2012 FIREWOOD progression thread. Watch this and the wood pile GROW!

[Garmins dad]

Hey... slow down.. my wife might see all this work your doing.. Your going to make me look bad over here...

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Hey... slow down.. my wife might see all this work your doing.. Your going to make me look bad over here...

Sorry! :hmm3grin2orange:

Last winter I just about ran out of wood and it was a mild winter! I don't want to be that close again! My house can easy go though 500 gal of propane a month. $$$$!!!!! Talk about throwing money away!

I guess you'd either get on the stick or keep your wife off of AS. (you know, a lot of wives are joining! Soon we will not be able to hide any thing! (like I need to.....) ..)

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Look what I found. This is on the land where I'm cutting.

The cylinder looks to be good.

This might be the start of the workings of a dump box for my truck.

I don't know the farmer. I'm wondering what/how much I should offer. I realize I'll need a power take off, a valve, oil resorve, and a pump. Seems like a lot...... Maybe this is a pipe dream. Then there's the building of the lifting frame.

 

[Garmins dad]

That is the cheapest part of a dump box.. And with a dump box.. you have to pick it all up to stack it anyhow.. :msp_mad:

Keep the wife off AS... might just have to hide my laptop.. :hmm3grin2orange: Tree planting is done for this year.. now i can get back into the trees and start cutting again..:cool2:

 

[cantoo]

Many hobbies, that is one of the more expensive parts of a dump box. The rest of the parts can be found cheaper and easier than that part. Check scrap yards for old hydraulic pump carts, the type that look like a pallet cart but have a battery and power pack. These can be bought for scrap price and the pump unit is what you need for that hoist. You don't need a pto, the power pack unit is easier to do. Check craig's list for an old flatbed and you are well on your way. The advantage of the dump is the time savings and easier on the body. I sometimes cut a bunch and just leave it lay until I have enough for a couple of loads and then just haul and dump, haul and dump.
Check my thread for pics of my truck, 01 dodge 3/4 ton with my built flatbed dump. I've built a few. It's a long read but there are a few pics of my truck there.
http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/153256.htm

 

[ShaneLogs]

That is pretty cool that the farmer lets you dump the brush right there. I would haul it away if i was you though, Dry brush + lighter fluid = a good time

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Many hobbies, that is one of the more expensive parts of a dump box. The rest of the parts can be found cheaper and easier than that part. Check scrap yards for old hydraulic pump carts, the type that look like a pallet cart but have a battery and power pack. These can be bought for scrap price and the pump unit is what you need for that hoist. You don't need a pto, the power pack unit is easier to do. Check craig's list for an old flatbed and you are well on your way. The advantage of the dump is the time savings and easier on the body. I sometimes cut a bunch and just leave it lay until I have enough for a couple of loads and then just haul and dump, haul and dump.
Check my thread for pics of my truck, 01 dodge 3/4 ton with my built flatbed dump. I've built a few. It's a long read but there are a few pics of my truck there.
http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/153256.htm

Nice thread/read!

Would it be possible for you to take a few pics of the set up you have on your dump bed? Pics of it raised and such? Thanks!

Dan

 

[cantoo]

manyhobies, here is a picture of one type of pallet lifter with hydraulic pump. This one had an 8' lift and went $1000 at a sale but it was in new condition, used are $2 or 300 usually. Tank, valve, pump, batteries and a cylinder plus a set of forks for something else. Oh yeah and a heavy duty charger with it.
I'll put pics of my hoist in my firewood tools thread. View attachment 242975

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

manyhobies, here is a picture of one type of pallet lifter with hydraulic pump. This one had an 8' lift and went $1000 at a sale but it was in new condition, used are $2 or 300 usually. Tank, valve, pump, batteries and a cylinder plus a set of forks for something else. Oh yeah and a heavy duty charger with it.
I'll put pics of my hoist in my firewood tools thread. View attachment 242975

Something like that would be VERY helpful! I'll check in my used machines out back..........nope....nothing! :hmm3grin2orange: I'll keep an eye open. This doesn't have to happen right away. It might be on the 'couple of years' plan!

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Now that the HEAT of summer is gone, and when the beans are harvested, I'll get back out and do some more cutting. The beans should be out any time now. Corn is being harvested as I type this. I really haven't picked up a saw much this summer. Just way too hot! It doesn't take much for the sweat to start pouring out of me! I can be soaked very quickly. Cool weather is my friend!

Should be seeing more action if a week or so.

I just filled my propane tank filled at $1.20 /gal!

Thanks for looking!

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

The soybeans are history. Time to get cutting!

Now that the HEAT of summer is gone, and when the beans are harvested, I'll get back out and do some more cutting. The beans should be out any time now. Corn is being harvested as I type this. I really haven't picked up a saw much this summer. Just way too hot! It doesn't take much for the sweat to start pouring out of me! I can be soaked very quickly. Cool weather is my friend!

Should be seeing more action if a week or so.

I just filled my propane tank filled at $1.20 /gal! ****EDIT***** It was at $1.33 but the driver gave me the old price if I filled my 500 gal tank to 80%.

Thanks for looking!

The soybeans are history. Now I can drive a little more free out there and not worry about damaging the crop. Time to check the saws!

