I Rented a Firewood Processor For 8 Hours (2022) - Homeowner Review of Dyna SC-16

[@richardstone351]

Great video....a lot of work just for that. I own an SC16 that I rent with me as the operator. Committing to burning fire wood as a primary heating source requires all of the work you performed...no matter the equipment. The most productive piece of equipment is the processor... I regularly process 20 Full Cord of firewood in 8 hrs of machine time. At my rate of $750 for 8 hours for the processor and operator, that is $12.50 a face cord or $37.50 per full cord. A few things to keep in mind for productivity 1) let the wood pile up, then load into transportation 2) properly prep the logs for processing 3) make sure the logs and the processors are in correct proximity 4) do not fuss with logs larger than 22"...period. They slow production too much. 5) When cutting the last piece of the log, use the measuring rape on the side of the feed trough prior to the cutting bar, cutting the short end of the log so that the loge does not tip into the splitting chamber. Then the last piece of firewood is cut to length, the second to last is the odd or short piece. As you know firewood is not cheap, nor is processing it. You are doing as well as a guy can do, one week a year with friends and family, free logs to process, and equipment for proficient processing. You could never do that by hand with a splitter. You processed about $2750 worth of firewood in my area. Add up your time and expenses to see how you did. Typically, if you have access to free logs, you are ahead of the game. Process it, buy it, or buy propane....time is money. A guy could do worse....

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you for a terrific comment. I appreciate the in depth feedback of an experienced operator while withholding criticism of my inexperience. I really value your assessment and information for making it even better next time. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@chrisE815]

Sounds like you should just bring the logs home and hire this guy ^^^ very reasonable price

[@jakebredthauer5100]

Use more paragraphs.

[@setag54321]

@@jakebredthauer5100 No he's fine...nobody here is an English major anyways and most of us despised those particular classes in the 1st place. Use more paragraphs...lol!

[@toddoliver3385]

@@jakebredthauer5100 I'm happy that he used punctuation 😀

[@MollydogRadar]

Living in the northwest for many years, I found that firewood heats multiple times: It provides heat when you cut it, when you split it, when you load it, when you unload and stack it, and finally when you burn it.

[@Pinky_Staines1947]

And finally you get heat when you clean out the stove and dispose of the ash!

[@kdog440]

The ash also works great over ice and snow. A good anti slip

[@BinglybertSlaptyback]

It’s a nice thought, but you are providing the energy for all but the burning, not the firewood.

[@hithere7382]

@@BinglybertSlaptyback So? Staying strong and limber is not a bad thing.

[@perthfalcon]

My old man would say something very similar when we were out getting wood. He used to pay us $2 per trailer load of split wood stacked in the shed. Used to buy a lot of lollies with $2 30 years ago!

[@TheWoodFly]

I think I was most impressed by the effort you made to clean up after the project. You keep good neighbors who are willing to help by respecting the space they lend you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@digdrivediy]

Yes, thank you

[@garygsp3]

I grew up in farm community and was taught to leave an area better than you found it. Doesn't matter what area or what you're doing.

[@Skorpychan]

Sawdust and bark will make good compost, too.

[@normanrogers826]

I believe that you should have a eastonmade 22-28 . If you have the wood already cut you can split 2 cords a hour with 1 good helper. Y ou have a way to much labor fuel rental costs for only 11 cords.

[@scotttprosser4719]

It's always fun to see these videos. We still use the old method for about 25 face cords for the furnace and another 5 for the sugar bush. A few years ago I had a health problem. I had a pile of logs and a few friends and neighbours agreed to come over on a Saturday in late October and we would get started cutting and splitting. The first guy showed up with his chainsaw at 7:30 to start cutting, shortly after there were about 12 guys, a backhoe , 2 splitters and 2 dump trailers. Long story short by 12:30 22 face cords were all split and stacked in the shed. Everyone who was here that day still talks about it and would like to do it again.

[@digdrivediy]

That's a great story Scott! Love hearing about stuff like that where folks come together to help. You made a lot of wood in a short time! Thanks for watching!

[@edwinmiller3835]

Now those are good friends and neighbors to show up and give you a hand like that I wished I had people to show up and give me a hand like that Lord knows I've helped a lot of people over the years and rarely get help and return other than one good friend that if I need help he's always there and when he needs help I'm always there for him most of them yeah I'm their friend when they need help but when I need help they're nowhere to be found that's good friends when they show up to give you a man of hand

[@kabobmeinhaddi5591]

One doesn't find these kind of folks in the cities... Unfortunately.

[@getstuk87]

Kinda made me emotional hearing that, you'd hope that's the kind of ppl you've surrounded yourself with but you never know. Glad they stepped up for you. I would for just about any of my friends, and I'd build them a home on my property if for some reason I couldn't get them warm that winter

[@nicholasstephens1349]

I love seeing farmers doing their own repairs successfully. Look at those parts in the shop!!

[@waynetharp]

Can we get a round of applause 👏 for Shaggy the young neighbor man?!?! I feel he maybe the unsung hero in this whole process! The stack jobs were tight and well done! Bravo...Bravo!!!

[@nunya3163]

It's a skill, and an art to stack wood, especially large quantities like that.

[@waynetharp]

@@nunya3163 Absolutely!!👍👍

[@tannercook4322]

Mom and dad raised him good.

[@waynetharp]

@@tannercook4322 Yes and they should be proud!

[@andersheggestad9898]

I love him.

