I just go with pallets. They’re free on CL or FBM. Usually hold out for the thick oak ones as they last a little longer. These are just cheap pine but at 6’ long and 48” wide they’ll hold a lot of wood. Nice design that weave together to take up less space. That’s 33 pallets on the trailer. They’ll last long enough for one use anyway,,,,,figure three years minimum. Pallets do rot but as long as there’s wood on top they hold together pretty well. After that it’s a campfire or use the smaller ones to hold the rubber on top the stacks.
My dream setup is IBC totes and a 50hp tractor with forks. Current setup is pallets, t-posts and tarps. Setup works but I'm docked a couple of 10ths for cool factor.
Hey, nothing wrong with pallets, t-posts and tarps. Keeps it neat, organized, dry and off the ground. No deductions there. Besides, how many totes would it take to hold 15 cords?
I use number 9 wire or bailing wire.... Heck I've even use bailing twine before... to tie my fence post in...
I’m gonna throw this idea out for the masses. Thought of this years ago but never tried it. A method I’m sure would work to avoid cribbing for us pallet stackers. Google Image Result for http://static.showit.co/400/HGFh-pycRoi_Sg7wHCA0kQ/71036/realty_sign_coartboard_2.jpg Think if you will of an upside down realty sign post. Obviously no projection on the top (which becomes the bottom) For strength I’d recommend a mortised butt joint and the projection to the rear buttressed. Figure 8” and 3/4” plywood buttresses would do nicely and last for years. Slide those puppies right into the fork spaces on the pallets. Need to get average size on your specific pallets. Two 2”x4”s would probably be the ticket. Shouldn’t need a tight fit but closer is better. Weight on pallet will keep it from tipping over. Lateral pressure of the pile will tip it like a crowbar fulcrum and keep them locked in. Only downside I’ve thought of is the extension projecting from the pallet at ground level. Lawn mower won’t get to the end of the stacks I just learned to split nicer wood for the cribs.
Here’s what I’m working on now. Red oak. It’s been stacked in a big pile for 3 years now. Was supposed to be processed and stacked 2 years ago but health got in the way. Not as bad as I feared. The middle is wet no doubt but the wood is still good. I did pile them with bark down on first course then bark up for the rest. By the same token I had a large pile of tulip splits I dumped on the ground. Just one year made some of them too ugly to use. All sorts of ugly mold growing in the middle of the pile. Lost about 40%
