Automated Firewood Packaging System - Bundles Made Easy!

While at the Paul Bunyan show I was able to see North America’s First Automated
Firewood Packaging Machine. The firewood bundle assembly line started with the ‪@MetsaMachines‬ Japa 405 Firewood Processor and continued to the MultiPack automated firewood packaging system. I've never seen firewood bundles made so easily.
For more info on the MultiPack system visit: andyknot.com
More of everything Back 40 Firewood here:
withkoji.com/@...
#back40firewood #woodhound

[@outsideinmichigan]

All I can say is WOW! I probably don’t want to know the price tag on that machine. But if you have a big enough operation it would pay for it’s self very quickly.

[@Back40Firewood]

Yeah I didn't ask the cost of it, but in the right market it could really make a difference pumping out the bundles that's for sure.

[@perbhjlund1765]

some nice solutions. BUT the human being is not thought about much. It is smart to make a machine that saws, splits and packs. But it is brain dead to make a machine that has manual removal for bags and boxes, think of the awkward position and the strain the back is exposed to.

[@tonyr6190]

Nice design on machine but not realistic in my world lol , to much bending , to many moving parts

[@laurpaqu]

now that is a cool machine and made in Canada to boot. Awesome.

[@CloudLakeMoon]

Alberta isn’t just oil sands! They can handle their wood too! 😂 Cheers 🇨🇦 BTW great vid choice Dan-O.

[@terrypomatto907]

This machine would be for high production company. You would find it difficult to have this type of machine for the part time producer. It looks good but like I believe you have to have the volume of sales to warrant spending this kind of money for the setup.

[@HansJrgenFurfjord]

I don't see how this billion dollar disneyland of steel and conveyor belts is faster than one guy with a few cups of coffee in him doing everything by himself after the cleaver.

[@stannelson2582]

What a great opportunity and machine for someone that had a kiln to drop in commercially sellable wood for retail stores. Great video Dan.

[@garylaszewski7380]

I dont know anyone with a firewood kiln in the USA. Piled seasoned firewood must be manually handled to feed this machine. Lots of extra steps. 11 inch firewood isnt popular in the US. Cardboard boxes arent cheap? Looks like it takes a few people to run it? Unseasoned firewood must be stored in these cardboard boxes inside a building on pallets to dry? Then, manually loaded into a truck or on a trailer. You may as well do the whole thing manually with plastic wrap with a cheap bundling machine.

[@Tonnsfabrication]

I was all over that thing last Friday, it's an awesome machine. So much to see at the PBS, it's worth the visit. Sucks they moved the show, it used to be in Nelsonville just a 20 min drive from my house.

[@bobbarker2595]

does it get dried on the way up the conveyors? 😅

[@tsmaple7765]

That’s an awesome machine, but i think I’ll stick to selling bulk firewood 😂 great video as always!

[@nasicher6773]

Ich bin mir nicht sicher ob das so "serienreif" für die Produktion ist,sieht eher nach selbstgebauter Maschine aus,die noch ein wenig verbessert werden muss

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

When we walked by it they had a nasty jam that they weee cleaning out

[@HubertofLiege]

Firewood is the fools gold of the forest

[@TheTorkerman]

What’s awesome is that someone thought of it and then built it!

[@pumpkinone5410]

And the moisture content is.

[@davidedwards3734]

So.......whens these new machines hitting the Back 40?? Thanks for taking us along showing all the equipment and people. Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@Back40Firewood]

Hahaha...I think I'll stick with the garbage can with the bottom cut out for now. 👍😀🍻

[@healyfamily4]

Looks too easy 🤣🤣🤣 Wow, just wow. How many bundles do you have to sell to break even on that machine?

[@Back40Firewood]

Yeah you'd need to sell a couple before it paid for itself I'm sure...lol...I never asked the cost of one.

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Oh nice. Where is the adapter for the stacking part of this??

[@Back40Firewood]

Hahahahaha....that's what I asked about...is there a version that has a 3 pt. hitch for a tractor that you can drive around the woodyard and stack the wood? lol

[@kenberscheit948]

too bad all the boxes had wood sticking out so you cant seal the box,

[@Back40Firewood]

I think that had to do with running bags prior to this demo. I'm sure if they were to switch to only boxes they would adjust the amount going in so they could shut and sealed.

[@nicholascooper1193]

Love automation. I quoted building an automatic firewood bagging system, it would be in the $200K range for something with that level of automation. Maybe a bit less if they are hoping to manufacture inventory and sell several of them.

[@garylaszewski7380]

As it appears running with the 405 JAPA, it looks impressive, but I see lots of manual work to handle its output, especially if the firewood is unseasoned.

[@tymanthebuckeye2441]

wow Dan almost 21k subs 👍👍

[@Back40Firewood]

Yeah things have been going crazy the past few weeks...lol Woooooo 👍😀🍻

[@Deutschehordenelite]

This would insane at a bigger operation, like how much bundles you can make!!!

[@Back40Firewood]

In one day that could make all my bundles for like the next 5 years....lol

[@billobermeyer660]

Dan, thanks for sharing this video as a lot of us didn't get to see the automated firewood packaging in action. So much to see and do, it wasn't easy to capture it all. Looking forward to next year.

