Abstract: A device and method for cutting lumber pieces into shavings. The device includes a hopper sized to hold the lumber pieces that are to be cut into the shavings, and a carriage that is positioned below the hopper. The carriage includes a support platform to support the lumber pieces that are in the hopper, and cutterheads spaced apart along the support platform. The carriage is movable relative to the hopper to move the cutterheads back and forth along the lumber pieces during the cutting. An arrestor maintains the lumber pieces in position relative to the hopper when the carriage is moving in one direction to prevent and/or reduce the lumber pieces from moving and thus not being completely cut by the carriage.

Abstract: A planing device with a feed path for moving a material piece. The device includes a cutterhead on one side of the feed path, and a hold down unit on an opposing second side. The hold down unit includes a contact member that is held in a downward position towards the feed path. A cut control member is positioned upstream from the cutterhead. In use, the depth of cut and resulting amount of material removed from the one surface of the piece is dependent upon the thickness of the piece. One or more additional cutterheads may be positioned downstream to remove additional material from the piece.

Abstract: A planing device with a feed path for moving a material piece. The device includes a cutterhead on one side of the feed path, and a hold down unit on an opposing second side. The hold down unit includes a contact member that is held in a downward position towards the feed path. A cut control member is positioned upstream from the cutterhead. In use, the depth of cut and resulting amount of material removed from the one surface of the piece is dependent upon the thickness of the piece. One or more additional cutterheads may be positioned downstream to remove additional material from the piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering pieces of lumber to a machining device having a longitudinal machining path and operating at a predetermined longitudinal speed. The infeed system comprises feed belt conveyors for carrying pieces of lumber simultaneously in directions both parallel with and perpendicular to the longitudinal machining path and a guide belt conveyor for receiving the pieces of lumber from the feed belt conveyors and moving the pieces of lumber substantially along the longitudinal machining path for receipt by the machining device. The speed of the guide conveyor is at least as great as the speed of the machining device. In addition, the placement of the lumber on the feed conveyor is preferably controlled such that individual pieces of lumber successively contact the guide conveyor. Accordingly, pieces of lumber do not overlap and any gaps between the individual pieces of lumber are minimized to promote efficient operation of the machining device and to minimize damage to the lumber.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming wood shavings from wood stock includes a rotatable cutting roll for engaging and cutting wood shavings from a wood stock advanced by a feed mechanism along a predetermined path of travel to the roll. A rotatable roll of the feed mechanism has peripheral teeth that engage the wood stock and control its advancement along the path of travel. The teeth are inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation of the roll so that the teeth have a negative rake angle. An anvil is positioned adjacent the end of the path of travel and closely adjacent the cutting roll for restricting advancement past the cutting roll of pieces of wood stock other than the shavings.

Abstract: Tooth assemblies upon the breaker rings of the rotor of the apparatus each include tooth and seat components having abutting surfaces that prevent forward, rearward, inward and lateral movement of the tooth relative to the seat and rotor. Outward tooth movement during operation of the apparatus is prevented by a pin that extends generally parallel to the rotor axis through aligned bores within the tooth and its seat. The pin is shielded from damaging impacts with the material being ground and from detrimental bending stresses, and is releasably retained within the bores by a detent that permits convenient removal of the pin when replacement or repair of the tooth is required.

Abstract: Shear pins indirectly interconnecting breaker rings and shaft components of the rotor assembly of the apparatus are so located and mounted as to be readily replaceable when sheared by relative rotative movement between the components. Relative rotative movement of the components is detected and changes the operating condition of the drive motor and/or a signaling device associated with the apparatus.

Abstract: The grinding chamber of the apparatus has first and second grinding sections having perforate wall sections overlying the outlet of the apparatus. The perforate wall of the first grinding section underlies the rotor of the apparatus and has an arcuate shape. The perforate wall of the second grinding section extends generally tangentially upwardly and outwardly from the downstream end of the perforate wall of the first grinding section. The second grinding section is larger than the first, and may include breaker bars which deflect the material being ground toward the perforate wall of such section.

Abstract: A wood planar having a cutterhead with a top pressure bar in spaced horizontal relation to the cutterhead. A chipbreaker may be mounted in advance and adjacent to the cutterhead in spaced relation above a bed plate mounted for supporting a board to be planed. The improvement in the wood planar including a yielding pressure bar means for automatic cut control mounted to cooperate with the bed plate with a shaft for mounting the yielding pressure bar means and the yielding pressure bar means having at least one member pivotally mounted on the shaft. The yielding pressure bar means includes a rearwardly projecting surface for engaging a board being planed in a directed path of travel and having a forwardly projecting abutment with resilient means for urging the rearwardly projecting surface against a top pressure bar and the cutterhead while a board is being conveyed through the planar during planing.