Another Load of Firewood

[beenthere]

I've been there, and done that too. Now I have the pallets and pallet forks to move the wood. Really great to only handle it the three times. I pull logs in from the woods to my splitting area, and then buck and split them there. The splits go onto pallets, and then (after 2 years drying), the pallet is moved into my garage for wood burner access.
I am in the process of moving my pallet forks (go to the welder this afternoon) from the FEL to the 3pt for iMatch (quickhitch) attachment. That will let me double up the pallets and bring two at a time.

Used to be I handled the wood so many times that some pieces almost had names, but certainly had 'memories' before finally getting thrown into the wood burner. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

For small wood, I have used three pallets, with two standing on edge to form ends, and held together with 1/4" threaded rod (cheap and makes a good carrier for the limbwood that doesn't stack well on a pallet like the split wood does).

 

[PineRidge]

Wish a few of you folks that use pallets for your firewood were my neighbors. Normally we end up with such an excess that we burn them just to be rid of them. Then we have to go back through the ashes with a large magnet to get rid of all the nails.

 

[GregJ]

Goodguy,
I guess I'm famous now.... Somebody actually recognized me in the last issue of Mother Earth News. They had a survey in the February 2004 issue asking if anybody had a good technique with firewood. I thought... what the heck. Turns out they contacted me right away and actually paid me for my trouble. So much for being anonymous now..... everywhere I go people look..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As far as those round logs, they are compressed firelogs that I use to supplement my fires. They burn real hot, last a long time and are fairly cheap. We heat exclusively with wood, so it helps to have a few extra logs around.

Greg

 

[GoodGuy]

Lord/Master/Sir.....
Another question from one of your "lowly" TBN'er subjects. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Of course I could be nasty & tell you that our rodent problem disappeared in the basement once I put that issue down there.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Seriously, good for you, congrats, Bud. A bit more info about those logs, brand name, etc. if you would please...

 

[rozett]

Nice work, Greg. When you're all done stocking up for the winter, would you mind bringing your Bota and chainsaw over to my place. ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif firewood

 

[GregJ]

Finally.... some respect...Lord knows I don't get any around here.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I hope your rodents enjoyed the article..... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I actually buy those logs from our local grocery store. They sell for about $179 to $199 for a pallet of 240 - 8lb. logs. I'm not sure of exactly where these logs come from, but I did a quick Google and found this mill Fire Logs just north of us. Basically the same style of logs. I'm sure somebody manufactures them out your way. They are typically marketed in the lumber yards and a few grocery stores around here.

Greg

 

[GregJ]

Rozett,
Whoaa..... That's a stack of wood. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif However, you have one difference. I see 3 young bucks working the splitter and stacking. That's cheatin' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

The reason I now have a tractor and log splitter is because my son moved out 2 years ago to college. Like I have told him, it has cost me a fortune to replace him. Not only that, but I get to pay college tuition as well..... Gonna be a lean Christmas this year.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Anyway, the attached picture doesn't come close to yours, but if we're comparing quantities, this is what my last project looked like in the staging area.

Greg

 

[Theowegian]

GregJ:

Can you approximate the amount on each pallet?

Is it a 4 ft by 4 ft pallet stacked 4 ft high?

That would be one half of a cord, if those were the dimensions, right?

But based on your weight estimates, it would be about a third of a cord.

Just wondering. I like your method. Id like to use it, too.

I heat our home with exclusively with wood, too.

I think some of those heavy duty tph pallet movers are rated at 2000" arent they?

Thanks, dwight

 

[GregJ]

Dwight,
The pallets are 42x48 and I do stack them around 48" high. The species of wood make a difference, as well as the moisture content when it comes to weight. I have mostly alder, which is a hardwood, but a little lighter than most. I have stacked a few pallets that my B7500 just couldn't lift. When I stack the pallets, I want them to be as heavy as the tractor can just barely move, because I know that the next time it will probably be 30% lighter. I have found 2 solutions to a board that is too heavy for the tractor to lift. First I try lifting the front wheels off the ground using the FEL with the 3ph in the float (or down position). Then I raise the 3ph as far as it will go. Then I raise the FEL and as the front end of the tractor goes down, it will usually raise the pallet a couple inches off the ground. This is usually enough so I can transport it to the drying shed. If I just can't get it off the ground, I just take off one layer of logs and that has always lightened it enough to move. Even with one layer off, it's a lot of pieces of firewood that I won't have to touch again until I burn 'em. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Greg

 

[GregJ]

Dwight,
I just looked at your profile and see you have a 3130. Your machine wouldn't even whimper with a pallet load of logs. I think my B7500 has about half the lift capacity of your machine.

Greg