[@Back40Firewood]

No problem my friend...glad you enjoyed. I only saw that thing running I think one other time durning the weekend, but I also was out & about looking at everything else...lol

[@SasquatchBunyan]

That’s $900/hr at $5/bundle. The machine pays for itself in x months.BUT, you’re no longer a guy making firewood, and you’re a tech dude. Nope.

[@Back40Firewood]

That's what my dad would say as well...the more moving parts, the more chances of something breaking or needing attention...lol 👍😀🍻

[@anthonyhill7044]

Those boxes sell for $22 a box down here in Central TX.That's where gourmet wood is located.

[@shannonp4037]

@@anthonyhill7044 What kind if wood is in the boxes for $20+?

[@garylaszewski7380]

I sure cant see running this machine outside in the winter in a snowstorm or freezing rain, or even regular rain. Soggy cardboard boxes? I dont think its feasible for 99% of buyers!

[@anthonyhill7044]

post oak, mesquite,pecan,hickory.There is a lot of bbq cooking down here in TX.@@shannonp4037

[@jeffselchow5719]

And now for the $64k question???? How Much for this whole setup? $350k? $275k?

[@TCsOutdoors1]

Man that 405 with the perfect split is awesome but the automated bundler😯🤯😯. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@tomjones3316]

I feel like I'm watching Willy Wonka , instead of the everlasting Gobstopper , you get a bundle of firewood!

[@jeremygibbs8659]

How much

[@fricknjeep]

hi there good show great to meet up with you , so glad they let you out of jail . did you happen to catch the price on the thing john

[@Back40Firewood]

Great to finally meet the wheeling-dealing-always pleasing FrickNJeep himself, live in living color! Thanks for adding some flare to the live stream on Friday and having a place for all us to stop by at the show! 👍😀🍻

[@hughwhaley3179]

Lol

[@benreber2277]

Amazing machine operation but You would need serious sales to cover something like that.

[@robertdendooven7258]

I know a great hard rock band named YYNOT. The bagger's manufacture's name reminded me of them. An expensive tool unless you have a big enough business to justify it. Still, a great looking machine that does a job well from what I can see.

[@timthompson6338]

that type of technology is absolutely amazing! I hate to know the price tag on that complete setup from the processor to the bundle machine! I suppose you bought a couple of them hahahahaha 🤣🤣!! a person better have a lot of production to keep that fed! stay safe my friend 🍻👍👍

[@CliffsideStables]

Wow, THAT is an awesome system!!! Tim in northern TN

[@briancartier8711]

Very well put together Mel Kapicki

[@tonyr6190]

Hope ya had good time at Paul Bunyan show

[@SkidderKev]

Haha this is going to be my video for Sunday haha you beat me too it. This is why o don't video much there. To much repeat content

[@Back40Firewood]

Nah...wouldn't worry about repeat content. Everyone has their own take and captures things others don't. I was actually surprised there weren't more videos with this in it, but then again I'm not sure how much it actually ran for demos throughout the day.👍😀🍻

[@SkidderKev]

@@Back40Firewood you are right on different perspectives and that is why it's still going haha. Pretty neat to watch run and put up a skid of bags fast

[@joeyrutherford1790]

You better sell a bunch of wood

[@bruceklassen8791]

Mmmmmm nice woods 😊 3:44

[@jimwagner6260]

That wood is going to be $$

[@stannelson2582]

What a great opportunity and machine for someone that had a kiln to drop in commercially sellable wood for retail stores. Great video Dan.

[@Back40Firewood]

Definitely...in the right market you could really be pumping out the product with not that many people involved. 👍😀🍻

[@lyndonhamby7432]

Cheers Big Dan 🤙👍

[@Freecan67]

Made in Canada you say!!!

[@redeagle6842]

Wow that machine is very cool.

[@Back40Firewood]

Yeah it was pretty neat seeing run in person...lots of moving parts that I could just sit and watch all day...the spinning hopper of split firewood was fun to watch...👍😀🍻

[@chiptuckyheadhunter]

So much neato machinery I never knew existed, very interesting.

[@Back40Firewood]

Oh yeah, there's stuff everywhere you look that's like...whoa, never seen something like that before...lol...and each year it repeats with new stuff...hahaha

[@Murphinator1964]

Awesome! I want one

[@sandypidgeon4343]

okay - really cool;however, the wood is freshly split no matter how long it has been sitting. How do they get around the drying/seasoning issue? Seems they could only split ash? GOD Bless

[@Back40Firewood]

I think this scenario was strictly for demonstration purposes only. I think if put into actual production they would be feeding wood into it from a kiln or wood that has been seasoned.

[@sandypidgeon4343]

@@Back40Firewood Fair enough. Thanks. GOD Bless

[@LeBlancfirewood]

Like the shirt

[@don4062]

tree .murder.

[@lloyddrown8911]

Wow!

