Turning IBC Totes into Firewood Containers that My Kubota BX Can’t Lift

In this video we make firewood totes for our woodyard and find out that the BX can't handle them.
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[@dannyboy74]

I’ve got the pallet forks on my BX23S and they help. Also in the process of adding the shim kit to the unit. Hoping it helps as the forks aren’t doing much. Have a blessed day friends.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Shims will help a lot. I did that a while ago. I’ll share my solution for this soon…

[@JustCaidsDayFarm]

Hi Lucas. I was surprised you took the bladders to the dump. I thought you would have done something else with them around the homestead. I have found the more things you get into the more you find the limitations on your equipment. I will tell you that if you get the SSQA forks you will not be disappointed. I LOVE mine! Glad to see you out there having so much fun. Take care!

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah, so these totes are cheap because they held chemicals…some kind of polyurethane. I didn’t want to try to clean them. Thanks for watching! 👊

[@JustCaidsDayFarm]

Ah that makes sense. Good call

[@whilomforge3402]

I think the pallet forks would make a huge difference. They did for me anyhow!

[@TheRustyGarageandHomestead]

Hey Lucas, I agree definitely should try some pallet forks to shift some of that weight back some.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

That will be my first change…. 👊

[@TripleTAcres]

Great video pal!

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Thanks!

[@projectswithjw]

The plastic tanks with 2 sides cut out for air flow make a decent generator cover in bad weather 😎

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

That’s interesting! Good suggestion.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

So sketch getting to your woodyard! Gets the adrenaline pumping before you start sawing!

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

You get used to it…. 😂🤣

[@kristopherhowitt353]

Like you said, maybe a set of quick attach forks will work better. The closer you can get the load to the pivot pins on the bucket, the more you can lift. You have cut your lifting capacity by about 35-45% by having the load that far away from the pins. The centre of the pins is where the lifting capacity is measured from on the loaders. Hope this helps.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Absolutely! So ssqa forks will be my next step I guess. I’m still not sure I will be able to do much with totes on the BX. We’re gonna find out. 😊

[@outdoors-fun]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead It might be able to do it just tossed in like you have it. I know a tightly packed tote of hardwood is 1500-2000lbs. Depending on if its green or not.

[@MrSnivvel]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead The weight of the Land Pride PFL12 pallet forks shows to be 220 lbs. but I can't readily find the weight of the bucket for BX or guess what the weight of the clamp-on forks are. (Using LP pallet forks as a reference comparison.) I would think that by the time you have a "real" set of pallet forks to get the load closer to the pins and have a reduced weight a bit compared to the bucket+clamp-ons combo that your carrying capacity will be increased enough to be well worth the investment cost. Plus, you'll have better visibility with a pallet fork setup to factor in as a quality of life upgrade.

[@redmondray8066]

I know my BX23s struggles with 55 gallons of diesel fuel lifting out of my pick up. I have a shim kit but have yet to install it. Some day 😂 I have the ssqa on my BX.

[@LanceWhipple]

You were bound to find some limitations as you push into this new territory but I have no doubt you will come up with a sensible solution. Great video, thanks Lucas.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Thanks, Man. We are working on some things to try…

[@samsdoinstuff]

Good morning Lucas! I've had the same struggle with my BX. Until we can afford an LX4020, we'll just have to do a little at a time. But she's still a great tractor! 🤠👍

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah, we gotta work with what we can afford. That’s the life of a workin’ man. 👊. Thanks for stopping by!

[@WilliamsonRidge]

You’re gonna need a bit bigger tractor for that, lol. Certain species of wood stacked in the IBC totes will make the rear of my Kubota M6060 a little light

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

😂🤣 Yeah, I am not really even in the ballpark for moving full totes. We’ll see where this leads I guess…

[@BenPasternak]

Definitely time to get rid of those bucket forks.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

It is.

[@TheNovaNorm]

Get well soon. Take it easy.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Thank you!

[@douggrue77]

Pallet fork and a ballast box

[@cajunaggie9815]

Don't feel too bad. Even the L01/L02 series has issues with a full tote of hardwood. Even with the SSQA forks and the hydraulic pump modified to make more pressure.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah, I know it’s a tall order. I really was hoping to work with 3/4 full totes. Not sure what we will end up doing now…

[@cajunaggie9815]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead Maybe make some shorter totes and stack them? You obviously love a challenge.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

@@cajunaggie9815 oooo, I do like that idea.

[@eliedlin9579]

Definitely time for quick attach pallet forks, they make a huge difference. Then cut those totes down to whatever level the bx can handle, and stack. If it takes a couple extra trips its just more seat time!