[@heneryDoDs]

I heat my shop with wood up here in Canada. Burn about 10 cords a winter. I don't do the bulk equipment like that. My approach is much simpler, a chainsaw and a stand splitter, and spread out the work over time. The key is that I do it slowly throughout the year. It's a good way to stay active, spend an hour or 2 a week in the summer bucking up and stacking in the evenings, and I'll have more than enough to last a winter come summer time. And in the winter I just split as I burn throughout the winter, as my splitter is setup next to my furnace in my shop. So I'll bring a wheelbarrow in once or twice a week, split it and stack it next to my furnace ready to burn. It feel effortless really, even though I know if I were to try to jam all the work I put into burning wood into 5 days like you did, I'd have put in probably just as much hours. The key is you have to be about a year ahead on wood supply at all times though. So when I'm bringing wood into the yard in the summer, I'm bringing it in not for that winter, but the winter after. Otherwise it's too green and doesn't split or burn as well. So I've got 3 piles of wood in the yard, one green, one dried, and one bucked up. Splitting happens throughout the winter as I go. If I'm going away on holidays I'll spend an afternoon splitting a bunch of wood so that if I have someone coming over to stoke the fire for me, they don't have to split any themselves. I don't think I could pull enough favours to have that many friends come out for that long and do that much work for me, just to save me some money on a heating bill. I would feel like that's a huge ask. I feel I'm much better off doing a bunch of the work myself, but spreading that work out throughout the year. You e got all year to prep winter wood. No need to do it all the first week of winter, getting miserably wet and cold in the process.

[@digdrivediy]

Oh yes. I enjoy that method too. Of my 20 years heating with firewood, I have only used the processor method 3 different years. Most recently I've went the mass production route just to save more weekends in the summer for family time and trips with the kids. As they get older I had planned to revert back to the slow and steady method. I just think I'm going to get there quicker than what I had hoped. I enjoy cutting firewood but not at the expense of losing time with the kids while they're little is all. That's the biggest reason for me now. And I'm thankful that I have family that is more than willing to help. They actually enjoy it and it's not that hard to work running the processor as long as you have anything prepped ahead of time. But I like the way your method works. I look forward to those days when I can just make it part of the routine and get a little more exercise spread out through the rest of the year. Thanks for the great comment and really appreciate you watching.

[@brentsmith7021]

I have absolutely no use for a firewood processor but found your video extremely informative and entertaining. I also enjoyed watching the group effort to get the work done.. great job!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot Brent. I really enjoy hearing that especially from folks that aren't necessarily into firewood. It's great to have family and friends that are willing to work together and also put up with my youtube efforts. Thanks for watching!

[@keithhicks1403]

You said you don't have no use for a firewood processor you don't split wood or do you split wood with another kind of splitter

[@thatsunpossible8126]

I don't comment much, but I just wanted to mention how cool it was to hear your kind words and praise for your family members. Having good people close to you is something that not enough people get to experience, and I think it's great that you don't take it for granted.

[@famousamoso7]

Ideas for efficiency. I realize you store the wood throughout the year at your friends property and process on his site. I am thinking it would be more efficient to transport all the logs before splitting to your property and then you can run the splitter with the output conveyor leading right to your storage building. Its far easier to transport entire logs than loading the trucks with split logs.

[@famousamoso7]

My step dad used to have a wood burner to heat his house. So my bro and i would always (have) to go with him to a friends to split the wood, load into a pickup (with cap) and then unload on to wood stacks at his house. it was back breaking to be in the back of the cramped truck pulling out piece by piece. So 1 year I had suggested just bringing the logs to his house, splitting, and then stacking and it made the process much quicker and less back breaking of having to unload numerous truck loads of wood.

[@digdrivediy]

Mainly I don't want the mess right in front of our garage and driveway otherwise that would be a great solution.

[@mrtree1368]

@@digdrivediy that mess is basically kindling

[@IloveSPIDERZ]

I was a hydraulic mechanic in the Navy (Machinist's Mate), and it's crazy how a little O-ring that costs a couple cents would completely hold up production!

[@digdrivediy]

Very true!

[@Automedon2]

It sure doesn't hurt to have friends and family who know what they're doing and are so generous with sharing their time.

[@livingproof9622]

That’s my Uncle Kenny there. He doesn’t have any skin in the game but keeps coming back year after year. I love it! Definitely subbing to follow your family’s adventures.

[@mudlakesawmill9332]

One time the church came and helped cut firewood at my parents must have been 25 people there helping. Cut split and stacked 13 cords of wood in 3.5 hours. I think there was 4 wood splitters probably 7 chain saws and everyone else chipping in where needed piling and bringing rounds to the splitter. Was unreal.

[@jimdiet8534]

This is how the Mexicans and Amish do it. They swarm on a project and knock it out in no time. People are freaking amazing when they work together.

[@mariomillin8387]

I started using IBC totes this year and it is a game changer. I also ordered a Eastonmade Axis that should be here by July 2022 to turn it into a one man show if needed.

[@digdrivediy]

Love the Axis... well, what it looks like. I haven't got to try one yet. I'm jealous! :)

[@jeremyjones8872]

@@digdrivediy whats a eastonmade axis? Maybe try and rent from someone and make a video kinda showing the positive/negatives of it? I know i would watch it..👍🙂👍

[@alycedrimer6922]

For a city girl this was a real treat. Thank you for sharing this endeavor with all of us.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@dennisconlon5810]

I had a wood furnace for 14 years. I loved the heat I got from it, but as I got older it became a full time job and swallowed up most of my weekends to cut the wood.

[@jasone679]

I'm a one man band when making firewood, that being said I like the IBC totes, although they take a lot more room to store the wood even stacking the wood in them. I just have an old slow box store splitter, but I take the splits directly off the splitter and stack them into a tote so when I'm done for the day whatever I've gotten split is nicely stacked. I like to go out after dinner and split a tote full or two. The bigger part of the process as far as time goes for me is harvesting the trees and getting them to the wood yard.

[@digdrivediy]

I like the sound of that. Sounds like a good system. Good way to finish off dinner too.

[@amersfoortsefotograa]

Here in Czech Republik we use firewood for heating during our winters too... What i don't understand however is the way you stack the cut firewood... You store it inside a building and stack everything together like one big pile? We always stack it outside under shelters and always in rows that are 1 piece wide, so the wind can actually go through them to dry the firewood. We leave it outside for 2 seasons and we rotate the stacks accordingly. So if you are not preparing a full load for the coming winter during autumn, you are short 2 winters later... Buying dry firewood is relatively expensive here and renting such big macinery is completely unaffordable... Hence we do all of it with a chainsaw and a small but powerful splitter running on 220Volts. Lot of work, but a good workout as well... The wife is doing the stacking by the way, she is more precise than i am... LOL Cheers from CZ!!

