😄). You brought up lots of things to consider for someone thinking of mobile service, I’m sure some could be quite successful in certain markets. Great video Joe, and camera work/editing. Cheers.
I do agree with the time of the worker should be valued as the the machine includes the labor of a worker whom is experienced in the task in which they were hired for Thanks for so many well educated videos. Joe from California
I kind of like the idea of bringing my eastonmade to a customers site of random wood (could be 8ft to 12ft log length, or it could already be bucked up into random lengths), and cutting / splitting / stacking on their property for a set fee. I bet customers would pay upwards of $500 for that kind of work, and with a 500i + an eastonmade ultra or an axis, that'd be an easy day of work!!
@@ohiowoodburner yeah maybe, I'm just thinking of customers that may have had tree work done but didn't want to pay to have it hauled away. That's common here in Maine
I work as a Auto Service Writer. Garage rate is $165...$200 if you supply your own parts Flat rate. A>Z time is $250 ( help discourage fabrication and electrical repairs) Had a rat eat the wiring of a 72 Corvette....$250 an hour. Install a Long Arm travel kit on a Wrangler $250 an hour I wood imagine that if I were to go mobile service the cost for labor hour would go up. Loading the equipment, Road time, set up time, tear down time, clean up time, and more road time, unloading and resetting it in the wood yard all must be passed onto the customer. This number should make sense to the business and justifiable to the consumer. Hypothetical numbers I buy tree length by the truck and pay 100 full cord. In 2 hour I process a a full cord I can sell for $350. My labor rate with the equipment used would be $125 an hour plus travel expenses ( I don't need to use the truck around the wood yard ). Heavy Equipment operations charge delivery and pick up. My guess to start would be $200 for equipment to get to the site, $125 an hour estimated for splitting time or $200 a full cord,
Interesting post Russ. Seems the ultimate question comes down to beneficial to the operator and the customer. Seems to me that if I split wood I would rather it be my own
That is the case but if you are just providing the splitting service we have to figure out the price bc the wood is def worth more when were are done splitting!
I did a little custom splitting back in the early 90s. I used my White (MTD) 22 ton vert/horizontal, and it made me a few dollars for Avgas in my ultralight. Of course, we didn't have the internet to promote things like we do now.
When your mobile, and the wood is the customers. The only practical way is more hours, to make the wood smaller. Trying to charge different amounts for different sizes of wood seems overwhelmingly complex. . Being able to move the splitter and tractor in one trip, i think would be key to keeping expenses low. 0.01c
Hi Joe - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. There's no need for you to go mobile as you have enough work around the yard but it is a viable option for others depending on their circumstances. If I was in the US of A and wanted to start a mobile splitting service I would favour the Split Fire 1165V for its price, weight, versatility and maneuverability. I do the occassional mobile splitting job and charge a flat fee for a minimum 3 hours then an hourly rate thereafter, taking into account the hour it takes to travel, load then unload my equipment on my return. As a hobbyist there is another aspect and that is the social side - I've met some great characters who I maintain contact with and it provides some welcome spice to life.
For the last 2 years, I had my Wolfe Ridge up at 80 per hour with a 2 hour minimum I only did 3, maybe jobs a year. It's good money, but my own selling production would go down as I would only have so much time.
I did a sit job once when a large oak when down. I split what a could over a weekend, 3 cords, and the owner of the tree wanted me to clean up the whole site. Offered $200 for all that work. I said $1200 everything or $200 for each cord and call it a day. Mind you the $1000 plus price was settled on beforehand but on that Sunday it was too much for him. He tossed 2 bills on the seat of my truck, said he will get someone else and made me leave. That was 2 years ago and the rest of that tree is there rotting away along with most of what was split still sitting in a pile. Idiot.
I’m still on the bubble with renting out my axis, w/operator or without. This did go in my mind when I purchased it. It’s an incredible machine for sure!! Just don’t know if I want someone else operating it. It’s money that could be made.
Hi - Big Rodders in Ireland here. Also, I'd want to clarify if I could be held liable for injury if I rented the machine out to some numpty who chopped a finger off.
