Does anyone have a sled for hauling firewood?

[canfossi]

I need some kind of sled that I can haul firewood out of my woods over the winter. Curious what you use or if you've made one? I don't have a snowmobile, 4-wheeler or horses so far, so for this year I'm going to have to rely on my own pulling power. I was thinking of buying a heavy-duty plastic sled, any ideas? It needs to be strong but light. Thanks Chris

[ericjeeper]

There is no way that I would wish to go out and cut firewood with snow on the ground. Dangerous.
But any sort of sled that will hold a person and a rope. should work well enough if you are just going to pull it by hand.

[fordson major]

we have all kinds of horse power here, even with the selection we make sleds using two down hill skis with risers on them to lift the bed 6 inchs or so then plank across 2-3 feet (4 is too wide except for moterized pulls). also cut oil tanks in half to store split wood and move rocks in the summer, cannot be pulled by hand (guess it could depending on your strength)

[Cabin Fever]

Here's a video of our Survivor Minnesota competition where part of the competition was stacking firewood in a sled and towing it.



I would not recommend a kid's sled...even if it is heavy duty. My recommendation is to get an "Otter Brand" sled. These heavy duty sleds come in different sizes and are used for icefishing and towing behind snowmobiles. They come in eight different sizes. You can also pull these sleds by yourself.

http://www.otteroutdoors.com/sleds.html

[Cheribelle]

The sled we use is from the farm store, heavy duty for hauling a deer out in it. Holds up pretty well.

[lgslgs]

We've moved logs and stumps with a 6 month old calf, a harness made from a knotted bedsheet collar and some rope lines, and Walmart's heaviest plastic sled. We also had one line off the back of the sled to use as a brake on the steep downhills.

Not sure that it's ideal for moving a lot of wood, but it was great for teaching the calf to pull a good amount of wood up and down the hills. On the 3d or 4th load a log fell off, and my husband went to pick it up. Connie got a bit confused and just kept marching on back to the house and delivered the logs right to the gate - where she stood waiting for a cow treat.


If you've got dogs, a cow or calf that will lead on halter, kids, or yourself, the bedsheet harness and Walmart sled can get some wood moved.

Lynda

[FarmboyBill]

I now have 3 wood sleds, each of which I goptfree from work. Each have 4 X 4 runners tapered at each end with 4 X 4 cross pieces above them then the floor above that. I just had to drill 2 holes through each runner and run cable through them. They are around 6 X 8. I have what will cut out to nearly a 1/2 rick of wood on them of 2 X 4s around 3ft or so that I got from work attached to the fiberboard t5hat cme with them. I knock off the 2 X 4s, there are always nails on both ends, and maybe a nail in the middle, but I can usually get 2 16 in pieces out of each 2 X 4. Ill have another sled close as powwible with sides on it, the sides made from a folding retangle with as it were hinges on each corner that can stack on each other. They measure around 3 X 4. Then ill take the pieces with the nails on them out to where I burn and get rid of them. I used to have 2 chain sleds made of woven chain 1in high and 8ft wide and 24ft long. Ive hauled 2 doz bales of hay with them at a time. I ruined them by hauling way too much rock and concrete blocks at a time. They bowed for around 6ft in the front, Wish I could get 2 more, but I dont work there anymore

[sisterpine]

We have a small and a medium otter sled and we have put old snow skis on the bottoms (to keep them off the rocks etc so they last longer) and have been using them for the past 4 years. I also use them to bring the groceries and firewood into the house just drag the thing in the front door, much quicker than hand carrying all. sis

[calliemoonbeam]

Cabin Fever, that was hilarious! Was that Wind In Her Hair running the camera? That looked like so much fun, you guys are a hoot!

[tallpines]

We have an "Otter" and use it for many things.

In the snow --- Hauling wood or grandkids (or granma)

In the summer we use it to soak the logs we have innoculated with mushroom spawn.

Works as a kids swim pool

Or a dog bath tub.

[freegal]

We use an ice-fishing plastic sled. It is heavy duty and has held up very well. We also use it to haul the water jugs out to the barn when we can't use the pump.

[Cabin Fever]

Originally Posted by calliemoonbeam

Cabin Fever, that was hilarious! Was that Wind In Her Hair running the camera? That looked like so much fun, you guys are a hoot!

Yes, you got to listen to WIHH at the camera! There are several videos to our Survivor Minnesota Challenge. The competition took place this past January when it was -20ºF. The challengers were four medical students from Texas A&M including WIHH's daughter. They came to visit us during a break.

If you'd like to view all of the videos, they are located at: Survivor Minnesota

[haypoint]

For pulling out by "people power", I've used a refrigerator door. Simply cut and bend about a foot from the end, about 25-35 degree angle. Pulls easy.
For horsepower, I made runners and welded them to the side of an old fuel oil tank. Simply cut out a big square on the side of the tank for an opening (the side becomes the top when the tank is laid on its side and welded to the runners. I ride inside the tank with my chain, maul, chainsaw and fuel into the woods. It is wide enough to get three rows stacket inside. When empty I can turn it around or adjust it. If it hits a rock or tree, it won't bust up like a wooden box would. I've made several diferent style runners. An I beam can be modified to make runners, just be sure the angle of the "nose" is less than 45 degrees. 45 is too steep and won't ride up onto the snow properly. Old style jeep front bumpers work, too.

[Jennifer L.]

An old aluminum boat works good behind a snowmobile, and will haul a lot of wood or hay. An old car hood would work, too.

Jennifer

[Shepherd]

Originally Posted by ericjeeper

There is no way that I would wish to go out and cut firewood with snow on the ground. Dangerous.

I'm with Eric - we cut all our firewood before the snow starts so that we have plenty to get through the winter with and not have to be out in the wet, freezing weather to get it. It's bad enough to have to haul it from the woodpile to the house in the snow and cold. Our big woodpile is kept far from the house to lessen the risk of termites and carpenter ants. But we keep a small pile up by the patio for easy access.

[longshot38]

folks around here usually cut wood after the snow falls and the ponds and lakes freeze, it makes it possible for us to get to the heavy stands across the bogs and ponds and to haul the wood to our homes or collection points to load into trucks or trailors to haul to our houses.

dean

[canfossi]

I'll look into the Otter Sled as it looks quite lightweight and solid, I have to get the firewood out from this part of my woodlot in the winter when the creek is frozen over, it's my only way across. Thanks Chris

[calliemoonbeam]

Thanks Cabin Fever, looks like lots of entertainment there!

[haypoint]

No way would I go cut firewood except in the winter, less dangerous. I hate being in the wood lot when the bugs are out. It is easier to get around after the leaves are down. There is less chance in making ruts when the ground is frozen. Less chance in running your saw into dirt when there is plenty of snow. You can keep dirt out of your wood by cutting in the winter. Wood cutting can be done during a time when farm duties are less pressing.

[Rockin'B]

The hood off an old car works well. Mount an eye bolt on each front corner to tie the rope to.