[@Rimrock300]

Wow, the packing machine is launched. Have seen it in development for quite a while. A lot of moving parts, sensors, electronis to keep an eye on at this kind of equipment

[@garylaszewski7380]

I wouldnt buy one of these.

[@Rimrock300]

@@garylaszewski7380 After hearing the price of 170-180K, guess I'm not into buying it either. In addition one need a conveyor to feed it. Might better take a look at the other machine that has been on the market some years already, Vepak, where a conveyor is optional, that might is in the price range of 100K. To those into thousands of bags/bundles a year, I guess such machines is interesting

[@JohnnyB21401]

I’m not sure that machine is any faster than doing it by hand with a splitter and someone standing next to you putting them in a box.

[@Back40Firewood]

I think the idea with this is more or less having a one man operation that can run for a few hours. Might get a bit tired trying to keep a 3 bundle a min pace next to the splitter after the 1st hour...lol

[@JohnnyB21401]

Backwood 40………tired?? No way! I specifically train for this with cardio,yoga, weight training, cryotherapy vegan diet. I can’t be stopped 😂

[@nathandeshner]

I bet that whole set up is around $100,000

[@Back40Firewood]

I saw in another comment someone mention it was close to double that...not cheap, but huge potential for making lots of bundles and $$$

[@nathandeshner]

@@Back40Firewood wow.$200,000?

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Hello Dan, That was one machine we missed, Thanks for showing it my Movie Star Friend! 🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

[@Back40Firewood]

I only saw it run one other time, but when I heard they were gonna run it with the Japa Sunday I made sure to be there...both just to see in person and get some footage. I could watch the wood go round that hopper all day....hahahaha....just mesmerizing.

[@bobfitch607]

Pretty awesome bundle machine.hoping you would have shocked us with the price. Sure would have to sit down to hear it.

[@gtt5691]

They have ROI math on their website:.. hope you’re sitting because that beast is about $186k!

[@Back40Firewood]

I didn't even ask the price of it...lol...there weren't any chairs around at the time of recording...haha

[@bobfitch607]

@@Back40Firewood sure it's a shocker. Like to go next year and meet the bunch of you.bring Sr I'm his age

[@paulschmidt7473]

@@Back40Firewood That's for the guy who supplies a place like Home Depot or the National Parks Service.... Where they are shipping in a trailer load of logs everyday, and shipping out a couple of trailer loads of bags. Where such a machine could be useful, suppose you could buy one, then rent out time on it, say $100/hr. So along comes Dan with a truck and trailer loaded up with logs, hands over $100/hr runs the machine for 4-5 hours, tosses the bags in his truck and trailer and goes home, knowing that he has enough bags to do him for a year.

[@justinhenry8142]

Where does all the firewood that is made at the festival end up?

[@Back40Firewood]

They auction the piles off at the end of the weekend.

[@arthurpiner4558]

Dan I enjoyed meeting you last weekend I'm the guy who told you about when me and my dad cut firewood in the fifths for five dollars a load now it was in the back of a forty-seven Chevy .He had a chainsaw from sears I really heavy for a eight year old 🧓

[@Back40Firewood]

Yes, great meeting and talking with you as well my friend...I remember you telling me that and thinking, that's what I sell a bundle for and back then $5 got a truckload!! hahahaha....👍😀🍻

[@shannonp4037]

Cost of the machine. The website has the estimated ROI based on bags per year and profit per bag. Taking the 40,000 bags per year at $0.50/bag profit and a 9.25 years for ROI, the machine is $185,000. The math works at their listed 400,000 bags/year number too. Add in the other parts and yup, you're around $250-$300,000 invested. Here is the thing though. If you can own a cord of split logs for $128 that is $1.00 per cubic foot. Put 2 cubic feet in a bag that is $2.00. Add in the cost of the bag, cost to split, deliver, manual labor, miscellaneous expenses at another $2.00 per bag and you own a bag for $4.00. If you sell for only $5, you get $1/bag using only 2 cubic feet. There are 128 cubic feet in a cord so you get 64 bags at $1/per bag profit so only $64 per per cord profit. However, $5 is CHEAP. My local lowes sells 0.75 CF for $9.00. So you could easily wholesale to them for about $6/CF (Lowes would get a 50% profit margin) or $12/bag. Giving you an $8/bag profit. At $8/bag profit you would need to produce 37,500 bags to cover a $300,000 investment and not pay yourself. The site claims 3-4 bags per minute, so lets call it 2 bags per minute or 120 bags per hour and 1,000 bags per day (all rounded). 37,500 bags needed to break even divided by 1,000 bags per day is 37.5 days or 2 months assuming days off and routine maintenance. If you sold 20 bags to any 1 store/customer per week for 7 weeks (35 days) you would sell 140 bags. You would need 268+- wholesale customers/stores to sell 37,500 bags (less if you get higher profits). Or you could get in with local grocery suppliers to the small stores and sell to them wholesale. They then deliver to the store in their weekly routes, you just delivery to the wholesaler directly.

[@garylaszewski7380]

Shannon, thats a nice big bucket of cold water you dumped on this machine! I agree 100%! This thing is a joke.

[@buckinfirewood]

Had to pause video to get info