Help. I just bought a Case DX33 with L130 loader for use in my apple orchard. But since I have this, it might work pretty nice for firewood too. I just ordered a quick attach bracket for the loader so bob cat style implements can be easily used. Will get pallet forks first thing What I am contemplating is a box that can be picked up with pallet forks. Wood would be split and thrown into the box and then taken to another spot and stacked. The bucket itself is not near big enough for this. The size would be so that it hold 2/3 of a face cord, aprox. 40 cubic feet. ( matched to carrying capacity of the loader) Right now I have the rounds stacked, the wood is split and immediately restacked but his is really slow when using the capabilities of a 4 way wedge. Letting it fall to the ground is a hassle having to pick it back up.
Good idea. Just looked, dimensions are pretty close and I can get one free from the place I buy orchard chemicals. IBCs are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes but the two most popular volumes are 275 gallons and 330 gallons. This volume range is situated between drums and tanks, which is where the term “intermediate” comes from. The most common outer dimensions are 48” x 40” x 46, making them ideal for shipping on a pallet.
I would suggest getting pallet fork/carry all for the 3 point it has significantly higher load rating and is easier on the tractor.
That is true but I don't want to be taking the heavy ballast box on and off all the time. The furthest I would haul the IBC toe would be 100' and it is super easy to pick up and the pallet forks will come off very easy with the quick attach bracket I have coming.
Good call on the quick attach. You'll love it. On carrying wood in the bucket, don't be afraid to overload it. I've seen lots of folks load only to the top of the bucket but you can keep on stacking. I've posted a picture to show what I mean but I've stacked a lot higher than that. This load that is pictured I took about 1/4 of a mile. Just have to go slow but one needs to do that with a load on the front anyway unless he wants to change bearings a lot.
Here's what I have.It may or may not work for you.As always,it's your decision and safety in the end.I do not sell or say you must do this. I have a 3pt carryall which will also work in the loader arms now that I finally got a set of pallet forks. If you want,you can strap it to the fork frame with a good ratchet strap. Much easier on and off than the three point. I have really enjoyed having pallet forks.They stay on the loader most of the time. Again,safety first! Realize if you do this that you have a potential to be putting more weight up front than your loader bucket and it's contents would be.I would also caution you to not lift a load too high because of side leaning of the front.I have a larger 75hp tractor with a loader rated for 2500 pounds of lift which weighs 10,000 plus and I am careful with raised loads. The L130 loader is rated for 800 lbs lift.
Good post! I am very cognizant of center of gravity issues with loaders. Where I would be using the carry all is flat and won't be moving it more than 100' max. When using a loader, one must keep the bucket as low to the ground as possible.
I did a Google image search for "tractor loader for firewood" and found this.......... Oh, and not my pictures, found on another tractor forum.....
if you already bought the quick attach bracket, why not build the box to attach to that??? why introduce another attachment?? I have 2 buckets and forks drop one pick up the other in 30 seconds?? Modify IBC totes, fill them up and stack them ?? Not sure if you want to move wood or store wood. If you really want to use the pallet forks for moving, find a nice oversize heavy duty pallet and build a 3/4" plywood box on top of it.
I went back to the "tractorbynet" forum and found the pics again... It is chained on.. The original poster in that forum never went into detail about how he built it, just these pics...
I have a buddy that uses IBC baskets for the split wood. Sits it next to the splitter, splits and stacks into the basket. he cut the bottom of the totes off about 6" high and flips those on top of the wood to keep the wood dry. He burns about 25-30 baskets a winter between his shop and house, and moves the baskets where needed with the tractor. Only handling the wood once.
Man, if I had a source for IBC totes that wouldn't break the bank that is what I'd do as well. Kind of like leoht does!
