Stihl MS200T For Sale: Wood Processing Tips (5 Pro Hacks)

Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of wood processing and firewood preparation, armed with the Stihl MS200T and a whole lot of data.

I remember one renovation project vividly. A friend of mine, let’s call him Mark, decided to renovate his old farmhouse. He thought he could handle everything himself, including sourcing and processing the wood needed for new beams and flooring. He bought a used Stihl chainsaw, similar to the MS200T, and jumped right in.

Weeks turned into months. Mark was constantly running into problems – wrong cuts, wasted wood, and a whole lot of frustration. He didn’t track anything, just winged it. The project dragged on, costing him way more than he initially budgeted. The biggest lesson I took from watching Mark struggle? You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

Another time, I was helping a local community group build a playground. We needed a specific type of treated lumber, but the cost was astronomical. We decided to harvest some local timber and mill it ourselves. This time, we were organized. We tracked everything – from the time it took to fell each tree to the final moisture content of the treated lumber. The result? We not only saved a ton of money, but we also learned a huge amount about wood processing.

These experiences, and many others, have taught me the critical importance of tracking project metrics in wood processing and firewood preparation. Whether you’re a seasoned logger or a weekend warrior, understanding these metrics can be the difference between a successful project and a costly headache.

This article is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) in your wood processing and firewood preparation endeavors. We’ll be focusing on practical, actionable insights that you can apply to your own projects, regardless of scale. And, of course, we’ll keep the Stihl MS200T in mind, as a capable tool that, when wielded with understanding and data, can be incredibly efficient.

Unlocking Efficiency: Wood Processing and Firewood Preparation Metrics

Why bother with metrics? Because they give you a clear picture of what’s working and what’s not. They allow you to optimize your processes, reduce waste, and ultimately save time and money. Think of them as your project’s vital signs, telling you whether it’s thriving or struggling.

Here are the key metrics I’ve found most valuable over the years, presented in a way that’s easy to understand and implement.

1. Wood Volume Yield Efficiency

Definition: This metric measures the percentage of usable wood obtained from a raw log or tree. It’s the ratio of the volume of finished product (lumber, firewood, etc.) to the volume of the original raw material.
Why It’s Important: Maximizing wood volume yield efficiency directly impacts your profitability and resource utilization. A higher yield means less waste, lower costs, and a more sustainable operation.
How to Interpret It: Let’s say you start with a log that’s 10 cubic feet in volume. After processing, you end up with 6 cubic feet of usable lumber. Your wood volume yield efficiency is 60% (6/10 * 100). A lower percentage indicates significant waste due to poor cutting techniques, improper equipment settings, or low-quality raw materials.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Wood volume yield efficiency is closely linked to cutting time, equipment maintenance, and moisture content. Dull chainsaw chains, for example, can lead to rough cuts and increased waste. High moisture content can cause warping and cracking during drying, reducing the usable volume.

Personal Story: I once worked on a project where we were milling lumber for a timber-frame barn. Initially, our yield was a dismal 45%. We were losing a significant amount of wood to oversized cuts and uneven surfaces. By sharpening our chainsaw chains more frequently, adjusting our milling techniques, and carefully selecting logs with minimal defects, we were able to increase our yield to 70% within a week. This resulted in a substantial cost savings and reduced the amount of time we spent sourcing additional logs.

Data-Backed Insight: A study by the Forest Products Laboratory found that optimizing cutting patterns and using advanced scanning technology can increase wood volume yield efficiency by as much as 15-20% in sawmill operations. While this study focused on large-scale mills, the principles apply to smaller operations as well.

Actionable Insight: Use a log scale to accurately measure the volume of your raw logs before processing. Track the volume of your finished product after processing. Calculate your wood volume yield efficiency and identify areas for improvement. Experiment with different cutting techniques, equipment settings, and raw material selection to optimize your yield.

2. Cutting Time per Log (or Cord)

Definition: This metric measures the time it takes to process a single log into lumber or a cord of firewood. It includes all activities directly related to cutting, such as bucking, splitting, and stacking.
Why It’s Important: Cutting time directly impacts your productivity and labor costs. Reducing cutting time allows you to process more wood in a given period, increasing your overall output.
How to Interpret It: Track the time it takes to process a representative sample of logs or a cord of firewood. A consistent increase in cutting time may indicate dull chainsaw chains, inefficient cutting techniques, or equipment malfunctions.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Cutting time is closely related to equipment downtime, fuel consumption, and wood volume yield efficiency. A dull chainsaw chain, for example, will increase cutting time, fuel consumption, and potentially reduce the quality of your cuts, leading to lower yield.

