Bulk bag coal

I was wondering if anybody has experience with buying coal in bulk bags. I saw on a web site for C.R. Dampman in Pennsburg, Pa. http://www.crdampman.com/fuel.html that states they have bulk coal in 1 ton bags. I have not spoken to them about price or even if they will deliver to my place about 13 miles away. If the price is o.k. I may try this rather than building a coal bin. Last year I used bags that I bought from a place a few blocks away from my house that also delivers bulk or from a stove dealer a few miles away. By the bag is more expensive and they are dirty to store and handle.
I have not seen the bulk bags or how you get the coal out of the bag into a bucket that is why I am asking if anybody has tried this and what the pros and cons are. Also has anybody dealt with this supplier.

They should be just open on the top and you scoop it out.

More info
1 ton coal bags

Heres the Bag/Auger method, cool idea.
EFM 520 Install with skid/bulk bags feed

Thanks for the replies. I suspected that I would have to scoop from the top. That seems like a bit of a pain. I had hoped that there was some sort of easier method.
I also am worried about the coal freezing. If the bag does not drain the water I may end up having to chisle the coal out. I guess i should just build the bin. It is just that time is running out and I have very little to begin with.
I do not want to do the bag thing again this year. I was buying about 1/2 ton at a time and storing it outside then moving it to the garage a few bags at a time but it is a mess when it defrosts and I cannot store a seasons worth under cover. Also I had have to move it too many times.

Have you considered using a gravity wagon? You could take a bulk delivery (e.g., in summer when prices are lowest), store it outside and wheel it into the garage as needed. If you buy early enough and keep it covered it won't freeze. Depending upon your coal feed setup, you can dispense into a container, hopper/auger, chute into basement, etc.

Mike

I had to buy some coal from them last year because of all the snow. they are good people but nut coal was $218 per ton,picked up in there yard without the bag, not sure on price of bag. if you pickup bulk without bag they fill a bag then weigh it pick the bag up with fork truck you back under they open the bag from the bottom .there coal supplier is south tamaqua coal pockets

I'd love to be able to buy ANY coal for $218/ton. My last years supply averages around $270/ton.

A gravity wagon would be great since I live less than 1 mile from a coal yard but it would not go in the garage. Jeep, Samurai, VW bug, Dodge ¾ ton truck, mower, snow blower, etc. I could just put it in the yard but the wife and most likely the neighbors would not approve. I could care less about the neighbors but I have to live with my wife .
Bagged coal is close to $270.00 a ton and I can get bulk for $185.00 plus delivery at least that was last years price. So you can see my incentive to buy bulk. I guess I just have to find the time to build an outside bin.

I don't know how much coal you use in a season, but you'd be saving like $400+ every time you filled the wagon (relative to using bags). You could spring for a couple of sections of cedar fence at Home Depot to dress it up while it's parked, take the wife out to dinner and a movie, and still have $ in your pocket (and less need to handle bags). If she likes the heat, maybe she'd cut you some slack?

Mike

Badog

The bags are called super sacks only problem being how to unload when it hits the homestead. How do you maneuver a 2000# bag of coal. The bags I've seen have a hole on top and bottom but to open the bottom hole you will need a fork lift. Build a coal bin!

If I knew how to post pics I would show you how to hide 4 ton with no problem. I found a guy selling one of those amish sheds cheap on craigs list, got it home and lined the inner wall studs with plywood and built a wall across about 3' in from the door with a center panel of slats that I can remove to get in to the coal. It is clean looking and know one knows it holds my coal. Shed is 8X12.

Brian wrote:Badog

The bags are called super sacks only problem being how to unload when it hits the homestead.
How do you maneuver a 2000# bag of coal.

Must also need a pretty big bulkhead ........

I am the guy feeding an EFM 520 out of bulk bags directly into an auger box. If you have an auger, this is a great way to go. If you are just using the bulk bags to store coal, it is still a good way to go.

These bags are fine indoors, but if you use them outside, make sure you cover them completly with a tarp or black plastic to keep the sun off them.

The plastic in the bags break down with UV after a couple of months of exposure to sunlight.