How to Use the Stack Probe for Accurate Lumber Moisture Testing

You don’t need us to tell you about all the ways moisture affects sawmill operations. That’s why you’re testing your lumber’s moisture content at key points in the production process.

You know that just estimating the moisture content of a stack of wood is a costly gamble, and that only testing the edges of the outer boards with a pin meter doesn’t cut it. You could lose thousands of dollars in lost grade or lose a contract.

Just like any piece of wood, a stack of lumber typically dries from the outside in. Boards on the outside of the stack may be sufficiently dry, but that tells you very little about how dry the boards in the middle are.

And the best way to get moisture readings from the inner boards is by using a stack probe.

So let’s go over how this handy moisture meter accessory not only helps lumber producers avoid extra costs, but how it can make the entire moisture management process more thorough and efficient. We’ll also look at other benefits it can provide when used with data analysis software like Stat Pak.

We’ll discuss:

First, let’s review how a stack probe helps you stay on top of the moisture content of each stack of lumber.

What a Lumber Stack Probe Can Do For You

The Wagner L722 lumber stack probe is an accessory designed specifically for the L622 wood moisture meter. It can do what the L622 can’t do on its own—measure the moisture content of boards in the middle of a stack.

So you can get accurate moisture readings throughout the entire stack, letting you know if it needs more drying time or if it’s ready for the next step in the process.

The stack probe plugs right into the L622 moisture meter. Then the probe can be inserted between stacked lumber to get an accurate reading of the wood’s moisture content. You can also use it to measure wood inside kilns, even if the kiln is at 200°F!

Think of the stack probe like a high-tech toothpick you’d insert into baked goods to see if they’re done. The top of the pie or the crust of the bread may look thoroughly baked, but the toothpick tells you if the middle is still gooey.

And the stack probe takes that process a step further—not only do you find out if the middle of the stack isn’t quite dry…it also tells you how much drier the wood needs to get.

Once you take a reading from a board, the L622 meter can store up to 5,000 readings. And because the probe reads the moisture within the wood, surface moisture isn’t a problem and won’t affect your readings.

The probe is designed to handle a rugged mill environment. But even if something does need repair or replacement, you can send it in for prompt service. It also comes with a one-year warranty.

Depending on what you need, you can order the stack probe in two different lengths: 40-inch or 26-inch.

And when you receive your L722 stack probe, rest assured it comes precalibrated like our other meters. However, as we recommend with all other products, it’s best to verify its calibration on the included calibration verification block before using it.

The L622 moisture meter also comes with software that can help make the data more widely and immediately useful.

What Is Stat Pak Software?

L722Stat Pak is PC-based software that helps you better track and manage moisture quality control. You can analyze, recall, and store the data collected from the L622 moisture meter and stack probe.

Once readings are obtained, you can:

  • Make a customizable species list
  • Generate customized reports
  • Recall archived reports
  • Export data to a spreadsheet program

Instead of having numbers and times jumbled together, you’ll have an organized report to help everyone involved understand the data better and put it to good use.

Stat Pak software is included with the purchase of an L622 meter. Just load the software onto your computer and transfer all the data from the L622 meter to the computer via USB. From there, you can analyze it and store it long-term.

Please note, however, that the software is designed only for a Windows PC. It is not a mobile app, nor is it compatible with iOS.

Now that we have an overview of the stack probe and its accompanying software, let’s go over how the probe works.

Getting Truer Readings From a Stack Probe

The L722 stack probe allows the same highly-accurate moisture measurement technology as the L622 meter to obtain readings from within a stack of lumber—where the moisture content is often highest and could be most problematic.

It’s like an extension of the moisture meter itself.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Attach the probe to the L622 moisture meter and insert it between the boards in the stack.
  2. After inserting it, the springs on the probe will press the end-mounted sensor flat against the wood. This way, you can be assured that the electromagnetic waves measure deep into the board.
  3. Slide the probe slowly out of the stack. As the sensor passes over each board, take a reading of the moisture content.

This process will give you a more accurate picture of the moisture content throughout the stack, giving you the moisture data you need to make the appropriate decisions.

Comparing readings throughout the stack

Since moisture readings from the outside or edges of a stack of lumber don’t reflect how wet or dry the inside of the stack is, that’s where the stack probe comes in.

It allows you to obtain accurate readings from anywhere within the stack. Then you can compare them to readings of the outer boards and the edges, so you can better determine your next steps.

Just be sure to take readings on the wide face of the lumber. This area should be clear, flat, and free of defects.

Adaptability to different species

L722 Lumber Stack Probe

All Wagner moisture meters come with the ability to adjust for different species of wood. The species setting compensates for the makeup of different types of wood that can otherwise affect moisture readings.

The L622 moisture meter has 32 species settings, covering almost any wood a lumberyard or sawmill would have. And, with the Stat Pak software, you can add more species or customize your own settings.

High-temperature performance

Both pin-type and pinless wood moisture meters can be affected by temperature extremes. But the stack probe is rated for temperatures up to 200°F (93°C), making hot checks possible.

So you don’t have to pause the drying process or periodically remove individual boards from the stack to test the moisture content. The probe gives you accurate results as you’re drying the wood.

Now let’s look at how these features can benefit your entire sawmill’s operations.

Additional Benefits of Using a Stack Probe

Using the stack probe for consistently accurate readings has many far-reaching benefits. It helps your sawmill operate at high levels of efficiency and precision.

Enhanced reputation

A sawmill producing poor-quality lumber will quickly lose any good reputation it might have had.

One big reason for sub-par quality is unevenly dried lumber. This could mean insufficient checking throughout the drying process or only taking readings from part of a stack.

You can prevent and eliminate those problems by taking accurate, consistent moisture readings throughout the drying process—readings that include the condition of the center of the stack.

With the stack probe, you can easily and quickly check to see how well the whole stack is drying and make any adjustments as needed.

Customer attraction and retention

Ensuring the quality of your lumber by using the stack probe for accurate moisture readings can attract the customers every lumber producer wants: those who seek only the highest quality of well-processed lumber. They won’t settle for inconsistency.

And by keeping moisture in check throughout every stack of lumber, that’s one of the biggest steps toward top quality.

Profit increase

The stack probe enables you to measure all the lumber in your stack, which helps streamline the drying process. Not only can the stack probe help ensure the lumber is dry enough, but it can also help guard against being too dry and having to be degraded.

Having lumber consistently dried to the right percentage means significantly less lumber waste.

And better product quality could enable you to get a higher price for it, too.

Time and efficiency

A stack probe is quick and easy to use and gives you faster readings than any other method. That results in a quicker turnover rate in production, helping you process and sell more lumber.

Better yet, if you want to save your readings and compare them over time, the L622 handheld moisture meter, stack probe, and Stat Pak software allow you to store readings and download the information into reports. Evaluating trends can help you make improvements to quality control as needed.

Durability

Sawmills and other industrial settings are rough on equipment. Tech can easily get damaged in those environments.

We recognize that, so we’ve specially designed the stack probe to withstand the demands of industrial settings. The materials are solid, durable, and built for heavy use.

Should anything happen to your stack probe, we also have parts you can order to replace broken ones.

Increase Your Benefits Across the Board

There’s really no comparison. Using a stack probe helps you more quickly and easily determine the moisture content of lumber throughout every stack.

You’ll save time, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and potentially raise your profits and your reputation. A small investment like L622 and the L722 stack probe will continually pay off.

How much do you want to increase your lumber quality and processing consistency? Purchase your own stack probe today, or reach out to us to learn more.

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