How pallets with red oak deckboards performed in use

Abstract

In-use tests in a combination brick and cement block yard and subsequent laboratory tests indicated that laminated pallet deckboards made from knife-cut, low-grade red oak logs can perform as well as deckboards of solid red oak. Performance was not significantly different between laminated oak deckboard pallets assembled with 2-l/2-in.-long by 15-gage staples and pallets assembled with conventional helically threaded pallet nails if approximately five staples were used for every three nails based on total fasteners per pallet. In a severe handling environment, a synthetic elastomeric adhesive for assembling pallets did not perform as well as nails or staples.

Citation

Kurtenacker, Robert S. 1975. How pallets with red oak deckboards performed in use. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-04. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 9 p.