Abstract: A rotary feeder mechanism is provided for a stringer notcher wherein the feeder includes opposing pairs of pusher arms with one pusher arm of each pair being located on opposing sides of a magazine holding a vertically stacked supply of stringers to uniformly move the lowermost stringer onto a work table. The opposing pusher arms are eccentrically mounted on opposite sides of a rotary drive shaft. A control link is connected to each pusher arm to maintain the orientation of the distal ends of the pusher arms in a selected orientation during rotational movement. As one pusher arm moves a stringer onto the work table, the next vertically stacked stringer rests on the top surface of the stringer to be eased onto the bottom of the magazine as the pusher arm retracts below the level of the work table for the opposing pusher arm to then engage the next stringer.

Abstract: A lumber stacking machine has a stacking mechanism forming a stack of lumber from the bottom upwardly. The stacking mechanism includes a lift mechanism formed with a plurality of stacking fingers that lift a layer of lumber vertically above a conveyor. With the formation of a new layer of lumber, the stacking mechanism moves below the new layer with the stacking fingers retracting to pass by the new layer and resting the growing stack of lumber on top of the new layer, and then extending below the new layer to raise the entire stack to allow another new layer to be formed. Stops are provided to control the movement of the individual boards from the infeed station into the stacking station and also to control movement of the new layer beyond the stacking station. Two conveyors cooperate to move the lumber with an overlap in the stacking station.

Abstract: A rotary feeder mechanism is provided for a stringer notcher wherein the feeder includes opposing pairs of pusher arms with one pusher arm of each pair being located on opposing sides of a magazine holding a vertically stacked supply of stringers to uniformly move the lowermost stringer onto a work table. The opposing pusher arms are eccentrically mounted on opposite sides of a rotary drive shaft. A control link is connected to each pusher arm to maintain the orientation of the distal ends of the pusher arms in a selected orientation during rotational movement. As one pusher arm moves a stringer onto the work table, the next vertically stacked stringer rests on the top surface of the stringer to be eased onto the bottom of the magazine as the pusher arm retracts below the level of the work table for the opposing pusher arm to then engage the next stringer.

Abstract: A lumber stacking machine has a stacking mechanism forming a stack of lumber from the bottom upwardly. The stacking mechanism includes a lift mechanism formed with a plurality of stacking fingers that lift a layer of lumber vertically above a conveyor. With the formation of a new layer of lumber, the stacking mechanism moves below the new layer with the stacking fingers retracting to pass by the new layer and resting the growing stack of lumber on top of the new layer, and then extending below the new layer to raise the entire stack to allow another new layer to be formed. Stops are provided to control the movement of the individual boards from the infeed station into the stacking station and also to control movement of the new layer beyond the stacking station. Two conveyors cooperate to move the lumber with an overlap in the stacking station.

Abstract: A wooden stake sharpening machine moves a conical cutting head along a linear path into engagement with a clamped wooden stake blank to affect sharpening thereof. A walking beam conveying apparatus moves a wooden stake blank into position from a supply bin where a clamping apparatus holds the stake blank in place while the cutting head moves onto the stake to form a point thereon. The drive mechanism moves the conveyor in coordination with the linear movement of the cutting apparatus, which trips a switch to actuate the clamping mechanism as the cutting head moves toward engagement with the stake blank. The conveyor then moves the sharpened stake toward a collection area while moving another stake blank into position for sharpening as the cutting apparatus is retracted away from the stake, thus providing an automated stake sharpening machine with a minimal number of moving parts.