[@JohnHromco]

I know what you are thinking, “ I need a bigger tractor”. I was in the same situation here in East Tennessee dealing with round bales of hay. My Kubota BX would handle small round bales but no one sells them anymore. So I needed a bigger tractor and bought a Kubota B 2601. It has the power to lift the bales on the front hay spear, barely! But I hate the tractor. I do not like how it handles or performs. Controls are extremely touchy. So I only use it for moving hay bales. For anything else I go right back to my trusty BX. It has 3500 hours on it and it is still used every day.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I believe I would be just like you. I love almost everything about the BX, but I need to lift more…

[@dontriplett5132]

Lucas, this is the guy in Southpoint with your twin tractor I think I have your solution if you add new cylinders from Hydro plus it will give you 35% more lift capability and 12 inches more height. Of course you’re probably going to need a real set of lite weight pallet forks that should allow you to lift that tote on to the trailer of course I would not want to carry that much weight on the front axle very far, plus you will need more ballast

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah that hydro plus upgrade would definitely make an enormous difference. I’m almost at the point where I’m not sure I want to be pushing it much further. I’m going to start with proper forks and go from there…

[@JamesB-uu4nq]

You can make water and feed troughs out of the bottom containers

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

These particular containers had some chemicals in them that I wasn’t too sure about so I disposed of them. Definitely a good idea though…

[@uncledanny7]

A set of quick attach forks would definitely help you out in more ways than one. Not only does it give you more lifting capacity those clamp on forks and other clamp on attachments are good for bending your bucket to the point of not being able to use it to do fine grading with.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah, I’ve gotten by up to this point because I didn’t need forks often and I have an old bucket I use that doesn’t matter if it gets beat up. I’ve outgrown that setup at this point.

[@Austin1994Suloff]

Hydros plus sell slightly larger diameter lift cylinders that bolt right too a BX and offer 35% more lifting capacity. That coupled with actual forks would allow you to do exactly what you need.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I do think that would get me there. 🤔

[@Austin1994Suloff]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead check them out on KZbin, the company Hydos plus is American made and makes quality stuff. I believe Youl be able to lift right around 1200 pounds just by swapping cylinders out. Just keep in mind Youl need some extra ballast in the rear to keep her on all 4s.

[@johnream2279]

I think a set of light weight pallet forks would make a significant difference. They would be lighter than the bucket with the forks on it and move the weight back closer to the pin, both of which would increase lift capacity.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I agree. It’s the place to start anyway…

[@edboley4724]

Hey Lucas, me and the boys were talkin....they called your sketchy thing "a typical Tuesday" whatever that means 🤣. The PFL1242 ssqa pallet forks weigh 225lbs, I think they would help quite a bit, a claw grapple straight down in a pile picks up loose wood as good as any method I've seen. Neither one of those is going to increase the overall lift capacity, but it will give you the ability to get the most out of the BX.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Typical Tuesday! 👊. Thanks for the suggestions, Ed. I’d say you’re right on the claw grapple too. The rock bucket setup is handy, but where I’m only grappling a small portion it just isn’t cut out for that…. 👊

[@karenwerth8484]

I’m somewhat new to your channel wonder if you’ve ever thought of doing a live show to answer questions? You could ask ahead of time for some things to address and more will pop up I’m sure, love the cabin build and all the work you’ve put into your milling yard well done

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I have thought about it. Honestly just haven’t been sure there would be enough interest. I’ll think about it. I really appreciate you following along! Thank you!

[@HarrietsChariot]

I have the Landpride PFL1242 with my BX. They're way overbuilt for what the BX can lift, so if you do end up getting SSQA forks, try and find some lighter ones. You'll be able to squeak out a little more lift capacity.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Thanks for the heads up. I’m researching and deciding now…

[@MarkDecamps]

SSQA forks would make a HUGE difference. I use mine all the time.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

We are going to find out. 👊

[@MarkDecamps]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead I can recommend the Land Pride ones made for the BX. They are light and seem plenty strong.

[@smeefamily54]

Lucas: the totes are still good. Make a shelter down at the road and put some in it. Caden can fill them for selling and he gets the money. A win win for you and him. I really enjoy your videos and you are teaching all of us some good points. Take care and stay safe. PS: I am going to a Kubota open house at Huckabones today here in Cobden Ontario.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Thank you! Have a great time at the open house! You have any new purchases in mind?

[@smeefamily54]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead I do but the wife says no. I have to leave my big trailer at home today!!!

[@kristopherhowitt353]

Those wasted pieces would also make good mini green houses

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Happy wife, happy life! 😊

[@Kyle-ve1zs]

Might be a struggle for the BX anyway, but it's probably time to get some ssqa Land Pride pallet forks to know for sure. The clamp ons put that load really far out. I wouldn't blame the BX, yet.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Definitely a big part of the problem. 👊

[@cedaroakfarm8596]

Time to look for an upgrade, if and when you do, double check the hydraulic lift weight on the loader and the 3 point. If you try and max out the lift, with the MX you can damage the pump and its seals. then also look at regular quick attach forks, not the slip on ones which will bend the bucket. How to check weight in those crates? Take your truck to the local farm supply store with a truck scale, weight it. Go back and put a crate in it and fill it to the top, level with oak firewood, the heaviest. Go back and weigh the truck again with the loaded crate. That weight is what you need in a loader to handle it plus 10% min. A 10 foot, green, red oak log, with a diameter of 30 inches on the small end can weigh 3600 pounds, well beyond most small tractors ability to lift.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Definitely not helping anything with the cheap clamp in forks…They gotta go for sure. Still don’t know how effective we will be with just the BX…

