The optional plank brander automatically embosses the plank with the test date once the plank passes the test.

In 1995, Indian Mill and Lumber built our first scaffold plank tester for in-house testing of Pin-Lok scaffold plank. In 2002 in a meeting in Houston, Texas the decision was made to develop an aftermarket tester to be used on job sites for OSHA grade testing. We developed the tester to perform all aspects of pressure/deflection testing and to meet all OSHA, ANSI and CSA specifications.

The latest model in the series is the Indian Mill SPT-5plank tester. The SPT-5 is available for aftermarket testing of all types of scaffold planking.

Simple but durable design

The SPT-5 is very simple in construction, using as few electronics and as few moving mechanical parts as possible. The controller is fully programmable, and will hold four different programs at a time. These can be rapidly switched between for different plank lengths and deflections.

Mechanically, the only major moving part is a ball-screw. A pressure foot attached to the ball screw automatically aligns to the plank surface, giving a true reading on cupped or warped lumber with ease.

The controller is designed with separate inputs for load and deflection used in the test. The programs can be easily switched using a 4-position rotary switch. The deflection and load are easily changed, allowing for OSHA, Canadian, or your own custom programs.

Significant Savings

Being able to re-certify planking has definite advantages. Some of our customers have been able to return to service 25% of the planking that they were previously discarding by testing. Testing can result in a significant savings over time which will eventually more than pay for the unit.

There is also a solid payback in worker safety. Questionable planking can now be tested before it is trusted. Odd lengths or cut down planking can be certified and older planking can be re-certified before used on the jobsite.

To find out more, download our brochure.

Using only a single moving part to test the planking - a self-adjusting pressure foot actuated by a ball-screw - assures that the machine is built to last, but is easy to repair if it should ever need it.

The control panel is simple but complete, allowing the operator to store up to 4 switch-selectable programs for different plank lengths and loads. This can be for U.S., Canadian, or any custom standards needed by your company. The 2 start buttons must be pressed simultaneously, keeping your operator's hands away from the moving parts during the test.