Abstract: A feeding device placed between an infeed conveyor and two longitudinal lumber conveyors for directing pieces of lumber, e.g., logs, fed thereto to one or the other of the two longitudinal conveyors which carry the logs for further processing. The first unit in the feeding device arrangement is a singlepiece feed conveyor, with a photo cell device, which receives a log from the infeed conveyor. The next station is a vertically swingable flap disposed over a gap which can be bridged by the flap. Under the gap is a stepwise drivable winged wheel or set of wheels which is offset adjacent and above one of the longitudinal conveyors which also has an associated photo cell device. Next in the device and located adjacent the base of the flap is a stepwise drivable transverse conveyor which receives logs passing over the flap and has its discharge adjacent and above the second longitudinal conveyor which also has an associated photo cell device.

Abstract: A root end cutting device for automatically aligning and cutting off the root ends of pieces of lumber. A conveying means transversely conveys the lumber through the device. Each piece of lumber is marked with a photosensitive transverse mark to indicate the location of a cut or with a longitudinal mark to indicate a second cut is not necessary. Each piece of lumber is then end cut by a first cutting blade. The pieces of lumber with a transverse mark are then aligned with a second cutting blade to make a second cut at the transverse mark.

Abstract: An improved log turner including a charge conveyor for feeding logs across an opening onto a carrying chute aligned with the charge conveyor. A discharge conveyor is located beneath the opening perpendicular to the charge conveyor. One pair of arc-shaped push-off arms is pivotally attached near the opening on opposite sides of the charge conveyor and the carrying chute. One arm of each pair of arms, opposite to one another, is pivoted to push-off and pivot a log resting on the charge conveyor and the carrying chute into the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A lumber lifting device for pieces of lumber transversely fed into the device in an elongate soaking basin. The lifting device has a concave hoisting surface with a front edge which aligns with an inclined ramp below the water level of the basin in a first reception position to receive a piece or pieces of lumber. The lifting device is rotated less than one-half a revolution to a second dumping position above the water level of the basin to discharge the piece or pieces of lumber. A curved stopping surface is connected to the front edge of the hoisting surface to prevent pieces of lumber from interfering with the rotation of the lifting device.

Abstract: A device for continuously stacking layers of pieces of board or lumber has a lower conveyor transporting the layers of lumber at a first substantially constant speed. An upper conveyor haing L-shaped carrying members overlies the lower conveyor with the open ends of the L-shaped members facing rearwardly. The upper conveyor and L-shaped members move at a second substantially constant speed which is slower than the speed of the lower conveyor. The timing of the two conveyors is arranged such that an L-shaped carrying member drops down slightly below the carrying plane of the lower conveyor in front of one of the layers of lumber. Prior to reahing the end of the lower conveyor the layer of lumber is conveyed above a lower leg of the L-shaped member, due to its faster speed, and the lower conveyor is then lowered so that the layer of lumber is deposited upon the L-shaped carrying member.

Abstract: An elongate soaking basin has a screen mounted on a movable frame. The screen is vertically movable into and out of the soaking basin. The soaking basin has a compression wheel feeding pieces of lumber transversely into the soaking basin against the screen. The pieces of lumber are compressed between the screen and the compression wheel. The screen is pivotally supported between two limit positions in the movable frame and when the screen is forced against one of the limit positions, the frame is moved to reposition the screen, thus keeping the pieces of lumber aligned and under the proper compression.

Abstract: A device for holding lumber to be cut including a conveyor system with an abutment plate and clamping arm to clamp the lumber against the plate. A saw is movable in a plane transverse to that of the conveyor to engage and cut the lumber at a side thereof opposite that engaged by the clamping arm.

Abstract: A longitudinal lumber conveyor is provided with an adjustable end stop for cutting a piece of lumber into several pieces. The adjustable end stop is mounted on a slide which is adjustable hydraulically beneath the plane of the conveyor. The slide is operable between adjustable end switches which are activated to indicate the desired position of the slide. The slide may be moved between the various end positions when a photocell device mounted on the slide senses that a piece of lumber is not present at the photocell device. The slide has rotatable stop arms mounted on a shaft of the slide which are hydraulically rotatable from a first stop position above the plane of the conveyor to a second position below the plane.

Abstract: A device for feeding pieces of lumber, one by one, from one location to another location and comprising a plurality of carrier members secured in substantially parallel relation along the length of a frame which bridges between an input location and a delivery location. Each of the carrier members are formed to define a downwardy inclined slope having a stop at the lower end thereof. The upper end of the slope is adapted to receive lumber from the input. An elongate shaft is journaled through the carrier members. A clinch member is rotatably journaled on said shaft and located adjacent each of the carrier members. A stopping arm is provided disposed between each carrier member and adjacent clinch. A pivot pin is attached to each carrier member and a guide pin is carried by each clinch, the stopping arm is rotatably journaled on the pivot pin, one end of the stopping arm being movably engaged with the guide pin and the other end carrying a stop formation.