front-end loader bins

Ashful · Mar 17, 2014

I cleared a small area in the hedgerow behind my barn, as I need a place to hide piles of topsoil, gravel, compost, mulch, etc. I made enough space for maybe four piles, which I can get at with my tractor / front end loader, although I may need to cut more trees and shrubs to expand this space someday down the road.

Rather than just piles on the ground, which are easy to make but too often hard to pick up, I was thinking of making some bins, perhaps 60" wide x 60" deep x 60" high, to hold the various materials, open on front and top for loader access. I had originally considered making these of 2x12 pressure treated, with a floor. Then changed my plan to four posts sunk in the ground with three sides, of the same 60" cube size. Then I began to wonder if cored cinder block isn't the way to go.

Tractor is 25 hp diesel, 3000 lb. with 54" loader bucket. Nothing enormous, but the bin should still be sturdy. Pushing me toward wood is the fact that a neighbor will have to see these thru the hedgerow in the winter, when the greenery dies back, in which case cinder block might be offensive. I also like the idea of keeping them portable, so I can drag to rearrange, should I need to make room for more than my original plan.

Ideas?

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Nuttin?

Jags · Mar 18, 2014

Without some type of permanent structure I am waging a guess at you pushing these "bins" all over the yard trying to get a bucket load. I have actually cracked and tilted an old knee wall (former pig shed foundation) that is 8" thick and sunk into the ground trying to get split wood into the bucket. My tractor is larger but I would think the same forces would still apply.

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Materials will be loose topsoil, bark mulch, probably some gravel and sand... nothing as difficult to scoop as split wood!

I do hear you, though, which is why I did not just go with the sunken posts and boards plan. The free-standing bins in my original plan were to have a floor, such that scooping the last of it will be a clean operation requiring relatively low forward force, but those are destined to rot. Maybe I need to find a way to pretty up poured core block, but I was resisting that, partly due to its permanence.

Jags · Mar 18, 2014

Joful said:
Maybe I need to find a way to pretty up poured core block

A fence??

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Anywhere else, I think this would be a good idea. However, one of the unique / nice things about this neighborhood is there are no fences. Larger yards, and people tend to be a little intentionally relaxed about the property lines. Most of the properties are separated by these thick hedgerows, which helps, both with privacy and lot line ambiguity. I wouldn't want to chance offending the very friendly neighbor on that side, by throwing up a fence. After all, my kid wanders into his yard while playing or driving his toy tractor, on a pretty regular basis.

If I did block bunkers, I guess I'd want to build the rear wall as a retaining wall / more courses at the bottom than the top? I really hate the idea of wanting to (re)move one of these things down the road!

Jags · Mar 18, 2014

I am not coming up with any brilliant ideas.

scooby074 · Mar 18, 2014

Learn how to fill your bucket/operate your tractor? With enough practice you should be able to load without chasing your dirt all over the yard.

Or if you NEED to have a backstop, make a "U" out of pallets screwed together and braced

Or for the ultimate in stockpiles, get some "mafia" blocks and stack them in U shape. Usually they arent that expensive, but they can be hard to move.

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Jags said:
I am not coming up with any brilliant ideas.

Yeah... me either.

I might just take the path of least resistance, and pile the crap on the ground. It's just not as fun to scoop it all back up, without some backer board to push against.

Ehouse · Mar 18, 2014

Joful said:
Yeah... me either.

I might just take the path of least resistance, and pile the crap on the ground. It's just not as fun to scoop it all back up, without some backer board to push against.

If the hedgerow's on the property line, you might check local ordinance for off sets. We have none here for sheds and such, but 10' for courtesy is usually observed. You like your neighbor, so why not talk to him about it.

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Already mentioned to him that I was looking to put something back there, and he made no fuss about it, but I do want to keep it looking as nice as possible for courtesy. He'll see this when the greenery dies back in the winter, every time he goes in/out his driveway.

Driver · Mar 18, 2014

What about the concrete bins landscape supply stores have for mulch, gravel and such? They are made of large concrete blocks that lock together and can be picked up, moved and stacked with a loader. Those blocks are most likely expensive though, but would be easy to arrange or move if needed.

