Ingenuity in Lumber Hauling

Nothing disturbs Leo Lofchie more than to see an American Forest Products, Mt. Whitney Lumber div. trailer coming in and out of their Los Angeles yard with loads under the legal weight limits. ooSince we specialize in hauling lumber, we ought to be able to do it for less money than anyone else and still show a good profit," he notes. ooAnd you can't do that with partially full trailers."

The company was using two 2CY trailers with the loads averaging out to 67,400 lbs., or roughly 9,400 lbs. under the state legal limit of 76,800. The tractor accounted {or 12,000 lbs. and both trailers totaled 15,000. The tarps and tie.down equipment added another 400 lbs., bringing the grand total to 27,400 lbs. ready to load.

Dry, surfaced lumber averages 5,000 lbs. per package and Lofchie could load eight packages on the set of doubles at 40,000 lbs. If he could find a way to load three more packages, on a set of doubles, he would have it made.

Lofchie had some ideas on how to do it and set about working them out. Part of the problem could be solved by using a 20' and 28' trailer combination instead of the two 20's. The rig would measure just under 65' overall and with the long 174" wheelbase tractor, under California's axle spacing table, would qualify for 76,800 lbs. GCW.

By reducing the weight of the trailers and incorporating some ideas he had on more efficient handling, Lofchie felt he would be in a position to increase pay. load no matter what sizes or grades of lumber he hauled.

A savings of 1,400 lbs. was achieved on the trailers by using single leaf spring suspensions, lightening the frame structure and using lighter axles. The fenders were made of fiberglass which is much lighter than metal and is repaired easily when necessary. Six inch front fender flaps and full length rear flaps protect the loads from spray and in bad weather.

Although single leaf springs save approximately I00 lbs. per axle,.the big advantage according to Lofchie is in their minimum deflection (only t1/16" from empty to full load). Because of this, load balance is less critical; there is no tendency to lean on turns and much greater stability is achieved.

Sfory qI a Glonce

How truckers work and re-work their equipment tor increased payloads clever solutions must also take in tight state and federal regulations weight savi'ngs can be considerable.

By installing "bottom limits" over each axle, the rig can maintain a low ground to trailer height of just 48", which permits it to roll at greater speed and with greater safety. With the added length of the two trailers and reduced weight, Mt. Whitney rigs can carry full legal payloads most of the time-and do it more efiectively.

The load bunks are also a desien of Lofchie's. The curved end adds gieater strength and permits use of lighter gauge metal Stake pockets are conveniently located on the right. Removable mount. ing brackets are installed on the front of the trailer to accommodate rear trailer "piggy-back" on the return trip to the lumber mill. When the brackets are removed, the trailer bed then becomes flat and permits hauling larger length lumber when necessary.

Twenty each of the new desigrr Frue. hauf deck trailers were purchased and put into immediate service recentlv bv Mt. Whitney. Although the tractor weijht remains the same 12,000 lbs. the new Fruehauf set of 2ff and 28'trailers weigh only 11,000 lbs. ... a saving of 4000 lbs. overall.

Of the 4I employees, 38 are drivers and they are no ordinary drivers. The lumber mill is located high in the mountains at Johnsondale. After their trailers are loaded the drivers gently guide them down narrow, winding mountain roads running several hundred feet above the canyon floor. The road descends steeply and in many places is barely wide enough for passenger cars. The drivers make the 450 mile round trip day after day trnder every possible condition including i"y, snow covered mountain gradeso scorching desert roads and the congested Los Angeles freewavs.

Centuriesold choice for treasure chests and decks of sailing ships, Teak is still floated down the rivers of Burma and India and Thailand to be rough-cut, then dried and seasoned for shipment to our warehouses.

This is just one of 52 expert- ly selected'hardwoods at J. E. Higgins Lumber Company, which offers Northern California customers 7 million ft. of kiln dried lumber and over 200,000 sq. ft. of warehouse.

A lumber for every purpose.