How do you guys stack on slopes? I have a part of my yard on the side of the driveway that is only about 15 feet wide; it is the part of my lot between the chain link fence on the property line to the edge of the concrete driveway. This is ideal for some wood stacks and also great visibility for firewood sales. Problem is, the ground slopes a bit. Not bad but noticeable. I figure I could put something under pallets to shim them such that they are level. Oak cookies? Or maybe forget pallets and cut some sweetgum logs of different diameters to 'correct' the slope? Could also use dirt as 'shim' material. What's your solution? If I could, I would like to stack two rows. I have about 30-40 feet there that gets great sun and wind that is not too bad of a slope. More linear distance beyond the 30-40 feet is available that has a bit more slope. EDIT: I guess I should have mentioned that the stacks would run perpendicular to the slope. So, the issue is the stacks leaning downhill if you were to stack them 'normally' and toppling. (The slope dips to the east and the stacks will run N-S.)
I have plenty of wood stacked on a slope. I use T-posts at the ends and then put some runners down to stack on. Like landscaping timbers or I have some old cross arms from a power pole.
After you replied, I edited the OP to explain that the stacks have to run perpendicular to the slope, ACROSS the hill, not down the hill.
Easy enough of a fix. Sounds like you already know that you want to make the base of the piles somewhat level. Next question?
Yes, but that is with your stack running lengthwise down the direction of the slope. I have to have the long axis of the stack running ACROSS the slope. If I didn't do anything and just built a stack normally, with the stack running N-S, the east side of the entire stack will be lower than the west side due to the slope. Which means it risks toppling unless it is leveled from the getgo. I need to shim by an inch or few the entire east side, or at several spots along that east side such that a pallet or parallel runner tops will be level. Maybe I could lay down a 'runner' of dirt in a line the length of the desired stack and that is where the east side would be. Or just add dirt in the area where the stack would be and level it. Dirt doesn't rot and is fairly easily 'modified.'
Not sure how much water will run over that area (under the pallets/stacks), but dirt can wash out from under the pallets/runners or whatever you use. Might be better to even it up with bricks, blocks or pavers.
The racks in my picture are running downhill in both directions. Zoom in on the right rack. You'll see the rightmost corner on 3 blocks, it's partner is sitting on 2. The far end on one. If they were fully perpendicular, I'd still level them the same way. Prop up on the low side. The higher the rise, the bigger the block I'd use to prevent potential slippage. I'd not use dirt.
I’ve got a stack that is on a slight slope. I have it on PT 2x4s on top of cinder blocks. I just made sure each cinder block was level by digging out some of the dirt on the high end of the slope under each block.
A few days ago, me and a worker actually discussed removing dirt from the high side. You sure might be right, it def could be the easiest way.
Yeah, it was pretty easy to do. The slope isn’t much, so at first, I just ignored the slope and stacked up a bunch of rounds on the cinder blocks and 2x4s, but they tipped over, so THEN I leveled out the blocks before restacking.
I did like PatrickNY did, use cinder blocks, level as necessary. I used landscape timbers… well you can see by the pic. I like getting the wood up off the ground for air flow. I have one stack not level, and it’s a battle hammering splits back where they should be.
Shoot Yawner, skidding logs, stacking on a slope you sure you are across the country from me? All my stacks are on a slope but they run downhill so I can't really help. Sorry!
Almost every split has a large end and small end. You can pitch a stack real fast in any direction just by choosing which goes where.
The longer stick is to support horizontal 2x4’s, that run the length of the stack, above the wood. I install a couple other vertical sticks to connect the horizontal run of 2x4’s. In the summer I can cover the whole stack with clear plastic, to create a kiln. The summer sun heats it up and the space above the wood allows air flow to move the moisture out. It speeds up the seasoning.
So, are you saying that if you have to stack across a slope, rather than leveling the base supports from the getgo, whatever they be, you would do it with the splits themselves? I do what you are talking about for 'fixes' during stacking but not from the getgo, knowing that there is a slope. Hence, the reason for the thread! If your method works, then that's an easy solution! Assuming one can pull it off with the splits! So far, I think the member, PatrickNY up-thread, who uses cinder blocks with timbers on top showcases what might be the simplest technique... removing dirt on the uphill side to level concrete blocks or pavers. Then put runners on top. But if you are saying you do it with splits during the stacking process, that would be even easier! Of course, there would certainly be a limit as to how much slope that would work on. Interesting.
