Wis. Admin. Code Department of Transportation § Trans 307.04 - Approved means of securing logs

(1) VEHICLES TRANSPORTING LOGS GENERALLY. Except as provided in sub. (3), each stack of logs shall be secured to a vehicle by tiedowns in the manner required by this chapter.

(2) VEHICLES CARRYING LOGS CROSSWISE.

(a) Vehicles carrying logs crosswise, or at right angles to the side of the vehicle, shall be equipped with both a front end structure and a rear end structure of sufficient strength to support the load.

(b) Front and rear end structures shall be securely bolted or welded to the frame of the vehicle, except that front or rear end structures consisting of metal posts may be secured in pockets in the same manner as required for stakes by s. Trans 307.09(2) (b).

(c) Posts which are part of a front or rear end structure shall be made of metal.

(d) Logs shall be stacked so as to be firmly wedged against the front and rear end structures, and any required center device, so that the logs cannot roll or shift forwards or backwards.

(e) Logs carried crosswise shall also be secured to the vehicle frame by longitudinal tiedowns.

(3) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STAKES. Vehicles equipped with stakes are required to use tiedowns to secure loads of logs to the vehicle, unless all of the following apply:

(a) The requirements of s. 348.10(3), Stats.

(b) The requirements of s. Trans 307.09.

(c) The logs are stacked lengthwise.

(d) The vehicle is equipped with cross chains or steel gusseted bunks.

(e) The top of the load of logs is lower than the top of all stakes.

Notes

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Transportation § Trans 307.04

Cr. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91.

See s. 348.10(3), Stats., for the statutory exemption. Nevertheless, the department recommends for additional safety that tiedowns, as approved in this chapter, also be used to secure logs even on vehicles equipped with stakes. However, Michigan law requires the use of tiedowns even if a vehicle is also equipped with stakes. See Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. s. 257.720(5) (c) (iii).