A Benefit Of Being The Boss

Introduction

It’s a sunny day in mid-September, and I've just wrapped up a 12-minute warm-up session running some small logs through my firewood processor, the Perfect Split. After this warm-up, I'm excited to tackle a load of beautiful, larger maple logs that I've been looking forward to processing. This time, I plan to run the four-way splitter, but I won’t go through the entire log table; I’ll only process as much as I can comfortably stack today.

While I get things ready, you'll notice a lot of areas around the machine that need cleaning up. I make it a routine to do clean-ups on Sundays, which is my dedicated maintenance day. It’s essential to keep everything in working condition; perhaps I’ll film a video about maintenance someday. For now, let's focus on the 12 minutes of firewood production in today's session.

As I prepare, it’s worth mentioning that the hydraulics of the 405 processor take a while to come up to speed. I often joke that it’s a “cold-hearted machine” because it doesn’t get going right away but, thankfully, we’re all warmed up and ready to start the real production. So sit back and enjoy the process!

Music plays as the processing begins

As I work through the logs, I handle a few ugly pieces. I aim to keep the knots facing up—around the 12 o'clock position—as it helps the logs split more efficiently. It’s crucial to operate the machine correctly, especially when you have longer logs. However, one of the challenges is spotting knots when loading with the grapple. Sometimes, I miss them until the logs are coming down the live deck, which can make processing trickier.

Nevertheless, when I manage to find straight logs, it’s a breeze splitting them through the 405. The joy of running this machine is hard to beat; there’s no need for re-splitting, and I can send a load of firewood directly to the drying yard to be seasoned for sale later.

As we move through September, the phone has been ringing with customers requesting deliveries. I carefully schedule my time and make the most efficient use of it. For example, if a customer needs a quarter cord and isn’t in a hurry, I wait until I have another order in the same area to optimize my deliveries. This strategy ensures my truck makes fewer trips while maximizing each load.

Despite the demand, I still prioritize processing time on the machine. It's not just about the sales; I always feel a sense of urgency to keep my inventory stocked. The creeping feeling of “I need more wood” is often overwhelming, which drives me to maintain a good balance of production and sales.

As the day winds down, I decide it’s enough for today. I processed what I felt like handling, and being the boss allows me the flexibility to decide how much work I want to put in. Look out for my upcoming video focusing on monthly maintenance. It’s crucial to give constant attention to these machines to ensure a hassle-free operating experience.

In closing, I hope you enjoyed this peek into firewood production with the 405 processor. Here’s to great days ahead!

Keyword

• Firewood production
• Maple logs
• Perfect Split
• Four-way splitter
• Maintenance
• Hydraulic system
• Production efficiency
• Knot positioning
• Customer delivery
• Inventory management

FAQ

Q: What machine do you use for firewood processing?
A: I use the Perfect Split firewood processor, specifically the 405 model.

Q: How do you handle maintenance for the machine?
A: I have a designated cleanup and maintenance day every Sunday, where I check and adjust everything to ensure hassle-free operation.

Q: Why do you keep logs long?
A: Keeping logs long allows for better splitting, especially if they are straight. However, it’s important to monitor for knots that can complicate processing.

Q: How do you manage delivery schedules?
A: I strategically schedule deliveries based on customer urgency and location, often combining orders to minimize trips and maximize efficiency.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the firewood production process?
A: The satisfaction of running the machine efficiently and knowing I have a load of firewood ready for drying and sale is incredibly rewarding.