Abstract: An adjustable hold-down shoe assembly having an assembly body, a plurality of hold-down shoes movably mounted to the assembly body, a bias device that biases the plurality of hold-down shoes in a direction away from the lumber bias surface, a body mount, and a lifting/lowering mechanism movably connecting the assembly body to the body mount that moves the assembly body in relation to the body mount and in a first direction towards the lumber bias surface and in a second direction away from the lumber bias surface. A planermill trimmer having the adjustable hold-down shoe assembly mounted thereon and a method of end trimming lumber using the planermill trimmer.

Abstract: Provided is a trailer platform having an adjustable ball position. The platform has a first end portion sized to removably mount within a trailer hitch receiver and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A movable ball mount having a ball hole sized to mount a trailer ball is on the movable ball mount and the movable ball mount is movably mounted on the second end portion of the platform so that the movable ball mount can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position on the platform to adjust a distance between the first end of the platform the ball hole, with the extended position providing a greater distance between the ball hole and the first end portion than the distance between the ball hole and the first end portion in the retracted position. Also provided is a method of using the movable ball mount to provide slack to disconnect a trailer coupler from the trailer ball.

Abstract: Provided is an improved lumber edger having a cross cut saw to cross cut lumber into two or more separate pieces to increase the available amount or value of boards, and a method of using the improved lumber edger.

Abstract: Provided is an improved lumber edger having a cross cut saw to cross cut flitch into two or more separate pieces of flitch to increase the available amount or value of boards.

Abstract: Provided is a trailer platform having an adjustable ball position. The platform has a first end portion sized to removably mount within a trailer hitch receiver and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A movable ball mount having a ball hole sized to mount a trailer ball is on the movable ball mount and the movable ball mount is movably mounted on the second end portion of the platform so that the movable ball mount can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position on the platform to adjust a distance between the first end of the platform the ball hole, with the extended position providing a greater distance between the ball hole and the first end portion than the distance between the ball hole and the first end portion in the retracted position. Also provided is a method of using the movable ball mount to provide slack to disconnect a trailer coupler from the trailer ball.

Abstract: A lumber edger and method of edging lumber using a positioning system having a plurality fetcher fingers driven by a non-hydraulic drive.

Abstract: Provided are a trunnion edger and a method of edging lumber using the trunnion edger.

Abstract: A lumber edger a first edger saw constructed to edge the lumber, a second edger saw constructed to edge the lumber. The first and second edger saws oppose one another when the first and second edger saws are in a cutting position. A movable mount is connected to the first edger saw and/or second edger saw. The movable mount has a first mount position in which the first and second edger saws are in a cutting position and at a first distance from each other and a second mount position in which the first and second edger saws are in a non-cutting position and at a second distance from each other. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Also provided is a method of using accessing the first and second edger saws.

Abstract: A lumber edger and method of edging lumber using a positioning system having a plurality fetcher fingers driven by a non-hydraulic drive.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting dimensional information of a workpiece such as a canted log is used to control a gang saw mounted on a pivot axis to cut the log into substantially even thickness boards while moving the log past the cutting device and pivoting the gang saw to accommodate curvature in the log.

Abstract: A board turning apparatus is provided with a conveyor for transporting a board through an inspection station; the inspection station includes an array of photocells located below the conveyor and which operate to detect and scan the facing surface of a board as it passes over the photocell or is held in the inspection station by a detent arm; the output of the scan by the photocell array is delivered to a computer having an analyzing program for detecting discoloration in the surface or edges of the board that are scanned by comparing the scan to a set of conditions stored in the computer; a turning arm is connected to the computer and is actuated to engage an edge of the board and turn the board over by rotating it about its opposite edge on the conveyor to turn over the board to facilitate and optimize subsequent operations on the board such as edging of the board.