Formation of Lumber Drafts.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

considerably narrower than handstacked piles. This

principles of good air-seasoning have not changed, a

certain amount of adjustment is needed to conform to

tends to increase the drying rate of lumber stacked in

drafts over lumber stacked by hand.

the more modern handling and stacking methods.

(1) When lumber is stacked for air drying in

(2) Uniform size of boards in a draft is

desired so that each draft of the same material will

the form of drafts, the type of stickering will be

contain exactly the same number of board feet (fig 53).

determined by the seasoning required. Drafts for yard

This will eliminate many of the problems encountered in

drying vary between 31/2 and 4 feet, with 4 feet the

the issue and inventory of lumber products. This applies

most common width, and 3 to 4 feet the average height.

to every size of lumber handled. When it is absolutely

The width of the draft will be determined by the width of

necessary to make up a draft of random lengths, the

the lumber and the fork capacity of the lift equipment.

lumber should be sorted by length and unitized with the

The forks normally available will handle drafts

longest lumber placed on the bottom of the draft, and

approximately 4 feet in width. Stacks of unitized lumber

the balance of the lengths grouped by length in the draft

generally are

in length sequence.

5-3