Hay Rack Questions

Matthew

Here is a picture of the last hayrack we built which we patterned after one we built a few years ago that worked really well. The rack is 8.5' wide by 16' long which works good for our bale size and getting 150 bales on it is no problem, 180 even isn't too bad. The bigger the running gear the better, same with tires, we have smaller racks on smaller gears with used car or light truck tires but these heavy gears with implement tires ride much better which makes it easier to stack a tight load. For the rack we had a local sawmill cut us a pair of 6x8" runners that we topped with 2x6" lumber also from the sawmill that we cut out of our pasture and we treated it all with linseed oil. We used 5/16x3" lag screws to attach the cross pieces to the runners, nails will work loose over time due to the vibration but the screws will hold tight.

Loren

Matthew

Email me (not sure about here but on my reply below my address is 'unhidden'). I'll send you a set of plans as a Word file.

Generally speaking you would need to do something to protect red oak if it is going to stay outside for any length of time. White oak will last a lot longer. The lumber you are describing is almost exactly what I use, except for the length. Terminology varies a lot in different parts of the country.

Here's mine in a nutshell. (20' wagon). 3"x8"x20' runners, 6/4" (1-1/2")x variable width) x8'. Nailed directly to runners with fence plank nails (oil quinched twist nails). Your 6/4"x8"x10' cut to 8' would work. Then 2"x6"x20' for side boards. Bolted to flooring with 3/8" carriage bolts. My runners nearly always come almost 21' so I still have room to put the tailgate on and trim to square. I only use mill run, rough sawed, white oak.

I make several wagon flats (that's what we call a hay rack) to sell every year. Generally, I use a 3/4' dia bolt to space the flooring (one on each side of the runner). My flooring comes in green sawed (6/4" x variable x 8', white oak @ $.50/bdft + delivery) so it will shrink, nets a 1" gap. Two guys nailing and 1 packing boards to them. Most of my competition uses nail guns but I like fence plank nails better, floor stays tight. Sell mine for $100 more than the other guys but use heavier hardware. Sold 42 last year, used to do over a hundred a year but the drop in tobacco quota has put a lot of good used wagons on the market, cheap.

Regards,
David