IBC Totes

[BoylermanCT]

Anybody know what a tote full of firewood ways? Say filled to the top or slightly less.

Mine hold 1/3 cord and I estimate mine weigh 1300 lbs with fresh cut oak and maple which weighs about 4000 lbs a cord. When it dries it is a bit lighter. I notice the difference when I move them for the first time vs bringing them back to the house right before winter.

 

[shooterdon]

Hello Shooterdon - Very impressed with the way you cut the bladders as shown in your picture #3. Since a tote that is filled with wood that is level to the top holds 3/8 of a cord - I estimate that I could hold 5/8 of a cord in each tote if I cut bladders in same manner as you. I am currently storing my wood in 20 totes and therefore could store an extra 5 cords in the same amount of space. Thanks very much for a great idea.

Thanks!

It takes about 45-60 minutes to modify one. Mine hold just under 1/2 cord. I have 32 totes...one just a cage. That gives me over two years of firewood. I used zip ties to attach the plastic bin. I am 70 so needed to find an easy way and cheap way. I doubt I will ever need more in my lifetime. I have $800 invested.

 

[lilranch2001]

Boat - boats - by owner - marine sale

 

[Xfaxman]

Boat - boats - by owner - marine sale

Wow, got to save that craigslist ad for posterity:

 

[deezler]

^ that boat is hillarious. Might be a bit tippy.

I figured I would snap a pic of my tote coverage for winter. Keeps the wood nice and dry, and pretty easy to deal with for quick on/off and tote swapping. Just two old cruddy sheets of plywood standing vertically in the middle of the stack, and the leftover tarp roof from a $99 carport. And tarp would do.

 

[gstrom99]

I need to start looking for these, again... Like others have posted, prices seem to be all over the map. I stopped to look at some, coming back from deer hunting this fall. He wanted $125 each. :laughing:

 

[tomplum]

It seems like when they need the space, $$ comes down.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I've been grabbing them from work when available, e leakers gets set out and they have to pay to dispose of them. Often have oil in them, normally less than a couple gallons, which I collect and dispose of properly. I cut the top off and put it back on, including the removable top ribs, and tack the sides with a few self drilling screws. Sawzall takes out a section of tubing to make side access, and forks on the tractor make them easy to move. I had about a dozen filled with firewood last fall, down to 3 now... we keep the house warm!

But the OP was what to do with the removed bladder...

I've done several things... the bottm that's missing the top I used for a firewood tote had collected junk barbed wire when we tore out old fence, cut the bottom off and the flat side panels were cut into 6' long strips and 2 used to make a hot tub cover winter roof, some were used as siding on a chicken coop wall, some used to cover truck parts (axles, transmissions, motors, etc) that were on pallets, covered with upside down bladder to make a roof... I'm gonna cut one up to make a cover for my cement mixer next.

 

[ericm979]

The bladder plastic can be heat formed. Play a propane torch over it until it turns clear then put it in the shape you need it and hold it there til it cools. Best to have a form to bend it over, and gloves if you need to touch the hot part.

 

[AchingBack]

I just picked up a couple for $20.00 each. Now I'm wondering, once I fill them with wood it looks like it is going to be quite difficult to take it out without standing on my head.