STORING LOGS IN WATER (LG. TANK)

Ironwood · May 22, 2006, 07:44:58 PM

Folks,

I just got a few large steel tanks to store my logs in. I typically don't get things cut as often as I'd like and I end seal and store in the shade. However one local guy has some old tanks he has used over the years (I need to call him and talk about his experience). I want to keep my higher end logs submerged until cutting. I don't have a pond (I dream of one for swimming) let alone putting log in it. I just wanted input. These will be hardwoods.

Regards Reid

Tom · May 22, 2006, 08:29:29 PM

that'll work, Reid. You won't get the same amount in the tank as a pond, but it sure will stop bugs and blue stain, as well as some other fungus stains. Actually a tank is a pretty good idea. You could even fill the tank with a sprinkler that would wet the whole log and you might get to saw the log before the tank fills. Keeping them constantly wet is almost as good as keeping them submerged.

Ironwood · May 22, 2006, 08:50:34 PM

Tom,

She'll be cut open and filled with logs and water before the weekend ( I have some real nice walnut and hard maple that need good care).

The one tank is probably 6.5' and 16' long the other is 4.5 and 14'. They weigh probably 3000 and 2000 respectively. They were liberated from a farmers woodlot/ scrap pile today, I had to cut quite a few trees out of the way and used the crane and a bulkhead mounted winch to load them out. I love simple physics, I was parbuckling before I even knew what it was, just figuring out how to get things loaded. I used the crane to put a pulley high in the air to the side of the truck to run the winch line thru (the crane winch won't pull 8000lbs like my Warn will) I then run the winch line up thru the pulley and then down to the tanks. This eases the line of pull so the tanks (or in the case of some walnut logs) don't dig in as much. Got a name for that I should know about ?

Reid

beenthere · May 22, 2006, 09:49:14 PM

Reid
You might want to plan on something to keep the bacteria and mold from growing in the tanks, and one I'd keep in mind is Borax, the old 20-mule team variety. Easy to get and shouldn't take much and should not harm the wood either. Otherwise, during the summer, the water can turn skunky and slimy in a hurry. Maybe you have something else planned.

Ironwood · May 22, 2006, 09:55:16 PM

Beenthere,

Good point. I had not thought of that.

Reid

Dale Hatfield · May 22, 2006, 10:19:10 PM

I dont know if its really an issue. But would their be an issue with storing light and dark woods in same tank.
Im thinking walnut in one Maple in the other.
But i have never swam logs before.
Dale

Timburr · May 23, 2006, 04:40:31 AM

RUST ?!?! .... you may induce extra mineral stain (desired or undesired) in an uncoated tank? I'm guessing.

Ironwood · May 23, 2006, 07:58:31 AM

Timburr,

I had the thought of staining as well. The rust may effect hte sapwood of my walnut and cherry. I utilize the the sapwood extensively. I will pose the question to the local guy who stores his in a rusty tank as well.

Reid

logwalker · May 23, 2006, 11:57:33 AM

Great concept Reid. Were you referring to High Lead rigging?

"This eases the line of pull so the tanks (or in the case of some walnut logs) don't dig in as much. Got a name for that I should know about ?"

LW

Ironwood · May 23, 2006, 08:21:27 PM

I knew there was a name for this and someone here would tell me. Perfect!! I was high lead rigging, EXACTLY! Reid

Ironwood · June 24, 2006, 09:24:13 PM

UPDATE:

The walnut logs were stored in the water, skanky, funky, nasty water with in two weeks (more like a week and a half). The water had turned rank quickly. The sapwood seemed to be trending to molding quicker than usual (fortunately I caught it in time). Perhaps a treatment of chlorine or bleach is in order to kill the bacteria next time. The experiment continues. I did salvage these logs in time, for those not interested in keeping the sapwood the issue of molding may be mute. I did think a pond would be better but I don't have an extra $50,000 laying around to get one dug >:(.

Reid

sprucebunny · June 24, 2006, 09:33:26 PM

Reid, maybe you could have fresh water running into the tank and an overflow ???

Ironwood · June 24, 2006, 09:37:02 PM

Spruce, Stream is a mile from the shop and thru a neighborhood :-[ Reid

sprucebunny · June 24, 2006, 09:48:58 PM

How did you fill the tank ?

Even a garden hose may bring in enough water to keep it fresher....maybe...

Ironwood · June 24, 2006, 10:02:20 PM

Three trips with F-550, two 400 gallon palletized plastic tanks and a 4 HP honda trash pump. The stream is good and clean. The two steel tanks with the tops cut out are BIG. One is 5-6' dia. 12'+ long the smaller is 4-5' , 10' long

Reid

Tom · June 24, 2006, 10:18:48 PM

With all the talk about Borax as a preservative, fungicide and insecticide, I wonder what would happen if you mixed 20 mule team Borax in the water and the soaked the logs in it?

Furby · June 24, 2006, 11:41:46 PM

The water needs to be kept CCCCCCOLD! ;)

james · June 25, 2006, 12:48:45 PM

iv heard that if you float a bale of hay (rye i think) in a pond it produces something that keeps algy from growing?
james

submarinesailor · June 25, 2006, 01:12:30 PM

We use 4 bales of barley at the federal installation I work at. All the rain water run off goes into the pond, gets aerated and than runs off into the local stream.

I also like the fact we use it as a cooling tower for the building – one big piping loop in the mud bottom.

Bruce