Truck Stakes

[Kevin]

Is this a legal load in the U.S if the logs center are above the height of the stakes.
Can a load be crowned above the stakes for highway travel?

[Corley5]

No more than half the diameter of any log can be above the stakes in Michigan.

[Ron Scott]

As Corley said, we can't top load logs with a log's center above the height of the stakes. There have been some serious accidents and injuries caused by "roll offs" due to violations and DOT is on the watch for any such load violations with stiff fines and impounded loads.   

[Ron Wenrich]

Same for PA.  Not above the stakes, but I'm not so sure anyone really checks that hard.  Sometimes you'll get a local that is looking for violations.

They don't require any netting over the top of loads.  That makes it interesting to be following stone trucks.   

[Gary_C]

The regulations for the transport of logs is covered under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules which were recently revised. YOu can read all the rules here: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?section=393.116

The height is covered under,

(c)(3) The center of the highest outside log on each side or end must be below the top of each stake, bunk or standard.

So this rule pertains only to the outside logs.

I believe all states have adopted the FMCSA standards, but perhaps some have added additional rules, however in Minnesota the rules actually require you to "crown the top of the load so that each log on the top is contacted by the tiedowns. That crown will put the center logs over the top of the stakes, but that is why tiedowns are required.

There has been a huge fight over the requirement to crown and it is widely ignored on logs transported longways on the trailer, but not for shortwood logs transported crossways. For crossways transport, you now have to have a center tiedown on trailers over 33 feet long and the two equal sections of logs and absolutely have a crown so the two straps touch each log. The MN DOT has many old pictures of 45 ft long log trailers with the straps flapping in the wind and also has some with logs on the side of the road where the logs fell off going around corners.  >:(

So Kevin, at least in Minnesota, that load is perfectly legal.

[Corley5]

When mills around here buy on a cord scale they only scale to the top of the stakes.  Anything over is free wood to them  ;)   That's incentive to keep loads a little light for both seller and hauler 

[Gary_C]

Same here. In fact most scalers can only reach to the centerline of the top outside log if that. So you see a lot of loads going into those mills that are concave on top.  ;D

That is exactly why there was such a fight with the DOT over that "crown" requirement. They said you were just giving away the logs in the crown.  :

[Mindy]

Hey Kevin,

Talked to Melvin on this and he felt it was legal and then went to AOL (Associated Oregon Loggers) to verify.  I believe the rules on this are similar to what Gary_C from MN quoted. :P  I appreciate you guys looking out for us.  

Wednesday I am going to have all the crew pictures up and bios updated.  We have a safety meeting in the am, told them I would be taking pictures for the website.  Until last week they didn't realize that the Axe Men was that big of a deal, as most of them don't have cable/sattelite tv or internet.  They are a great bunch of people, I spent a day at work with some of them last week and learned alot about them.  As I get to know them better I can add more to thier bios.  Each of them has an email address its their first name @stumpbranchlogging.com if you want to drop them a line.  At the safety meetings I will be giving each of them copies of their emails.  I think this is positive way to let them know they are appreciated.  As you all know not many outside the industry sees the dangers of the job.  That all changes March 9th.

Thanks to you all, especially you Kevin, for taking the time to look out for those you don't even know.

Mindy
www.stumpbranchlogging.com

[Kevin]

You're welcome Mindy, and thanks for the Forestry Forum link.

Thanks also for the replies here, these log truck drivers know their business but the concern is someone might take the last two logs left and pile them on the load to save a trip or waste the logs and it's not one you would want to capture with a camera.
Melvins crew represents every logger out there and they will be under a lot of pressure to do things safe under the pressure of being filmed, best of luck to the entire crew for a successful show.
All I can say is try and forget the camera and stay focused on the work.