Abstract: A lumber loading system for transferring lumber pieces. The lumber loading system comprises a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis; at least one lumber piece grasping assembly operatively connected to the driving shaft and rotating about the longitudinal axis; and a longitudinal positioning system connected to the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly. The at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and is operative to initially grasp a section of a corresponding lumber piece extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, temporarily maintain the section of the lumber piece and subsequently release the lumber piece. The longitudinal positioning system moves each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly independently along the longitudinal axis, during rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis. A method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary timber charger including a charging assembly and a stiffness measuring mechanism. The charging assembly includes a continuously rotating main rotatable shaft with at least two transfer wheels mounted thereto and each having a timber piece grasping assembly grasping, retaining and releasing a piece of timber continuously moved between a grasping position and a release position. The stiffness measuring mechanism includes a load application wheel positioned between consecutive transfer wheels and momentarily applying a load on the piece of timber during rotation of the piece of timber between the grasping position and the release position and a deformation measuring system measuring a deformation of the transferred piece of timber following the application of the load thereon.