Just saw this - and wondered if anyone here had actually tried it and liked it. I just got some of these "totes" used and was going to give the tanks away (and keep the cages) until I saw this photo. I'm wondering how they fit and if they keep the wood dry enough. I rarely have any wind where I live. Anytime it rains it is almost always totally windless. And never any snow. So, I was going to give it a try, but thought I would ask all you hoarders in order to get any useful feedback you may have.
Yes this is some of my hoard. I cut the tank diagonally across the short sides of the tank (the side with the outlet and its opposite) and it fits neatly. I then drill 4, 5/16 holes in the same diagonal sides and secure it to the tote with bailing twine. We have had a few storms this year with winds in excess of 60 mph and I have not lost a lid yet. The lids keep most of the rain off the wood especially the torrential stuff that can really penetrate deep in to a stack, while still allowing the all critical airflow for seasoning. When we get that nasty sideways rain (60 mph winds) I have gone out to check the stacks after the storm had passed and although the ends of the wood was wet it had only penetrated 1/2" to 1" in to the sides of the stack. This dries quickly and actually aides in the seasoning process. Last season (summer here now) I used this system for the first time and I love it. When I need wood I just drive the old tractor out to the stacks drop off the empty tote and pick up a full one and drive back in to the shed (barn) and park. Job done. Oh I might add if I saw some bad weather coming and the tote I had in the shed was low I would go and get another one in to the shed before it got wet. But as it only gets slightly wet on the outside it dries out again in a couple of days. You do need a proper sized tractor to pick up a full one when it is stacked with Aussie hard wood! My old tractor was designed by an engineer who designed tanks for the Brits in world war 2 and when I look at it I see he designed it the same way the thing weighs 5700 lbs empty 9000 lbs ballasted. It's a tuff old girl! This system would work well in Hawaii. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Can I have some specific information on the tanks and totes; what are they? Does the totes open up or do you have to take wood out through the tops? How expensive are they? I like the idea of being able to pick up the tote and relocate it wood and all, what is the mass of the wood (or weight if you wish) in a tote; wondering if the small tractor I have would be able to lift one; would need front counterweight I am sure.
The totes are called IBC's Intermediate Bulk Containers. They don't open up but you could cut a hole in one side. The weight depends on what wood you have in it. I can tell you that if you fill it with wattle or eucalyptus sugar gum it will weigh enough to make my 5700 lbs tractor stand on two wheels hence the added ballast. A compact or sub compact tractor won't lift one filled with Aussie wood. I got my IBC for free but prices vary by location and availability but $100 seems to be the average for good ones just be carful of IBC's used for toxic chemicals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A search shows they are not cheap; depending on size. I guess one would need a salvage source for them. Good use for them I guess if one can get them cheaply. What attracted me was being able to move the wood, say from a storage area to the house.
I think they meet all the seasoning criteria CSS'd ,off the ground, good air circulation, top covered. Look great !!!!
A thunderstorm just passed trough here so I went out and took this video for you with my phone. I hope it gives you an idea of how it could work for you. Thunderstorms = sideways rain here! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nitrodave that is a dandy price you have there! Wish I was closer.....I would sure take advantage of it!
