Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[Diggin It]

So if you have pallet forks, why would you do it this way?

I don't. That was the point of the other thread I mentioned. Pricing is over $100 for a pair of clamp-ons posters told me weren't the best idea because of placing the load so far forward and possibly bending the bucket lip. This way the load is under the bucket and supported by more than just the lip. The package of four 1,000 pound rated ratchet straps was about $20.

 

[Diggin It]

Also, as mentioned on the other thread, these pallets are cut in half to make stacking uneven wood easier and to reduce overall weight. I'll probably rig up some sides for them eventually to help contain the wood. This was just a quick fix to help me clean up some stacks of fresh split logs.

And yes, I know that one strap could be placed better. This was a test and it was done better on the next two loads.

 

[Loaderman22]

I put this on my Pallet Forks thread, but figured I'd drop it here too:

I do things different sometimes.

I recently had to transport pallets of decorative stone, the trailer I borrowed had 12" sides & a rear ramp, so the supplier couldn't just set down the pallets with the forklift. I told him to rig up the pallets this way on the forks to make it over the sides. I had my HD 10,000# ratchet straps, but he refused to use them, he insisted on using these slings. Problem is, the slings stretched.... a lot... so there he is with the forks 15' in the air just to get the pallet to clear the side, (2 feet off ground). I was waiting for the whole thing to tip over, squishing the trailer. Second pallet I told him we are using my straps, period. Anyway, Diggin' it, it's a useful trick to know when forks won't work in a particular situation, good job.

 

[Loaderman22]

Also, as mentioned on the other thread, these pallets are cut in half to make stacking uneven wood easier and to reduce overall weight. I'll probably rig up some sides for them eventually to help contain the wood. This was just a quick fix to help me clean up some stacks of fresh split logs.

And yes, I know that one strap could be placed better. This was a test and it was done better on the next two loads.

I also do this when I am alone & need to set something exactly in place where the bucket would otherwise obstruct the view. This gets the bucket out of the way visually.

 

[Diggin It]

How strong is that orange plastic mesh fence they sell at big box stores for construction sites? I'm wondering about using that to hold the wood in place instead of the one yellow strap. I could rig up some hooks or something for closures, but it would still allow the pile to breath and dry.

 

[shooterdon]

That would be a PITA to use. IMHO.

Get a $150 carry all and lift with the 3 pt. Posted this before.....

Portable Firewood Racks - YouTube

BTW, my little JD855 with the TSC carry all can handle this so a large tractor is not necessary. With a large tractor....

Portable firewood racks - YouTube

A carry all will not handle a full pallet though. But this will....

Titan 3 point hitch Pallet Fork Attachment Category 1 tractor carryall 3PT-PF

 

[shooterdon]

Diggin it,

How to make Portable Firewood Pallet Racks - YouTube

If you are cutting down pallets anyway, this is very inexpensive and quick to construct.

I am planning to use some form of this system. When I bring pallets into the garage, I am going to try placing them on HF dollies so I can easily move them as my tractor will not fit under my garage door. I was considering a pallet jack but it is expensive and bulky. The dollies are cheap and somewhat stackable. With 8 dollies ($8 each on sale) I can put up a full cord in my garage. Each 32"x40" cut down pallet will hold 1/4 of a cord if made with 4' side members.

I did not have any spillage issues with my trial run. But if that becomes a concern, the plastic mesh you mentionied might work, but I have some wire fencing already on hand and that is what I would use for one of long sides and then slightly tip the pallet while moving it with the tractor.

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

I will have to take pics of the pallets I put together last fall, but we put up about 6 cord with about a half a cord on each pallet. My old tractor JUST BARELY picked up and moved these pallets. My new one does it with ease. I used 2x2 to make a cube frame on the pallet, then used the orange construction fencing to enclose the sides. It worked well, but I should have used some kind of brackets to reinforce the connection points of the 2x2s. I used my nail gun. In hindsight I should have used brackets of some kind (plumbers strap?) to better secure the corners. I will either redo them this summer, or scrap them and just buy some metal pallets/totes and remove the plastic containier that comes in them and stack wood in those.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I was planning on doing just that .... using 2x2s or similar. But I will be putting them inside the pallet sides down through the opening between the slats. Seems like it would be better pushing against the sides than pushing out away from them.

I might even try chain link fence toprail since I have some scrap I can cut up.

 

[aeblank]

This is the best pic I have of mine... I used scrap wood for the sides and top. The occasional repair was needed...
https://i.imgur.com/Dh4KXQp.jpg?1

But going to start running these, too..
https://i.imgur.com/lGBdd87.jpg?1