The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: VA-Sawyer on January 24, 2004, 06:27:24 PM
What is a realistic number of loads one can cycle through a solar kiln in a year. I've seen claims ranging from 12 ( average one a month ) to 3 ( 1 over fall/winter , 2 during spring/summer )
I realize there are a lot of variables. Lets figure 4/4 red oak, fresh off the stump, fresh sawed. Dried to 6 or 7% MC.
Total loads per year ?
VA_Sawyer Larry dryes about 3 to 4 loads a year. I think
it depends on where you are. Hope Larry see this and he
can answer it better.
Sawwood
This past year I was able to get 4 loads threw mine. But ya have to remember I'm way north of you, U.P. of Michigan. All loads were green off the stump.
Will air drying for a month, make it easier or worse (more checking). Whats the highest temp you can achieve in the UP.
I think that the 3 to four loads a year is about right. I am on the first year with my kiln and we just put the 5 load in. The first load was poplar that was green then elm that was air dryed fo 6 months red oak green then air dryed mixed load of cheery and elm the last load is mixed and air dryed should be out when the year is up. Carl B.