Best Time to Buy Bulk?

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swyman
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Post by swyman » Sun. Jan. 24, 2016 12:11 am

I am ready to start buying bulk but what is the best time of the year to get it? Is it cheaper in the spring or does the price stay relatively flat? I'm ready to go get a load now but this is uncharted territory and a 5-7hr ride one way so I want to due my research now! For now I will be using my dump trailer which only holds 5 ton but from my consumption forecasts that will get me through half a season. Would like to maybe buy a couple cheap gravity wagons and remove the running gear and set on my flat bed and get everything in one load but baby steps.

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Sun. Jan. 24, 2016 2:05 am

Best time to buy is late spring until about mid August. You should get a little discount on the price, don't expect much. Probably just as important , that is when it's usually going to be cleanest.

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Sun. Jan. 24, 2016 7:11 am

Not sure if you've read the many threads about coal quality, but the general recommendation is to get some and TRY IT OUT- BEFORE you buy a whole season's worth.

Some systems are picky on quality and size, some don't care. Some vendors are more consistent in size and fines. No one size fits all, but people definitely have their "favorites"

How much are you looking to get?


 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Sun. Jan. 24, 2016 7:34 am

swyman wrote:I am ready to start buying bulk but what is the best time of the year to get it? Is it cheaper in the spring or does the price stay relatively flat? I'm ready to go get a load now but this is uncharted territory and a 5-7hr ride one way so I want to due my research now! For now I will be using my dump trailer which only holds 5 ton but from my consumption forecasts that will get me through half a season. Would like to maybe buy a couple cheap gravity wagons and remove the running gear and set on my flat bed and get everything in one load but baby steps.
Prices for bulk don't drop that much. As the Mayor said, coal prices remain pretty steady. My price for bulk has only moved about $20 in 8 years. That is steady.

Also like has been said, plan a day trip and get a ton and see how your boiler likes it. Take the family and make it a memorable time. Do some sight seeing and stay over. No need to John Wayne the trip. :cry: Close to the end of the heating season in the spring would be a good time. Your still gonna be burning for DHW or are you going to electric during the off season?

 
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Post by titleist1 » Sun. Jan. 24, 2016 7:37 am

Buying in warmer temps is useful because with your trip length if you did it now the damp coal will be a coal-berg by the time you get home.

 
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swyman
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Post by swyman » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 6:47 am

CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:Not sure if you've read the many threads about coal quality, but the general recommendation is to get some and TRY IT OUT- BEFORE you buy a whole season's worth.

Some systems are picky on quality and size, some don't care. Some vendors are more consistent in size and fines. No one size fits all, but people definitely have their "favorites"

How much are you looking to get?
My dump trailer is only rated for 5 ton unless I could come up with a way to haul more. I have a 30' tandem gooseneck that I could build a box to hold 10 ton on but then would be a pain to unload, would have to use Bobcat with bucket. I'm 6-7 hours away so I really wouldn't want to come and get a little bit to try. I could always use one of my brother in law's semi's with a 45' hopper bottom used to haul grain...I could get 4 years worth in 1 haul! That would probably be the best route but then again that's a lot of cash to come up with at one time.


 
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swyman
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Post by swyman » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 6:53 am

blrman07 wrote:
Prices for bulk don't drop that much. As the Mayor said, coal prices remain pretty steady. My price for bulk has only moved about $20 in 8 years. That is steady.

Also like has been said, plan a day trip and get a ton and see how your boiler likes it. Take the family and make it a memorable time. Do some sight seeing and stay over. No need to John Wayne the trip. :cry: Close to the end of the heating season in the spring would be a good time. Your still gonna be burning for DHW or are you going to electric during the off season?
If I had the extra time to do so I would make sure I came to see you and buy you lunch! The least I could do but I am always in a hurry and never take the time to take in the little things. I hope someday the monotony stops or at least slows down. I'm going to be dead before I know it, but I won't be wore out form cutting wood!

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 6:55 am

swyman wrote:
CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:Not sure if you've read the many threads about coal quality, but the general recommendation is to get some and TRY IT OUT- BEFORE you buy a whole season's worth.

Some systems are picky on quality and size, some don't care. Some vendors are more consistent in size and fines. No one size fits all, but people definitely have their "favorites"

How much are you looking to get?
My dump trailer is only rated for 5 ton unless I could come up with a way to haul more. I have a 30' tandem gooseneck that I could build a box to hold 10 ton on but then would be a pain to unload, would have to use Bobcat with bucket. I'm 6-7 hours away so I really wouldn't want to come and get a little bit to try. I could always use one of my brother in law's semi's with a 45' hopper bottom used to haul grain...I could get 4 years worth in 1 haul! That would probably be the best route but then again that's a lot of cash to come up with at one time.
That is also a LOT of coal to be stuck with in case you or your boiler doesn't like it. You said how far away you are. That's why I said take the truck and get 1/2 or 1 ton to try it out. Make it a family road trip for fun and throw in getting some coal.

 
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Post by Den034071 » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 8:54 am

Sent you a Private Message jack

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