How Much Firewood Fits in an IBC Tote | Loose vs. stacked methods

Today is all about science. Before you go running for the hills, this science will be fun. Well to be honest it won't necessarily be fun for me but it will be fun to find out the answer. I've always wondering how much firewood fits in an IBC tote when loosely thrown in straight from my woodsplitter. Today I actually get out the tape measure and find out once and for all. Although filling the IBC tote can be pain in the back from time to time, nothing's worse than doing the job twice. That's exactly what I plan on doing today as I fill up, unload and fill up the IBC tote again all in the name of science. Other's have claimed that when you neatly stack an IBC tote with firewood that you can get approximately 1 face cord of firewood or 1/3 a bush cord of firewood in it. I want to see how much less firewood I am getting in my IBC totes when I loosely throw the firewood in them in order to see whether I should change my ways and start neatly stacking instead. As I make my way through the wood pile today, check out how handy the homemade pickaroon is that I'm using to help reduce the bending that I have to do. If you haven't used one of these yet, do yourself a favour and grab a hold of one right away. Well folks, time is ticking and I got work to do. Thanks for watching!

[@pedrosantos6472]

I was waiting for you to put it in neatly, all fun thought

[@highinthedirt]

I've considered doing this experiment also, thanks for beating me to it!

[@sunseeker6088]

This video doesn’t mean anything if the viewers don’t know if the IBC tote is 275 or 330 gallons. It looks to be 275. Also it appears that you are low on hydraulic fluid (very slow cylinder cycle). I applaud you for putting in effort to inform your viewers.

[@TheRichtaber]

You just saved me a lot of work pondering this same question!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad I could help!

[@LennyLeLizard]

Still watching video, but will be glad to see how the result turns out. From my previous research a "loose thrown" pile of wood should take 1.4 times the space as tight stacked pile.

[@ThunderHillFarmMaine]

Thanks Sandy! Now we all know! 😃

[@Tat2Power]

Great video!! Thanxx for posting.

[@MannistoCay]

All in the name of science Sandy, job well done. I just picked up 8 totes and will not be repeating this experiment. 🏝🌴🍻😅

[@jasonbridle7931]

Thanks for posting this video, and thanks even more for clarifying face cord versus bush cord. I watch a lot of firewood videos, trying to make decisions on tweaking my operation. Most of them simply call it a cord, leaving me guessing. 😳

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for tuning in Jason

[@profdave2861]

TILSONBURG...TILSONBURG.... MY BACK STILL ACHES WHEN I HEAR THAT WORD! Thanks for the great reference line to Stompin’ Tom Connors! And you’re right... you pretty much have to be Canadian to connect the dots on your reference to that line!

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m glad you got that reference. I was starting to wonder if I have enough of a clue. Great song

[@scottchristian5056]

I also got a 20ton splitter that splits in both directions. Makes a shitload of difference.

[@traviscover590]

I like your new video you did a really good jop today

[@HotRodDave]

Thanks for the science show LOL. Good info. New sub here

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha sometimes I just have to find out for sure. Welcome aboard to the channel Dave

[@D-Mny]

Good call, it shows a lot of people who try and sell this Ibc as half a cord they are completely wrong.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I had to check for myself. I always thought it held more too

[@abdalbateeh6766]

Thanks

[@bobbarker2595]

Did I miss something? dont we want to see what it looks like stacked nicely in the 275 gallon ibc tote and compare?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I don’t stack in the cages. I just loose throw it in

[@mikecole3248]

Great video, Sandy! Are your IBC's the 275 gallon or the 330 gallon size? Mine are 330 gallons, the gage's inside capacity is 47 cubic feet. I cut a rectangular opening in the side of the frame for loading/unloading. The cut-out piece is still useful since it can be turned 90 degrees from the opening and used as a "stop" to keep wood from falling out when moving the tote with my tractor's fork lift. The other issue to keep in mind with totes is loaded weight (with green wood) versus the lift capacity of your loader at the height you're moving it to, such as the deck height of your pickup's bed.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Mike. In my video I was using a 275gal tote. Your idea to cut out the piece of metal and turn it sides was is great and the first I’ve heard of that. I think next year once I empty the cages I may end up doing that.

[@mikecole3248]

@@sawingwithsandy Depending on how you unload, you might want to cut the opening before unloading next year rather than after, since it's easier to reach in from the side as the unloading gets to bottom-most pieces (versus reaching down from the top, or reaching thru the cage "windows").

[@seriksson9721]

Thanks.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you liked the video!

[@oleberg4196]

Now I know, and I didn't have to do it, thanks

[@seather863]

I've done the same experiment. You can fit a full face cord in but it has to be rounded over the top of the cage. That is in a 275 gallon tote size.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Really eh. I guess a lot depends on how nicely the pieces can fall into fill the voids. The example I used may have had more voids then normal

[@Bayou_Russ]

If you go by cubic feet 128 cubic feet is about 3.5 275gal totes I know that if you stack green live oak into a 330gal tote it’s about all a 85hp John Deere wants 🤣

[@richardlafrance7827]

i have a question for you in this methods the wood it dont dry good ? because rain inside in

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Richard, thanks for checking out the video. I've found that the wood dries well even when piled up inside the IBC cages.

