4x4's breaking?

[Brad32825]

So I built a 4 post hammock stand with support beams across the top and someone responded that they've heard of members having 4x4's break on them....so now I'm worried! Has anyone had this happen to them? I figured a 4x4 would have a very high breaking point, not a few hundred pounds.
here is my original post with the pic of the stand
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-hammock-stand

Should I add more cross beams for support? I'd hate for a post to break and kill someone

[jms53]

If you use eye bolts, your weight will try to bend the posts.

On the other hand if you attach your hammock to suspension on a crossbar on top of the 4x4s, your weight is transfered vertically on them as if trying to sink them rather than bend them.

Hope that makes sense!

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[georgecarr]

I have seen 4x4s flex with just 150 pounds. A cross beam on top will eliminate that flex.

[Carbon]

As long as the suspension point on the 4x4 and the cross beam are fairly close the 4x4 will not bow.

[Brad32825]

If you use eye bolts, your weight will try to bend the posts.

On the other hand if you attach your hammock to suspension on a crossbar on top of the 4x4s, your weight is transfered vertically on them as if trying to sink them rather than bend them.

Hope that makes sense!

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That does make sense, I'll have to think about this, not sure how I can do that at this point. I may drop another cross beam down near wear the eye screws are.

[evanphi]

My 4x4 has not bent. But it is cedar.

I hang it this way so it can hold up on its own against the weight of the chains, which are attached to the garage foundation. Then I can attach my hammock without the post falling over.

I may change it to a ground spike setup that would avoid the forward angle.


This photo was taken with me in the hammock.

[Brad32825]

That's a nice piece of wood Evan, kind of wish I went to the lumber yard and got some nice pieces like that, of course that would probably have driven the price up significantly, but it looks real nice, and probably much stronger than the ones I got.

[zukiguy]

I think you'll be fine. The folks that have had big problems with 4x4s have just sunk them in the ground like a fencepost. Without a top support they'll flex for sure. Any weak spot (crack, knot, etc.) near the base and it's likely to break one. So long as you've got good straight lumber with a minimum of knots with those beams across the top you should be a-OK. "Just to be safe" though I'd keep the weight reasonable. Don't let 2 or 3 people hop into one hammock (400+ lbs) and bounce around. Dynamic loads are what are more likely to snap something.

Looks like a nice setup. I've got 2 nice trees but would really like that 3rd pole so I could hang 3 instead of only one hammock. For that task I'd sink a 6x6 or maybe a 4x6 about 4' or so into the ground and I'm not sure that would hold here in the FL sand.

[gmcttr]

The ones I recall being reported breaking were all individual posts with no cross beams. Can't remember the specifics but chances are they were poorly selected and broke at a large knot.

Your posts look like fairly good wood with small tight knots and your hammocks are attached reasonably close to the cross beams.

I wouldn't worry about it with your build.

Edit: zukiguy beat me to it.

[Brad32825]

Thank you very much guys, that's reassuring.

and yeah...zukiguy, there won't be any of that type of horse play on the hammocks. It's just chill and relax time out there