Personal Story: I used to be a firm believer in brute force when it came to splitting firewood. I would swing my maul as hard as I could, resulting in sore muscles and slow progress. One day, I decided to try a different approach. I focused on technique, making sure to position the wood correctly and using the weight of the maul to do the work. My cutting time decreased dramatically, and I was able to process significantly more firewood with less effort.

Data-Backed Insight: A study by the University of Maine found that using hydraulic log splitters can reduce cutting time by as much as 75% compared to manual splitting. While hydraulic splitters represent a significant investment, they can be a worthwhile option for high-volume firewood producers.

Actionable Insight: Use a stopwatch or timer to track your cutting time. Analyze your cutting techniques and identify areas for improvement. Invest in sharp, well-maintained equipment. Consider using power tools, such as hydraulic log splitters, to reduce cutting time and increase productivity.

3. Equipment Downtime

Definition: This metric measures the amount of time equipment is out of service due to maintenance, repairs, or malfunctions.
Why It’s Important: Equipment downtime directly impacts your productivity and can lead to costly delays. Minimizing downtime ensures that your equipment is always ready when you need it.
How to Interpret It: Track the amount of time each piece of equipment is out of service. A high downtime rate may indicate inadequate maintenance practices, poor equipment quality, or operator error.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Equipment downtime is closely related to cutting time, fuel consumption, and wood volume yield efficiency. A malfunctioning chainsaw, for example, can increase cutting time, fuel consumption, and potentially reduce the quality of your cuts, leading to lower yield.

Personal Story: I learned the importance of preventative maintenance the hard way. I once neglected to properly maintain my chainsaw, resulting in a major breakdown in the middle of a large logging project. The downtime cost me several days of work and a significant amount of money in repair costs. Since then, I’ve been meticulous about following a regular maintenance schedule.

Data-Backed Insight: A study by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers found that implementing a preventative maintenance program can reduce equipment downtime by as much as 30%.

Actionable Insight: Develop a regular maintenance schedule for all of your equipment. Keep a log of all maintenance activities, repairs, and malfunctions. Train your operators on proper equipment operation and maintenance procedures. Invest in high-quality equipment and replacement parts.

4. Fuel Consumption per Volume of Wood Processed

Definition: This metric measures the amount of fuel consumed per unit volume of wood processed (e.g., gallons of gasoline per cord of firewood or liters of diesel per cubic meter of lumber).
Why It’s Important: Fuel consumption is a significant operating expense. Minimizing fuel consumption can reduce your costs and improve your environmental footprint.
How to Interpret It: Track the amount of fuel consumed and the volume of wood processed over a given period. A high fuel consumption rate may indicate inefficient equipment, poor operating techniques, or the use of low-quality fuel.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Fuel consumption is closely related to cutting time, equipment downtime, and wood volume yield efficiency. A dull chainsaw chain, for example, will increase cutting time, fuel consumption, and potentially reduce the quality of your cuts, leading to lower yield.

Personal Story: I discovered that using a sharp chainsaw chain not only made cutting easier but also significantly reduced my fuel consumption. I started sharpening my chains more frequently and noticed a noticeable difference in the amount of fuel I was using.

Data-Backed Insight: A study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that using energy-efficient equipment and optimizing operating practices can reduce fuel consumption in wood processing operations by as much as 15%.

Actionable Insight: Track your fuel consumption and the volume of wood processed. Analyze your operating practices and identify areas for improvement. Use sharp, well-maintained equipment. Consider using energy-efficient equipment and alternative fuels.

5. Moisture Content of Finished Product

Definition: This metric measures the percentage of water in wood, expressed as a percentage of the wood’s oven-dry weight.
Why It’s Important: Moisture content significantly impacts the quality, stability, and usability of wood. Proper drying is essential for preventing warping, cracking, and fungal decay. For firewood, moisture content directly affects its heating value and ease of ignition.
How to Interpret It: Use a moisture meter to measure the moisture content of your finished product. For lumber, a moisture content of 6-8% is generally recommended for indoor use. For firewood, a moisture content of 20% or less is ideal for efficient burning.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Moisture content is closely related to drying time, storage conditions, and wood species. Different wood species have different drying rates and require different storage conditions. High humidity and poor ventilation can slow down the drying process and increase the risk of fungal decay.

