Abstract: A debarking drum has a cylindrical steel shell mounted for rotation about the drum axis. The drum receives logs fed into one end and is rotated such that the tumbling action of the logs against one another within the drum causes the bark to be removed, and the debarked logs to be discharged at an outlet end of the drum. The cylindrical shell of the drum is penetrated by a multiplicity of slots at least some of which are larger than normal having a minimum width of 3½ inches, preferably 6 inches, and a length of about one to two feet. The slots are arrayed circumferentially about the drum and axially along the length of the drum. Each of the larger slots has a cover which is mounted to the exterior of the drum and is spaced to form a minimum gap between the exterior surface of the drum and the cover of two inches.

Abstract: A conveyor between a log debarker and a flaker has three flat bottom plates which extend the length of the conveyor line, and two vertical side plates. Each of the five plates is driven to oscillate by a hydraulic piston. All five plates together move forward approximately 30 inches at a constant velocity, after the completion of the forward motion, each plate is retracted separately at approximately three times the velocity of the forward motion, to advance logs retained within a trough defined between the side plates in a stepwise forward motion.

Abstract: A chain conveyor having an idler shaft mounted to a carriage which is mounted to a frame for sliding motion along the direction of a chain conveyor bed. Hydraulic cylinders extend between the frame and the carriage and are constantly supplied with hydraulic oil at relatively low pressure such as can be developed with ordinary shop air pressure applied to an air-oil tank The hydraulic lines supplying fluid to the hydraulic cylinders have check valves which only allow hydraulic fluid into the cylinders, thus allowing the cylinders only to move the carriage on which the idler shaft is mounted away from the drive shaft. When the chain conveyor is momentarily reversed, the entire loaded weight of the conveyor is now applied to the idler shaft, however, the check valves prevent hydraulic fluid from leaving the hydraulic cylinders, thus preventing any motion of the carriage.

Abstract: A conveyor between a log debarker and a flaker has three flat bottom plates which extend the length of the conveyor line, and two vertical side plates. Each of the five plates is driven to oscillate by a hydraulic piston. All five plates together move forward approximately 30 inches at a constant velocity, after the completion of the forward motion, each plate is retracted separately at approximately three times the velocity of the forward motion, to advance logs retained within a trough defined between the side plates in a stepwise forward motion.