Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[shooterdon]

Totes are going to last a very long time. It is one reason I started using them. Wood boxes suck. They will rot and fall apart and wood is not cheap. I can store just under .5 cord in totes modified as shown here:

But the down side is the wood still needs to be stacked. So I am looking at using bulk bags than hold 1/3 of a cord and can be loaded directly off the conveyor of my wood processor:

The bags cost $16 each delivered and should last 4-6 years. I put them on pallets I get for free from the local industries. This is the second year I am testing bags. Using bags, and the processor, I can cut logs, split and pack a cord in about three hours working alone. Using IBC totes, I need a person stacking.

Almost any tractor can lift 1/3 of a cord on the 3 PH. I have forks on the 3 PH and a grapple on the FEL.

Last week did 2 cords of oak firewood bagged in less than 7 hours. Not a "walk in the park, but not back breaking either. The processor works best with logs 6-12" in diameter and without a lot of twist or "knobs". left by branches I have learned to cut off the "knobs" to ease feeding instead of manhandling 12"x8 ft logs.

No perfect system for everyone, but sharing ideas gives food for thought.

I typically work alone and hope to have a small side business, so the investment was worth it for me.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Totes are going to last a very long time. It is one reason I started using them. Wood boxes suck. They will rot and fall apart and wood is not cheap. I can store just under .5 cord in totes modified as shown here:

My boxes have been lasting me 15 years and they live outside. Then I take them apart and reuse the deck screws and PT feet to build another. The old wood gets burned in the woodstove in my shop, so I get some use out of it too.

I see 2x4's at the bld. supply yard that aren't straight, they put them outside in a box with a sign on them, a dollar each. They are more than good enough to build a box out of to hold firewood.

15 years from now I won't be burning wood any longer...

Anyway, I have some totes, I just don't prefer them.

SR

 

[FriendwithTractor]

I've been using skids from work lately to build the new stacks I've started. Even if it only accomplishes the base task of keeping the wood off the ground I'll be a happy camper. Being able to move it with the forks is a bonus but not required. I think skids have come a long way from when I was younger, they seem much more robust than the flimsy ones I remember.

 

[shooterdon]

My boxes have been lasting me 15 years and they live outside. Then I take them apart and reuse the deck screws and PT feet to build another. The old wood gets burned in the woodstove in my shop, so I get some use out of it too.

I see 2x4's at the bld. supply yard that aren't straight, they put them outside in a box with a sign on them, a dollar each. They are more than good enough to build a box out of to hold firewood.

15 years from now I won't be burning wood any longer...

Anyway, I have some totes, I just don't prefer them.

SR

If you can purchase useable 2x4's for $1 each, why would you use your BSM to make them? Anyway...

Looks like your boxes take nine 2x4's and 1.5 PT 4X4's. Even if someone can get discounted 2x4's for $1, adding in the cost of screws and PT "feet" it comes to $25 to build a box.

I use 6 cords a year and like to be a year head; so need to have 12 cords on hand. That would require 24 boxes - $600. Not too expensive. If I buy 2x4's retail, the cost goes up $21/box to $45/box - for a total of $ 1100. Wood boxes will last 10 years in my climate. Over 20 years, a cost of about $1500-1600 if I reuse the PT feet and buy 2x4's retail. Time to build amd rebuild (45 minutes each) about 36 hours.

Totes are about $35-40 in my area. I need 26 totes for 12 cords so call it $1000. But the totes offer weather protection at no cost or effort once modified as shown in my post. It takes me 45 minutes to modify the tote for a total of 20 hours. Totes will last 20 years. Totes will save me money and time.

Using bags, I have no construction/modification time. 18 bags hold 6 cords. Worst case scenario I need six sets of bags to last 20 years. 108 bags cost $1400 delivered. I lose the weather protection of modified totes but no longer have to stack wood. Bags are a PITA without a conveyor or processor. A buddy built a stand to load them with his FEL but that means more handling.

