Bucket truck on lawn question

Raven27

Raven27

Participating member
Location
Pittsfield, Ma
So we finally have a bucket truck and are wondering what plywood all are using 5/8" or 3/4" we don't have the money right now for mats and thought we could get dome 5/8", but don't want it to be too thin, figured we'd rip them down to 2' widths.
 
Raven27 said:
So we finally have a bucket truck and are wondering what plywood all are using 5/8" or 3/4" we don't have the money right now for mats and thought we could get dome 5/8", but don't want it to be too thin, figured we'd rip them down to 2' widths.
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2' lenggts??? Just to cover the tires a little? The bigger the wood the more it doesn't compress the ground. We use I think 3/4 but could be wrong. It's almost the same as the black mats. Don't forget your out rigger pads.


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I personally use 2 foot by 4 foot 3/4 marine grade plywood. That size fits nicely on op of one of my tool boxes. When I go to park I stop 2 feet from where I want to be, place all the pads right in front of the tires, and the roll forward watching the pad closest to me. You'll be perfectly centered on all 4 that way.
 
Handle holes make for easier moving

Get a quality hole saw...at least 4" diameter. Measure your winter glove size. Put the edge of the hole no less than 2" from the edge of the plywood.

More work but Wirth the effort to put handle holes on each end

Dad taught me when I was a kid ...spade bits and hole saws...drill from one side until the pilot peeks out. Then drill from the other side Many less splinters on the edges
 
I don't necessarily think that one size is right or wrong, and a lot of it probably depends on how you schedule your work. You guys with 10 or more mats are either making an entire road or leap froging them to get where your going. If a yard is soft enough that I would need to leapfrog, then it gets pushed back on the schedule until it dries out. And maybe a 2'x4' would leave an impression when wet, but not when it is dry.

When it's wet, jobs with street and driveway access get completed. Then back to the backyard jobs after it dries.

My biggest factors for using the size that I do is the flexibility in my scheduling and my storage options for mats.

@Raven27 Will just have to decide which options work best for him. But from the sounds of it, we all agree on the 3/4"
 
I don't use plywood myself. As said, I wait until it dries. If they really want it done when wet I write it out in the estimate about yard damage and ruts. If it's really wet and they still demand the job be done, I also add, in writing, that they are responsible for all wrecker bills and yard damage. That usually deters them. If I can't get the bucket in there then I usually can't get the tractor in there either. If they're persistent then I will write them an estimate to climb and carry out by hand. That usually deters them too. We have runners left over from the logging days that could be brought out but it is best to wait til its dry. But 3/4 plywood is best if you have to have it.
 
This is why I asked, 3/4 was our preferred choice. and CDX. 2' wide by 8' long, just like the mats. Yes I am well aware to try and do the jobs when it's dry, but some of the yard we have, even when they are " dry" still are soft enough that without at least plywood, we'd leave ruts. we figured at least 6 sheets, ripped in half, gives us 48' of " road" and nothing we currently have lined up needs more than that and only one potential job is much longer and we can leap from it after that. I have read about guys ripping them in half length wise, so that's why I asked about that.
 
you bring up a good point of how soft the ground is even when dry, which is something I did not think of. Geographic location will have to be considered as well, here in southwest Indiana there is a lot of clay, which may account for the lack of impressions in the ground with using the smaller surface.

just one more thing to consider when making your decision. turns will be another thing, if your making a roadway and it is a straight shot you should be able to stay on a 2' wide path, you'll have a hard time staying on the boards with any turns unless you lay out several side by side.
 
I like to use mats when leaving tar driveways to protect edge and when traveling through drip line (critical root zone) no matter how wet / dry. Also utilize them for protecting property from flying debris when applicable.
 
We went with 5/8th size. This way if it is really soft we can double it up. We carry over 20 sheets though. We keep ours in 4x8 size. It's nice having dedicated spots for it.

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We carry 1/2 for our mini when extra distance is needed. When I used to run buckets 5/8 was adequate but we didn’t cut them down. The idea of plywood is to spread the load over a larger surface area. Cutting it to 2’ negates the the full effect. And when turning it’s bad enough trying to stay on 4’. Handle holes are a must. And the hole saw and skill saw makes them quickly.
But remember the thinner the ply, the quicker it will break down... but it’s much lighter!
Also 2’ Ply won’t fit any mini on the market (that I know of) for when you do buy a machine!
 
I’d keep it 4x8 as well and 3/4” thick. Also when turning a bit of overlap is nice. If they are side by side on soft ground the front tire will separate them and you’re rutting.
 
I used to use 5/8 but they would rip apart in short Time this equating to burning money. After I bought 3/4 I noticed their life expectancy tripling. I also use alternamats most the time.
 
I overlap 3/4 " because if the ground is really soft the sheets will part and a tire will slip through! Then you have real problems like being stuck with the sheet wedged against the underside of your truck! Plus the edge of the sheet is not very strong and the front tires will mangle your ply over time. If you hit a spot where there used to be a garden you can easily find yourself up to the axle instantly.
 
oh I forgot to mention... if you double up and stagger full 3/4" utility grade ply you can drive across beach sand, slip off though and you are done until a winch wrecker shows up!
 
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