Thanks Joe appreciate it and of course those prices are for mixed hardwood. Sorting species saves my but when the log truck varies in quantity. Cut offs and more premium sorted woods is a little extra time but covers the spread in varying quantities. Firewood insurance if you will. If your ever in cleveland / medina and you want to check out my would yard we could meet up and have a dr. Pepper. Take care.
I’ll go only if a tree service leaves logs behind. If it’s a whole tree they will want you to do a complete removal. I’ll help good friends and that it.
I definitely have thought about this topic. I’m thinking people would pay per hour not how much is produced. I was thinking $200 for 4 hours and $350 for 8 hours. And they can decide what size I split which doesn’t affect my hourly rate. But that means they would have to have faith that I’m not a lazy guy who checks his phone for 8 hours.
if you had a machine issue for saying an hour Then the honorable thing to do is tell your client hey I was only able to work three other four hours because of the machine issue you only owe me for three hours
@@pagansmc13 I definitely agree about machines being finicky, and my back is also something that would give out before 8 hours was over if the rounds were too big and unwieldy. Elm or gum would also slow down production. Have lots of variables to think about when splitting for someone else
@@ohiowoodburner I agree Joe, roughy guess would be a $50 a hour rate and depending on mileage, which could be a separate charge. Figuring the cost of the machine, depreciation rate of the equipment, maintenance cost, as well as your time. Let alone the factors of where is the wood located? Is it already cut to the customers desired length? All things that could be sorted out on the initial call, but it seems like a windfall at the end of the day.
Joe- let it go... its not "touching the firewood" per se that people have an issue with from an efficiency perspective It's needlessly touching the firewood- For example in your case you're stacking wood you could just put into a bin much faster We get you can upsell your firewood to restaurants etc. because you split it small Also there's the factor of profit margin versus total profits e.g. Walmart is likely making 1 million times the total profits you are on a hell of a lot smaller margin
You make my point Pagan. The reason I keep hammering away at it is because people think firewood has to be sold as a commodity. Also the Walmart comparison is invalid for a sole proprietor but also supports what I have been preaching for the last 3.5 years. I cannot make money with volume so why would I want to even try? Selling volume as a small operation doesn't make sense to me. Also, Stacking is not needless either. It is the most important thing we do. Regardless I appreciate your comments and am glad that there are multiple voices in our industry.
Mobile work would be travel /setup + hourly rate for running time on the machine + operator hourly rate. The main problem is people are going to want you to hustle through the work This also assumes the logs are cut to fire wood length. The pricing would have to end up near the same per face cord price you charge for wood delivered to just split the customers wood. .
Everyone says your time is money so more time splitting smaller pieces makes ya more money . Any splitter out there can make big splits but having that axis lets you do both . Split small ,separated and stacked to dry is a winning combination.
Good topics to cover Joe. Lots of people don’t really understand just how many avenues there are in the firewood industry.
There are def a lot. I think it comes down to preference
Extremely lucrative when done right
Most people I sell to like the smaller splits!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
That Axis is an absolute beast, so impressive 👏
It sure is. Love running it...not as much in the heat lol
How about a little make shift umbrella of some sort removable of course@@ohiowoodburner
Good Morning Joe, Perks are fun, Good video of the Axis👏🏻👍🇺🇸
Thanks Larry and Robin!
Hi Joe. Another fun and educational video. I've done off site cutting and splitting for customers . This is my last year doing it, insurance costs doubled for this coverage. I got another wood fired pizza account because I supply firewood split smaller and its ready to burn. Deliver a high quality product and charge accordingly. You'll be as busy as you want to be. Quality and professionalism!! We are in the "Golden Era of Firewood".
Well said Pete!
This is a topic I have been thinking about. I doubt I would be willing to rent out my Axis; but, I have thought about mobile splitting. I think hourly with a minimum price would be best. - customer wants to pay less, then help move wood (2 people and an axis more than double the output of just 1).
Great topic and video.
