Hog Slat Inc. Newton Grove, NC USA May 2023 2 Precast Slats Handling Procedures 1. In order to minimize damage to the slats, it is recommended that they are handled as few times as possible. Ideally, the slats should be set directly off of the delivery truck into the house using a crane or boom with an approved slat hook or lifting device. If a crane or boom is not available, a forklift or bobcat can be used to set the slats. 2. If it is not possible to set the slats immediately upon delivery, it is important that they are unloaded and stored properly on site. It is recommended that the slats be stored as close as possible to the building site to minimize the chances of damaging the slats. If using a forklift to offload the slats, it is recommended that the fork masts are padded with rubber, such as a piece of old tire, to lessen the chance of bumping the slats directly against the steel and chipping or spalling them. The forklift should be of the proper capacity to pick and carry the slats or lintels safely and within manufacturer guidelines. The ground underneath the delivery truck and the forklift should be smooth, flat, and compacted, so as to cause as little bouncing of the slats as possible while being carried by the forklift. Slats must be picked up flat, without tilting, or cracking will occur on the outside gangs. 3. Care should be taken when placing the forks between the slats and when backing the forklift out so as not to scrape the slats in the stack and damage them. It is necessary to adjust the forks as wide as the machine allows so that they are as close to the wood dunnage as possible. Ideally, the forks should be placed just outside the wood dunnage so as not to place undue stress on the slats. When this is not possible, no more than two slats at a time should be picked up and in no case should more than four slats be picked up at one time. Extra care should be taken when handling four slats at a time since the chance of damaging the slats is greater. 4. Stored slats should be placed on smooth, dry, level, and compacted ground that is free of debris, with wood dunnage placed between the slat and the ground. Slats must be stacked with the wood dunnage lined up in a straight vertical line between the pieces. Slats are indented to provide a clear visual as to where the dunnage must be placed. Stored slats should not be stacked more than four high. Failure to follow these steps is likely to cause the slats to crack and will void the warranty.
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