[@digdrivediy]

Great to hear from CZ! I stack it there as a matter of convenience is all because it is right in front of the stove. That's for sharing your set-up and thanks for watching!

[@AlexKeithJackson]

When you said "took something kind fun, and took the fun right out of it" my heart broke. I think we've all been in that situation but it's hard to hear.

[@digdrivediy]

Yep. Can be very true sometimes. Thanks for watching Alex!

[@elijahcavin2408]

Really enjoy these videos. I've never been on a big production project like this but growing up with 3 brothers and a wood stove to heat a 3 story house I know the feeling of teamwork, accomplishment, and problem solving involved.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Elijah!

[@smeefamily54]

For what it is worth: just having family get together is worth millions. Unfortunately I do not have that option anymore. I had to haul, cut and split by myself. Very good video and really honest critique on the machine. Take care and stay safe, from Petawawa, Ontario.

[@digdrivediy]

Exactly!

[@Blitz350]

There is a skid steer attachment that is a processor. You pick the logs right up with it and run them through. Might be worth looking into as an alternative.

[@dcranch4820]

I have had a wood boiler for 10 years. I try to cut at least one small load a day after the snow is gone. I usually work a hour or two each time. I fill up my large bucket on the tractor with blocks cut on my farm. Usually there are enough downed trees accessible and if not ill cut down poor quality trees. The only time i ever split is if its to big to lift into the boiler. I burn dead elm, hickory , box elder, red & white oak, birch and poplar. Im 65 and split by hand . I never stack the blocks. I just dump in a pile and haul to the boiler with the tractor bucket. I always have enough dry blocks from prior years so mixing in the green blocks still burn well. I have found that with the larger unsplit blocks i get much longer burn times. I must admit that at age 65 the lifting of large blocks into the boiler is getting more challenging. I try to eliminate as many steps as possible like splitting and stacking.

[@digdrivediy]

I hope I can be doing it at 65 as well Lee. Keep going so I have something to shoot for! Sounds like you have a great system. Thanks so much for watching the video!

[@e.t.watchman5142]

I USED TO DO THE SAME WITH MY DAD AND FATHER IN LAW SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES I HAD WITH BOTH OF THEM CHERISH EVERY MOMENT YOU GET YOUR WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER ON A PROJECT ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING IN THE BEST WAYS POSSIBLE

[@WatchWesWork]

Time to build your own!

[@TheHomePros6221]

I think that would make a great video!!

[@markdavies9912]

Kleeman has a spare ram! 🤣

[@digdrivediy]

If you draw up some plans for me I'll start thinking about it. 😋

[@Manintoga]

Getting a wood boiler designed for 3ft or one meter firewood really helps to get the firewood processing times down by greatly reducing the number of cuts made. Also if the boiler is designed to be fed by a tractor or a loader also helps with the chore.

[@brownh2orat211]

We did the same thing this year, in Nov. rented a Dyna-16 for the weekend, been collecting logs for the year, took a little while to get smooth with the processer but by the end of a very long weekend we had cut 30 cord worth, next year I'll do a little prep by trimming all the stubs and Y's off the logs. Here in Missouri our winter has been pretty mild so far so I think I will still have about half the wood left and will only need to rent it for 1 day next year.

[@alm7707]

nice bunch of wood. between Christmas and New Years this year my 2 sons took off the week to get some things done around the farm. weather didn't allow anything much to be done. Got a load of chop ground for the pigs and moved snow. Temperature hovered between -25C and -39C (-55C with wind) and 40 to 50 cm of snow.

[@zezeandjr4110]

Being a city boy all my life, I have no clue why I found your video therapeutic and informative, but enjoyed it and learned so much.

[@digdrivediy]

That's great! Thanks for checking it out!

[@paleogeology9554]

Simply split your logs larger or even burn full rounds. Outdoor burners can usually handle pretty large logs. bigger the logs the less you use

[@tonyioannoni4951]

Great video, brings back great memories, I saw a lot of videos where the cutted log always falls into place with no issues, that is one of the 3 problems I saw where a simple metal slide could solve the problem, and as the splitter piston goes to push the log it lifts the slide, second I would select, prep and bring the logs home prior processing setting them up so one guy just picks them up and no selection necessary they are just all in, not to lose ALL that time traveling, collecting dust selecting sizes, cutting pieces too big, or anything else, and the conveyor would be aligned close where the wood would be stacked, thirdly prepping the machine by validating and setting up fuel, motor oil, hydraulic oil, chains, necessary tools, doing this you would reduce the number of specialized operators, and you would just need 2 operators and the rest are stackers, you could have a lot of stackers as their mission would be really simple, they could even make a human chain to accelerate the process, this would greatly reduce the elapsed time, and also yield a bit more wood.... my humble opinion!

[@stevenshade5358]

depending on your sawdust output you might look into briquette formers to turn the waste into fuel

[@HolzMichel]

or use them in your smoker if it's all the same species of wood

[@youtubecommenter4069]

The way you said that it's the best cleanup you could do "for now" and after the weather conditions are clement for you to do a thorough job of it, allows for your friend to lend you the place for your use again if need be.

[@brunothehumble]

I have a good solution for your wood concerns if you have a forklift or similar tool. Look up U-line part number H-1731. They are a wire mesh cage that is stackable and have a openable side and can fold flat when empty and still be stacked up to limit the space they take up. And being wire mesh they don’t hold on to water or snow and have a 4000 pound capacity each and can stack 4 high to a total capacity of 16,000 pounds per stack. They cost 250 a piece but I think they would streamline your operation a lot by being able to just feed directly and stack as it comes off the belt and just keep moving the crates until you run out of wood. Beyond that it may not be a bad deal to look into purchasing a similar unit to that processor. A used unit for sure and it may be a shiny penny to get it but could be worth while in the long term. You’ll be able to process logs out as you acquire them and devote less time overall to maintaining your wood supply.

