Moving firewood palette with BX, bolt on forks

[Scooby074]

Anybody palletized and move their firewood with a BX?

Do you use bolt on bucket forks?

How much wood can you move per pallet? I know it will depend on species and wetness, but ball park numbers for a normal pallet would be great. Can you stack it 4' tall on each pallet? I just want to get a feel for the space requirements. number of pallets and whether or not this whole idea is worth it for the 8cord i have to put up.

If I had a larger tractor, id build or buy a system like this:

 

[EE_Bota]

Yes, but a BX is a toy from the FEL point of view when confronted with a pallet full of wet wood. So, I know I can move way more wood with the 3pt hitch mounted carry all, therefore I will use that for the initial pallet load. If I wish to stack, I will then put much smaller amounts on pallets, and place those on top with the FEL pallet forks. My pallet forks are the ones I bought from BXPanded.

The front side is a challenge with the wet wood. But the backside come burning time is way better since the wood will have lost a great deal of weight. It is trivial to remove the pallets placed by FEL, and in some cases, carry-all placed pallets can be moved with FEL.

I find the pallet solution handy, and I find tar paper to be a handy cover.

 

[94BULLITT]

You can move a skid off of the 3ph. You may need to put some weight in the bucket to make it stable. I would try to stay on fairly level ground.

 

[gwdixon]

Multiply the number on your loader by 2.2 to get the rated lift. ie. LA211 will lift about 460 lbs. at the bucket pins. That is not much and with clamp-on forks that number goes way down quickly.

As others have said, the 3PH is a better bet. It can lift 680 lbs at 24" behind the pins (BX2200). Not much better, but better.

 

[boggen]

bolt on clamps place the weight further out on the FEL reducing your lift capacity. get some FEL forks that replace the general duty bucket all together. to increase lift capacity on the FEL.

and for the most lift capacity, as other said, go for 3pt hitch forks.

bolt on forks can come in handy, and if have not been out bidded at some auctions would have some. but if had choice would more likely go with forks on FEL that replaced the bucket for more lift capacity. and then 3pt hitch forks as well.

 

[AStanton]

Scooby,
I had also thought of doing this with my BX. I think, due to the set up of the forks, the pallets need to be modified a little. If the clearance on the bottom of the pallets were doubled, the forks could get under them easier. In this pic I added a half pallet to the forks to expand what the bucket could carry.

 

[radioman]

Scooby- I move firewood all yeear around with my BX. I have loaded all kinds of wood in the bucket from pine,popular,maple,elm,hickory,ash with BX. I have used both FEL and rear firewood carrier I made. I find I can carry 4widex6high one row in my carrier better on my 3pt then in my FEL which is probably overloaded at 4x3 one row worth. I really don't care the tippy feeling with that much wood in the FEL when I need to transverse a hill. Having that much in the FEL is just unstable and I even added homemade forks and it can carry more in a stable way but I am finding that I have the rely on my traction on front wheels all the time and its no fun over bumps even with weight in the back unless I have my 3pt wood carrier on. Its much quicker for me to use my quick hitch to drop the firewood carrier in place then mess with forks on FEL.
IMHO, to move a pallet of firewood on a daily basis is way too much on a BX.

 

[Scooby074]

Thanks guys. Seems like its going to be more work than its worth to stack 8 cord on pallets. If I can only stack a couple tier high Im going to need a TON of pallets lol. The whole reason I considered this was so I could stack vertical to save space, with ease of moving a secondary benefit, because of that, using the loader was essential.

I still might build a set of forks, probably the chain on style, just for general use, moving logs, and taking the garbage to the highway on a pallet for garbage day.

 

[madmax12]

There are other options, that maybe the BX could pull:


At $650, This one can move 2000lbs:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/m...ain-pallet-truck-pallet-jack-2000-lb-capacity

Pallet Trucks & Jacks | Pallet Trucks-All Terrain | All Terrain Pallet Trucks, Pallet Jacks - GlobalIndustrial.com

Rough Terrain Pallet Truck-Rough Terrain Pallet Truck Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on Alibaba.com

 

[niemeyjt]

I use these re-useable vented dumpy bags for my firewood - BAG Supplies Canada Ltd :: Vented Log Bags

On my B1750 - probably similar capabilities to your BX - I use the smaller size - 38x38x40" (97x97x100cm)

I have made a set of forks to replace the bucket - to get weight further back as others have suggested. I also find that I can hang the bag from the forks to fill it. I then put the bag on a pallet and stack it that way 1) to improve air circulation and 2) because I cannot get enough height to stack the bags 2 high when the bags are hanging from the forks.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting/157716d1267869004-forks-fel-dsc_0443.jpg

J

 

[madmax12]

niemeyjt,

I don't see prices for the bags. Do you know the different prices for the various sizes and colors?

 

[niemeyjt]

You need to call them for full pricing- I paid GBP 165 including transport and VAT (Sales Tax) for 50 of the smaller ones in Feb 2010 - the base price was GBP 2.50 which seemed to be in line with what Apache were asking (see below). I bought it from their UK operation not their NA one.

I came to them in a round about way - I originally wanted Apache Forest Products Inc., but Apache pointed me to Japa in Finland who pointed me to these people in UK.

J

 

[madmax12]

Thank-you

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks guys. Seems like its going to be more work than its worth to stack 8 cord on pallets. If I can only stack a couple tier high Im going to need a TON of pallets lol. The whole reason I considered this was so I could stack vertical to save space, with ease of moving a secondary benefit, because of that, using the loader was essential.

