Dumb question on Wood Pellets....

[Triskar]

If I buy 1 tonne of wood pellets from LWP or Corley Bio-Fuels, i.e. a pallet full, does the driver of the delivery lorry just use a fork lift to leave the pallet full outside the stables, or do I have to unload 100 bags of pellets while the lorry waits? If they just leave the pallet full, is it covered with polythene and can it be left outside even if it's raining? Sorry, I know it's dumb but never bought bedding in bulk before and seriously considering switching to wood pellets from straw because although it makes a beautiful bed, it's such hard work!

 

[Theresa_F]

Some deliveries are made with a fork lift that lowers the pallet and in my case, the driver carefully chucked the bags out by where I wanted them stored. I then put the pallet on the ground, restacked the bags - as I had 15 k bags, it was not too bad to do it.

I bought a very thick and huge builders tarp from Wickes. Did cost me £30 but I wanted something that was very tough and could be double folded and then tucked round the pallet. I then put a few chunks of my old rubber (very heavy mats) on top and went with some baling string round the middle thus having it very secure even in high winds.

This has worked very well for me storing them outside.

For me, moving to LWP has been great - even copes with piddly filthy clydesdale and I am saving 100s over the winter in bedding costs. Mucking out is very quick and easy, even the weekend take the wet middle out is not that compared now.

 

[Bowen4Horses]

ours were delivered on a pallet, with a little wheely thing...

and were wrapped in plastic. also in plastic bags. i guess they could be stored outside, but we put ours inside cos they don't take up as much room as you think...

 

[Maesfen]

I had LWP and they come on a pallet all shrink wrapped. Hopefully driver (courier firm, not them themselves) will have a pallet truck with him and a tailgate lift but you need to know in advance where you want them put and how near the lorry can get to that place as they're jolly heavy and awkward to move especially if the yard has no hard standing, you can't push pallet trucks far when the wheels sink into the ground!. It isn't their job to move it for you although most drivers will oblige as long as you're not taking the pee by wanting it 100 yards away and around four corners! Some drivers will be cranky though and will leave it where it is taken off the lorry so the best thing is be prepared and sensible about where you want it and they don't take up much room, about 5 x 5 feet. Because of the wrapping, they stay secure and dry, you just take bags from the top as you need them. I only had one bag split so I left it until I came to it, I didn't burrow down to use it first if that makes sense although some rain did get to the pellets that had dropped down but not enough to worry about.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I had mine from Corley this year - they delivered shrink wrapped on a pallet and they were packed in strong plastic 10kg bags so woukld easily survive outside if needed. The nice lady at Corley checks for delivery intstructions when you order - so makes sure the courier delivering can get to you and leave them where you want. Also takes a phone number to warn you of delivery so you can be there if needed.

LWP last year - when they finally delivered - sent 15kg bags instead of 10kg and they were unloaded a bag at a time - luckily we had a spare pallet to stack them on. Their bags last year also had holes in them (hole punch size - so deliberate rather than torn). Haven't used them again so don't know if they have changed the bags.

 

[kkitson]

The first delivery of LWP last summer were in 10Kg thick weatherproof bags. I then had LWP deliver 1 tonne of pellets in November and they were meant to phone to say when delivery would be and they didn't. The lorry had no taillift. The yard owner had to man handle the pallet off with his son. Some bags fell off in doing this and had to be restacked, it was not an easy job. The bags were 15Kg, thin seethrough with holes punched in. As they are stored outside I have found several which have got damp, though useable, not nice. I suggest checking first if the bags are weatherproof as mine aren't. They may have changed the wrapping again if enough people have complained. I won't order from them again until I know they've improved.

 

[Cloud9]

I had a pallet delivered two weeks ago - the driver dropped them off on the yard however I had to move 100 bags to where we had to store them.

I think I should have muscles like popeye!!!!

 

[Vicki1986]

the bags have tiny holes so if your going to store outside cover it. they pallet is normally wrapped in plastic so will be fine IF driver has a forklift to get it off ! if not you have to unwrap, unload bags by hand - like i did !