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LUMBER BUDDY™ Features and Uses.

The LUMBER BUDDY™ is a portable workstation and is comparable to stacking posts used in lumberyards throughout the United States. However, the unique difference between stacking posts and the LUMBER BUDDY™ is that the LUMBER BUDDY™ is transportable and has the ability to go where the work requires it to go.  It gives workers better visibility while splitting various types of material, and it also provides a solid platform to hand stack material. When pulling from a racking system the LUMBER BUDDY™ is an excellent device.

Cutting engineered wood products like I-Joists, Glue-Lams, Parallam, and LVL is a breeze because the LUMBER BUDDY™ is mobile and it saves time driving back and forth from stationary poles. The platform is 18 inches off of the ground, thus reducing the need to bend over to stack materials.  The overriding appeal to LUMBER BUDDY™ is that it makes the forklift a more valuable tool, not just an expensive stacking platform.
 

The LUMBER BUDDY™ is designed to perform three essential tasks, each extremely beneficial to a lumberyard’s efficiency and time management.

1.)    It helps individuals work safer, smarter and reduces strain to the body.

2.)    It increases the rate of productivity.

3.)    It reduces the amount of damage done to inventory.

These are three very good reasons to make the LUMBER BUDDY™ a part of your team. To follow are the particulars on how you can effectively use the LUMBER BUDDY™.
 

Built To Last, Tested Tough

Built and engineered by a team of professionals, the LUMBER BUDDY™ has a well constructed, secure platform. The LUMBER BUDDY™ has been tested in a large, wholesale distribution center and has passed the test period with flying colors. The forklifts used at the test facility were rated 11,000 Lb Caterpillar and 12,000 Lb Hysters. The LUMBER BUDDY™ met each challenge with ease.

One day, for my own piece of mind, I decided to give the LUMBER BUDDY™ a personal test. I was rotating stock, and rather than stacking the material on the pavement, I thought I might stack the material on the LUMBER BUDDY™. I placed one unit of 18’- 20’ mixed, then a unit of 16’ and then two units of 8’, all at 120 pieces per unit on the LUMBER BUDDY™. The material was green Western Red Cedar and the LUMBER BUDDY™ handled the load successfully.  This was merely a test and representative of the strength of construction of this unit.

Do not exceed the Maximum weight limit of 10,000 LBS.
 

I.                  Fork Pockets

 
           The fork pockets are a crucial part of the LUMBER BUDDY™. This feature does not allow the
           LUMBER BUDDY™ to shift from side to side.  It also puts the forks of the forklift directly 
           under the main frame of the LUMBER BUDDY™. The LUMBER BUDDY™ frame should 
           only be moved by using the fork pockets.  If used incorrectly it could cause serious injury or
           death.  Only lift the LUMBER BUDDY™ off of the travel surface six to eight inches for safe
           travel. The LUMBER BUDDY™ weighs approximately 900 pounds and should be handled
           with caution.  (See Caution stickers on the unit.)
 

II.               Banding Channels

The banding channels are there if and when you need them. Not all units require banded feet. But in some cases you may want stickers attached to the unit. Total quality management comes into play here because it is much easier to move units around without getting on and off the forklift and to set stickers. If you have high-grade material that you want to protect, then the banding channels place the third sticker in the center of the unit keeping the unit from sagging in the middle. These banding channels reduce possible fork damage to material from sagging in the fork's path.  By using the banding channels, placement of the feet are uniform on all units, so weight transfers uniformly for tighter loads on the truck.
 

III.           Cover Sheets

Cover sheets are also easy to apply with the LUMBER BUDDY™. Simply put the stickers in the banding channels and then lay the cover sheet on the LUMBER BUDDY™ frame. Pull the order, and then apply the top cover sheet and finally band it all together into one solid, well-built unit.

Note: Always challenge yourself to work smarter, not harder. Always think ahead to the next step. Your job is not only to sell building material but also to sell service and a quality product. We at LUMBER BUDDY™ feel confident that by using our product it will make your job much easier.  You’ll work safer and smarter while delivering a better value to your employer and ultimately your customers. 
 

IV.            Splitting and Stacking Panels

Splitting and stacking panels has never been easier.  First you must decide how you want to package the unit.

Do you want stickers banded to the unit?

Do you want a cover sheet to protect the material?

Splitting Panels – Begin by bringing the panels to the LUMBER BUDDY™, leaving the unit on your forks.  Strip the unit of banding and any other unwanted debris that could possibly get tangled up in your work and then set the unit in the LUMBER BUDDY™.

If you’re just pulling a few sheets and you’re working out of a rack, take the unit out of the rack and bring the material to the LUMBER BUDDY™. Using the forklift to adjust the elevation of the material, pull your order, sliding the material into place. This procedure helps reduce strain to the body.  Remember there is no reason to work harder when all you need to do is work smarter.

If you’re pulling a large order, put the unit in the LUMBER BUDDY™ and take excess material off by hand or fork splitting, depending on the grade of material. Then return excess material to the rack.  If you are pulling large orders of mixed material, backsliding panels is the way to go.

Backsliding Panels

            First Step:      Clean unit of banding and any other debris.

Second Step:  Set unit in LUMBER BUDDY™ and then remove excess material by hand or

                        by fork splitting.

Third Step:     Return excess material to storage.  Adding additional products to order.

Fourth Step:   Bring the next product to the backside of the LUMBER BUDDY™.

            Fifth Step:      Clean unit of unwanted debris.

Sixth Step:      Lower unit down behind uprights of the LUMBER BUDDY™ to about two
                        inches above material already stacked in the LUMBER BUDDY™. Square the

                        two products and then back the forklift up, sliding one unit on top of the other.
Seventh Step:   Remove excess material by hand or forklift and return it to storage.