Personal Story: I once built a beautiful oak table using lumber that I thought was properly dried. However, after a few months, the table started to warp and crack. I later discovered that the lumber had a moisture content of 15%, which was too high for indoor use. I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of proper drying and moisture control.

Data-Backed Insight: A study by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found that proper kiln drying can reduce the moisture content of lumber to 6-8% in a matter of days, while air drying can take several months or even years.

Actionable Insight: Use a moisture meter to measure the moisture content of your wood. Understand the recommended moisture content for your intended use. Implement proper drying techniques, such as air drying or kiln drying. Store your wood in a dry, well-ventilated area.

6. Waste Reduction Percentage

Definition: Measures the reduction in waste material generated during wood processing compared to a previous period or a set benchmark. This includes sawdust, offcuts, and unusable portions of logs.
Why It’s Important: Minimizing waste directly translates to cost savings and environmental benefits. Reduced waste means less material to dispose of and more usable product from the same amount of raw material.
How to Interpret It: Calculate the percentage of waste generated before and after implementing waste reduction strategies. A higher percentage reduction indicates successful waste management practices.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Waste reduction is linked to wood volume yield efficiency, cutting techniques, and equipment maintenance. Improved cutting precision and optimized equipment settings will lead to less waste.

Personal Story: In a small woodworking shop I consulted with, the amount of sawdust generated was staggering. By implementing a dust collection system and training the staff on more efficient cutting methods, they reduced their sawdust output by 40% in just a few months. This not only saved them money on disposal costs but also improved the air quality in the shop.

Data-Backed Insight: Research from the Wood Resources International indicates that sawmills with advanced scanning and optimization technologies can reduce waste by up to 10-15% compared to mills using traditional methods.

Actionable Insight: Conduct a waste audit to identify the sources and quantities of waste generated. Implement waste reduction strategies such as optimized cutting patterns, improved equipment maintenance, and the use of thinner kerf saw blades. Track waste generation over time to measure the effectiveness of these strategies.