[@Hfoutdoorsyt]

Great organization and good times with family

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Hank!

[@johnnyappleseed9254]

Seems like they could have designed the splitting trough a little less deep so that the logs going in for splitting don’t dive head first and end up straight up and down. If it wasn’t such a deep drop the logs may stay horizontal more often.

[@gaoutdooradventures]

Great true to life video!!! I can say that based on experience. Having previously owned a firewood production business, I purchased a brand new Rapido Loco 60 made by CRD Metalworks (I do not think they are still in business and I sold my firewood business years ago). With its massive carbide tooth circular saw, it was absolutely amazing at how many cords per hour I could produce. In about 3-4 seconds, I could cut a round and split it into 12 pieces. It truly was a fun machine to run and more than paid for itself in time (they definitely ain't cheap!). Absolutely everything in your video is spot on. From the time it takes to properly set up a processor to the constant little issues with rounds falling sideways into the spitting chamber to all the debris that accumulates on the body of the unit (do it for a living and you'd be glad at what little debris was left on your rental... LOL). It was nearly a full time job, when in full production, to keep everything cleaned out, especially under the conveyor belt so as not to cause premature belt wear. I saw your very common issue with the last round not falling correctly into the chamber. I eventually figured out how to prevent this from happening. I would extend the ram a short distance and then slowly advance that last round/small log forward until it fell off and landed on top of the ram housing.The length of the last round dictated how far out I would extend the ram. Sometimes I'd extend the ram just slightly so that last round would fall off and land at an angle on top of the ram. I would then retract the ram either slowly or quickly (once again depending on the size and length of the round) and the log would fall off and pretty much land perfectly in the "cradle" every single time. That little trick saved A LOT of time in not having to man handle those bigger rounds and then having to get down into that chamber to mess with it just like you showed in your video. One other last thing. After awhile, especially when working alone, I "wisened up" and learned to use the hydraulics of the machine to do all the hard work if a round got sideways in the chamber or something occurred that was just too much for me to handle alone (speaking of the weight of a larger round). I used a small chain with a circle hook to firmly cinch the round and I used a larger hook on the other end of the chain that I could hook to the one of the drive dogs that fed the logs forward. I would then REVERSE the powerful drive dog chain and it would pull that big ol' round back into place or position it wherever I chose. Anyway..... Great video once again, hope these tips help you if you decide to rent again, and keep up the good work!! Take care.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! I appreciate the great comment!

[@jandblawncare8570]

It would be a huge investment but something like an Eastonmade wood splitter might be the ticket. Very fast cycle times, log lift, several different wedges and built like a tank. I ordered a 12-22 from them and it claims to put out 1.5-2 cords an hour if the wood is close by and one extra guy. You can go all in a get a 24 or 36D from them with even faster cycle times and can put anything through it but the down side is they're about 25-30k my 12-22 was 11,500 and bought a 7 way box wedge and a tall 4 way wedge and with shipping from Perth ont. to NWPA it totaled right around 14K. At least this way you could pick away in better weather conditions and put out a few cords a week in a few hours.

[@digdrivediy]

I actually have an Eastonmade Axis splitter now. Lots of videos on my channel if you're interested.

[@CaptainKleeman]

Always interesting to see how much movement shows up when recorded in time lapse like the jack handle moving. Great video as always!

[@digdrivediy]

For some reason I always go home and watch the time lapses first. Always cool to see what you can pick up on that you didn't see as it was happening.

[@anon-bf3jw]

I don't see a clear reason why the logs have to drop so deep into the splitter, the ram can work with less area. In fact you could have a ramp that pivots upright when the ram pushes it, or a way to slow the fall so it drops cleanly. There are a lot of ways to design this better. Looks like they didn't do enough real world resting

[@jcgamer892]

I would suggest start to do 2 different wood piles, 1 pile for your "fresh" logs and let that one sit over the winter to season or wet stack as one of my cousins call it. The 2nd pile would be to cut/split/stack over the course of the summer (dry stack). Then you just have to alternate over the years. It's alot easier to get log pile done over the course of multiple weekends then it is over the course of a week. The added benefit of this is incase you run into a winter that's a little colder or runs a little longer then usual, you have a backup or plan B pile of wood. P.S. Fun story, had a uncle of mine (r.i.p.) that ran 4 or 5 piles this way. 2 fresh/wet stacks, 1 or 2 cut/drying stacks and 1 split/burn stack (also dry). also helped that he ran his own logging company but that's a story for another day.

[@jeffcarter1641]

Watching the beginning of the video... it really does take a village. It's great when friends and family band together to help!

[@digdrivediy]

For sure!

[@wisxc237]

Firewood processor is a game changer I have a guy that rents his processor he runs the machine while I feed with a skid steer we can process about 11-12 cord in about 4-5 hours all piled in 3 big piles then we have to stack it over the next few days it’s awesome seeing the wood shed overflowing after we are done

[@ILHillbilly67]

Best way to filter oil that you’re putting inside of a machine and make sure it’s gonna be clean and free of most of your particulate matter is actually a stack of coffee filters. It’s kind of surprising how effective they are

[@chittendentree6814]

Nice work! We own a slightly smaller version, and I have the same complaints as you brought up. One recommendation I would give is, use the winch on the elevator only for moving the elevator. After you have extended the elevator, hook the chain back up and put slack into the winch. That way, not only will you not have to climb up to remove the chain, but you will save the winch life as well as use it how it was designed. Again, nice work! Keep it up!

[@digdrivediy]

Great tip on the winch. I should have known better. I actually did know but forgot until just now reading this comment. Geez!

[@gentlegiant171]

I ran a tajfun 400 for a few years, I'd say it's slightly better but you tend to find similar issues in most machines

[@alexduke5402]

We use those bulk totes for all kinds of things around the farm take the tank out and use that as a cover for something that can't get wet and use the cage for fire wood to get it in the shop. Ratchet it to the forklift as a way to 'saferly' raise a man in the air, scrap wood\metal anything and everything! They are awesome!