            This process can be repeated as many times as needed to complete the order. Then complete the
            banding process you have chosen.
 

Wide Units

            The LUMBER BUDDY™ frame has 48-inch uprights and a 48-inch base. If you have units wider than 48
            inches, there is a simple solution. Before cutting the bands on the unit, take the full unit to the backside of
            the LUMBER BUDDY™ and lower the unit down over the uprights like you would if you were
            backsliding material. Then put three pieces of 2x4 about 48 inches long in the banding channel. Pull the 2x4
            material out far enough to hold the outside edge of the unit of the material. Then back the material up
            against the uprights.  Lower the unit in to place, be sure the unit is firmly in place, and the main part of the
            unit will keep the 2x4 firmly in place.

V.               Hand Stacking Panels

 
            Hand stacking panels is much easier with the LUMBER BUDDY™.  Panels are hard to handle, to stack
            and keep them square, but using the LUMBER BUDDY™ allows you to leave the product you’re
            stacking on your forklift. This gives the ability to raise or lower your work, giving you the use of leverage as
            a means of reducing strain to the body. The uprights make it easier to keep units square and well organized.
            Panels are very expensive; you should handle them with care. This also keeps customers happy by reducing
            chipped and damaged material.

                Note:   To reduce damage to panels and other material, keep your forks well manicured by
                        grinding down rough edges. This will reduce chips and scratches to material.

VI.            Splitting and Stacking Lumber

Lumber products such as timbers, treated lumber, framing lumber, and finished lumber are easily handled
            in the LUMBER BUDDY™. Splitting units is a simple process.

First step:     Bring the material to the LUMBER BUDDY™. Before you set the unit in the
                      LUMBER BUDDY™, strip the unit of banding and unwanted debris.

Second Step: Set the unit in the LUMBER BUDDY™ then end split the unit.  Because the LUMBER
                       BUDDY™ is 18” off of the ground, this should give you better visibility, thus reducing the
                       possibility of damage. The uprights keep the material flush and square on the backside of
                       the unit. The front side will vary depending on the dimensions and various sizes of
                       material.

Third Step:    If you need to take off extra pieces, just back up, leaving the extra material on your forks.
                      Adjust the elevation of the forklift and take the additional pieces off using leverage. Then
                       return extra material to stock. Once again, shipping the bottom boards before they are
                      damaged by repeated handling.
 

VII.        Adding Material

Backsliding additional material on top of material already in the LUMBER BUDDY™ is simple.

First Step:     Take material to the back side of the LUMBER BUDDY™ and remove banding and
                                   any other debris from unit.

Second Step:  Lower the next product on the other side of uprights. If the unit is not level, take enough
                        pieces from the next product to even the lower unit. Once you’ve completed leveling the
                        bottom unit, you’re ready to backslide the material.
Third Step:     Lower the unit down to about two inches from material already in the LUMBER
                        BUDDY™.  Then tilt the material so it is almost touching the material at the tips of
                        your forks.

Fourth Step:   Back out from material being stacked. The material should slide off with ease.

Fifth Step:      Come around to the front and split off extra material and return to stock.

Sixth Step:     When dropping large timbers on top of your order, backslide the timbers and then slide
                                   them into position by hand. With the LUMBER BUDDY™ there is no reason to muscle
                                   heavy material.       Remember: work safer and smarter, not harder.

VIII.     Hand Stacking Material

Hand stacking material is quite simple when using the LUMBER BUDDY™, especially if you’re pulling from a racking system.

First Step:     Set the LUMBER BUDDY™ next to the area you will be working.

Second Step: Bring material down from the rack, leaving the material on the forks at waist level.
                                   Proceed to pull the material you need, using leverage as a tool.

Third Step:    Return excess material to the rack, then repeat the process until your order is complete.
                                   Bear in mind that you can attach feet to the unit or a cover sheet depending on the
                                   material being pulled. During this procedure the material should never leave the forks,
                                   this reduces the possibility that the material could be damaged. You do not need to set the

                       unit down or set stickers.

At the distribution center where LUMBER BUDDY™ was tested, there are twenty Lumber Handlers and eight Engineered Wood Cutters. There are a total of ten (10) LUMBER BUDDIES at this location. They have eight standard units and two units with adjustable front legs. The units with adjustable legs are designed to lean back, so I-Joist floor systems can be stacked in the unit without falling over. Less hand stacking of I-Joists was a big hit at the distribution center.

IX.            Cutting E.W.P.

Cutting long and heavy beams like Glue-Lams, Parallam, LVL, and Timberstrand Header Stock is made much easier with the LUMBER BUDDY™.

First Step:     Set the LUMBER BUDDY™ in the area you will be cutting.

Second Step: Cut your material and place the bottom row in the LUMBER BUDDY™ from the front
                       side.

Third Step:    Backslide the additional product on top of the first row. If needed, position the material by
                                   hand.  It is much easier to slide material than muscle it into place.

                       This procedure can be repeated until the order is completed.
 

X.               Cutting I-Joist

Cutting I-Joist is also very easy with the LUMBER BUDDY™.

First Step:     Set the LUMBER BUDDY™ in an area large enough to accommodate the longest
                                   I-Joist you will be cutting.

Second Step: Cut your I-Joists and then bring it to the LUMBER BUDDY™ with adjustable front
                       legs.  The unit tilts back so the I-Joist does not tip over while you backslide the I-Joists,
                       locking  them together. If you set up your work area you can lock the I-Joist packages
                       together by backsliding the I-Joists. Once you are used to this type of system you will find
                       that there is much less physical labor involved. At the distribution center where the
                       LUMBER BUDDY™ was tested, one cutter cut up to 12,000 LF per day and that’s
                       cutting, not units. To have this type of production your cutting area needs to be set up
                       correctly.