Hey you loggers, I've got a question for you.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Cattleman84, Oct 21, 2020.

  1. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    So I am going to be getting a semi load of lodge pole pine logs delivered to my house next summer to be used as firewood.

    My question is: How far to the side of your trailer can you safely reach with your truck mounted clamp to stack logs when unloading, and is it possible to set them over a 3 or 4 foot tall fence? I'm trying to figure out what will be the best location to have them unloaded. Many thanks.
     
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  3. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    Most self loaders lift full size poles or 40’ logs probably 10-12’ in the air to load them on their trucks.
     
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  4. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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  5. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    Ok so the fence isnt a problem... But how far can they reach to the side unloading creating a stack of logs parallel to the trailer?
     
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  6. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    That I can’t answer. My guess would be about as close as that truck is to that log deck. I’d imagine it’s harder to set them down parallel to the truck, than it is perpendicular. But I’m sure it gets done all of the time
     
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  7. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    @REO6205 don't you have some experience with logging trucks?
     
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  8. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    One of the customers we go to , to pick up lumber... one of the drivers there loads his own trailer. The forklift sets down a bundle of logs about 6ft away from the truck and he picks them up and loads them. Dont think what ur asking for would be to difficult , atleast with the machines ive seen
     
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  9. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah, but I don't admit that to just anyone. ;)
    A self loader like the one @Rugerfan posted can set the logs quite a ways from the truck by booming back, grappling on the end of the log and pushing it.. That technique works pretty good with small logs like lodgepole. If the load can go in one deck and not have to move the truck it really helps out a lot. Can you deck the logs the way they are in Rugerfan's picture or do they have to be parallel?
    The only problem is that the unloading time is increased a little because of the extra handling. If it takes much more than 45 minutes, gate to gate and because of special handling, the truck is going to need more money.
    We ran self loaders for quite a few years and if the customer made an honest effort to give us a clear area to work in we'd cut him a little slack.
     
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  10. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    The only problem I have with decking perpendicular to the truck is a large Elm tree that would probably be in the way. I plan on trimming it back some but I'm pretty sure it would still be a problem. Where as decking parallel would provide better clearance for the clamp boom, but the deck would need to be 15 to 20 feet to the side of the trailer. Might be able to get it down to 10 feet... Depending on if a slight sideways slope is a problem or not.

    The only other option would be to parallel deck them right off the side of the road in my front yard... But again there is possible overhead clearance issues with 2 trees.
     
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  11. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    They can push them with the shovel. Another issue with that will be the ground getting torn up. But if you’re ok with that, I’m sure there’s nothing money can’t buy.
     
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