Stihl MS400 vs. Stihl MS391 - Bucking Firewood #38

[@gatorsworld]

Fill the bucket and bring it to your boiler....you have a good system going in your yard....like them tote bins and your even using the tank part.....like that.....CHEERS

[@KNLFirewood]

Hey Gator! I’m gonna have to do something. A lot of guys are suggesting that. I’ll have to do a video about that. IBCs are a game changer for me. Firewood wouldn’t be as fun without them. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gatorsworld]

@@KNLFirewood I really love your videos....they have what I call....meat on the bone...(substance)to them....CHEERS

[@KNLFirewood]

@@gatorsworld thanks Gator! That means a lot!

[@backyardfirewood9852]

I’m diggin’ the bucking table!

[@KNLFirewood]

Thank you! I like it too. Easy on the back 👍. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@InTheWoodyard]

What a dream day to work out side! Nice! Your saw looks and sounds like it is gaining speed! Sweet!

[@KNLFirewood]

The weather has been unseasonable here. Just zero snow so far. I thought the same thing about the saw. It must take 10 tanks or so to really get worked in! Stay warm!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Burn all the ugly stuff in your boiler. Keep the pretty stuff for the customers

[@KNLFirewood]

For sure. I have more ugly stuff than I can burn. I’ll have to find another outlet for the ugly stuff in addition to burning it in our boiler. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@outdoorswiththisguy1950]

Good work over there Mike. I like that bucking table, seems to really work good for ya. Take Care !!!

[@KNLFirewood]

Thanks Don! The bucking table was a fantastic addition. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@woodruffwoods]

Good video Mike. Your woodyard is coming together. I believe that we are all in a constant state of process improvement.

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Woody! I think you’re right. We’re all constantly trying to touch the firewood less in the spirit of improvement! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@craigwilson9560]

Mike, nice bucking table. Like the idea of saving a step and bucking over by your logs and cookie pile, just keep an open area to maneuver around. That tripod bit the dust. Great video and see ya on the next one!

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Craig! Thanks for the kind words. Making firewood videos and tripods are not a great mix I’m learning 😂! I’ll keep you updated on the woodyard progression.

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

So a company I use to work for (commercial construction) had a motto “don’t let it hit the floor” meaning all trash went into rolling trash carts right off the table and all of our cutting tables and such had wheels on them along with our material carts… so everything was easy to move kind of like a production line… that being said I know it would be hard to have you things with wheels but maybe draw it up in your head or on paper to create an assembly line… I’m really digging that cutting table! Keeps you out of the dirt and not bent over! Hope this helps my friend wish you good health and happiness

[@KNLFirewood]

Key points you mentioned…1.) keep it out of and off the dirt 2.) save your back whenever you can. I think this summer I’m going to move the whole set-up into a more stream line setting. We’ll see how it pans out. Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

@@KNLFirewood awesome can’t wait to see what you come up with! Take care my friend wish you good health and happiness

[@botabob]

Mike, I like the bucking table. I noticed that you push your rounds off to the right, at least in this video. You might need to position the Axis so the log lift is where your rounds fall after you cut them. You could have an ‘L’ shaped work flow of some arrangement. I like your idea to relocate the wood yard. You will always move the final product, but no need to move both the off cuts and the firewood.

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Bob! I’m in an L shaped configuration now and don’t really like it. I’m thinking about putting them in s straight line where the rounds basically fall right off the table onto the log lift. But then that limits the amount of wood I can buck before I’d have to split them. 🤔. Still designing the “final” set up. Like you, I do think it kind of senseless to move the scrap move than one has to. Thanks for watching and you input!

[@WhackinAxes]

That bucking table is an awesome idea! I hate bending down all the time to bucks and it keeps your chain out of the dirt!

[@KNLFirewood]

Thanks Whackin Axes! Yes…and yes. The first one I built was much smaller, built out of scrap lumber I got for free. All I had in it was time and screws. You should collab with Todd’s Outside Again and make one 👍

[@lendevonuk5479]

Mike, you need to organise your yard so that you reduce handling. Only you can do that! Cookies: why move anything to make it easier to throw cookies on your pile! Fill a ‘bladder’ on a pallet and dump them there! Theoretically you should be burning your cookies yourself in your central boiler…..surely you don’t make more in a year, than your boiler would consume in a year….granted you do have to allow a couple of years seasoning for each pile.