7. Labor Productivity

Definition: Measures the amount of wood processed per unit of labor input, typically expressed as cords of firewood per worker-hour or board feet of lumber per worker-hour.
Why It’s Important: Labor costs are a significant expense in wood processing. Improving labor productivity can reduce these costs and increase overall profitability.
How to Interpret It: Track the amount of wood processed and the number of labor hours required. A higher productivity rate indicates more efficient labor utilization.
How It Relates to Other Metrics: Labor productivity is linked to cutting time, equipment downtime, and training. Well-trained workers using efficient equipment will be more productive.
Data-Backed Insight: Studies by the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) have shown that proper training and the use of ergonomic tools can significantly improve labor productivity in logging operations.
Actionable Insight: Invest in training for your workers. Provide them with modern, well-maintained equipment. Optimize work processes to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency. Track labor productivity over time to identify areas for improvement.
8. Drying Time
- Definition: Measures the time it takes for wood to reach a specific moisture content, whether through air drying or kiln drying.
- Why It’s Important: Drying time impacts the speed at which wood can be used for its intended purpose. Reducing drying time can shorten project timelines and improve efficiency.
- How to Interpret It: Monitor the moisture content of wood over time to determine the drying rate. A shorter drying time indicates more efficient drying methods or favorable environmental conditions.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Drying time is linked to moisture content, wood species, and drying method. Different wood species dry at different rates, and different drying methods (air drying vs. kiln drying) have different drying times.
Personal Story: I experimented with different air-drying methods for oak lumber. I found that stacking the lumber with proper spacing and ventilation significantly reduced the drying time compared to simply piling the lumber in a heap.
Data-Backed Insight: Research from the University of Tennessee Extension indicates that kiln drying can reduce drying time by up to 80% compared to air drying, but it also requires specialized equipment and energy.
Actionable Insight: Choose the appropriate drying method for your wood species and intended use. Optimize drying conditions by ensuring proper ventilation and spacing. Monitor the moisture content of wood regularly to track the drying progress.
9. Return on Investment (ROI) for Equipment Purchases
- Definition: Measures the profitability of an investment in new equipment, such as a Stihl MS200T or a hydraulic log splitter. It is calculated as the net profit generated by the equipment divided by the cost of the equipment.
- Why It’s Important: ROI helps you make informed decisions about equipment purchases. It allows you to assess whether the benefits of new equipment outweigh the costs.
- How to Interpret It: A higher ROI indicates a more profitable investment. A negative ROI indicates that the equipment is not generating enough profit to justify its cost.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: ROI is linked to cutting time, equipment downtime, fuel consumption, and labor productivity. Equipment that reduces cutting time, minimizes downtime, and improves fuel efficiency will have a higher ROI.
Personal Story: I hesitated for a long time before investing in a hydraulic log splitter. It was a significant expense, and I wasn’t sure if it would pay for itself. However, after tracking my firewood production for a year, I realized that the log splitter had significantly reduced my cutting time and labor costs. My ROI on the log splitter was over 50%, making it a worthwhile investment.
Actionable Insight: Before purchasing new equipment, estimate the potential benefits in terms of reduced cutting time, minimized downtime, improved fuel efficiency, and increased labor productivity. Calculate the ROI based on these estimates. Track the actual performance of the equipment after purchase to verify your estimates.
10. Customer Satisfaction (for Firewood Suppliers)
- Definition: Measures the level of satisfaction among firewood customers, typically assessed through surveys, reviews, or feedback forms.
- Why It’s Important: Customer satisfaction is essential for building a loyal customer base and generating repeat business.
- How to Interpret It: A higher customer satisfaction rating indicates that customers are happy with your product and service.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Customer satisfaction is linked to moisture content, wood species, and delivery service. Customers are more likely to be satisfied with firewood that is dry, burns well, and is delivered promptly.
Personal Story: I learned the importance of customer satisfaction when I started selling firewood. I initially focused on quantity over quality, delivering firewood that was often wet and difficult to burn. My customers quickly became dissatisfied, and my sales plummeted. I then switched to delivering only dry, seasoned firewood and providing excellent customer service. My customer satisfaction ratings soared, and my sales increased dramatically.
Actionable Insight: Regularly solicit feedback from your customers. Ask them about their satisfaction with the quality of your firewood, your delivery service, and your overall customer service. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement.
11. Cost per Cord of Firewood Produced
- Definition: This metric calculates the total cost associated with producing one cord of firewood. It includes expenses such as raw materials (logs), labor, fuel, equipment maintenance, and any other overhead costs.
- Why It’s Important: Understanding the cost per cord allows you to price your firewood competitively while ensuring a healthy profit margin. It also helps identify areas where you can reduce expenses and improve profitability.
- How to Interpret It: A lower cost per cord indicates a more efficient and profitable operation. Track changes in your cost per cord over time to identify trends and assess the impact of any changes you make to your processes.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Cost per cord is directly influenced by metrics like cutting time, fuel consumption, equipment downtime, and labor productivity. Improving efficiency in these areas will directly reduce your cost per cord.
Personal Story: I initially underestimated the true cost of producing firewood. I only considered the cost of the logs and the fuel for my chainsaw. However, when I started tracking all of my expenses, including labor, equipment maintenance, and transportation, I realized that my cost per cord was much higher than I thought. This prompted me to make changes to my processes, such as investing in more efficient equipment and optimizing my workflow, which significantly reduced my cost per cord.
Actionable Insight: Create a detailed budget that includes all of your expenses related to firewood production. Track your actual expenses and compare them to your budget. Identify areas where you can reduce costs, such as negotiating better prices for logs, reducing fuel consumption, or improving labor productivity.
