Cheap, quick, Firewood Storage and Transport

[Ken45101]

One thing that I have noticed with the pallet system, is they sit on the ground for a couple years, and the wood in pallets doesn't last too long in those damp conditions.

Perhaps best to sit them on some flat rocks? It would save the pallets as well and keep the cordwood a little drier.

Ken

 

[beenthere]

That is a good idea Ken, for saving the pallets. But removing pallets and having to move rocks, or positioning rocks while setting pallets isn't my idea of "havin a good time". No offense to the good suggestion though.

I'll be happy with replacing pallets every 4-5 years. Have thought about double palleting the bottom row because the pallets can freeze down in the mud, but then the added problem of removing a frozen down pallet or driving over it. I usually bring the pallets up and position them along the drive out of the way of snow removal, and then they don't set and freeze into any frozen mud. Maybe ice and snow, but so far not a major problem.

 

[Ken45101]

That is a good idea Ken, for saving the pallets. But removing pallets and having to move rocks, or positioning rocks while setting pallets isn't my idea of "havin a good time". No offense to the good suggestion though.

I was assuming you had pallet forks on a tractor for lifting/moving them.

That's what I see as the great idea of using a pallet based system, the ease of moving with forks

Ken

 

[beenthere]

Yes, have the forks. When the snow plow is on in place of the FEL, I have the forks on the 3 ph quick hitch. Drop the ballast box, and pick up the forks for a quick switch from an empty pallet to a full one.

 

[woodsman324]

One other good thing I can see with this setup is that I could have it on the forks and at the right height I want to work at while splitting and stacking. Just having it a few feet off the ground is huge while stacking.

 

[jimmer2880]

To help with the pallet rot, why not just put a layer of "donor" pallets on the ground. Then, put the firewall pallets on top of them. That should add a couple years to the pallet life span.

 

[SpringHollow]

I used a portable pallet system for a few years and certainly has some advantages. I made a "U" and used broken pallet parts then to make a brace across the back. If driving really far over bumpy trails, i might wrap it with a ratchet strap.

The reason i finally stopped doing it was several fold. First, i hated that some boards on the bottom would freeze to the ground (brick) and rip off or rot and fall off, sometimes leaving exposed nails sticking up. I had rested each pallet on bricks to minimize this but it still happens. When i switched to an outside wood boiler, i started stacking one year's wood on one side, the next year's wood on the other side. I use plastic pallets for the bottom. When i stack a double row 6' or more high, they tend to deform and sometimes the pile will tilt and partially collapse. Stronger plastic pallets would prevent that but these were only $1 or 2 each used. I will probably limit my height to 4 - 5' since that height works well.

FYI, Most people say not to cover the wood during the summer. With the rain and humidity we get here, i questioned the wisdom of this. This year, i covered some with plastic and it is noticeably drier.

Ken

 

[studor]

Most people say not to cover the wood during the summer. With the rain and humidity we get here, i questioned the wisdom of this

.
Me too
I tarp the top only and it makes a big difference in drying time dirt and bugs -- JMHO
A friend of mine who has a Kubota convinced the dealership to give him a couple of the steel pallets and frames that they ship smaller units in. He brazed wire mesh onto the sides and bottom and uses them for firewood conveyance and storage -- piece of metal roofing on top when used for storage -- good setup and low expenditure

 

[Charlesaf3]

Have you tried the donor pallet method to keep them from sticking?

 

[SpringHollow]

Yes, i have placed them on top of other pallets. Sometimes they freeze together - we get a lot of snow. And the lower pallets still would rot and lose boards and nails. A light coat of oil at the beginning of the year might help with breaking them free and slowing the rot. One could replace them every year and mostly be ok. Two years did not work well. When i got the outside wood boiler, i would rip the old pallets into thirds and burn them so that having to get rid of them was less of a waste. Plastic ones on the ground would help a lot.

Last year, i just carried a few loads to the boiler since the wood was stacked near it but this summer i had a "duh" moment as i noticed my wheel barrow sitting there.

Ken