Another Load of Firewood

GregJ · Dec 12, 2004

I just brought down another load of firewood today. Every time I do this, since I got my tractor, I have a big grin on my face. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It used to be half a day and 3 Advil to get the job done. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Now it’s just a little quality time with my “orange friend”. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

BT (Before tractor) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif when I did firewood, this was my system.

1. Drop the tree in the woods.
2. Cut the tree into 20” lengths.
3. Carry each 20” round out of the woods and dump into trailer.
4. Haul trailer to “bucking” area
5. Unload each round from trailer.
6. Split each round by hand.
7. Load each piece of firewood back into trailer.
8. Haul to drying wood shed.
9. Unload each piece of wood from the trailer and stack in drying shed
10. After a couple of years, load each piece of wood from drying shed into the trailer.
11. Haul trailer to storage area at house.
12. Unload each piece of wood from the trailer and stack in storage area at the house.
13. Haul wood from storage area into wood stove are to burn

AT (After Tractor) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif this is what it looks like.
1. Drop the tree in the woods
2. Haul logs to bucking area with the tractor.
3. Cut logs to 20” lengths, (using the BH to lift the logs to a comfortable cutting height)
4. Split the rounds with hydraulic log splitter.
5. Stack the firewood on pallets.
6. Haul pallets to drying shed with the tractor.
7. Haul pallets to house storage area with the tractor.
8. Haul wood from storage area into wood stove are to burn

I have attached a picture of my tractor dropping a pallet of firewood into the storage area at my house. This is right by the back door and easy to load into the house. Each board holds a little less than a half cord and my Kubota B7500 can just barely lift this load. Green it’s a real struggle… dry is no problem.

With this system, I touch each piece of firewood 3 times. One time to split, another to stack and then one more time to haul it into the house. Before, I had to handle it at least 8 times. Like I said, I get a big grin on my face every time I do this. When I bought my tractor, I hadn't even thought of this. I bought the pallet forks a couple months later and they have turned out to be one of my greatest labor savers. Thought I’d share.

Greg

Buckee · Dec 13, 2004

Greg - I've got the same process happening, only using a grapple on FEL bucket instead of BH. My back may be good for an extra 15 years.

Nice light setup on ROPS, I'm getting ready to build one very similar. Any lessons learned - does it work great?

meledward23 · Dec 13, 2004

Well gollyyyy,,,,,

What a nimrod...... I look at alll my firwood and think boy what a pain to move... I've stacked my extra pallets with bricks, cinder blocks and all other sorts of construction left overs..... but firewood.

Well duh....

Now I might actually do something with all that wood..... THANKS..

(it's the small things in life)

GregJ · Dec 13, 2004

Meleward23,
I have had a lot of those "Well Duh" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif moments here on TBN. I have learned a lot here, and sometimes it's the simple things we overlook. Like I said, this was an afterthought for me and has turned out to be one of the biggest labor savers that my tractor can do for me. One word on the wrap, on that pallet I have some plastic mesh fencing that works very well. It was a little expensive though, so I bought a roll of the orange construction barrier (see attached) and it works just as well. You just need something to stop that first log from moving... that results in a big game of "pick up sticks" /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Buckee,
The lights work just fine. 2 - 55 watt driving lights facing forward and 1 - 35 watt tractor light facing back. I attached them to a piece of oak and attached that to the ROPS with a hose clamp. The switch is mounted at the bottom of the ROPS.

Greg

Dargo · Dec 13, 2004

It's too cold to go out to take a pic, but I use the same idea except I have a problem with some of the firewood "jumping" off the pallet on the way to the house. I had to put some 2X4's sticking up from the pallets to sort of help hold my split firewood in place. You don't have any "jumpers"? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

GregJ · Dec 13, 2004

Oh Dargo..... I've had "Jumpers".... many.... many.... jumpers. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif At first I trusted my stacking ability and careful driving techniques.... That just resulted in the opportunity to keep practicing my stacking skills /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Since using the wrap, I haven't had that problem. I use cable ties to hold it together and even cinch it up in places where it's loose. I also drive VERY slow and take the most level route between storage areas. It may be a slow drive, but it sure beats handling each piece once to load it and again to unload.

Greg

pifan · Dec 13, 2004

looks like a good setup how much weight is your traactor rated for on the tph just curious how much that pallot of wood weighs i am one of those idiots that handle it 8 times

GregJ · Dec 13, 2004

My B7500 is rated at 1356lbs. at the lift point and 1058lbs. 24" behind the lift point. So, I would guess each pallet is slightly over a thousand pounds. I do fill my fel with a load of dirt to keep from doing "wheelies" when I have this load. When the board is green, I sometimes have to "help" the 3 point by raising the front end of the tractor with my loader, which in turn raises the board because of the overhang. This will get it just barely off the ground.

Greg

Dargo · Dec 13, 2004

Good idea with wrap. I have some shrink wrap for shipping...hmm, I wonder if I could wrap it for the trip, and then re-use the shrink wrap later when moving then next? Now you have me thinking! I'm glad that I'm not the only one who, no matter how easy I drive, I get a few jumpers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

GoodGuy · Dec 13, 2004

GregJ....
Nice setup Bud !!!
Couple Questions, Are you the guy that was featured in the Mother Earth News Firewood Article ?? In your pic of the firewood on the pallet at the building, what are what looks to be round logs piled up to the right ??