12. Kiln Drying Efficiency (If Applicable)
- Definition: This metric measures the efficiency of your kiln drying process. It can be expressed as the amount of energy consumed per unit of wood dried (e.g., kilowatt-hours per board foot) or the percentage of wood that successfully dries without defects.
- Why It’s Important: Kiln drying is an energy-intensive process. Improving kiln drying efficiency can significantly reduce your energy costs and minimize wood defects, such as warping and cracking.
- How to Interpret It: A lower energy consumption per unit of wood dried indicates a more efficient kiln drying process. A higher percentage of defect-free wood indicates better control over the drying process.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Kiln drying efficiency is linked to factors such as kiln temperature, humidity, air circulation, and wood species. Optimizing these factors will improve kiln drying efficiency and reduce wood defects.
Personal Story: I struggled for years to achieve consistent results with my homemade kiln. I was constantly battling uneven drying and wood defects. I finally invested in a professional kiln controller that automatically regulates temperature and humidity. This significantly improved my kiln drying efficiency and reduced the number of wood defects.
Actionable Insight: Monitor your kiln temperature, humidity, and air circulation. Use a kiln controller to automatically regulate these factors. Experiment with different drying schedules to optimize the drying process for different wood species. Regularly inspect your wood for defects and make adjustments to your drying process as needed.
13. Stumpage Costs
- Definition: Stumpage refers to the cost of standing timber paid to the landowner for the right to harvest the trees. It’s typically expressed as a price per unit volume, such as dollars per thousand board feet (MBF) or dollars per cord.
- Why It’s Important: Stumpage costs are a major expense for logging operations. Effectively managing stumpage costs can significantly impact profitability.
- How to Interpret It: A lower stumpage cost translates to lower raw material expenses. Negotiate favorable stumpage rates with landowners and explore alternative timber sources to minimize these costs.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Stumpage costs are directly related to the wood volume yield efficiency. A higher yield from the harvested timber makes the stumpage cost per unit of usable wood lower.
Personal Story: I once secured a deal with a local landowner who was clearing land for development. He was willing to sell me the timber at a significantly reduced stumpage rate compared to the market price. This allowed me to increase my profit margin on the project.
Actionable Insight: Research stumpage rates in your area. Negotiate with landowners to secure favorable rates. Explore alternative timber sources, such as salvage logging or urban forestry. Consider purchasing timber rights in advance to lock in favorable rates.
14. Safety Incident Rate
- Definition: This metric measures the number of safety incidents (accidents, injuries, near misses) that occur per unit of time or per number of hours worked. It’s typically expressed as incidents per 100 full-time employees or incidents per million hours worked.
- Why It’s Important: Safety should be a top priority in any wood processing or logging operation. A high safety incident rate indicates unsafe working conditions and can lead to injuries, lost productivity, and increased insurance costs.
- How to Interpret It: A lower safety incident rate indicates a safer working environment. Implement safety protocols, provide proper training, and enforce safety regulations to minimize safety incidents.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: Safety is linked to factors such as equipment maintenance, operator training, and work environment. Well-maintained equipment, properly trained operators, and a safe work environment will reduce the risk of safety incidents.
Personal Story: I witnessed a serious accident in a logging operation due to a poorly maintained chainsaw. The operator was injured when the chain broke and struck him in the leg. This incident highlighted the importance of regular equipment maintenance and safety training.
15. Bark Percentage in Firewood
- Definition: This refers to the proportion of bark present in a batch of firewood, usually expressed as a percentage by volume or weight.
- Why It’s Important: While some bark is unavoidable, excessive bark content can reduce the overall heating value of the firewood, as bark generally burns faster and produces more ash than wood.
- How to Interpret It: A lower bark percentage is generally desirable. Aim for a mix where bark doesn’t significantly compromise the burning efficiency.
- How It Relates to Other Metrics: This is indirectly linked to cutting and splitting methods. Certain techniques can minimize bark inclusion.
Personal Story: I once had a customer complain that my firewood burned too quickly and left excessive ash. Upon inspection, I realized that the firewood contained a high percentage of bark due to the way I was processing it. I adjusted my splitting technique to remove more of the bark, and the customer was much happier with the next batch.
Actionable Insight: Adjust cutting and splitting techniques to minimize bark inclusion in firewood. Consider using a debarker for larger-scale operations. Inform customers about the expected bark content and its impact on burning characteristics.
Applying These Metrics to Your Projects
Now that you have a solid understanding of these key metrics, let’s talk about how to apply them to your wood processing and firewood preparation projects.
1. Start Tracking: The first step is to start tracking these metrics. Use a spreadsheet, notebook, or specialized software to record your data. Be consistent and accurate in your measurements.
2. Set Goals: Once you have a baseline of data, set realistic goals for improvement. For example, aim to increase your wood volume yield efficiency by 5% or reduce your cutting time by 10%.
3. Analyze Your Data: Regularly analyze your data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Look for patterns and correlations between different metrics.
4. Implement Changes: Based on your analysis, implement changes to your processes, equipment, or techniques.
5. Monitor Your Progress: Continue to track your metrics and monitor your progress. Adjust your goals and strategies as needed.
6. Continuous Improvement: Wood processing and firewood preparation are constantly evolving. Embrace continuous improvement by regularly evaluating your processes and seeking out new ways to optimize your operations.
The Stihl MS200T, or any chainsaw for that matter, is just a tool. It’s your knowledge, skill, and the data you gather that truly make the difference. By understanding and tracking these metrics, you can transform your wood processing and firewood preparation projects from guesswork to data-driven success.
So, go out there, start measuring, and unlock the full potential of your wood processing endeavors! Remember Mark and his farmhouse. Don’t let your projects become a prolonged saga of frustration. Embrace data, optimize your processes, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

Stihl MS200T for Sale: Wood Processing Tips (5 Pro Hacks)