first time buying logs

[Florida boy]

well I'm in rhe process of getting materials together to build a pole barn. I've gotten quotes on all materials that are metal but am still needing some 2x8x16 lumber. I have about a 1/5 of what I need.
  so I started talking to friends and family about pine Trees I could get. well didn't come up with a whole lot and really don't have the time to cut and hall too many. so I decided to call some local logging companies. a few didn't answer, one guy said sure just had to buy about 1300 dollars worth, but then told me about someone how does smaller loads. I got his info and called.
   he said he was in nice timber right now. and could get me a load of 16" or better small end 16'6" pre-cut syp logs. the load would be about 15 tons at $45 a ton ($675).
he said that many would be in the 20-24" range. this price is delivered to me as that is what he gets at tge big mill.
     so my question is how many board feet will come out of logs this size? he said the average load would be 20 logs or so. does this sound right? also do you think the price is in line for northwest florida/deep south?
  this is my first time buying logs from a logger and want to developers a good source for logs. I'm only cutting for myself now but would like to expand in the future. the logger also said he cuts many different species including cypress oak pine cedar and poplar. I think that this could turn into a good source for logs. any pointers on developing this type of relationship would be appreciated. thanks.

[sealark37]

There is a calculator in the "Tools" section under the forum header.  It says that a 24" log 16 feet long contains about 400+ board feet.    The calculator can also give you the log weight.   Regards, Clark

[bucknwfl]

According to my buddy they are paying landowners around 30/ton for good grade logs   So 45 delivered is pretty good but expect things to go up with all the rain

Thanks

Buck

[bandmiller2]

You may try some tree service companys they get some nice logs and are usually not involved in  commercial logging as big mills don't want yard trees. Many of them will be willing to give you the logs in exchange for lumber. Softwoods to large to chip are a disposal problem for them. Frank C.

[Florida boy]

I did talk to a tree service and they said to send  contact info and that they would let me know when they have a job that may be of interest. guy basically explained that he just didn't have time to sort anything and burns all that they haul. so I would basically have to get it the day he drops it cause he burns it in short order.
                   I'm going to post some pics of the progress of the sawmill shed in my other thread as soon as I have something to share. been raining cats and dogs here so haven't been able to move/pack any dirt.
I'm very ready to get moving on this project.
thanks for all of yall's input.

[Ohio_Bill]

I bought a bunch of pine last fall and it ran about 182 bf Doyle per ton.  At that rate you would be paying about 24 cents per bf Doyle delivered.  If the the logs are decent in my part of the country that is a ok price.

[Brad_bb]

I've never cut softwood, but if those were hardwood logs at $45/ton, bucked, good graded stuff, delivered, it would be worth it.  Plus you're getting all your logs in one shot.  I usually use the Calculator at woodweb because It's quick to access on my phone.  I calculate the board footage on the Doyle Scale.  You just input the diameter at the small end and length.  Typically you get a little more out of the log than Doyle says if there are no big defects.  I pay $.25-$.50 a BF depending on the species, and $1.00-1.25 for Walnut saw logs.  I don't have a logger to work with, but rather a firewood guy who gets his logs from tree services who are semi rural.  He gets way more logs than he needs for the firewood business, so he sets aside better grade logs and lets me pick whatever else I want from his hard.  He delivers in his six wheel dumper for an extra fee. 

[LeeB]

Is it a self loader? Do you have a way to unload him? They're cutting right next to me and I've talked to the logger about a load of pine but I have to be able offload the truck. Right now I don't have a decent way to do that so I'll get it a trailer load at a time and roll it off the side.  :D

[Mt406]

I wish I could get logs for 45 a ton.
My last two loads of DF were as 95 a ton.
Last fall DF was going for 70-85 ton.
Lodgepole pine was at 60 ton dead standing.
So to me that's sounds like a good price.

Scott

[Kbeitz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vH09lYB-B0

[millwright]

I've seen logs loaded like that, it really works pretty good as long as you have a steady left foot

[4x4American]

Personally I would buy it.  Idk how much bf converts to tons but sounds like nice logs and I've paid more for less.  Last triaxle load of pine I bought was about a grand delivered.

[Florida boy]

well the logs were 20- 30" on the small end. all butt cuts on clear pine. one has a few knots and one was pretty sweepy but 8 logs this size. one a little smaller and one spruce that's about 12"down to 10 on the other end
all 17' or so.
   only problem was my tractor could not pick them up. it could if they were on the ground but not up on the 10 wheel truck. had to drag them off. could kinda move some with the forks but mostly just rolled'em with the tractor. he tried talking me into the  buying bobcat he has for sale...

             cut up one of the smaller logs before the heat got to me. got 11- 2x8x16
3 - 2x8x12's (hole) and 1 1×8×16, and stickers...

[Ohio_Bill]

Sounds like you did well.  Congratulations

[WDH]

The price is good.

Figure about 5 tons of pine per thousand board feet of green lumber.  You might even get 4.5 tons per thousand with logs that size.  This is figuring a 2x8 at 2" thick by 8" wide, not the store bought dimensions where a 2x8 is really a 1.5x7.25. 

[Banjo picker]

Is he going to be willing to bring you more since you couldn't get them off in a timely manner?  Banjo

[Florida boy]

he said next time he will bring his bobcat do a hundred extra. I have an uncle how has one also maybe  just see about using it for a day next time. the logger didn't seem to mind as I threw him some extra for having to wait and help...