Lumber stacking practices of hardwood manufacturing industries in Tennessee

A survey was used to collect data to define the current state of stacking practices used by large secondary wood products manufacturers in Tennessee and to determine user attitudes toward various stacking methods. The three most commonly practiced lumber stacking methods are box piling, even-one-end stacking, and precision end-trimmed stacking. Results indicated that a greater volume of lumber containing over-length was used in comparison to lumber that has been precision end-trimmed. Lumber containing over-length was stacked even-one-end with greater frequency than box piling even though literature suggests that box piling methods are superior. Respondent attitudes toward stacking practices indicated that precision end-trimmed lumber has more positive attributes than lumber containing over-length. Lumber that has been precision end-trimmed was associated with greater dry kiln capacity, less lumber degrade, and easier handling characteristics. Lumber with over-length was associated with providing higher rough mill yields on the basis of the “free” wood that exists beyond the even-foot increment. The majority of drying facilities at secondary manufacturing operations used over-length lumber because they had no control over lumber purchasing, or not enough precision end-trimmed lumber could be located to fill rough mill demands.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member