So I'm getting ready for winter, I've got to move the next up firewood closer to the house, I'm thinking about modifying some pallets so I can stack on them and move them around with the tractor. I'd like to be able to set it on a dolly just inside the 6 foot walk out basement door and roll it over to the stove. My tractor can't lift very much, I'm guessing 800 lbs, so the racks wouldn't be all that big, although I do burn mostly softwood. How do you keep the racks/pallets from freezing to whatever you set them on? I've seen pics on here of people who do this... Jack Straw maybe any tips?
I have single row racks, they are lighter but tip over easy. I like the stability of the pallet racks. I screw treated lumber to the bottom and use whatever I have for sides. I’ve been putting steel roofs on them as well.
Basically what I did...but I custom made racks since my lil baby forklift only has 24" long forks...works out fine anyways, because the further out you go with the weight (load center) the less you can pick (think leverage) So since I built my racks tall and narrow (4' wide, 5.5' tall, 20" deep) they hold the better part of 1/3 cord (800-1000 lbs depending on wood species and moisture content) and I can pick that with little problem...but if I try to pick up the same weight sitting on a standard pallet, the butt of the forklift comes right up...load center is just further away. Here is a thread I did on it ...I still use the same system basically, but I soon stopped wheeling the racks into the basement after bugs quickly became a problem. Just bring them into the attached garage now. My firewood storage and handling system...
I use pallets a lot but I would not move them into a home space. I tried it and as I used the wood I found empty mouse nests. The mice had moved in! These pics are how I'm making the pallet racks now Most wood is from pallets taken apart The empty ones are on their side so I can move them with a hand truck You have to look close but there are two strands of wire across each of the uprights. Wire is unwoven from black chain link fence. It holds up well and keeps sides from spreading when I'm moving with tractor.
This is what I split since last fall Not all covered up. has to sit out for a couple more years. will cover before leaves fall!
I'd put them on "runners". Something like a small log or a heavy duty plastic or metal pipe. This will not only keep them from freezing to the ground, but it will keep the pallets from rotting out quickly, and will allow for better air circulation around the pallet, resulting in quicker drying/seasoning. The roundness should keep any water from settling on the top of the runner.
I always put a sacrificial pallet under the one loaded with wood. I have also used runners 4x4 or 4x6. I use softwood or generally poor pallets under the wood pallet. The only last a few years. For the firewood pallet I use hardwood pallets and they last a long time and are strong. In the pic below you can clearly see the sacrificial pallet. The pallet holding wood is one of the first ones I made 11 years ago.
2.5 x 4 x 3... a scant 1/4 cord is about all my tractor wants, it'll lift it about 2 feet, just enough to move it around.
Pallet bin with a sacrificial pallet underneath (not screwed to anything) and can also be put on top of cinder blocks for the winter.