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Driver, That's what got me thinking about cinder blocks. Those blocks are killer, but way bigger than my needs. Perhaps I could cast a smaller version for myself...

edit: I wonder if some of the paver style retaining wall systems might be the ticket?!? They could look good, provide the required structure, be mobile, etc.

Ehouse · Mar 18, 2014

Joful said:
Already mentioned to him that I was looking to put something back there, and he made no fuss about it, but I do want to keep it looking as nice as possible for courtesy. He'll see this when the greenery dies back in the winter, every time he goes in/out his driveway.

Just a thought, how about bins on both sides, for you and he both, or something else functional from his point of view? woodshed maybe?

Ehouse · Mar 18, 2014

Joful said:
Driver, That's what got me thinking about cinder blocks. Those blocks are killer, but way bigger than my needs. Perhaps I could cast a smaller version for myself...

edit: I wonder if some of the paver style retaining wall systems might be the ticket?!? They could look good, provide the required structure, be mobile, etc.

Build it with ICF blocks and shingle the three sides. It might keep the piles from freezing up spring and fall. You could peel off the inner foam layer.

Ashful · Mar 18, 2014

Ehouse said:
Build it with ICF blocks and shingle the three sides. It might keep the piles from freezing up spring and fall. You could peel off the inner foam layer.

Not a bad idea, but then I do lose mobility / flexibility.

I think I need to explore this paver style retaining wall interlocking stacking blocks idea. I've never worked with them. Anyone got any experience?

ironpony · Mar 19, 2014

back from vacation, turned off the cell and computer for all 7 days.

I like the idea of PT wood with floor and a 60 inch cube. Split the 60 inch and you only have 30 inch span on your 2x12. should be plenty strong. Maybe go 48 tall? when you need to move it, grab it and go. 60x60 "pallet" style base using 4x6 runners, 4x6 uprights 30 inch on center, 2x12 lathe, some lag/carriage bolts Done.

ironpony · Mar 19, 2014

Joful said:
Driver, That's what got me thinking about cinder blocks. Those blocks are killer, but way bigger than my needs. Perhaps I could cast a smaller version for myself...

edit: I wonder if some of the paver style retaining wall systems might be the ticket?!? They could look good, provide the required structure, be mobile, etc.

Fairly expensive, a lot of work to relocate, needs some sort of "footer" compacted limestone so you can build it level. If not it will look, well, not good.
Also they fall over if bumped, ask me how I know.

Ashful · Mar 19, 2014

Awesome. Okay.... back to plan "A".

ewdudley · Mar 19, 2014

Those one yard bulk material bags might be worth a look. There's some with bottom unloading, just take the whole bag over and dispense what you need. Not sure how much sunlight they can stand, however.

woodgeek · Mar 20, 2014

An easy anchoring scheme to keep them from sliding would be to hammer lengths of rebar into the ground behind them (most hardware stores sell them). They go in fast with a minisledge, and pull out easy with a little rocking.

Ashful · Mar 20, 2014

My tractor isn't huge, but it's big enough that I don't think I'd even notice a few pieces of rebar, if I'm pushing on the bin. Heck, I gingerly bumped and broke a 4x4 post sticking out of the ground with this tractor once, and didn't even notice until it fell over. I figured that if I need to keep them anchored, I'd probably just make the corner posts extend 18" below the "floor" of the box, and auger post holes to set them in, back-filling with crushed stone or dirt.

festerw · Mar 20, 2014

Last time I saw mafia blocks (2'x2'x6') for sale they weren't crazy expensive they were under $100/piece and used ones were under $50.

Ashful · Mar 20, 2014

Heh... a wee little out of my league, man! I think 2x2x6's weight 3600 lb. each, or something close to that. My tractor can only lift maybe 1200 lb.

scooby074 · Mar 20, 2014

Joful said:
Heh... a wee little out of my league, man! I think 2x2x6's weight 3600 lb. each, or something close to that. My tractor can only lift maybe 1200 lb.

Get them delivered. All the concrete trucks here have knucklebooms.

I think they make 1/2 sized ones too.

front-end loader bins

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