For mobile splitting with the machine I've got is a set rate per hour. I then proceed to tell the perspective customer for a splitting job that there is a 2hr minimum, travel fee if over 15 miles, etc. I move rounds to the splitter, same rate per hour. I have to cut a round to length to make it fit, same hourly rate. I also take time to explain how if the customer provided me help to keep rounds coming to the splitter so i can keep the wood flowing that they will maximize production to lower their cost. Only time i won't do a splitting job is when salt is on the roads or it is stupid hot outside.
One of the founding principles of OWB…..to a point, the more you touch firewood, the more you make. 👍
Preach on Brother Dave!
I agree my customers love the smaller splits . It’s easy for them to handle .
Smaller splits = more $!
Nice video Joe! That last tip was definitely the best one! Have a great day! - Tim
Always save the best for last!!!!
Joe, nice Going with that Beast of a Splitter. I do agree that there is Money in a Mobile Firewood Service, but with all the Costs that go along with it, I would continue to do it in the Woodyard only.
You made Boiler Wood and Quality Firewood at the Same time which is Wonderful.
Somebody that is Younger than Us and Has good time on there Hands to do it would be Good for them.
Your Video's are very Informative and great ideas. Thank You my Friend for Some Very Good Information. See you at the Next Video. Ron From the Woodyard in Duanesburg NY.
Thanks for the comments Ron
An old saw mill owner friend of mine always said sell the best and use the rest
haha that pretty much sums up my operation!
Oh yah, you worked up a real sweat, what wonderful fall weather. Elaine from Canada here, we too are enjoying some warm days, however, had our first overnight frost. Nice display of the Axis’ versatility and precision cutting (taking in account the skilled operator😄). You brought up lots of things to consider for someone thinking of mobile service, I’m sure some could be quite successful in certain markets. Great video Joe, and camera work/editing. Cheers.
Thanks Elaine! This heat has been tough. At least it has been cooling off at night but the AC is still running constantly during the day!
I do agree with the time of the worker should be valued as the the machine includes the labor of a worker whom is experienced in the task in which they were hired for
Thanks for so many well educated videos. Joe from California
Thanks for watching buddy
I kind of like the idea of bringing my eastonmade to a customers site of random wood (could be 8ft to 12ft log length, or it could already be bucked up into random lengths), and cutting / splitting / stacking on their property for a set fee. I bet customers would pay upwards of $500 for that kind of work, and with a 500i + an eastonmade ultra or an axis, that'd be an easy day of work!!
haha Easy?? Although it would be fun. Wonder if the customer would find it cheaper just to buy the wood delivered?
@@ohiowoodburner yeah maybe, I'm just thinking of customers that may have had tree work done but didn't want to pay to have it hauled away. That's common here in Maine
Great video nice job joe good idea
Glad you enjoyed it bob
I work as a Auto Service Writer. Garage rate is $165...$200 if you supply your own parts Flat rate. A>Z time is $250 ( help discourage fabrication and electrical repairs) Had a rat eat the wiring of a 72 Corvette....$250 an hour. Install a Long Arm travel kit on a Wrangler $250 an hour
I wood imagine that if I were to go mobile service the cost for labor hour would go up. Loading the equipment, Road time, set up time, tear down time, clean up time, and more road time, unloading and resetting it in the wood yard all must be passed onto the customer. This number should make sense to the business and justifiable to the consumer. Hypothetical numbers I buy tree length by the truck and pay 100 full cord. In 2 hour I process a a full cord I can sell for $350. My labor rate with the equipment used would be $125 an hour plus travel expenses ( I don't need to use the truck around the wood yard ). Heavy Equipment operations charge delivery and pick up. My guess to start would be $200 for equipment to get to the site, $125 an hour estimated for splitting time or $200 a full cord,
Interesting post Russ. Seems the ultimate question comes down to beneficial to the operator and the customer. Seems to me that if I split wood I would rather it be my own
@@ohiowoodburner I wood price it that I benefit from the effort....if not I wood stay in my yard.
It all goes back to value add firewood is worth more.Keep up the good work Joe
That is the case but if you are just providing the splitting service we have to figure out the price bc the wood is def worth more when were are done splitting!