I think you're right, it's not going to be worth it and you'll be disappointed. I started bagging my firewood in the spring with bags from the link below. My CK30 (1200lbs lift capacity) couldn't lift a full bag, I had to stop at about 80% and I certainly couldn't stack them. That was one big factor in trading up to my DK45 with 2700lbs lift cap., now I fill them full and stack them with no problem. The problem with the bags I use is they need to be full to retain their shape and not flop to one side.

I use these re-useable vented dumpy bags for my firewood - BAG Supplies Canada Ltd :: Vented Log Bags

On my B1750 - probably similar capabilities to your BX - I use the smaller size - 38x38x40" (97x97x100cm)

These are the guys I use. Amazing service, extremely nice guy. I'm using the vented bags that you fit into a frame over the pallet, fill it up, close the bag and remove the frame. I ordered bags in the afternoon and they arrived the next day. I'll order more as I need them, but can't say enough about the service I got.

 

[madmax12]

I think you're right, it's not going to be worth it and you'll be disappointed. I started bagging my firewood in the spring with bags from the link below. My CK30 (1200lbs lift capacity) couldn't lift a full bag, I had to stop at about 80% and I certainly couldn't stack them. That was one big factor in trading up to my DK45 with 2700lbs lift cap., now I fill them full and stack them with no problem. The problem with the bags I use is they need to be full to retain their shape and not flop to one side.

These are the guys I use. Amazing service, extremely nice guy. I'm using the vented bags that you fit into a frame over the pallet, fill it up, close the bag and remove the frame. I ordered bags in the afternoon and they arrived the next day. I'll order more as I need them, but can't say enough about the service I got.

Do u have any pics of the steps u described (frame, etc)? I'm curious about the bags not holding shape if they aren't full. Does that mean as u remove firewood to burn, that the bag becomes unstable, and dangerous for kids or pets to be near?

I see the frame on the website. I would think I could just use the tractor forks to hold the bag loops in place, on a pallet. What am I not understanding? I do not see the need for the frame.

 

[Artisan]

I still say a larger pair of hydraulic cylinders is in order for the BX25 FEL.
I would have done it weeks ago but funds are not there. I have measured
and drawn the OE FEL Cylinder in CAD which will make the process much
easier I do believe. A 2.5" cylinder w/ a stock 1" shaft, if I remember right,
almost doubles the performance w/o even touching the pressure relief valve!


Yea yea yea, the sky is falling and I am going to bend my FEL. If I do I get
to fix it or buy a new one. End of story. I am of the belief a responsible
driver not doing silly stuff would benefit much.

I am not 100% sold on the 2.5" , 2.25" may be wiser.

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks guys. Seems like its going to be more work than its worth to stack 8 cord on pallets. If I can only stack a couple tier high Im going to need a TON of pallets lol. The whole reason I considered this was so I could stack vertical to save space, with ease of moving a secondary benefit, because of that, using the loader was essential.

I still might build a set of forks, probably the chain on style, just for general use, moving logs, and taking the garbage to the highway on a pallet for garbage day.

Do u have any pics of the steps u described (frame, etc)? I'm curious about the bags not holding shape if they aren't full. Does that mean as u remove firewood to burn, that the bag becomes unstable, and dangerous for kids or pets to be near?

I see the frame on the website. I would think I could just use the tractor forks to hold the bag loops in place, on a pallet. What am I not understanding? I do not see the need for the frame.

I'll try and get a pic or two, I'm not sure were I stuck them right now. I start by putting a pallet on the ground. I then have a steel frame that I made up, looks like a gate, that I place around the pallet. I take a bag, put it on the inside of the frame and use spring clamps to hold the top of the bag to the top of the frame. Then I just start splitting and throwing the wood straight into the bag. Once it's full, I take off the spring clamps, pull the draw string and open one of the corners of the frame and remove it. I pick it up with the tractor (I'll guess it's about 1200 - 1500 lbs) and stack them. I do two side by side and one in the middle on top for a triangle shape. My stack is about 30' long and about 8' tall.

I've never unloaded one, this is a new thing for me. I don't think they'll be unstable and unsafe when they're alone on the ground. I don't love the first couple I have that I have others stacked on, but it shouldn't be an issue when I go to use them. I'm planning on building a dolly type skid so I can bring one over to the house, put it on the dolly and roll it to the corner of the deck and use it from there.

 

[madmax12]

I'll try and get a pic or two, I'm not sure were I stuck them right now. I start by putting a pallet on the ground. I then have a steel frame that I made up, looks like a gate, that I place around the pallet. I take a bag, put it on the inside of the frame and use spring clamps to hold the top of the bag to the top of the frame. Then I just start splitting and throwing the wood straight into the bag. Once it's full, I take off the spring clamps, pull the draw string and open one of the corners of the frame and remove it. I pick it up with the tractor (I'll guess it's about 1200 - 1500 lbs) and stack them. I do two side by side and one in the middle on top for a triangle shape. My stack is about 30' long and about 8' tall.

I've never unloaded one, this is a new thing for me. I don't think they'll be unstable and unsafe when they're alone on the ground. I don't love the first couple I have that I have others stacked on, but it shouldn't be an issue when I go to use them. I'm planning on building a dolly type skid so I can bring one over to the house, put it on the dolly and roll it to the corner of the deck and use it from there.

That sounds like a great system. I look forward to the pics if u find them. Thank-you.

 

[niemeyjt]

From the Apache site, this looks like it may be similar to Ken's

Fast Firewood B120 Firewood Bag - YouTube

J

 

[madmax12]

From the Apache site, this looks like it may be similar to Ken's

Fast Firewood B120 Firewood Bag - YouTube

J

Oh... That's very different from the frame I saw on the Canadian site u linked to. So these bags don't have the loops like the ones u bought...

Still a cool system. It's cool to have good options. Just makes it hard to pick one