Author Topic: Side boards for dump truck ?? (Read 2346 times)

twostroke_blood · « **on:** June 17, 2005, 04:27:08 pm »

I just got an order for side boards for a dump truck. The body of the truck is 20' long, and the customer says he cant find anything that length at the local mills. My question is, what would be the best kind of wood for the dump truck side boards? He want 3"x14x20'

Gilman · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:30:04 pm »

Sequoia, you'll get to replace them every two weeks

I'd think white oak would be ideal. Most of the trucks in the NW use fir though.

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:58:34 pm »

I make them out of the middle of sickymore trees and my sales have gone way down. It does not split and holds up well to being bumped and the cost is less then oak so everyone likes them. White oak, locust, heart pine and elm work as well. Just do not use hickory. Did once for a guy who thought it would be tough but it rotted out in just a month or so. Course them 3x14x20's may limit the type of trees you can get them from.

Bibbyman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:05:39 pm »

I'd second that vote for sycamore. I've not had anyone ask for sycamore sideboards - most ask for oak and that's what we supply.

Sycamore would be half the cost and 2/3 the weight and just as tough if not tougher than oak. Make sure they're sawn out of as straigt log else they may warp and turn the truck over!

Kirk_Allen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2005, 06:56:45 pm »

I was going to say Elm so since Arky mentioned it I guess Ize learnin

twostroke_blood · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2005, 08:54:31 pm »

How about ash? Would ash rot out too? Maybe red oak? $:-\$

tdelorme · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:21:08 pm »

I replaced my side boards awhile back with some real fancy treated pine from the local Home Depot. Looked so purty and I was sure proud of um, I started thinking I was some kind of real professional for thinking about such a thing. The very first time I bumped the bucket against my new fancy side boards they just splintered all to heck. I just sat there on the tractor laughing at myself and feeling stupid and thinking that after all the years I have lived in the country I still have a whole lot of learning yet to go. Got Chuck Phillips to cut me some oak sideboards that are holding up just fine.

Ironwood · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2005, 01:15:55 am »

That is looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong. You may want to suggest an intermiediate support that goes into a pocket to keep them from moving or breaking. Additionally, I tried to make 12' steel sides for my bed and were too heavy, I would say make two tens and save his back. Unless he'll never remove them then use the iron type tree and weld them in place! Reid

woodmills1 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2005, 08:12:31 am »

I sell trucks sides and trailer decking out of both red oak and hemlock. Hemlock is tough and lighter, at least when dry, but most guys want oak. Try to get him to use the center pocket mentioned above as you will need some serious trees to make 20 foot three by 14 plus they will weigh around 300 pounds dry and twice as much wet.

mike_van · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2005, 08:43:03 am »

My cousin runs 2 triaxles every day, he uses Hemlock, says it lasts longer. When the loader bangs it, it flexes, the Oaks will break. 3" are huge though, the center brace or pocket sounds like a good idea.

red · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2005, 09:34:08 am »

we usually sell oak side boards

but of course we have had some crazy requests

one mason like pine because they are light and he removes them a lot

cut what you have most any hard wood should be ok

thats my rookie 2 cents worth

beenthere · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2005, 10:11:23 am »

Seems like a wood that doesn't split easily and has the size would work. Red oak wouldn't come to mind as it splits easily. An elm, or similar wood, would be better.
But, the reason the wood is used seems to be that it is in a sacrificial place, where the loader operators can get a shot at it (brings to mind, why not modify the parts on band mills, that keep getting knicked, out of wood?).
Those who split firewood by hand will know the right wood.

twostroke_blood · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2005, 12:05:26 pm »

Hemlock would be my first choice, however, I dont have any hemlock on my land. I've got plenty of sycamore on my land in Kentucky, but im in vermont

. Ive got plenty of ash out back, some maple,and red oak. I hate to waste the red oak on side boards. Maybe cotton wood, that stuff is tuff as nails. The problem with cottonwood is, I'm told it doesnt like moisture. Im wondering if ash can stand the weather?

jimbo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2005, 03:02:34 pm »

i run white oak on mine and have for about 5 years now and thay worp some but still in good shape id use them againg if i had to replace them anytime soon

jimbo

Sawyerfortyish · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2005, 07:21:08 pm »

I cut 2- 31/2x16x18'white oak for a guy. The first time across a scale he was 600lbs heavier. Myself I would cut white oak if you have it available.I guess hemlock would be ok as long as it's not windshook.

sigidi · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2005, 09:21:37 pm »

Hey Twostroke,

my 2 cents - just post some pics when they fitted

wiam · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2005, 11:14:23 pm »

My experience with white ash has been that it will not last well in the weather. I have built truck bodies with it. Ones I have parked inside most of the time have lasted 10 years. Only a couple of years if parked outside. Now that I think about it, a truck plank might need to be replaced by then anyway.

Will

woodmills1 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2005, 08:09:50 am »

If you don't want to sacrafice the oak just make the truck sides from the centers and keep the outside for other uses. I have some rather large real nice oaks but every one of them looks bad as I get near the center. You would be surprised how tough the oak is even one cut from the middle containing the pith. The ones on my dump have been on for over 12 years though I will probably replace them this year. I saw 2 yesterday I cut for a customer 3 years ago. 6/4 x 18 x 9 I centered the pith when I cut them so that they were cut just above and just below the center. The customer is a landscaper and he put Thompsons water seal on them and they look mavalous...........

I get at least $1.25 for truck sides, trailer deck and fence boards of red oak so the customers get both the real nice outside boards and the center knotty pithy stuff. (pithy stuff

)

twostroke_blood · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2005, 09:34:24 am »

You guys from Vermont......dont shoot me for asking.....How about maple? Does it hold up to the elements?

wiam · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2005, 09:28:40 pm »

Maple will hold up much better than ash to weather. I have used maple for....I'm gonna get it for this......trailer decking and it has held up well.

Will

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Author Topic: Side boards for dump truck ?? (Read 2346 times)

Kirk_Allen