Plywood Under Bucket Truck
- Thread starter cedar
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Labman
ArboristSite Guru
I once worked for a guy that used 3/4'' under the truck his 48'' tree spade was mounted on. It was my job to wrestle the plywood while he drove the truck.
Koa Man
Kahuna giganticus
I used to use plywood, then I bit the bullet and bought 12 Trak Mats. It was well worth it. They are so much better than plywood. We also use them for bomb pads when dropping stuff. They hold up much better and don't get heavy when wet.
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
We also use 3/4 in. but its no fun wrestling them in place and back again. Especially on long runs where you have to keep leap frogging them in front of the truck, like on a golf course.
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
3/4 T&G, go to Lowes or Home Depot, they will have damaged tongues, will sell half price!
TreeAce
Addicted to ArboristSite
Thats a good thinking....I will be keepn that in mind.
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
I bought 13 sheets, treated for 11 bucks each! Just ask the manager, they will work it. I told them what I was doing with them, and they need to get rid off them, some were pretty tore up on the edges, but I didnt care.
JCONN
ArboristSite Member
That is a good idea about the damaged tg sheets. The depot and lowes around me used to sell alot of things at damaged prices now they are always trying to say that things are still good and that people need the pieces to cut anywasys or some other excuse depending on the product, so they only knock off pennys. I just bought 42 bags of concrete and they had ten that had been ripped on clearence they only had 50 cents off and tehy felt half empty.
TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
3/4" but it is a PITA..
I have looked at the AlturnaMATS. Not sure how good they are, and they ain't cheap. But look easier to move, and store than plywood.
I have looked at the AlturnaMATS. Not sure how good they are, and they ain't cheap. But look easier to move, and store than plywood.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
Similar sized alturnamats are like 280 a piece. I'll stay with 3/4 pains in the ass for $18 bucks lol.......
TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
So will I
..Have to be doing this kind of work on daily basis to even begin to justify them.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
So will I
Have to be doing this kind of work on daily basis to even begin to justify them.
That's the thing, only if I were paying huge amounts of income tax, like in the high xxxxx range, would I bother with those. There are several million dollar plus companies around here that would scoff at purchasing those. Their half mill cranes are adorned with 3/4, than 3/4 is good enough for me LOL!
Oak Savanna
ArboristSite Operative
I use 3/4" treated plywood for driving on. I carry 6 sheets on the deck of the bucket truck. I rip the sheets in half then double them up and screw them together. Seems to hold up alot better on soft ground. I was breaking too many just leaving them single. Cut up an old nylon tie down strap and loop it between the sheets before you screw em together for a slick little handle. It flattens the lawn out but its better than rutting it all up. A quick blow with the blower will fluff the lawn back up and you cant even tell you had a bucket on it. Plywood is cheaper then alturnamats and works just as good IMO.
Bowhunter01
ArboristSite Operative
That sounds like a good idea. I've got 10 sheets of 3/4, I usually carry them on a big pallet on my bobcat forks and slide them off as I go. I think ripping them in half would really help them hold up better, and the strap handle is a good idea. They'd fit on the truck or trailer a little better too. Friday afternoon beer drinking project for tomorrow.
TreeAce
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think thats a great idea. Handles r sweet. I personally think 5/8 would be fine. With screwing the rippers together you would have 1 1/4 total, which I think is good. But if someone wanted a full 1 1/2 then thats cool to. I have drove on plenty of 5/8 over the years and always thought it did ok. 5/8 is def cheaper. I have also found it WAY better to drive on full 4x8 sheets , as far as staying on the sheets when backing out goes.
capecodtree
ArboristSite Operative
5/8's, full sheets. we run the log truck over lawns on them. gvw 63k. we also have the mats, prefer the plywood. i've chunked removals onto the mats, they did not hold up well.
TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
Neat idea.. so essentially they are 2 feet wide and 1.5 inches thick.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
That's ballsy dropping chunk wood onto $280 mats.
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
I use the 24" rips as well, good for going over sidewalks and such. I had a set of mats, ripped off when I was called back in. Like using the full sheets better, PITA to move around, but they do a good job, when needed, they are a handy bombing pad.
I throw some brush on top of them to help with bouncing and to keep from puncturing the plywood, also great to slid under yur out riggers on driveways when you close to an edge. I made my own out rigger pads out of cut offs, using the cargo strap handle trick, works really good!
I throw some brush on top of them to help with bouncing and to keep from puncturing the plywood, also great to slid under yur out riggers on driveways when you close to an edge. I made my own out rigger pads out of cut offs, using the cargo strap handle trick, works really good!
