I picked up a 562XP. After an initial rough start the first week and a half, and what may have been vapor lock on 85°+ days, no more issues after blogging and learning from others (thanks for sharing), even on 94° days. Incredible throttle response, and cutting 3/4 cord per fueling. I've run 5 gal. of mix through it. One pull starts. Love using it!
I'm beginning to run out of room in my rather small wood lot, with about 70 cord on the ground.
Four years ago I tried double stacking pallets, with mixed success. When the top pallet tips over, if stacked directly above another one, the lower pallet splits a side and topples as well, making a half of cord mess.
I am again double stacking, while I still have wiggle room to do so.
Yesterday I tried a couple things, and this morning I had some serious leaners.
I pulled everything down and have started over, this time stacking the top bundle on four lower bundles, or a double stagger.
It requires using fork extensions to do so, but less manual pallet handling than yesterday.
Double pallets on the top row is an added expense.
The flip side is, fewer covers (top row only), and fewer pallets with wet ground contact, which is what destroys them over three to four years from being water logged.
It may in fact prove to be a savings. The covers only last two years due to UV breaking them down, and if double stacking works, 50% fewer covers.
Using two pallets turned 90° to each other utilizes the stringer strength vs relying on the thinner bottom boards of the pallet which easily bow, sag and break under 1,450 pds of green oak, which is where some of the lean comes from.
The bottom row is obviously uneven to start with, and then add some settling over time.
I had considered making wood frames between each lower pallet to carry the weight and level the top row out.
Just not practical cost wise.
I may be pulling all of these down tomorrow, hopefully not.
For now I'm going to add to this.
Two rows of nine pallets per lower row, eight on top. Or 4 1/2 cord in the two lower rows, and 2 cord on top.
Now I can try nine and eight, which is 4 1/4 cord per row.
It's all an experiment...
Edit: Just reread this and looked at the photos.
I'm going to flip the bottom pallet when doubling the top row of pallets and utilize the greater strength in more contact boards to carry the weight on the uneven surface.
Today.
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