Now that we have an SSQA and pallet forks for our tractor, the wife asked if we could dry and store our firewood on pallets so we could more efficiently move it around. I thought this was a genius idea from a firewood novice! I've seen the some people do this with great efficiency, mostly with IBC totes. Does anyone have any advice about how to get this process started? Please remember, I have nearly unlimited supply of dead standing chestnut oak trees for me to mill into pallet lumber. Please share your thoughts.
The square pallet racks are more stable than the single row stacks. Be sure to put pieces of wood under your racks if you want to move them around in the winter because they will freeze to the ground.
I wouldn't waste good wood on making pallets. They are laying around all over the place, may take some scrounging but I think it's better to reuse. Or drive a few hours to me and I'll load you up with some 48x40 block pallets, I'm sitting on probably 50 plus right now. You could have them for free.
Agree with In the Pines , don't waste good lumber. Pallets tend to break pretty quickly compared to the totes. That being said, the totes are only efficient if you can get them cheap. I'm switching over to them as I go along. Here's the beginnings of my set up. I now have 10 full totes next to the boiler.
I am curious on if you have any problems getting the wood out of them. This has been my problem area, but part of that is because my back does not like to bend then reach into the tote to get the wood out. I may play with the idea of making the opening a bit larger to see if that will help but Judy is not too keen in the idea of continued use. That is such a shave after Redneck so graciously donated them to us when I was in the hospital a while back. I also found it is best to not completely fill them, at least with our tractor. I can move them but it is about maximum weight that I can handle. Okay on level ground but it's not all level where we have to move them.
I use a pickaroon to get the bottom layers out. Works pretty well. Three point forks move the full ones well.
That's an impressive operation! I've often wondered if I could quit my day job and make firewooding full time.
I put some wood on pallets with no sides and it's time consuming stacking it just right so it doesn't fall over. If you're serious about moving them around, I would suggest some with sides like Jack Straw has in his pictures.
I agree its impressive. But with all businesses it all comes down to how much money they make at the end of the day. Like alot of business you need a big chunk up front to buy equipment. One advantage they have is they certify heat treated wood so they can ship it anywhere. Not many firewood sellers do that. I would think that it would allow a higher sales price and opens new markets.
The bin behind my hunny is made of 3-48x48 pallets, 3-2x4's across the top and 2 pieces of 3' metal roofing 6' long. It will hold approximately 1/2 cord, if your tractor FEL can pick it up, or use rear lift.
Umm I use the less renewable way with regular pallets. One of my buddies had some leftover shipping wrap. Wrap the pallet and it moved it just fine.. What's lift on tractor? Ibc totes would be better but 75 a piece here right now..
I’ve got a friend who stacks his wood on a pallet and stretch wraps it. Gets a half cord on one. He opens the top for a chimney effect and vents the bottom. He stabs ‘em with the forks on the telehandler and sets ‘em on the porch when needed.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Hahahaha, can I steal that please?
