Loader Firewood processing

[simonds]

I have a 4200 JD with a 420 FEL. I want to make a set of forks to hook on the FEL. I want to pick up 4'WX4'LX4'H pallets of firewood. Does anyone have an idea how much a 24" face cord of wood might weigh. It will probably be a mixture of dry ash, cherry, and locust. I really am concerned that the clamp on type of forks might do damage to the bucket. I need something that can be put on and off easy because I need the loader for clearing snow. and the forks would only get used maybe once in two weeks to transport the fire wood to my back door area. Right now I transport it in my 4X4 Gator, which works real good, but the pallet idea would save me from handling the wood so much. The pallets could be loaded up during splitting down in the wood lot and covered up and ready for heating season.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[robbianderson@netzero.net]

about 1000lbs

 

[whitedogone]

about 1000lbs

More than that.

You are talking about half a cord. Take a look here:


Firewood

 

[beenthere]

Simmonds
Good idea you have, but better to plan on the forks on the 3 ph.
I have the JD 430 FEL on 4300, and I load pallets with the JD fork attachment that are stacked with a bit more than 1/5 full cord (ash and red oak). They are all I want to (or can) pick up when the wood is green (around 1000 lbs). When dry after two years, still have to be careful.
However putting the forks on the iMatch/3 ph, can lift the pallets of wood with ease.

Your 4200 has less hyd lift in the 420 FEL, according to the spec sheets.
And I wouldn't plan on doing forks in the bucket without some extra reinforcement. Then you begin to add extra weight and sacrifice on payload.

 

[simonds]

Doesn't sound too good for the full cord on the FEL idea. I don't want it on the 3 point because I will have the splitter on that. Maybe I'll just tack together a quick fix on the pallet with materials that I have and add wood until I fell it's ok. Sounds more like a half of a full cord is going to be pushing the limit. That would still be better on my back than unloading it from the Gator and stacking it on the concrete patio, but maybe not worth the cost of buying or building a set of forks.
Thanks for the good advice.

 

[simonds]

Opps, I got confused. I probably would only be able to pick up half of a face cord. I can haul that with my Gator, but would still have to unload it. Well it's not really that much work to unload a half of a face cord, so I guess it stays that way. Wow I never thought that the wood would weigh that much
Thanks everyone.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I have a 4200 JD with a 420 FEL. I want to make a set of forks to hook on the FEL. I want to pick up 4'WX4'LX4'H pallets of firewood. Does anyone have an idea how much a 24" face cord of wood might weigh. It will probably be a mixture of dry ash, cherry, and locust. I really am concerned that the clamp on type of forks might do damage to the bucket. I need something that can be put on and off easy because I need the loader for clearing snow. and the forks would only get used maybe once in two weeks to transport the fire wood to my back door area. Right now I transport it in my 4X4 Gator, which works real good, but the pallet idea would save me from handling the wood so much. The pallets could be loaded up during splitting down in the wood lot and covered up and ready for heating season.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

You'd have a seriously hard time with this in my experience. The first thing you would need to do is go to dedicated pallet forks to move the load center closer to the loader. Even then it will be at or near max of the loader with the weight. I built racks for my wood and while I can pick up 2 at a time it would be very tough to move them much, if any distance.

See this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/163825-cut-bit-firewood-weekend.html


A full rack of wet yellow birch is quite heavy. When dry it's not so bad. I had to ballast my splitter to keep the rear down in off camber navigation in the woods.

 

[simonds]

Yep I see what you are saying, Kennedy. Your setup is just what I had in mind. Doesn't look so good for me and my 420 loader. Well anyhow, it was a good idea.
Thanks for posting the pictures.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

You could always stack your skids shorter or wider. Keeping the weight closer will help.

I have I believe 25 or so of those racks plus 5 at 60" wide so I can keep 2 seasons worth on hand. With a 3pt splitter I can cut, split and stack in the racks and I am done handling. I have caster boats that I set the racks onto, pin in place, and then roll them into the basement walkout. Saves me several steps of handling this way. Racks are heavy wall galvanized so they'll last forever.

 

[simonds]

Kennedy,
I haven't gave up thinking about this idea yet. I am doing some work on a new home for a local tractor dealer. He gave me a heavy duty pallet that is approx 4'X6'. I'm going to saw it down to 2'X6'. I made a couple temporary forks that extend out 2' past the front edge of my bucket and out to each corner (approx 5') in my 420 loader bucket. Clamped them on temporary to see what my loader will do. So far, there is no money spent. I just want to see how much I can pick up with my loader. If weather is permitting this week end I will give it a try. If I can pick up a ric that is approx 6' wide X
4' high X 2' lengths, this amount would last me about 1 week for the wood stove. If it works out, I will then make some good racks, like you have. I think they would be lighter than using a hardwood pallet.
Thanks so much for your ideas and pictures.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I don't know if there is a kit available, but one of teh best choices I made with my loader was to go with the skid steer attach for buckets/forks. I also went with a skid steer bucket as the tractor buckets are just so darn flimsy.

 

[beenthere]

Kennedy
I don't think the OP will want to add more weight for his 420 FEL to have to lift.

There likely won't be enough lift now to handle his 2 x 4 x 6 load of firewood. But we'll see with his test/experiment. I do hope it works the way he plans.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

But moving it 18" closer to the loader pivot will make this up and then some.

 

[beenthere]

Right, that is true. And even gain more by using the strong but lightweight Deere attachment system.
The OP has lots of decisions to make.