Easy level base for drying lumber?

[Daburner87]

What are the easiest ways for leveling a base to stack lumber on?  Today I did my first entire log in 10/4 slabs and I don't have a dedicated flat area to stack any of my wood on.  I know a lot of people have a cement slab or something similar to work off of which is easy, but for those of us who are out stacking in the yard or dirt for example what is an easy method for getting a level base?   

I used a bunch of cement blocks and leveled them off as best I could, then put a 4x4 on top and it ok.  I just feel like there's gotta be a better, and easier way.  If anyone has some pictures of their bases and what they used it would greatly appreciated.  My yard just isn't ideal.  The guy I know who mills just throws a 6x6 down at the ends of the stack, but it all bows in middle big time....  Here is a picture of his stacks.  He does this for everything, and doesn't sticker anything, very wasteful.  So I'm trying to do better and have straighter wood as I'm his direct competition.  I just sold to one of his previous customers and they complained about nothing being straight and all bent out of shape....   



 

[Stevenjohn21]

I’m interested in other ideas also. Originally I put 16x8” building blocks down every 16” apart but that got old really quick, trying to level them took half a day. 
I’m now using plastic pallets which are 4’x4’ and although I still have to prepare the ground, it’s a lot easier to get those level. 
I guess your competitor is missing a few 6x6’s in the middle to stop the lumber bowing. 

[kelLOGg]

I use cinder blocks with beams on top. I level the beams with shims, etc. and whatever it takes. I use a 4' level for measurements. I put the cinder blocks with surface down rather than the edge to give more surface area in contact with the ground. The ground stays dry because one side of the drying shed is the barn. If I had an open 4-sided shed I would do it differently because the ground would be more likely to get wet. I (and customers) are pleased with the results. The cinder blocks have settled a bit but not as much as appears; most of what you see is blown sawdust and shavings.



 

 

 

[charles mann]

Youtube mat cremona and go through his vids. He built adjustable leveling bases, but still used cinder/concrete blocks and still leveled them before sitting the bases on them. As the ground settled/shifted, he could adjust for level as needed. 

[Andries]

Charles - good memory on you, man!
I'd forgotten that one and found it here:
 

[firefighter ontheside]

I built this stand, copied from others on the forum.  It's 10' long and about 40" wide with crossmembers on 16" centers.  Posts are 6x6 locust just buried with no concrete.  I will build another using some telephone poles I have.

 

[Stephen1]

I built this stand, copied from others on the forum.  It's 10' long and about 40" wide with crossmembers on 16" centers.  Posts are 6x6 locust just buried with no concrete.  I will build another using some telephone poles I have.
(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

I like this method, only I use blocks with a 6x6 or 8x8 running the length and 3x3 across every 16-24" . Slabs get 24" lumber gets 16"

[Daburner87]

Thanks for the replies and pictures.  Kellogg your setup looks very nice, especially the blocks on top that hold the ratchet straps.   



Firefighter ontheside are those 2x6's bolted into the 6x6's or are they notched in as well?

[kelLOGg]

As a critique of my drying shed I would say 1) there is too much lumber (even with fans) to allow for ventilation, 2) stickers are too narrow (3/4 x 3/4). But, in the end, the blue stain didn't matter because the customer stained it black for the siding on his house - which looks fantastic. 

[blackhawk]

Here is a video that I did on how I make my drying platforms.  

[D6c]

I've thought about this problem off and on.  Haven't built it yet, but am considering setting hedge posts in two lines about 3' apart, and  as long as I think I need.  Then notch the tops to set  bridge planks on edge along each line of posts.  This will give me two raised rails to set my 4' wide pallets of lumber on.  Should be able to stack a couple of pallets high.

[Daburner87]

Here is a video that I did on how I make my drying platforms.  

That looks pretty easy.   Might do that method and mill the 6x6s and 4x4s myself.

[VB-Milling]

I used pallets of similar size.

Admittedly, not the greatest, but it got me started.

Flatted the dirt and put the pallets on the ground.

Remember, there is a difference between level and flat. Your drying area/platform etc needs to be flat, but not necessarily level.