Rob, in every picture of your operation there are two people working and at times two tractors operating. Not everyone has those resources. Also, totes do not work with how you use wood (dumping through a window to the basement?). They work well for folks who can use them.

Like I said before, one size does not fit all.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If you can purchase useable 2x4's for $1 each, why would you use your BSM to make them? because they cost me less than a dollar and I enjoy the work Anyway...

Looks like your boxes take nine 2x4's and 1.5 PT 4X4's. Even if someone can get discounted 2x4's for $1, adding in the cost of screws and PT "feet" it comes to $25 to build a box. actually 8 for the last ones i built, and the screws and PT 4x4's last forever, at least they will me

I use 6 cords a year and like to be a year head; so need to have 12 cords on hand. That would require 24 boxes - $600. Not too expensive. If I buy 2x4's retail, the cost goes up $21/box to $45/box - for a total of $ 1100. WHY buy at retail? do you tip the place an extra hundred too? Wood boxes will last 10 years in my climate. according to you, that's the rest of your life lol lol and I bet longer IF you build them properly. Over 20 years, a cost of about $1500-1600 if I reuse the PT feet and buy 2x4's retail. Time to build amd rebuild (45 minutes each) about 36 hours.

Totes are about $35-40 in my area. I need 26 totes for 12 cords so call it $1000. But the totes offer weather protection at no cost or effort once modified as shown in my post. It takes me 45 minutes to modify the tote for a total of 20 hours. Totes will last 20 years. Totes will save me money and time.

Using bags, I have no construction/modification time. 18 bags hold 6 cords. Worst case scenario I need six sets of bags to last 20 years. 108 bags cost $1400 delivered. I lose the weather protection of modified totes do you set them on the ground? cover them? but no longer have to stack wood. Bags are a PITA without a conveyor or processor. A buddy built a stand to load them with his FEL but that means more handling. I tried bags, my complaint was that the green splits didn't dry down near as fast as they do in my boxes

Rob, in every picture of your operation there are two people working and at times two tractors operating. I do not always have help, but my neighbor needs firewood too, so we work together for both of us. using an extra tractor that ended up being better that FREE, is just working smarter not harder! Not everyone has those resources. Also, totes do not work with how you use wood (dumping through a window to the basement?). They work well for folks who can use them.

Like I said before, one size does not fit all. agreed, I never argue with that point

Don, according to YOU, you're so old you have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel! According to you, you're so old you fart dust, so why are you buying all that equipment? You old tightwad, if you spent some of that money on propane, you could heat your house the rest of your life and not have to do all the work! lol lol Just kidding... lol

I made some corrections in your quote, have a great day Don.

SR

 

[Gordon Gould]

I haven't been out in the woods cutting since August. But finally the other day I started cutting some junk fir to start a load of stud wood logs. I pick up any easy firewood as I go. My favorite winter activity. I had the camera so I made a couple videos for fun.

After going by this little bound up Yellow Birch a couple times I decided to stop, get it out of the way, and add it to the firewood pile. Size doesn't matter.

This one had a leaner lodged in it and was hung for a while before coming down.

gg

 

[Rockbadchild]

 

[Alan46]

I haven't been out in the woods cutting since August. But finally the other day I started cutting some junk fir to start a load of stud wood logs. I pick up any easy firewood as I go. My favorite winter activity. I had the camera so I made a couple videos for fun.


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After going by this little bound up Yellow Birch a couple times I decided to stop, get it out of the way, and add it to the firewood pile. Size doesn't matter.

This one had a leaner lodged in it and was hung for a while before coming down.



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View attachment 831237



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gg

You sure know what you’re doing brother! Very nice

 

[arrow]

It was a pretty nice day out today, so I went to the mill and built another half cord firewood box,

I still have lumber to build at least a couple more, but I'll build them later...

SR

Love these things.
Big enuf to load some serious wood yet handy in size to get to it.

 

[dodge man]

I love this thread. I’m not sure why, I cut some firewood, maybe 2 chords a year at the most but I like looking at other peoples pictures. Rockabadchild’s picture with the dogs, snow and tractor is a good one.