How can I produce a lot of firewood with minimal costs?

How can I produce a lot of firewood with minimal costs?

Producing a high volume of firewood at low cost starts with the right combination of firewood processor, carrier vehicle and work organisation. The objective is not simply to choose the fastest machine, but to organise the complete production process efficiently.

Choose the right firewood processor

A firewood processor should match the annual production volume, log diameter, wood species and desired firewood size.

A machine that is too small can limit production capacity, while an unnecessarily large machine may increase investment and operating costs without providing a practical advantage.

BTD offers different attachment firewood processors for different applications:

• PROcompact: minimum hydraulic flow of 35 l/min and a production capacity of approximately 3–5 m³/h.
• PROcompact-S: minimum hydraulic flow of 55 l/min and a production capacity of approximately 4–7 m³/h.
• PROplus: minimum hydraulic flow of 55 l/min and a production capacity of approximately 4–9 m³/h.

Match the carrier vehicle to the machine

The carrier vehicle has a major influence on both productivity and operating costs. It must provide sufficient hydraulic oil flow, working pressure, lifting capacity and stability.

When possible, use a carrier vehicle that is already available within the business and can also be used for other work. This can improve the utilisation of the equipment.

Fuel consumption, maintenance, depreciation and the suitability of the hydraulic system should all be included in the cost calculation.

Organise the work process efficiently

High machine capacity only results in high practical output when the complete work process is well organised.

• Prepare logs before production starts.
• Keep the distance between log storage, processing and firewood discharge as short as practical.
• Ensure a continuous supply of logs to the machine.
• Remove processed firewood efficiently to avoid unnecessary waiting time.
• Reduce unnecessary manual handling and additional movements.

Use the right cutting length and splitting knife

The selected cutting length and splitting knife also influence production capacity. The correct configuration helps reduce unnecessary machine movements and makes efficient use of the available splitting force.

For shorter firewood lengths, the SHORT/LONG function can reduce unnecessary cylinder travel and improve cycle efficiency where this function is available. It is standard on the PROcompact-S.

Keep downtime under control

Regular maintenance helps prevent avoidable downtime. Important tasks include cleaning the machine, checking the saw chain and guide bar, lubricating the required points and inspecting hydraulic hoses, couplings and moving components.

A well-maintained machine is more likely to deliver consistent performance over a long working life.

Reduce fuel and operating costs

For attachment firewood processors, efficient fuel use starts with matching the carrier vehicle and hydraulic system correctly to the machine.

Sufficient hydraulic oil flow at the lowest practical engine speed, correctly dimensioned hydraulic hoses and an efficient work process can help reduce fuel consumption per cubic metre of firewood.

Conclusion

Producing a high volume of firewood at low cost depends on the complete production system. The right firewood processor, suitable carrier vehicle, efficient log feeding and discharge, short work cycles and good maintenance all contribute to reducing production costs per m³.

For a realistic comparison, calculate the total cost using your own production volume, labour costs, fuel or energy use, maintenance and other operating expenses.

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