Rapid flatbed truck unloading - GIF

Rapid flatbed truck unloading.

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Previously:

Chevrolet Suburban flatbed truck - photo
Crane assisting semi flatbed around muddy worksite - GIF
Flatbed trailer bent in half - photo
Flatbed truck stuck on beach - GIF
Forklifts tipping flatbed load - GIF
Transferring wire rod coils from barge to flatbed - GIF
Unloading trusses from flatbed trailer - GIF

It is difficult for me to believe that does not damage components!!! Most of the lumber itself MIGHT not be damaged too much. It places extreme stress on the joints of trusses etc.

I ONCE tried to take apart an extra truss to salvage the wood. The truss plates are just a bunch of pointy pieces of steel only 5/8" inch or so long, how hard could it be. I'll tell you- insanely hard. Truss plate are strong as anything I've encountered. The individual teeth of the plate are easy to withdraw, I think, but your not trying to remove 1 tooth, but 5-6 every time you try to pry the plate up. Then as you start prying the teeth not under edge of the prybar the teeth next to those need to be pulled up, then the ones next to that need to get pulled up, then..... . I finally just cut the 2x stock off at the plates. The issue that may arise is a wood piece breaking but there's not that much movement in that drop method so there's not an extreme amount of stress on the joints. Certainly not more than they can deal with & stay together just fine.

Anyone not in the housing construction trades might think unloading a load of preassembled lumber might think there would be damage do the lumber or the joints and connections, When in actuality there is a slot less chance of damage doing it this way than trying to unload it any other way

I would think there would be more potential for damage if he'd pulled out slower

I have worked on construction sites most of my life. I agree, IF you HAVE to pullout, pulling out fast is the best option:lol: A much superior option is a Roll Back, or Traveling Axle Trailer. The load in the video was indeed dropped very effectively.

I agree, truss plates are very substantial, and very difficult to remove. However, many times a complete house of components are unloaded in this manner. This includes wall sections, with lumber on edge that does not flex as easily as a truss. Wall sections are assembled with simple nails, possibly cement coated ring shank nails, but not nearly as secure a connector as truss plates.

I have seen many broken parts as a result of unloading like this. In addition, the steel bands often break and fly around just looking for someone to cut up. If you look closely at about 20-22 seconds you can see a band already broken flopping around on the bed of the trailer. Also notice the man who very likely activated the roller lift system run out of the line of fire. He has seen the carnage before.