The Forestry Forum

I had to cut  a bunch of 12x12x12 sitka spruce curbing for a logging bridge...12x12s outof 22 inch logs makes for much side lumber that will probably be the wrong size for the next customer....so I went to the "big" log pile....30 inch plus...and made the 12x12s, 4 pieces at a time....

There is only so much room on the LT70 throat.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/image~21.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1463932274)





Making them 4 at a time is fast.....if you dont get hung up. My door latch thingies were rubbing on the cant...but...see next pic


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/image~22.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1463932332)





Wane is my new friend.....normally I dont like visits from him....but the log trucks arnt gonna mind....and a good bridge builder will hide my new buddy  ;D ;D


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/image~24.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1463932352)

 I thought a LT 70 had more capacity than that, are the newer ones bigger.   Steve

Quote from: ladylake on May 22, 2016, 04:09:43 PM
I thought a LT 70 had more capacity than that, are the newer ones bigger.   Steve

The newer wide heads are. This unit is 13 years old   ;D

This is probably a stupid question, and I know the grain is straighter in sitka spruce.

Does it not hurt to split the pith in sitka spruce when making thae bigger beams?
Everything I have read has called for boxing the heart for beams, but don't see much concerning spruce, especially sitka.

Quote from: starmac on May 22, 2016, 05:20:36 PM
This is probably a stupid question, and I know the grain is straighter in sitka spruce.

Does it not hurt to split the pith in sitka spruce when making thae bigger beams?
Everything I have read has called for boxing the heart for beams, but don't see much concerning spruce, especially sitka.

Not a stupid question by any means. These timbers are being used for bridge curbing. They are drilled and bolted down with big 1 inch bolts. They are replaced every 5 years or so due to grader damage, rot, etc.  At 12 feet in length, if they do bow, it is minimal as they are 12 inches x12 inches. . If I were cutting for a timber framer, I would do things differently.