I did a little custom splitting back in the early 90s. I used my White (MTD) 22 ton vert/horizontal, and it made me a few dollars for Avgas in my ultralight. Of course, we didn't have the internet to promote things like we do now.
That is what YT has done for me and prob a lot of others. I thought the TroyBilt 27 ton was the bomb!!! But that is hardly the case! lol
Some nice thoughts Joe.
Thanks Zekester
When your mobile, and the wood is the customers. The only practical way is more hours, to make the wood smaller. Trying to charge different amounts for different sizes of wood seems overwhelmingly complex.
.
Being able to move the splitter and tractor in one trip, i think would be key to keeping expenses low.
0.01c
Joe,another excellent piece of video also work 😮😊❤
Thanks Todd
Anyway, u can rig up some corrugated metal for some sade? Or a pop up tent? Great videos keep it up!
Hi Joe - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. There's no need for you to go mobile as you have enough work around the yard but it is a viable option for others depending on their circumstances. If I was in the US of A and wanted to start a mobile splitting service I would favour the Split Fire 1165V for its price, weight, versatility and maneuverability. I do the occassional mobile splitting job and charge a flat fee for a minimum 3 hours then an hourly rate thereafter, taking into account the hour it takes to travel, load then unload my equipment on my return. As a hobbyist there is another aspect and that is the social side - I've met some great characters who I maintain contact with and it provides some welcome spice to life.
Great post Big R! You certainly have the woodhound spirit in you
I understood EVERYTHING you were saying during the leaf blower: GET ME A DR PEPPER! - NOW
hahaha! That was about right Dale. This heat has been tough!
Mobile splitting charge by the day/hour not by the quantity then it doesn't matter the size of splits. I've been thinking about offering splitting
For the last 2 years, I had my Wolfe Ridge up at 80 per hour with a 2 hour minimum
I only did 3, maybe jobs a year. It's good money, but my own selling production would go down as I would only have so much time.
I did a sit job once when a large oak when down. I split what a could over a weekend, 3 cords, and the owner of the tree wanted me to clean up the whole site. Offered $200 for all that work. I said $1200 everything or $200 for each cord and call it a day. Mind you the $1000 plus price was settled on beforehand but on that Sunday it was too much for him. He tossed 2 bills on the seat of my truck, said he will get someone else and made me leave. That was 2 years ago and the rest of that tree is there rotting away along with most of what was split still sitting in a pile. Idiot.
That's the way I see it too dan. Would you make more money splitting your own wood or someone elses?
At 80 per hour, I figured that's what my time and the splitter wis worth.
As for the wood, I didn't care about the as it wss theirs.
They should make an umbrella and fan option with a cup holder for a big gulp on that unit so the operator can have peak performance
haha it does have an umbrella holder. But not much escaping the heat on this day.
As usual, on point. More processing- mo mula, ponies, spandulaks.
Thanks Tom!
I’m still on the bubble with renting out my axis, w/operator or without. This did go in my mind when I purchased it. It’s an incredible machine for sure!! Just don’t know if I want someone else operating it. It’s money that could be made.
If there is one machine that I would know the renter could not damage it would be the Axis!
@@ohiowoodburner you’re absolutely right!!
Hi - Big Rodders in Ireland here. Also, I'd want to clarify if I could be held liable for injury if I rented the machine out to some numpty who chopped a finger off.
Joe, you must’ve of heard me say move the IBC tote closer. Ha Ha, great video. TY for sharing. Dave D from Maine.
haha...That didn't take long for me to figure that out!
G'day Joe, sorting selective specific species smaller stick splits seconds staked separately 🤔. that Axis splits that wood like its cheese 👍.
Love it Ish! LOLOL
OWB SPLITS again.
haha Truth!
Right on Joe for a 330 gallon tote split small I sell it for 185. For cutoffs uglies chunky pieces I sell the same tote for 90-100 dollars.
That is picked up price not including delivery
My quick estimate seemed about right. Thanks Joe stay out of the heat!
