In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Loading Totes

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Slocum, Aug 4, 2019.

  1. Slocum

    Slocum

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    I filled the last of my totes this morning. Two of them shagbark hickory and two hackberry. I’m over the heat and ready for the cold![​IMG][​IMG]


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  2. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Niiiiice lookin’ totes!
     
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  3. Lakeside

    Lakeside

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    Slocum , how do you go about making those totes?
     
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  4. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    Nice work. Totes are nice. Hard to get in my area.
     
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  5. JoeinO

    JoeinO

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    Great way to repurpose totes Slocum. Seen them reused for firewood, first time seeing the insides cut in half and used for cover though.
    Looking good.
     
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  6. Slocum

    Slocum

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    I didn’t make them. I believe they are called “IBC” totes. They are used for all kinds of liquids from antifreeze to food grade fluids. They are hard to come by. I looked for two years then hit the jack pot.
     
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  7. Slocum

    Slocum

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    I saw a pic online a few years ago of the totes with the roof being used. I really like them. They save a lot of the handling of the wood. I carry the tote in to my garage. I did bring a mouse in last winter but it never got into house. That’s the only down side I’ve found.
     
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  8. JoeinO

    JoeinO

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    Seems like it could be a efficient way to sell. Load the tote for X amount bring tote back and get your deposit.
     
  9. Woodsnwoods

    Woodsnwoods

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    How hard is the unloading process? They look great and seem functional. Just curious about how hard it is to empty them. I can get them around here by the dozens, so this might be an option for me.
     
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  10. Slocum

    Slocum

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    I’m 6’2” with long enough arms to almost reach the bottom so it’s not bad for me. Once I get all I can reach it don’t weigh much so I tip tote toward me and get what’s left. I also have a 4 year old that likes to get inside tote and help.
     
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  11. Reloader

    Reloader

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    Any idea of the weight of the full tote? Would be interesting to get a weight with green wood and then after it dries.
    Nice and clean setup to handle the wood.


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  12. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    The one that Backwoods Savage has... Redneck did some work on I believe, with a cut off wheel. Makes it much more functional for getting wood out. You just have to watch how you stack it and have a good back to unload it. I unloaded it once and sitting on the knees seemed to give me the most comfortable position.
     
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  13. Slocum

    Slocum

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    I’m not sure, I don’t usually put heavy hardwoods in them. Oak, locust and even the hickory I just loaded is all my tractor can lift with 3 point forks. If you stack nice and neat you can get a lot of wood in tote. I use 16” splits and a little over 3 totes will hold a dry cord.
     
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  14. billb3

    billb3

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    They come in different sizes but the most common one is 275 gallons which is, iirc, 48x40x46 which is pretty much a third of a cord.
    So if a cord of red oak weighs almost 5,000 pounds green, figure 1/3 of that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2019
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  15. Reloader

    Reloader

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    I think that would be a bit much for my little BX, but looks like a good system if you have the room and the equipment.


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  16. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Depending upon the wood in them, expect them to weight from 900-1200 lbs or so.

    Unloading them has proved to be a bit more difficult than we imagined. I'm thinking about loading one or two of them with uglies and shorts as that might be a better way of handling them.
     
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  17. GrJfer

    GrJfer

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    That is a picture of efficiency. Very nice.