That's what I call these tractors. From what I've seen, they're equipped with claws that grip felled logs and big circular saws that cut them to length in a flash. We're seeing a lot of logging going on all around us. People with wooded land are cutting down trees and stacking the logs for future firewood. I think this has to do with the ban on selling/installing new oil-burning heating systems set to take effect this summer.
A lot of people already burn wood to heat their homes and water. Many, like us, burn wood to supplement their main heating systems, be they oil, gas, or electric. More and more people are switching over to heat pumps and pellet-fueled heating systems. Existing fuel oil systems aren't affected by the ban, but when it's time to replace them, people like us will have to choose a new technology.
I wondered if you had been giving thought to how you’ll heat next. Do you have to have any concerns about continuing to burn wood, as well? As for the tractor, I wonder what it’s officially called -- like, if you wanted to buy one, what do you ask for? Claws ’n’ Saws is catchy.
ReplyDeleteMy parents' home in Florida had oil heat, they had it replaced with a heat pump and were surprised by how much cleaner it smelled. The answer to Mitchell's question is Feller Buncher. The also strip the smaller branches off the trunk of the tree. They do in a minute or two, what it would take 15-30 minutes to do with chainsaws and manpower.
ReplyDeleteFeller Buncher! I love the name. Thanks.
DeleteI am not a huge fan of heat pumps. Here in western NC ours struggles to keep the house warm in the dead of winter but at least there is a propane back up. The heat pump just pushes around air that is too cool for me. The propane heated air is much warmer.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment about the heat pumps. Is that a ductless system you have? I was considering that choice to give me both heating and airconditioning. Now I have ceiling heat which would be available for additional heating if I needed it. Please advise.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the birthday dessert you will have whipped up for Ken! Will it be a Tarte Amandine?
ReplyDeleteYes, Walt, my mouth is watering at the thought of the possibilities for the birthday dessert!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the ban on new oil-fired systems. It seems that France is ahead of the international curve. Given the world, I imagine lots of people are now looking at alternatives.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that if you have an oil system, the ductwork (or the spaces it occupies) can be repurposed for ductwork for a heat pump, which is cleaner, cheaper, and generally better (provides air conditioning in hot weather, too). Although, as Melinda says, in very cold weather it does struggle, but France mostly doesn't have the extremes of cold that the US does.
mitch, no problems with wood, except that it's a lot of work and a little messy. Not sure about the tractors, but I'm almost certain "claws and saws" isn't it. Oh, wait, Travel has an answer below.
ReplyDeletetravel, I could use a mini version of that here. Even if only to rent it to deal with the pile of birch branches I have to cut up.
melinda, I'm not even sure I know how they work! Research time...
judy, we had some apples to use so I made an apple crumble. Yummy!
mary, see above!
emm, we have no ducts. Our system is a hot water/cast iron radiator system, so we need a boiler to heat the water. I don't know if a heat pump can do that. Again, research time...
It's curious to read about folks still burning wood for heat. I thought it was something long ago discarded if not downright disallowed.
ReplyDelete