Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: cando attitude on January 27, 2015, 07:36:39 PM

Title: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: cando attitude on January 27, 2015, 07:36:39 PM
......yep, just spent another $5K on a 14K GVW flatbed to haul the tractor and a couple cords of wood on.

You see it all started a little over a year ago when I was looking at my $700. electric bill and thinking there's got to be a better way.  That's when I decided to invest in an outdoor wood burner ~(10-11K all in).  I did a quick return on investment and thought "heck, I'll have this baby paid for in as little as 4 years.

I purchased it in Feb of 2014 but did not install until fall of 2014.  So after my purchase, I knew I would be cutting more wood so I thought I had better invest in a bigger, mo-betta saw (~$400) and of course a wood splitter (~$900).  I got to cutting wood throughout the year, stock piling it away and the more I cut, the more I thought it would be safer (I live in a hilly area) and faster if I had a bigger tractor.....(make that $27K later).  And finally, with a bigger tractor, my little 16' 7000GVW trailer wasn't able to cut it, so I invested in a 20'er with a 14K GVW.

So let's recap:

Boiler installed  - $10,500
Chainsaw         -  $400
Splitter            -  $900
Tractor            -  $27,000
Trailer             -  $5,000

Grand Total     -  $43,800 and counting  (next project is to build a 24x24 shelter to keep my wood dry)


It's a good thing the wife doesn't like math.................I just smile and tell her how much we're saving on electric.

Burning wood to me is a hobby and I really enjoy being out in the woods.

Hopefully I'm not the only one who has a similar story to tell :o :o :o :o :o :o

Cando
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: willieG on January 27, 2015, 08:02:54 PM
I spent along the same lines over the years. but you also have to remember all (most) of those things you purchased have a resale value of some kind (perhaps also with a small tax benifit at years end?)  The 'equipment you have purchased does go to raising your "net worth"

that CASH you laid out each month for your heat bill is not likely a cost you can claim at income tax time and it is money that will never ever return 1 cent to you that you spent.

when you decide to quit cutting wood (or die) you  (or the little wife) will have a whole bunch more stuff to list in your auction and that will draw more folks to it and more folks means more available money and bidding wars and ..oh gosh, you (or your widow) will be so glad you accumulated all that wood burning equipment.   
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: juddspaintballs on January 27, 2015, 08:06:23 PM
I think you need another chainsaw.
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: intensedrive on January 27, 2015, 08:32:09 PM
Do you sell wood to help support the cost of equipment?
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: mlappin on January 27, 2015, 08:48:47 PM
Lot of my stuff is wrote off for farm use which is what it was originally intended for, just so happens also handles firewood very well.  ;D

Chainsaws, skid steer, grapple etc.
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: aries9245 on January 28, 2015, 02:36:22 AM
Lot of my stuff is wrote off for farm use which is what it was originally intended for, just so happens also handles firewood very well.  ;D

Chainsaws, skid steer, grapple etc.

 :thumbup:
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: Bud Man on January 28, 2015, 06:45:36 PM
OH! C'mon Cando. You mean to tell us you ain't buying a $60,000 new dually truck to pull that bad boy trailer?  ::)
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: cando attitude on January 29, 2015, 05:42:12 PM
 ??? ???

Budman, you bring up a good point; however, given that I already had the 1 ton SRW, I decided to not include it.  Snuck that one in on my wife about a year ago.......my prior 3/4 ton broke down while pulling the camper  (7000 lbs.) to a weekend trip and I might have insinuated to her that, that 3/4 ton diesel may have been the problem and that for the safety of her and the family we had better buy a new 1 ton................................... >:D >:D  Does that make me a bad person??

Cando
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: Shrek1112 on January 29, 2015, 05:57:17 PM
Not a bad person Cando just a crafty one.  I have been trying to run that past the Mrs. for years but still no upgrade yet as my truck is still running. 
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: Bud Man on January 29, 2015, 08:06:58 PM
Not bad at all Cando. Just found the whole woodburner/chainsaw/etc funny. It happens to all of us. We don't really save money burning wood, we just spend our money locally instead of globally.
I can't pull that kind of stuff on my wife and it's my fault. My wife came from big city and I moved her to the farm. Taught her to run 500hp tractors, run 12 row corn heads and 36 ft grain heads. She can shift a 13 speed, catch a combine on the go with a 1200 bushel grain cart, unload that cart on the truck and drive the truck to the bin site.
Yep, she is cheaper than the hired help. I had to pay them and......bought a new pickup every year!
Today? My newest pickup is an '08. Does everything it needs to do. And she does everything I want her to do. :)
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: slimjim on January 30, 2015, 03:27:27 AM
That's funny Bud Man, I as well imported my wife, She was born and raised on Long Island NY, Went to school to become a chef, worked and taught in that profession for over 20 years then met good old me, moved to Maine, learned to work Our Cat 416, drive the trucks and has never looked back, She even makes sure we have Bud in the fridge of the pool room, We both have exceptionally good women!!!!
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: LittleJohn on January 30, 2015, 06:46:47 AM
You forgot to throw out the cost of the GYM Membership, you no longer need because of the workout time you get moving wood around
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: kommandokenny on January 30, 2015, 08:49:11 AM
your not done yet......... ;D.