[@KNLFirewood]

Hey Len! You are correct on many topics. Reorg is all about less handling. And its tough for anyone to know your process if they aren’t involved in person. My cookie thought was, I’m spending energy tossing the cookies anyway (at current, they land in those bladders). Instead of throwing them in a bladder and then moving the bladder, why not just toss the cookies once to their final resting place (unless I burn them). And as far as volume goes, I think I do make more boiler wood than I can consume if you add together the undesirable splits and cookies. I’m pretty overwhelmed at the moment. It seems the more I make, the more they bring me. Any chance you’re coming to the states anytime soon? I could use a hand 😉. Thanks for always watching and providing feedback. I appreciate it a lot!

[@woodnyardjunkie]

Same thing happened to my tripod...log killed it. This weather is real nice for getting ahead on firewood.

[@KNLFirewood]

This Indiana weather has been forgiving so far. I’m afraid we’re going to pay for it sooner or later! New tripod coming…thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ohiofirewood]

Another great video I like seeing that 400c ripping up some logs.

[@KNLFirewood]

Thanks deadwood! It sure is fun to run, as you know. Thanks for watching!

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Mike , I like the bucking table , I am going to build one but it will not be that big . I’m no tripod #2 also !!!

[@KNLFirewood]

I’m really happy with the way mine turned out. Anxious to see yours. I’m sure it will be awesome! Seems like everybody breaks a tripod every now and again! I gotta get caught up on your videos!! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@PaleHorseOutdoors]

Sorry about the tripod, but on a positive note the audio is sounding really good! Love that bucking table!

[@KNLFirewood]

Thanks David! Still dialing it in, but getting better. New tripod on its way! Thanks for watching!

[@WSTMike]

Hi Mike! I'm on tripod number two. I know this won't be the last either. You better order another one, because those tripods don't fix themselves... a feable play on words there. Take care! WST

[@KNLFirewood]

LOL. Good one. From what I hear from you guys I better buy them by the pair instead of one at a time! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

I am using thw Amazon basics tripod.. Been great for the last year.. As for wood why are you cutting cookies?? Cut 1 or 2 good pieces for bundles and the end with knots and too long set aside for the boiler.. I got tired of cutting cookies and that is why I run 2 main stacks.. Anyway just a though..

[@KNLFirewood]

Good question. All my firewood is 16” +/-. The tree service wood comes to me in all sorts of lengths. If, for instance, I have a 40” piece, I’ll cut 2 - 16” pcs and the rest is a cookie. Or if its twisted or otherwise undesirable, I’ll try to salvage a good piece or two out of it and what’s left over is a cookie. Sometimes its just a sliver, other times its 14” or so and everything in between. I’ve got 50 or so IBCs full of undesirables for our boiler already made not including the cookies. I’d have to heat 2 houses and a pole barn to go through all the boiler wood I have…plus I’m making more every time I split. I’m thinking about putting the cookie pile on FB marketplace to see if I can sell it. We’ll see what happens. Thanks for watching and your feedback!

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Good morning Mike. Woodhounds are a tri pods worst enemy! Looks like your set up in the woodyard is working just fine? Thanks for sharing! 👍🏻

[@KNLFirewood]

Morning Todd! You’re right, making firewood videos and tripods don’t mix well. Thanks for watching!

[@destinationom]

if you don't plan on selling the cookies and you already have a boiler then why not make that pile closer to your boiler and make that your personal wood supply since you'll always have some amount and save it from just lying around rotting. Even make sleds and have them piled up near your boiler.

[@KNLFirewood]

I think I’m going to try to sell them. A viewer a few weeks ago suggested I fill up an IBC and put it by my roadside stand and see if there was any interest. Along those lines, I think I’m going to post the entire pile for $50 on FB and see it I have any takers. Thanks for watching and your feedback!

[@destinationom]

@@KNLFirewood sure. To me wood is wood and I am not fused.

[@FirewoodMidwest]

Another tripod bites the dust! That’s why I buy the cheap ones. Take care Mike!

[@KNLFirewood]

This one wasn’t expensive. I got it for Christmas. Poor thing didn’t even last a month. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Count your blessings on the snow. It makes it a lot harder to get anything done

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Iron and Oak! I am very thankful Old Man Winter has taken it easy on us so far. I’m sure we’ll get what’s coming to us eventually.