Garage sales were good! I picked up 3 log chains for $20.00! Old iron! Now, I have 4 chains. How many trees can that one ton pull at once? Maybe I should try that with it loaded with wood.

The truck has a new cap and rotor as well as new wires. The passenger exhaust manifold gasket needs to be replaced as it's leaking and still a bit loud. However, I'm not looking forward to fighting those rusted/broken bolts/studs like the drivers side I replaced earlier this summer. We'll see if that gets changed before winter.

The pile is gong to grow!

 

[Metals406]

The soybeans are history. Now I can drive a little more free out there and not worry about damaging the crop. Time to check the saws!

Garage sales were good! I picked up 3 log chains for $20.00! Old iron! Now, I have 4 chains. How many trees can that one ton pull at once? Maybe I should try that with it loaded with wood.

The truck has a new cap and rotor as well as new wires. The passenger exhaust manifold gasket needs to be replaced as it's leaking and still a bit loud. However, I'm not looking forward to fighting those rusted/broken bolts/studs like the drivers side I replaced earlier this summer. We'll see if that gets changed before winter.

The pile is gong to grow!

Soak them bolts with Napa aluminum brightener. It contains Phosphoric acid and some other goodies, and it'll help break them loose.

Spray when the manifold is warm and it'll help draw it in. Spraying Windex or baking soda water on the parts will neutralize the acid when you're done.

 

[Naked Arborist]

Soak them bolts with Napa aluminum brightener. It contains Phosphoric acid and some other goodies, and it'll help break them loose.

Spray when the manifold is warm and it'll help draw it in. Spraying Windex or baking soda water on the parts will neutralize the acid when you're done.

cantoos' dump-trucks are "K.I.S.S." I can not believe I never thought of that before. You can bet your ass I'm build at least two dump trailers this winter!!! 6-8 G's is not in the budget for a dump but 3-5 hunge is.

Use Deep Creep on those bolts if you dare pull them , yikes...

If you can't get the bolts out but can get to the leaks use some exhaust copper sealer on them. You'd be surprised at what that stuff with seal up on rusty crust old iron. Permatex Copper Sealer in a tube is what we use on old rusty "I dare not go there" bolts. Just keep paddling it into the leak until your sure you have enough in there and then add some more to get a nice overflow lump into the inner cavity. It keeps the stuff from blowing out under pressure inside the exhaust and will not burn out. Trust me it was a tried and true trick for stopping the exhaust leaks on old Caddys, Buicks and 360 or 390 Ford truck motors at a buddies used car lot. We never had one come back. Those guys beat the hell out of those old Ford trucks. We junked a few of them on buy back trade ins and they still did not leak.

Cool wood shed. Keep picking away at it you'll get there.

 

[Garmins dad]

Sorry! :hmm3grin2orange:

Last winter I just about ran out of wood and it was a mild winter! I don't want to be that close again! My house can easy go though 500 gal of propane a month. $$$$!!!!! Talk about throwing money away!

I guess you'd either get on the stick or keep your wife off of AS. (you know, a lot of wives are joining! Soon we will not be able to hide any thing! (like I need to.....) ..)

Thank goodness so far she only sees this site when she walks past me. I'm hoping she lets me have this place to hide in.. :msp_sneaky:

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

I've been holding out on you guys. Here are a few pics of the wood pile progress!

Todays haul. Dead fall Ash! Dry ready to burn! Score! About 3-5 more of these in my wood lot!

Thanks for looking!

 

[zogger]

I've been holding out on you guys. Here are a few pics of the wood pile progress!




Todays haul. Dead fall Ash! Dry ready to burn! Score! About 3-5 more of these in my wood lot!



Thanks for looking!

Score! Ash is the bestus....

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

I've been trading auto repair for wood help.

I've been cutting but haven't taken any pics! I know.....I know.....

I've been trading auto repair for wood help. So far, I've replaced intake manifold gaskets in an '03 Pontiac Montana 3.4 and brakes and what not (heater control, radio install, rear door latch repair....) on an '95 Honda Civic. Both persons have been VERY helpful! All of us have both have more time than $$ so....

I'll at least try to get a shot or two of the wood shed. It's looking a little full!

 

[zogger]

I've been cutting but haven't taken any pics! I know.....I know.....

I've been trading auto repair for wood help. So far, I've replaced intake manifold gaskets in an '03 Pontiac Montana 3.4 and brakes and what not (heater control, radio install, rear door latch repair....) on an '95 Honda Civic. Both persons have been VERY helpful! All of us have both have more time than $$ so....

I'll at least try to get a shot or two of the wood shed. It's looking a little full!

That's a cool way to do it! I like barter myself.

 

[flyboy553]

About time you get to cutting! Thought maybe you decided to just burn propane or something. If your home goes through 500 gallons a month, you are going to need more than just that shed full of wood!

My old house was like that, and I went through 15 to 18 cord/season, and it was not hot in the house, just livable! Kinda like heating a screened in porch!

Now, get to work! And take pics! I would offer to come and give you a hand but I have around 30 cords to cut myself yet! See what happens when you do not take pics? Ya get chewed out for not cutting because I can't tell if you have been or not!

Ted

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

A bit of wood has been added to the "soft side" Stacked high!

AND the "harder" side! This pile has been doubled with some dry Ash! Toilet has been removed and replaced with wood!

A load of dead fall Ash! There's a lot more of this where this came from!