[@cdb400]

Great,! Now, can you find out which dries faster? 😉

[@AllanLaal]

loose for sure

[@edgarmilson8686]

Sandy, your splitter must be low on oil or need venting, I never saw a machine run so slow! Edgar

[@sawingwithsandy]

I was having a bit of engine trouble here with the engine not getting up to full rpm. Not sure if that’s the issue though. I’ll check the oil

[@scottchristian5056]

There's enough deference between stacking and just loose filling, that my tractor has an issue when tightly stacking an icb

[@mikeconroy9207]

Moving your left leg while swinging the pickaroon was fortuitous. Was it choreographed?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I practice that move in the evenings

[@toddmeanie6003]

LMAO at the flying axe

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha. I was as surprised as you were

[@toddmeanie6003]

@@sawingwithsandy the look on your face proved it ...karma allways gets ya when you are trying to look cool...at least for me

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha. I figured I might as well include everything that happens even when it’s not ideal

[@jeepnhusa]

@@sawingwithsandy thanks for the, the 'scientific expirimenet' (& your sweat ), and the plain talk, including the oops pickaroon. Lots of 'slick' /edited, KZbins, your style is much more real and enjoyable, thanks.

[@ericbailey3125]

I like to do scientific studies, too!

[@peterb.saloom8667]

Are you starting with a 275 or 330 gal IBC tote?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question Peter, I typically use the 275

[@scottchristian5056]

A foce cord is called a rick. 3 makes a cord

[@earlzathome]

Catching up on some old videos.....I be true Ultra does what took the beast 32 min in about 10! Loved the hookaroon launch - I've done this countless times!😂 Oh,and I picked tobacco for 4 summers, know that Stomping Tom song well!

[@sawingwithsandy]

You know that feeling of the early mornings then I bet !

[@earlzathome]

@@sawingwithsandy You know it!

[@chlyon]

5.1 cubic meters thrown wood is a cord (180 cf) some say up to 5.5 , IBC tote tend to hold 1000L or 1 cubic meter, but without the plastic tub are more likely to hold 1.1 cubic m so 4.64 totes to a cord to a max of 5 flat level totes to a cord . Stacked a cord is 3.62m so 3.3 totes stacked will give you a cord . A cord should be 3 cubic meters of solid wood

[@sawingwithsandy]

I've measured out a few times with loose thrown wood in the IBC cage and it's about 1/2 face cord to 2/3 face cord

[@ranchitosantos5165]

How many of those totes make a chord?

[@sawingwithsandy]

5 or 6 loose thrown

[@exotictones1054]

What is the stick stabber your using to pick up the wood with.never saw that before.i cut wood for over 50 yrs.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’ll put out a video on it soon. It’s a very useful tool for sure

[@bbww3969]

Thankyou

[@rexhavoc2982]

I will bet you I can out split your splitter with a hand tool. Fire wood heats you more than 5 times.I would replace the pump, or buy a rebuild kit.

[@kregnorgaard8876]

you can make a bigger crate from a 6"x6" metal hog fence and a pallet for like $25

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’ve made some fencing/pallet setups before but unfortunately I found that it was difficult for me to keep them stored in the winter as the snow collapsed the fencing. I also like the ability to stack the Ibc totes inside a building in winter. Your idea for sure would work I can imagine for some

[@vidili68]

52 pick up ha ha Have a cup of coffee Have a good day be safe god bless

[@DuhartCreek]

Pick a roon in the woods....been there done that.

[@PriceRegie]

What do you call the tool you use to handle your firewood?

[@cascademtman5901]

It's a pickaroon or hookaroon depending where you live.

[@PriceRegie]

@@cascademtman5901 Thanks, I live in SC and am unfamiliar with it . . . but sure do like the way it works. Gotta get one.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’ve got a video coming out this week talking about it

[@exotictones1054]

Guess you don't have it anymore.lol

[@sunseeker6088]

I think you killed a squirrel with your picaroon.

[@chrisgallant2552]

my man the way you lassoed the logs to put them on the splitter with the axe you would have split all that wood in 1/2 the time. You would have just been a little bit more worn out.

[@sawingwithsandy]

and maybe a few pounds lighter around the waist haha

[@sunseeker6088]

Wait what……330 gallon IBC tote filled is one facecord…….275 gallons is 2/3 face cord. None of us want to misrepresent what we sell.

[@scottchristian5056]

Semi stacked is best overall. Don't waste your time trying to get a perfect stack.

[@rexhavoc2982]

Has anyone else ever seen a slower splitter? Something is wrong with it. As easy as that wood splits, a 3 inch cylinder would be a better choice. If the empty Tote cage was tilted at a 45 tword the splitter, the wood could be tossed in in a stacking direction with a little extra effort. I saw a 20 foot sea container conveyor filled standing on it's closed end and when the doors were closed they laid it over.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’ve seen a slower splitter, it’s called an axe 😁

[@timerickson7056]

Wow a million years ago a cord was 4 get high 4 feet wide and 8 feet deep 128 cubic feet. What you are doing is about 100 cubic feet. Why didn't you stack a half cord then throw it in it would of been less handling of the wood

[@TheCanadiancutter]

Seems like the good idea fairies are out tonight...hahaha

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m not able to stack the wood in the Ibc tote without cutting out a portion of it as I can’t reach into it very well to stack neatly

[@KingBigBabyJesus]

He did say it was a "bush cord". I'm a 4x4x8 cord guy myself.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah when I talk about a cord I’m normally talking about what we call a face cord here as a single row of wood or 1/3 of a bush cord (4x4x8)

[@popatop6657]

Dude that is a half of a Rick not half of a cord. Accord is 4 x 4 x 8 Rick is 2 x 4 x 8

[@sawingwithsandy]

Around my area face cord is commonly referred to as a cord even though technically it’s 1/3rd if a cord. In my video it’s half a face cord m

[@richardwilloughby4524]

If your splitter was any slower you would fall asleep