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e212/kommandokenny/processor-37-1-e1326309842850.jpg)
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: kommandokenny on January 30, 2015, 08:58:48 AM
Yep,, I added it all up,,, and it's still worth it.

Atv and wagon $8000 [wanted 1 anyway ]
Saws I had .
Splitter $1200
OWB $10,00 installed.
[Cnd Pesos]

saving:
$2500/$3000 in propane  + $500 hydro, for DHW...  so 4 years to recoup.
Decided to sell some wood to get a quicker return on the investment.
kk
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: jrider on January 30, 2015, 09:54:44 AM
I had sold wood for years before I got my OWB so I had everything I needed - tractor with forks, splitter with 4 way, a few saws to choose from, and a dump truck.  The only thing that was lacking was where to get rid of the ugly stuff and pine so I got my OWB and burn nothing but junk I can't sell.  Looks like I'm the minority here.
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: kommandokenny on January 30, 2015, 12:49:19 PM
Oh ya, wife is on board and likes riding the 4 wheeler [she's ex H.D. rider]
Face Chords go for 80-100 bucks around here.



(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e212/kommandokenny/fall2013347.jpg)


(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e212/kommandokenny/fall2013328.jpg)

 8)




Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: cando attitude on January 30, 2015, 08:40:05 PM
What's a bit ironic about all my spending is that basically I'm known by friends & family as tighta$$.  Before I got the boiler, I had the thermostat set in the 60's, yelling at the kids for taking too long of showers etc, etc, etc.  Hell, the wifie used to run around the house in Pj's, housecoat and my wool hunting socks.

At least now with the boiler, we live high on the hog with extended showers and a comfie house in the 70's.  And the best part of all.... I accidentally learned that If I crank up the heat a little higher on occasion, I can cook her right out of those jammies and get her to run around the house in something I find a little easier on the eyes.....she complains about it being too hot every now and then..............I just tell her that it's new and I'm trying to figure things out >:D >:D

Cando
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: Shrek1112 on January 30, 2015, 09:46:47 PM
Cando you sound like me, with the ranting and raving about long showers and the T-stat prior to the OWF.  Plus, I am going to have to try the "cooking" trick out at our house  ;) ;),  :post:
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: ijon on January 31, 2015, 05:25:14 AM
What's a bit ironic about all my spending is that basically I'm known by friends & family as tighta$$.  Before I got the boiler, I had the thermostat set in the 60's, yelling at the kids for taking too long of showers etc, etc, etc.  Hell, the wifie used to run around the house in Pj's, housecoat and my wool hunting socks.

At least now with the boiler, we live high on the hog with extended showers and a comfie house in the 70's.  And the best part of all.... I accidentally learned that If I crank up the heat a little higher on occasion, I can cook her right out of those jammies and get her to run around the house in something I find a little easier on the eyes.....she complains about it being too hot every now and then..............I just tell her that it's new and I'm trying to figure things out >:D >:D  You sly dog.

Cando
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: ecc_33 on January 31, 2015, 05:30:43 AM
I hear you guys lol
Boiler- 12,000 with msc tools
Tractor with FEL and BH-27,000
New utility trailer to pull tractor and wood-1500
3/4 ton diesel truck to pull all said above-50,000 invested
1986 1/2 ton to pull said above because diesel truck is to nice to get all dirty and scratched up. 4,000
Chain saw- 1,000
Log splitter- 4,600
WOW. Don't like the looks of those numbers but wouldn't take back all the fun and toys for the world.
Title: Re: ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
Post by: aries9245 on January 31, 2015, 06:49:05 AM
What's a bit ironic about all my spending is that basically I'm known by friends & family as tighta$$.  Before I got the boiler, I had the thermostat set in the 60's, yelling at the kids for taking too long of showers etc, etc, etc.  Hell, the wifie used to run around the house in Pj's, housecoat and my wool hunting socks.

At least now with the boiler, we live high on the hog with extended showers and a comfie house in the 70's.  And the best part of all.... I accidentally learned that If I crank up the heat a little higher on occasion, I can cook her right out of those jammies and get her to run around the house in something I find a little easier on the eyes.....she complains about it being too hot every now and then..............I just tell her that it's new and I'm trying to figure things out >:D >:D

 :thumbup: I Love It..

Cando