Thanks Joe appreciate it and of course those prices are for mixed hardwood. Sorting species saves my but when the log truck varies in quantity. Cut offs and more premium sorted woods is a little extra time but covers the spread in varying quantities. Firewood insurance if you will. If your ever in cleveland / medina and you want to check out my would yard we could meet up and have a dr. Pepper. Take care.
Great video. Very informative.
Will you be coming to Bunyan show?
I will be there. Japa tent on Saturday from noon to 2. I will also be at the Palax tent but not sure when
The Axis knife is so much bigger than other vertical splitter and really split those nasty pieces.
It is def a great machine. Not much it can't do Jim
I’ll go only if a tree service leaves logs behind. If it’s a whole tree they will want you to do a complete removal. I’ll help good friends and that it.
That would be a lot of work. Branches would be a pain!
I definitely have thought about this topic. I’m thinking people would pay per hour not how much is produced. I was thinking $200 for 4 hours and $350 for 8 hours. And they can decide what size I split which doesn’t affect my hourly rate. But that means they would have to have faith that I’m not a lazy guy who checks his phone for 8 hours.
that's true! hourly rate goes both ways I suspose...or if the machine gets temperamental etc!
if you had a machine issue for saying an hour
Then the honorable thing to do is tell your client hey I was only able to work three other four hours because of the machine issue you only owe me for three hours
@@pagansmc13 I definitely agree about machines being finicky, and my back is also something that would give out before 8 hours was over if the rounds were too big and unwieldy. Elm or gum would also slow down production. Have lots of variables to think about when splitting for someone else
I would just charge by the hour. So it wouldn’t matter how big or little you have to split the wood
That is my thinking or just a flat rate prob
If you're going to do a mobile splitting service, I think it would be easiest to charge by the hour.
I think you are right on that. I wonder thought at the end of the day would the customer have been better off just to buy wood delivered and stacked?
@@ohiowoodburner I agree Joe, roughy guess would be a $50 a hour rate and depending on mileage, which could be a separate charge. Figuring the cost of the machine, depreciation rate of the equipment, maintenance cost, as well as your time. Let alone the factors of where is the wood located? Is it already cut to the customers desired length? All things that could be sorted out on the initial call, but it seems like a windfall at the end of the day.
Joe- let it go...
its not "touching the firewood" per se that people have an issue with from an efficiency perspective
It's needlessly touching the firewood- For example in your case you're stacking wood you could just put into a bin much faster
We get you can upsell your firewood to restaurants etc. because you split it small
Also there's the factor of profit margin versus total profits e.g. Walmart is likely making 1 million times the total profits you are on a hell of a lot smaller margin
I sold you short on the Walmart example
Instead of 1 million it's probably 500,000
You make my point Pagan. The reason I keep hammering away at it is because people think firewood has to be sold as a commodity. Also the Walmart comparison is invalid for a sole proprietor but also supports what I have been preaching for the last 3.5 years. I cannot make money with volume so why would I want to even try? Selling volume as a small operation doesn't make sense to me. Also, Stacking is not needless either. It is the most important thing we do. Regardless I appreciate your comments and am glad that there are multiple voices in our industry.
lol 😂 on the Forrest Gump skit with the air blower.
That was my best advice too. I was too hot to reshoot that scene! LOL
No mobile splitting for you unless it's for people you know and trust, such as log hauler Jesse.
haha... There wouldn't be a charge for that either.
Hey is your business neighbor buying uglies and offcuts like last year to heat his shop this winter.
I am assuming he will. Right now I need to get my own supply in order!
A Mobile Firewood Splitting Business charges per hour! And charges an initial transportation and set-up cost! 🤔🤔🤔
Thanks Arne I hope you have been well.
@@ohiowoodburner Vacation in Scandinavia! Miss it now!
Mobile work would be travel /setup + hourly rate for running time on the machine + operator hourly rate. The main problem is people are going to want you to hustle through the work This also assumes the logs are cut to fire wood length. The pricing would have to end up near the same per face cord price you charge for wood delivered to just split the customers wood. .
I agree with you and that becomes the problem for the customer.