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Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

For any of you experienced growers who transport pumpkins in access of 600 pounds to a weigh-off do you simply sit the pumpkin on a pallet in the back of the truck/trailer or do you pad the underside with something?
I am planning to put 2" styrofoam between the pallet and pumpkin but should I do more to create a "shock absorber" during the ride? I have a 2 hour drive, part of which is on an interstate highway. I have been given the idea of laying old car tires in the bed of the truck and sitting the pallet and pumpkin on top and surrounding it with hay bales...don't know if I like that one or not though. What do you guys (and gals) do?

8/21/2007 11:42:17 PM

[email protected]

Pad the thing with all that you've got! Bumping around on a pallet is a sure fire way to split it.

Old blankets (heavy ones), furniture cushions, etc are all good. Some growers show up at our weigh-off with bales of hay all packed in around their fruit too just in case she tried to roll. Shrink wrapping the fruit to a pallet is a good idea too as it keeps the pumper from rolling & also minimizes moisture loss.

8/21/2007 11:49:42 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

If it's solid I don't think it will split. Having said that, it's always smart to be on the safe side. I'd worry first about securing the fruit against rolling around. That is a safety issue, for you! After that, If it's soft or has some sag lines be very careful.

I have a pallet that I've used for years, and I simply stapled an old (thick) piece of carpet on it. That's all the padding I use. But others go the whole nine-yards and I can't blame them.

The tires idea could even backfire. That is, make it too bouncy and then the pallet is also sliding around. I don't know, just a thought.

If you have two pallets available, put them both in so that there won't be room for either pallet to move around. Well, if you have a full-size bed... sometimes with just the right amount of weight, the pickup becomes a luxury cruiser. Drive it easy and it's like walking in the clouds.

Strap tie-downs are a very good idea. It takes some time to get them right. If you're like me, you're always in a rush to make it to the fair on time... it's much better to take some time and plan it all out. I usually make a list, with everything from the lifting materials, to the camera, to the magic marker, entry form filled out... etc, etc... it can be a long day, but some planning can really help.

8/22/2007 1:30:56 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

They sure look pretty just sitting on a pallet. BUT One good stomp on the brakes..and you have pumpkin on the loose. It will make you wish you had it tied down. We jam bales of straw between the pumpkin and the box. Even with the straw bales it still put a good dent in the bed...

8/22/2007 10:20:26 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

One Wisconsin grower who usually shows up to the Anamosa Pumpkinfest wraps his pumpkin and pallet with plastic shrink wrap. It really holds the pumpkin securely without putting any pressure on it. It looks like a great way to haul one a long distance.

8/22/2007 1:47:43 PM

sevierville, Tn

Better make sure the pumpkin is secured to the pallet, & the pallet to the the truck bed. Some idiot will pull out in front of you & stuff goes flying.

8/22/2007 2:15:17 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Mark, glad to hear you've got one over 600lbs...good for you.

I had a buddy last year that had one on a pallet and despite advice from others, he did not tie it down....went over a speed bump (very slowly) and cracked his pumpkin near in half.

Always strap them down...you will be happy you did.

Glenn

8/22/2007 2:57:34 PM

ordinary,VA

Mark you got a pumpkin over 600lbs !!! you sandbagger :)
you told me it was around 200-250? hehehehe

Steve is right on the money. the hay bales work great did that last year. now if i can just a pumpkin to fill up the back of my pickup so i wont have to buy 25 bales of hay:)

Mark i found some old cushions that my brother had laying around his garage (at least they looked old)hope he doesnt need them till 2nd week of October...

8/22/2007 4:18:01 PM

Ri

Hey Mark, have had a couple of ventures to the fair that added a few grey hairs. Padding such as blankets, bales of hay, styrofoam glued to the pallet [do not want the styrofoam insulation sliding] Also the wratchet straps applying pressure to the padding [two criss crossed works great] and go slow. Good Luck Peter
Ps the wider the strapping the better although they will add marks to the pumpkin no matter

8/22/2007 5:58:49 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Ok, when using the ratchet straps is seems to me you wouldn't be able tighten enough to really hold the pumpkin without busting it?

8/23/2007 6:47:34 PM

ordinary,VA

Mark,I yse straps & Hay.
also use sponge between the straps and pumpkin. helps keep the strap marks off the pumpkin.

and all the padding i can find to set the ole girl on.

8/23/2007 8:19:12 PM