Trailer Deck Boards

TimW · May 22, 2019, 04:52:53 AM

I have a job coming up cutting White Oak into deck boards for a 32 foot gooseneck. Can the owner install them right after cutting, or should he wait for them to dry on stickers? I am thinking it would be okay for installing them green. Also, to hit nominal size when dry, how much bigger should I cut them?
hugs, Brandi

nativewolf · May 22, 2019, 05:54:06 AM

I don't think you would want any larger, the worst case is that the boards have a bit more gap and that will help keep them drier. Often the decks are setup with very specific bolt home spots so for everything to fit you need to saw replacement size, wo will shrink so slowly, at 2" decking thickness, that he'd be waiting a long time if he lets it airdry.

Chuck White · May 22, 2019, 05:55:52 AM

I think they would be just fine, installed right off the mill!

They should dry faster in place than when stickered!

ellmoe · May 22, 2019, 06:06:33 AM

We sell a lot of deck boards , all green . What is very important , especially in hot , sunny weather , is to put some type of protective coating on the top of the deck . Fresh cut 2" oak , directly in the sun , will have severe checking , resulting in a lot of penetration for rain, and excellent places for future fungus growth.

barbender · May 22, 2019, 09:13:00 AM

I always tell folks to put it on right away. On long deck boards, they tend to kink around knots and such as they dry. On a 16 or 20' board, that might cause a 4" bow. WO doesn't shrink a lot, but I still try to keep the widths 8" or less on decking. Thickness doesn't really shrink enough to notice, I saw mostly 1 1/2" and some 2". They do shrink in width, but if installed right, it leaves the right gap (about 1/8") once dry.

millwright · May 22, 2019, 11:20:13 AM

In this area, a lot of people treat it with used motor oil. Not very eco- friendly , but seems to work.

Brian C. · May 22, 2019, 01:10:32 PM

We cut a fair amount of trailer decks and install them also. They go on as they come off the mill. When screwed down they hold the cupping to a minimum. We also tell them to treat it soon. Any type of sealer. Used oil of any type, not just motor oil. They are most likely putting heavy equipment on it, and they are usely full of dirt and grease and haven't seen too many that don't have some kind of oil leak.

Ljohnsaw · May 22, 2019, 04:00:52 PM

Quote from: millwright on May 22, 2019, 11:20:13 AM
In this area, a lot of people treat it with used motor oil. Not very eco- friendly , but seems to work.

That's a lot better than just pouring the oil on the ground around fence posts!

;) :D

Chuck White · May 22, 2019, 08:30:17 PM

Quote from: millwright on May 22, 2019, 11:20:13 AM
In this area, a lot of people treat it with used motor oil. Not very eco- friendly , but seems to work.

I've had a customer in the past that even used, used cooking oil!
He hasn't changed his deck boards since, and that was 6-8 years ago!
Oil is oil, the water will run off of it, just have to be careful of slipping until it gets some grit on it!

barbender · May 23, 2019, 12:30:41 AM

White oak decking should only just be starting to show it's age at 7-8 years. Oil might help prolong pine etc, but I don't think it really does much on white oak. Most white oak decks will get gouged, punctured, abraded and just plain worn out before they ever rot.

Banjo picker · May 23, 2019, 06:30:59 AM

I just got an order for two trailer decks this week. I cut them one order several months ago and they finally got it put on. Must have liked what they got, as they want to do two more. I have a big white oak that has blown down that would do at least one of the trailers, if I could get to it. Banjo

TimW · May 24, 2019, 03:33:26 AM

Thanks Guys! He delivers the first long tomorrow. I think he said 24 inches at the small end. What has me puzzled, is I remember seeing some 2x8 boards on that trailer. But he wants all 2x6s. Which is okay with me!
hugs, Brandi

Magicman · May 24, 2019, 07:38:20 AM

Yes, trailer boards might be full width or "factory" size. I am sure that he wants enough of the correct width to exactly fill the trailer bed.

Be sure that you know the exact width that he wants the boards sawed. Communication.

TimW · May 26, 2019, 12:30:51 AM

So the log was delivered yesterday. Talk about a huge log. He told me over the phone it was around 24 inches on the small end. Well, it is around 33-34 inches on the small end. The butt is right at 36 inches, and hopefully will just one chainsaw cut to whittle that down.

My Mahindra and Grapple could just lift it enough off of the low boy trailer

so it could pull out from under it. I sat it on the ground and rolled the grapple under it, then lifted it enough to skid (grapple tines were half on the ground under the butt side of the grapple) it to the mill. Just wished the butt was at the other end.

I was kinda peeved to see such a huge log show up on a lowboy. :-\ I already had the forks on for it to roll onto from a flat deck trailer. :

hugs, Brandi

TimW · May 26, 2019, 12:34:21 AM

Quote from: Magicman on May 24, 2019, 07:38:20 AM
Yes, trailer boards might be full width or "factory" size. I am sure that he wants enough of the correct width to exactly fill the trailer bed.

Be sure that you know the exact width that he wants the boards sawed. Communication.
That's affirmative, MM.
hugs, Brandi

scsmith42 · May 26, 2019, 12:41:06 AM

Most flat sawn oak will shrink 1/16" per inch of thickness, and 1/8" per inch of width.

Lawg Dawg · May 26, 2019, 12:44:28 AM

Has anyone tried this for treating trailer decking...just got 5 gallons in

Chuck White · May 26, 2019, 07:01:17 AM

Your mill should easily be able to handle that log, Brandi!

Start out by making a little cut, turn a little, make another cut, turn a little, make another cut until it gets to a little more manageable size.

Use your toe-boards, but don't forget to lower them afterwards!

I have an older (1995) LT40HDG and have sawed a few logs that were pushing the 42" range!

It's a lot of messing around, but it can be done!

DPatton · May 26, 2019, 10:11:29 AM

Quote from: Magicman on May 24, 2019, 07:38:20 AM
Yes, trailer boards might be full width or "factory" size. I am sure that he wants enough of the correct width to exactly fill the trailer bed.

Be sure that you know the exact width that he wants the boards sawed. Communication.

Magicman is dead on about this one. Communication is key. It's not always easy to get accurate information out of the customer. You gotta be sure that you understand exactly what the customer wants, and that the customer understand exactly what your final product will be. Species, thickness, lengths, widths, shrinkage, timing of installation, application of a preservative or sealer all need to be agreed upon before a log gets placed on the mill.

TimW · May 26, 2019, 01:08:23 PM

I am gonna have the customer come over before cutting. We will get it ironed out together.

Don't know if I said...............my LT40 is a wide.
hugs, Brandi

doc henderson · May 26, 2019, 01:25:38 PM

hey Bindian. nice pics and respectful log. I am sure you will do a great job. If you want to update your profile, so it shows on your page and posts, it will remind us what equipment you have. I see my stuff does not show up either Best regards! I just added my euip. as my signature.