Crane mats

[thechknhwk]

When I say large, everything is relative.  I meant in compared to my LT35, haha.

[mikeb1079]

Most of the big timbers I cut are for crane mats. I do some for timber framing but only a small percentage.

thanks jake, that's why i was wondering.  i had a hunch that timber framing wasn't your main market.

[customsawyer]

Here is the pic of 4 12X12X40' out of one log.



 

Yes I know if you are cutting grade lumber splitting the pith like this is the worst thing you can do. Since these are used for heavy equipment to walk on top of I haven't had any excavators complain yet. :D

[Rockn H]

Anyone ever mill for crane mats?  Customer is talking about 12x12's and 6x8's and wants a discounted rate on my BF price due to me actually have to saw less.  Mixed species loads & he doesn't want any of the side lumber or slabs and I have to load the truck with the sawn timbers (I think).  I think his mat buyer is jerking him on price personally - seems like a lot of timber for what they're paying (about .55/bf).  The only thing I could think of is those of you that saw ties..  If the customer is providing the logs for the ties what do you get to saw them?

In my area, south Arkansas and Mississippi, since the "big boom" a few years ago, when the pipelines started going in, mat prices have become very competitive (cheap)lol.  You have two mat companies that actually have a contract to supply the mats for the pipelines, and here the mats aren't sold, they're leased to the pipe lines.   Some of the small contract mills may go for months without many orders for mats.       

If you are very far down the chain from the main buyer the orders may not stay steady, or they don't in this area.  I'd look at how long it would take and what equipment would be needed, and charge according to that.  I'd treat it as if the first load of logs could be the last load of logs, and not a guaranteed ten year contract. So to speak... ;)

[thechknhwk]

I'll have little investment if this goes down.  The only thing I'll have to get are pallet forks and will want a graple bucket to deal with the slabs.  Both things I plan on getting in the future anyways, but this may enable me to get them quicker.  Once those are paid for I'll be operating in the black so to speak.