The most important thing to know about hauling logs is that the same volume does not mean the same weight. Freshly felled wood contains a lot of water, dry wood far less, and the difference can change the weight of a trip considerably.
Wet and dry wood
Fresh softwood weighs roughly 800 to 1000 kg per solid cubic metre, seasoned wood roughly 450 to 600 kg. Birch and other hardwoods are often somewhat heavier. These are approximate figures and depend on the species and moisture. In practice, a trailer that is within its weight limit with dry wood can be noticeably heavier with the same volume of fresh wood.
What adds weight besides moisture
- rain and wet snow on stacked logs
- ice and frozen snow in winter
- mud and soil on the bark
- logs that have lain in water or on wet ground
A solid cubic metre and a stacked cubic metre are not the same
A solid cubic metre is the volume of the wood itself, while a stacked cubic metre is the space taken by stacked logs including the gaps. Roughly, one stacked cubic metre holds about 0.6 to 0.7 solid cubic metres of wood. If the buyer and the carrier talk about different units, the calculation goes wrong. When ordering, say which unit the quantity is in.
Where the danger lies
Overloading is not only a question of a fine. A heavy combination takes longer to stop, puts more strain on axles and tyres, and behaves more dangerously in bends. Wet and icy logs are slippery, so the load must be properly secured. On forest roads and in winter, poor grip adds to the risk.
Spring and road bearing capacity
During the thaw, Transpordiamet may introduce weight restrictions on state roads, because a road regains its bearing capacity only once the structure has fully thawed and firmed up. On forest and local roads the situation can be even harder. Before planning a haul, check the restrictions currently in force on the Transpordiamet website.
What to say when ordering
- the species: spruce, pine, birch or other
- fresh or dry, and roughly how long it has been stored
- the assortment and length
- the quantity in solid cubic metres, stacked cubic metres or tonnes
- the loading place and access, especially the condition of the forest road
- where and when it needs to be delivered
We arrange a logging trailer to suit the job. For an exact price, send a request and describe the conditions.