[@philipinchina]

I have 5 log burners here. The biggest one is in the basement. That runs the central heating for the house. I have about 50 square metres of floor space down there so I don't need to stack the wood neatly. I simply cover the floor with it. I suppose I have about 25 cubic metres in the basement. It dries more quickly if not stacked. Above ground I have to stack the logs due to space limitations. Very well made and informative video. Well done.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Phillip!

[@emilkadow658]

My dad has on of these machines and from running it all last summer with me and another guy, you basically went over all the slight problems that can happen when operating this machine. Once you get a rhythm going after sorting out all the odds and ends, this machine can really pound out some face cords. definitely enjoy using this machine over a conventional log splitter.

[@andrewverdie7916]

Fabulous team effort and great attention to detail in this video. I love the way you have prepared so well to make this as efficient as possible and only utilise the workforce for the minimum amount of time. Great repair on the machine and so good to see all that wood being processed to keep you and your family warm. From Andy here in Surrey England who has a small domestic wood burner and a passion for good fuel management its a big well done on this video and this team.......Great job!!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Andy. Great to hear from you and thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you found my video!

[@stever2633]

Just a thought, maybe you’ve tried this… on the That Wood Guy channel, when he’s got say a 24” round that needs to be 16”, he does the 8” cut first, pulls it out and then feeds the remaining 16” down to the ram…

[@alwayslive7460]

BASICALLY WHAT HE SAID HE WAS DOING

[@rtoguidver3651]

I used a hand axe & wedge till I turned 50, than I bought a Iron & Oak logsplitter.. I use about 6 cords a winter, the splitter was $3,000 and it's still going strong 20 years later.

[@АндрейА-щ4у]

Great job! I have two fireplaces at home , I use only birch firewood , I used to saw and chop myself , now I buy ready - made ones . On winter evenings it is very pleasant to sit with the whole family by the fire when it 's freezing outside and it 's snowing . Sincerely from Russia.

[@TheSib]

Great video! I didn’t realize that those processors could be rented. Your fireplace must be larger than mine. Some of those log diameters we still enormous. You did a great job recording this, all while concerning such a huge project! Very informative too.

[@digdrivediy]

Yes, some of them even split were still 80 lbs.

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Man, what a messy week, Neil! This was fun to watch. Another 100% great job and a real-world review.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot Ed! Yeah, Murphy's law in full effect here for both weather and operation it seems, but it still turned out pretty good. Thanks for checking it out!

[@turbotek-wj8vc]

Great video, fantastic hardworking people, thanks for sharing. I think you saved the rental shop a two hour service call for getting after that leak yourselves, I would have liked to hear them throw you a two hour boost ... I really enjoyed this, coming from a guy who uses an 8lb maul to feed our stove.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! I really appreciate that kinda comment too! :)

[@nelsonstree436]

The Easton made 12-22 model has been great for my firewood business. It can split anything with the 28inch 4way wedge.

[@yommmrr]

I did this years wood in about 6 days. 3 loads a day of cutting rounds and bringing them home. Dump outside the woodshed and when I'm done with that split it all. 3 or 4 meters a day until it's done. I got roughly 10 meters in under a week with 1 saw, 1 hydraulic splitter and 1 back.

[@digdrivediy]

Nice!

[@kirklightcap306]

Neil, if your looking for a splitter Eastonmade should be top of your list. My father and I own a Eastonmade and split about 30 face cords a year. It will easily split 2-3 face cords an hour. My experience of a good portion of my life splitting firewood for heat. Love the videos, keep them coming!

[@roncorbin1500]

From What I seen there processor is good also.

[@tb4482]

what model eastonmade do you have? I personally have a 22-28 on order

[@lukeabendroth8157]

I’m sure you have the lost time figured out already but when you mentioned logs dropping wrong or partially split, would it have been better to just keep feeding the processor and pick the missed logs out in the stacking process? You wouldn’t have to shut down production and prevent injuries digging into the machine. During 8 hours I don’t know how many times you had to shut down for a log. Just a thought I had but you still made a ton of wood.

[@digdrivediy]

Love it Kirk! I have actually spoken to Andrew Easton about a splitter and I think we have a few ideas in the works. Glad to hear all the positive reviews. Looks like they have top notch stuff! 👍🏻

[@digdrivediy]

@@lukeabendroth8157 Well, you have to move the log and straighten it to advance the splitter so when it falls wrong you're kinda forced to deal with it unfortunately.

[@ffrost8353]

Very nice video! You did a great job telling the story and filming the process! And the comments from your viewers are well done as well. After running Cordking processors for 35 years, I can relate to some of the issues you had with logs that weren't fully prepared for processing. Looks like you've figured out how to handle those problems and will be ready to go next year. The best suggestion I can offer for next year's supply would be to try one of processors utilizing a circle saw. If the wood is kept clean, you won't be dealing with a dull blade at all for your needs. Keep up the good work!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for a great comment! I love to try one with a circular saw with a circular saw!

[@jamesbyrne2004]

Thank you for posting this and going over the pros and cons of it.

[@digdrivediy]

You bet!

[@bruceb397]

I changed over to IBC totes last year and I have 2 less times to handle the wood. I take the plastic bladder out and cut an opening into the long side so we can retrieve the firewood when it's time to burn. I set the tote beside my log splitter in the field and once I stack it in the IBC, I won't have to touch the wood until I carry it into the house to burn. Pallet forks on the tractor move the wood to the house and into a pole barn. I stack the pallets 2 or 3 high and when it's time to burn I use the tractor to set in my garage and a pallet jack to position next to the door leading into the house. I wish I had done this years ago. How do you use your backhoe to split wood? I have a 'hoe and think this might work for the extra large rounds I can't move by myself. I found the video on your youtube feed. Thanks for the info

[@digdrivediy]

I like your way of thinking!!! I'm gonna try some totes for sure.

