Looding Lumber in Boxcqrs With Two Coordinoted Lift Trucks ls New Wrinkle

The lumber industry, always seeking new methods of handling lumber economically and efficiently, will be interested in a system of loading packaged lumber in boxcars shown in a recent book issued. by the Hyster Company, Portland, Oregon. Four pictures tell the story of how two Hyster lift trucks load cars with speed and efficiency and no men employed except the truck operators.

The book tells the story in this fashion:

By teaming two Hyster Lift Trucks, a YC-40 and RT-150, Western Studs, Arcata, California, has devel'oped a fast and efficient car loading system where the work is accomplished with a minimum of confusion and manpower.

Western Studs manufactures 2x4s in standard lengths of 5, 6, 7 and 8 feet, and special lengths to order. Finished studs are stacked 13 pieces per layer and eight layers in a package. Three packages make a "unit." The load length is 48" and the load width is the length of the studs. A unit of 8-foot studs, 312 pieces, weighs about 4,160 pounds.

The studs are shipped in boxcars at an average of five to six cars per day. Each car contains 30,000 to 35,000 board feet. The cars are spotted at the spur which runs along the side of the yard and are accessible from one side only. There is no loading d'ock. All loading is done from tl.re ground level.

Working as a team, the 15,000-pound capacity lift truck hauls the units from the stacks to the boxcar; the 4000-pound capacity lift truck, operating inside the car, receives the units direct from the forks of the "150" and sets them in place.

To rnove the "40" from ,one car to another, a lvooden platform, car floor height, is placed at the car door by the "150." The "40" is driven out of the car onto the platform, and the 15,000-pound truck picks up both the platf'orm and the smaller truck and takes them to the next car to be loaded. After the "40" is driven into the empty car, the "150" moves the platform out of the way.

In the boxcar, the units are stacked two high. Even in a low-roof car there is more than ample room to use the standard 9-foot lift. In placing the top unit the inner upright extends only about a foot above the top o{ the outer upright and is