Bale Wagon Stringer Question

Next question I have is on the Main beams or stringers. I do not have a source that will cut me 16' stringers. All the sawmills locally will do only 12' lengths. that said I probably will have to go with the treated lumber route from the local building supply center.

They have 4 x 6 x 16, 6 x 6 x 16, or I would have to go the 2 x 8 or 2 x 10 bolting together route. Price difference between 2 x 10's bolts and 6 x 6 is $20.

I am looking for opinions or suggestions on what size i'll need to use to get 10 - 15 years out of this wagon at least? Thanks!

PS I plan on doing 4 x 4's cross ways and running my deck lengthwise so height on the main beams does not matter for wheel clearance.

I will also mention that I am connecting the 4 x 4's to the stringers with some angle. 1 bolt into the string and 1 into the 4 x 4. wagon will be 8 x 14 because I have lots of hills to contend with. bracing backboards to back of stringers on an angle. letting the extra 2' hang out the back for that purpose.

I had a local lumber mill cut me some 4 by 8 16 foot stringers. White oak.
These worked very well for me.
I have also used 2 2by 8's nailed together.
But I prefer the oak to treated.

Same wagon, I also used a 4X6 as stringers...again not happy. 2 2X8's bolted together..much better. No flex at all. That darn 4X6 flexes a great deal. I will be sistering a 2X6 with it this year, one of these days after bending it will break(wagon is only 3 years old, treated pine). I would think 2 or 3 boards bolted would be stronger than a 4 X or 6 X. Much the same as a laminated post for a barn. Grain of wood will be going different directions and be stronger...

If you want it to last use steel for the frame.

Dad built this rack in 64 and it still has the original wood on it.

When you use wood it will hold moisture where the two boards or stringers intersect. Unless you plan on storing it inside.

This rack has been outside all of its life.

It was used steel when he built the rack. And still going strong. There are a couple of boards that need replaced but after 44 years that isn't to bad.

Stringers are 6" channels and cross channels are 3".

I would only lean the back about 1 foot, that will be plenty.

By the way does that gear look like yours?

I don't have access to steel unfortunetly.

Here is the front of the wagon.

It is a Colby running gear.

Gary

on my hitch it needed a little welding on the from portion. otherwise it seems ok.

Thanks,
- Jim H.