[@jameswingett9088]

Great video, and your complaints are spot on! I do 1800. Facecord a year with these, i worked as 3rd shift painter for 2 years for dyna sales, wife and i do 20 cord just under 16 hr, providing minimal breakdowns. Thank you for taking time providing this video.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot James. Thankful to hear that I wasn't too critical from someone that is that familiar with the machines!

[@dougdinsmore9751]

There are some good firewood splitters out there. No idea what your budget is, but something like a Wolf Ridge multi-head would allow you to make a lot of wood quick without help. If you have room to process logs in front of where you store your wood, them maybe a conveyor too to minimize handling. Great video, I just subscribed!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Doug! I appreciate the sub. I generally don't process and split wood right there just to keep down on the mess.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Great video, Neil. We enjoy cutting when we can, splitting when we can. I would really struggle to give up the holiday week to just do firewood. Spacing it out over time makes it more enjoyable. We love using the IBC totes and our Split-Fire splitter. We've done several videos about firewooding. I was shocked how much debris that processor makes in 8 hours. And the reaching over and flipping the round would certainly become frustrating. Enjoyed the video! - Chad

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a bunch Chad. Yep, I've done firewood in about every way there is it seems like. Been feeding this beast for 15 years so always trying to come up with more efficient ways of doing it. I'm gonna play around with the totes but I just may need a bigger tractor! I watched your video on how heavy they were a long time ago it seems like. Thanks for checking it out!

[@FromSteelToWood]

Another great video Neil! 25 minutes of pure entertainment. Setting the whole operation for 11 cords is where it hurts. The processor makes you gain that lost setup time, but in my opinion, you only get even (timewise) with bucking with a chainsaw and splitting with a decent splitter. Especially you have the excavator and skid steer on site that can help you a lot. If you do more than 11 cords, you make it worth the rental (and setup) I think.

[@digdrivediy]

That is good observation. I was happy with what we got done at least.

[@PartTimeYooper]

@@digdrivediy I think the name of the game to speed things up would be 1) long, straight AGED logs where the bark has already fallen off. That would be huge for reducing mess AND having cleaner logs. 2) having McDonald's ready for your stacker 🤣

[@jeremyjones8872]

@@PartTimeYooper yup.. i know feeding the help some quality McDonald's always gets everyone moving faster happier (unless your like me bcuz i gotta take a quick nap if i eat 2 sandwiches🙂 damn old age

[@willh1082]

My dad rented on of these, two guys can put out a lot of production if you're just leaving the wood in a big pile, he ran the skid stear loading the rack and bucking log butts, i ran the machine. Don't forget a chain and set of tongs because your will inevitably forget to put the holder down and roll a log vertically into it and need something to get it out

[@kevindunlap5525]

First time visitor. Absolutely wonderful video with excellent editing, audio, (Your voice is a natural) great machine and processing views, explanations....really nice.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Kevin! I appreciate you checking it out and the nice comment.

[@andymehl7994]

Great video, Neil. Good thoughts on the Dyna Processor. I have watched other reviews on that same unit and everyone has the same complaint about how the logs drop after being cut. As you pointed out, manpower is definitely an issue when operating a machine like that. I have just a wood burning fire place and use it to supplement other heat sources. I have a 25 Ton County Line splitter that I got from TSC and it works well for me. My logs tend to be smaller than yours, and I am not splitting nearly as much. I am splitting Maple and Red Oak, mostly, and it goes through both relatively easily. One of the thing I like is the fast cycle time. Best I can tell is it has the fastest cycle time of the readily available units, at 11 seconds. Down side for me is the amount of handling of the wood that I have to do. Since I only burn 2-3 cords a season, it is not as much of an issue, and I try to do a little every week. I'm thinking you're going to want to look into a larger unit, as mine splits the logs a bit smaller than what it looks like you prefer to have.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for sharing Andy.

[@jakebredthauer5100]

Do you mean that a Dyna 16 is too weak for an 8-way or 12-way knife (to get smaller pieces). You probably do not have an outdoor boiler. They normally use larger wood. Isn't 16 one size up from 14 (their smallest)? I saw he was using a 6-way knife and possibly a 4-way knife. I would have liked to have him comment on the knife selection and take better pictures. He was focused on the way the logs dropped. Some processors have a device to make the logs drop properly.

[@digdrivediy]

@@jakebredthauer5100 I think the Dyna 16 is the biggest. I have an outdoor boiler as you can see at the end of this video. It will accept pieces as big as I can physically lift. I used the 4 way wedge for that reason. They have an option for finer splitting but I didn't take it with me. In my video from last year you can see the wedge a bit better.

[@jakebredthauer5100]

@@digdrivediy Okay. Thanks. The variety of makers, models and features is mind boggling. The situation is so bad that one guy (in these comments) was taking advantage of the situation by telling us that the processor with the knife-blade that cut across the log was the best processor. What a scammer. When the automobile was just getting going I think there was about 50 different manufacturers. They have been thinned down over time. The American manufactured firewood processors seem clunky to me compared with the European. I think DYNA tries to promote renting.

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

Why not drop the wood into IBC Totes with the plastic container removed (use just the frame). That way you don't have to handle the wood an extra time and can then move wood around with a forklift. Would make managing the wood a lot more efficient

[@EdwardMurray06]

I agree that’s a good idea but those totes cost anywhere from $75-$100 where I live, each. Food grade are even more. I think the idea is to make it as cost effective as possible

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

@@EdwardMurray06 remember that your TIME has a cost to it as well and I am sure if you ask around you can find someone looking to get rid of a few for the cost of you carting them off. Even if you had to pay $100 the labor savings is worth it

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

people with good hearts and willing to help blessings to their immortal souls = we need more of them !

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

This machine looks like three quarters developed and then sold as prototype: Three people like You could have given the producer enough input to tackle the last quarter at least half and thus make it less of a pain to use: add better climbing/maintaing-while-use grips and steps, get rid of the most annoying "safety" obstructions actually making most machines LESS safe, organize the hoses and pivots in a less debris-prone manner ..... As a highly specialized boatbuilder, used to solve individual customers' needs, I have problems with understanding why people building specialized stuff like this machine do not go out, help during work once in a while and this way see, hear and feel what's unfinished/improvable in their product. Thanks for sharing.