[@seantonnesen1636]

The Safety Sally's are ready to get after you Lucas

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Meh, I never lose much sleep over them…. 😂👊

[@Jtwizzle]

Pallet forks would help, probably get an extra 25% lift. Even Brock at Rockhill Farm struggled with his 2038r until he got the self leveling loader, IIRC. Hydrosplus lift kit is another 35% capacity. So that + lightweight pallet forks could make it feasible.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Definitely the next steps if I’m going to keep just using the BX. Thanks for watching. 👊

[@RavensRidgeNC]

I fabricated some BX-sized forks that look just like Wilson Forest Lands has on his tractor - can pick it up the forks with one arm, and is only 24" deep, much better than the Landpride forks that came with it. Very surprised by how much log the little BX can carry now. (24" because the LX25 can only cut up to that dia, so why make any longer)

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah that’s a solid idea for moving logs. Good work!

[@outdoors-fun]

I could tell by the look in your eyes at the end of the video that you know what you need to do. Time for a bigger tractor =)

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah, I just don’t know if I can afford to think that way. 🤔

[@outdoors-fun]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead If all you are trying to do is move them around, they do make 3pt hitch forks. Which typically lift more than the loader can.

[@Baydanzer]

Have you thought about selling the bladders that are left over as beds for gardens or flowers? Would even work for chick brooders

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I didn’t! I just really saw them as waste. I will look into options to sell them. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@SabineRiverValley]

Man, I had the best comment about getting you to switch over to a TYM now, but then I saw the pain in your eyes when you said out loud the BX just couldn’t do it. Sorry about that Lucas. You’ll get a little more lift with the SSQA forks being closer to the pins, just make sure they’re not too heavy themselves. Mine are over 400lbs, so they would eat any gains you made by switching to them. Also, you could try the Hydrosplus upgrade that Jon Ritter did to his. It seemed like it made a pretty noticeable difference.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Great thoughts! I really don’t have anything against the TYM. In fact, they at least offer an affordable option that would lift these. Just not sure a new machine is feasible for me. 🤔

[@bobkelly5254]

A while back Ritter bit will do swapped out his actuators and he increased his lift a lot. Plus he can lift higher. Just a thought. I may eventually switch my self

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I have a tendency to really push equipment as far as it will go. I’m a little afraid that I shouldn’t be going that far because I will break it. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤔

[@chickenriverhomestead]

How’s the new diverter setup? Notice your grapple dropping while you were talking. Is it supposed to do that or is it a pressure issue?

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

The diverter is awesome! The leak down is just the same as the FEL and 3pt leaking down, it’s just a smaller cylinder. The whole system works great. If the tractor is running it doesn’t do that…

[@chickenriverhomestead]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead awesome! I definitely am looking at this for mine too. Keep up the good content brother!

[@homesteadNH]

Skid Steer Fork attachment may work really well for this. Know anyone that may offer that? ;)

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

That is the logical next step I believe…. 👊

[@johnhershey4010]

Get more washers for your PSI... Right now it's probably about 900 to 1000 PSI Put more washers on it it should give you up too 1500 to 2000 PSI but be very careful it CAN POP your holes and you be down for a day or two. Try to keep it around 1250 to 1500 PSI This should help you lift more heavy loads.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

So these tractors actually usually run about 1600-1800 factory and I turned mine up to right about 2k. I’m getting about all I want to push out of it…

[@johnhershey4010]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead I'm glad to hear that.

[@philipirwin5286]

Ever thought about rear forks? Heavy hitch makes some. Increased capacity, limited height

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

That is an interesting thought. I actually hadn’t thought about that…🤔

[@douglasjackson1998]

@@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead Good Works Tractors offers some which have both SSQA and 3PH pins so you can put them on front or rear of your tractor.

[@srsatlaf4730]

Time to upgrade to a L3902HST 😉

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah buddy! 👊

[@rockandrattleretreat5830]

And if you actually stacked the wood in the tote you couldn't lift it half full... I have the same problem. Low lift capacity.😢

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Exactly. I knew there was no need to even bother stacking. 👊

[@seantonnesen1636]

Looks like there might be a bigger Kubota in your future.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

That would be nice…Not sure how feasible that is for me right now, but I could use one!

[@Peter-st9ru]

Boost the hydraulic pressure. Horrible from the factory. Bring it up to around 2000psi. Huge diff. Really easy to do. And get rid of those bolt on forks.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah I’ve already set my hydraulics at 2k. SSQA forks will be the next step. 👊

[@dalepete2854]

You might want to consider a bigger tractor

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Yeah…I’m hating to think that way…

[@collincolston8443]

New tractor....

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

I mean, seems like the most logical solution… 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@richardbritton5280]

trade up Js

[@tracytesmer7033]

Buy a real set of forks.