[@EuroYardService]

Chains are begging for a round of sharpening 😋. Nice logging table. I’d say it could be 6-12 inches lower for perfect cutting height…

[@KNLFirewood]

They are for sure. I try to sharpen after each tank…and I think I was working on emptying 2 tanks each. They are over due for sure. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@keithouellette4075]

Hey Mike, why don’t you burn all those cookies in your boiler

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Keith! That seems to be the question of the hour. The shortest answer I can give you is…I would but I also currently have over 50 IBCs full of undesirable wood set aside for our boiler….and making more every time I’m splitting. I’ll do a video about it coming up. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@danahasson2892]

You can do whatever you want But moving the cookies the least amount is the best. I would add the cookies into your marketing plan for selling wood and whatever you don't use for your self each year sell at a slight discount. Another thing is wood that is around 12 inches in length I use to processes and sell as wood stove / potbelly wood stove firewood and got more for it per cord than standard 16 inch firewood

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Dana! Wait….you get MORE per cord for stuff less than 16”? That’s wild. I thought this spring I’d try FB marketplace and advertise $20 a truck load. We’ll see how popular it is first. Thanks for watching and the suggestions!

[@danahasson2892]

@@KNLFirewood yeah when I stopped doing firewood about 10 years ago iwas getting around $350 a cord for standard 16 inch and for split 12 inch "wood stove" wood I was getting $450 a cord " as a special size" for smaller wood stoves. I did not sell a lot that size but about 20-30 cords a year out of 400 plus cords a year. I'm in Southern California so my prices are higher.

[@slackoutdoors]

We all have days like that brother. Hey quick question what saw do you like better?

[@KNLFirewood]

Hey Slack! Good to hear from you. The 400 all day. I’ve thought about buying a 500i, but I’m honestly leaning towards buying another 400 and selling the 391. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@firewoodathome]

👍👍

[@KNLFirewood]

Thanks for watching and commenting Bill!

[@robgleason2877]

I'd keep them in the totes or I would do something like Chris where his are off the ground. I know your boiler is not a gasser but you'll burn way less wood when it is seasoned. Now when you want to sell it you brings guy like me that run a gasification boiler into the equation. Gassers really like would under 25% and love wood under 20%. Moving your setup to side like that looks like it could be much more efficient for you. Just my .02. The 400 is a nice saw!

[@KNLFirewood]

The 400 is awesome. It’s certainly my go-to. If I ever upgrade boilers I think I’ll have to go with a gasification model as I think the ones similar to what I have will be obsolete eventually. I do wish I would have had enough forethought to put down some pallets before I made a cookie pile. We’ll see how things progress. Thanks for watching and your feedback!

[@richysoutdoors2591]

Got 11” of the snow here , very rough to do anything. At least I could watch KNL , run a saw through some wood, Take’er easy Mike. 🍺👍

[@KNLFirewood]

Glad you could watch. Sorry you have so much snow. We’ll get our share eventually. Stay warm and inside!

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Mike we did a video, only to realize the camera was not on the whole time😂 Get an outdoor boiler, they love anything 😂Stihl💪🚜😎👍🏼🇺🇸

[@KNLFirewood]

Ha! I’m glad I caught it “early” then! Thanks for watching!

[@adrianstefan23]

😎👉👍👍👍

[@kathrynfrey4361]

I was hoping you would be sharing your thoughts on the 2 saws side by side because of the title

[@KNLFirewood]

Hello! Both good saws. The 400c is a great saw. The 400 was new to me when I filmed. It has become my favorite saw. Light weight, just enough power, I love it. If you’re torn and have the extra money, buy the 400.

[@CloudLakeMoon]

I think in your case, to butcher a phrase, “Buck it up suttercup” would have suited the situation. 😆 Cheers. 🇨🇦

[@KNLFirewood]

Oh that’s good. Real good. I might have to use that. 👍😂

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Done that before- forget to hit that button

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi Dave! Sadly, that’s not the first time that’s happened…😄. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@a.l.l.firewood8883]

Personally I would keep it wide open around your work area. Take care

[@KNLFirewood]

You make a good point. Keeping it wide open affords you to keep other options available. Thanks for watching and your feedback!