[@nickmaclachlan5178]

It's like they never tested their proof of concept and just said "That'll do"...... It mainly just looks too high off the ground, sure it wouldn't lose much to have a little lower centre of gravity?

[@jeremyjones8872]

I would say just by looking,covering all the hoses and parts with ah piece of metal,or even strong plastic an box it in,shouldn't of been ah huge deal for the designer/builder..but would defiantly make it cleaner and i bet less misc damage that i bet has happened with things falling an moving around over time..

[@waynebiroth5275]

Everything added up free wood - fuel for everything - splitter cost - lunch for everyone or if you pay them - all total finial cost Is it worth it. A friend of mine does it he's getting out he just can't do it anymore age - body he does his little at a time has 2 years of stock. Thanks for showing this

[@jakein9838]

You do a great job showing the “working details” of this operation, people don’t realize how much effort and time actually is spent on production.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@michaelmcguire3983]

Another great video Neil! Now I really really regret not being able to make it over to see it’ in operation! ! With your talents not only as an operator but your machine building ability I think either a end of arm cutter splitter or skid steer combo would work for you…. I’m not as good at keeping things neat and tidy as you but in my operation I cut out a few steps that you are doing. 1.) stacking. Are you doing that to conserve space? Other than that I see no benefit…2.). How big is your firebox? I cut mine to as big as I can handle that fit in my firebox they burn longer and saves handling time. Also I only split what I can’t handle or won’t fit through the door…. Just my industrial engineering take on the operation…in other words only do the operations that are required or ad value. Have a great week! Take care my friend!

[@scotpettengill7801]

Hi Neal, the 11 cords you did in 8 hours is great production. Having the help that you did was awesome as well. The equipment to load logs and the trucks to haul to your house are essential to your production. Having logs without any limb nubs is critical for production . Pick and choose logs that will go through the trough nice and easy. By keeping the junk in a separate place for someone else to split on a different machine is a game changer. That chunky wood is a good way to repay people or friends that help you, as you can give them that wood and they can split it , toss it into your dump trailer for delivery. As for totes, when you stack 16 inch wood in them neatly, they hold exactly 1/3 of a cord. The upside is load them and move them out of your way, then put them in dry storage when you can. I used them for years to give a sure measure to customers come fall sales. I'm retired now, but cordwood is selling for $350 per cord these days. Do the math on your amount of wood that you need, but 11 cord is about $3350. Value. Figure out that you get paid to deliver wood to your farm, so that a big plus. I hope you can find something here from me that helps, any questions feel free. Scot from Hollis, New Hampshire.

[@digdrivediy]

Really appreciate it Scot. I've been burning wood here for 20 years, 15 of those with this wood boiler. I've tried it every which way so always looking for a new way to try. Thanks for watching!

[@curtwhite876]

Great job fixing the hydraulic leak. One bit of advice though, you might have used the wrong tool. Instead of a wrench, I've learned to use Knipex Cobra pliers on Tractor Time With Tim. ;)

[@digdrivediy]

🤔

[@bigshoe9130]

There is a reason them style of pliers are named 'nut fuckers' they chew up fittings. Wrenches are definitely the proper tool for the job. That being said, knipex do adjustable wrench that work similar to the knipex cobras - without chewing up the fitting.

[@swinada]

we used to burn about 10-14 cords a winter in Northern BC with a Heatmor Boiler. The advantage of being up north is lots of pine trees that are only 10" to 20" at the butt. I would cut the biggest rounds off to hand split and use in the indoor wood stove and then cut the rest just in 4' pieces, no splitting needed. So not sure if in your area you can can get smaller rounds but it safes a lot of work if you don't have to split.

[@digdrivediy]

Oh yes, I've cut a good amount of longer poles that don't require any splitting. Many trailer loads I don't split and they just stay in the trailer and I park it in front of the stove. Thanks for watching Markus!

[@1990westfalia]

Nice video. My brother in-law burns wood in his workshop all winter in Minnesota. He uses the totes you showed near the end as he can store and move those easily. We cut and split with a 22ton splitter all day to fill 14 totes. As I watch your video, it shows the pre and post work you do. As we split, we try to touch the wood only twice. Cut and split. Split wood goes directly into either a plastic tote or the wire frame. Separating the totes gives us two containers. We place the totes on pallets for ease of movement. Skillet

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Geothermal with a heatpump is worth looking into, not that it is going to be as simple as wood it can be a sort of one-and-done situation (until the machinery breaks of course). That's a cool machine. Never seen one before. Thanks for sharing!

[@RRaucina]

Nice thing about geo thermal is you dont need to own a skid steer, a dump truck and a couple excavators.

[@magnusE7]

I think my friend who lives in a big house using ground heat. Like this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJCuaISnrcSkqbM

[@darwinbird8463]

@@RRaucina my 8k house in Indiana heats for $275 a month on 2019 dollars. Had 1 of 3 waterfurnace units go out in August 2021. Install date was 1997 of unit replaced. Not sure the cost, I bought house in 2006. The new unit was a $17k 5-ton series 5. Did not get as much enjoyment out of the $17k as with the skidsteer it could have bought. Glad to be back to the cheap energy bills. Looking forward to paying under $300 for January and February rather than $700 in 2022 dollars. Love my geothermal, spread $10k over 23 years, it is the best, cheapest heating and cooling source available. Even cheaper than living in San Diego or Miami.

[@kylemac8672]

@@darwinbird8463 geothermal cools as well?

[@darwinbird8463]

@@kylemac8672 yes, with no outside unit. Heat transfer from house to ground in summer, from ground to house in winter.

[@RossOnTheLand]

Hey Neil, are The cost of the chains included in the rental or do you have to sharpen them yourself? What do you use the sawdust for? Thanks for the effort in showing us your process. Do you stack the wood for the current season or do you have a year ahead? Thanks.

[@edwardgoering1237]

Anytime I sided a house with cedar usually 7 1/4 in. groove I ask the cut man save the saw dust its an old remedy for Dog's Fleas sprinkle in the Dog House a couple times each summer usually one shovel will do

[@RossOnTheLand]

@@edwardgoering1237 I liked using it in the chicken coop as well. Thanks.

[@digdrivediy]

Hey Ross! The chains are included with the rental. I don't use the sawdust for anything. I usually just throw it in the stove a little at a time. I have a pile for next year already started but it isn't all split up yet.

[@curriecountryliving]

What an excellent video. Just loved how you introduced your wood crew and connections to them. You have a great team from start to finish. I run a similar crew of friends and family all manual and we use thanks giving long weekend here in Canada to put up the majority of our wood for the OWB. I also very much enjoyed your range of shots from drone to GoPro as well as the clear Audio.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot CCL. It sure is nice to have a good network of family and friends to draw upon and help each other out. Thanks for the kind words.

[@raytreherne26]

Somebody once said to me if wood is your main fuel source you will never be cold. You spend quite a bit of you life cutting splitting and stacking that will keep you warm. Great video, grest joint effort pleasure to watch. Your analysis of the rental and the summing up very comprehensive

[@matt5george]

So i cut my logs to size and split as i need them so every night i go out and grab some precut logs or i cut some and split what i think ill need. I enjoy the process it is simple and if in the mood ill cut more and split more for the following days. This is what i do because like you i store my stuff inside out of the elements. I can cut and split what i need for that day in 15 mins or so. I used to buy but i enjoy and my 11 year old daugter loves to pull the splitter handle!! Love you videos!

[@jchanning72]

I really enjoyed the video, however, I have a question and it is this: is this economically a sensible approach? Given the cost of the rental equipment, the manpower (it must have been ~20 man-days of effort), fuel cost and all the other equipment required, would it not just have been cheaper to buy 11 cords?

[@digdrivediy]

It's still cheaper than buying wood for me. I don't like the time commitment over a short period though.

[@nonyabuisness]

My 80 year old grandpa does 10 cord a year by himself. He just uses a little hydraulic splitter and alot of cursing 🤬

[@digdrivediy]

That's awesome!

[@gallopingg1]

THAT LOG SPLITTER IS A CRAP DESIGN!!!!!!!

[@ajs96350]

I would definitely just pick away at it throughout the year. Nice video, thanks for taking the time to do it.

[@edwinmiller3835]

I live up in central Washington and built my own log splitter 25 30 years ago I go for the one chord one on one day during the weekend five six times during the summer up to the mountains and I've got on my wood for the year that way I can spread it out and it's not a mad rush like that but you got a lot of wood split there great job and a handy looking machine

[@markbarber7839]

Thanks for the video and sharing. We burn 2 bush cords/yr. I can't imagine trying to season 16/yr

[@tig8619]

Enjoyed the video, I ran a Blockbuster 22-22 for about 10 years and this brought back some good memories. We would run that thing wide open for about 8 hours a day and produce about 20 to 25 cords in a day, me on the processor, one guy in a skid steer with a grapple and another guy prepping logs with a chainsaw.

[@elrobo3568]

This made it harder for me this morning going outside to grab my maul and chain saw. I have been thinking of making a maul that is operated by remote control and the best feeder I can come up with is my dog picking up logs and depositing them on the splitter log. So far not working right, he is a great dog but still likes to chew the logs rather than process them. It was fun watching this!

[@harley96cube]

I use IBC totes and it works well for me. I remove the plastic, cut part of one side of the cage out to allow me to reach in. I put them right by my splitter and stacked full, get about 1/3 cord in each. I use a skid loader to move them to my drying area.I stage my dryest wood under a lean-to where my boilder is and move them closer to unload directly into boiler as needed. Being a one man show, this seems to be the most efficient for me to reduce handling. I use a 27 ton log splitter without any extra features like log lifters. If I can't easily lift the round, I can tip the splitting rail vertical and roll the round up to it. I think I got lucky when I bought it. It was 3 or 4 years ago, but the local farm/fleet store had a sale and cash back, so it only cost me just over $600. Now, the same/simlar are listed for $1299.99.

[@EstOptimusNobis]

Our family ran sawmills for 40 years. Just a thought........... if you got hold of a bush chipper, and whole log chipped, you could rig up an auger feed to your wood furnace. Rig a silo for the wood chips. Of course its an investment well beyond the $550/year. Great video!!

[@darthgbc363]

I'm very tempted to get a wood chip burning boiler. Pros - auger feed, less heavy wood handling, local arborists would love to dump their wood chips at my place compared to paying the landfill to dump. No more splitting wood. Very little ash, cause it's fully burnt to very high temps. Cons - Storing wood chips to dry & not rot. Initial cost. Large hopper / building. Not knowing how much wood chips to store & dry per season.

[@paulmarion7578]

Those IBC pallets are great if you stack the wood in them by hand at takes about three per cord and four if you let it drop from the belt . Then just move them with the tractor forks .

[@davidm2645]

Neil...we heat with wood as well. Id'e say we burn about 10 cords a season. We go out in the cooler weather in the spring and fall - everyday that the weather is nice and cut a load. We have a small single axle trailer, a 1953 Super M to pull the trailer, a 1975 Ford 2000 with a 730 loader, a Spee-Co splitter and a 1969 Cub Cadet to pull the splitter around. Our work force is my mother in law - who is in her upper 70's, my wife and myself. I use a Dolmar 6400 chainsaw and my wife uses her Stehl.

[@digdrivediy]

Very cool!

[@burnslake1696]

Dollar for Dollar, versus time spent. I'd have a couple propane tanks. It's automatic, plus I wouldn't have to feed the fire.

[@kielnahs]

awsome video. I remember the days of heating with wood in Michigan. I am in Arizona now so no firewood needed. You're blessed to have the family and friends you have.

[@digdrivediy]

I am certainly thankful for all the family and friends for sure.