Abstract: Two independently operable log delivery systems including a first carriage (A) and a second carriage (B), each carriage the mirror image of the other, each carriage including an upper pair of rollers (80,82) and a lower pair of rollers (84,86), the rollers oriented at ninety degree angles to each other. A main carriage support beam (60) carries each conveyor on pairs of upper rails (70,72) and lower rails (74,76). Upper rollers (80,82) are biased against upper rails (70,72) by means of a torque shaft (108). A dog (32) is mounted at an angle on a dog shaft so that the dogs of each carriage do not intercept one another should the carriages move past each other.

Abstract: A log carriage system including a pair of carriages (10, 12) mounted for linear movement along a conveyor track. A pair of linear hydraulic motors (32, 44) each include a piston rod (30, 42) for both clamping and linear transfer of a log. A reversible hydraulic pump (62) transfers oil between working chambers (40, 52) of motors (32, 44) to move the log along a linear path past a cutting station. A three-way, two-position valve (120) connects line (68) to tank (T), and disconnects line (70) from system pump (SP), when pump (62) is operated to move oil from motor (32) to motor (44). Alternatively, linear hydraulic motors (32, 44) can be replaced by rotary hydraulic motors and a cable drive system for both clamping the log and moving the log along the linear path.

Abstract: Three parallel wide flange beams (B1, B2, B3) define parallel tracks (T) for side-by-side log carriages (C1, C2). Each log carriage (C1, C2) is an end-dog carriage and includes end dogs (D). Each carriage (C1, C2) is in two sections (10, 12). Each carriage section (10, 12) is supported for movement along its track (T) by four carriage wheels (W), one located at each corner of a carriage frame (F). The carriage wheels (W), the track rails (R1, R2, R3, R4) on which they ride, stabilizing rails (56, 58) and stabilizing wheels (SW) wrap the forces imposed on the carraiges (C1, C2) in a manner resulting in carriage travel along a substantially true line. The dog arms (54) include teeth (94, 96) which are divided into two rows separated by a V-channel (98). The outer faces of the teeth are parallel. The inner faces are defined by the channel (98) and are separated by a substantially sixty degree angle. The edges of the teeth (94, 96) converge as the teeth extend outwardly from the dog arm (54).

Abstract: A log-positioning conveyor (10) includes a pair of spaced-apart lug-supporting frames (12, 14) and an interconnecting center frame (16). Vertical and horizontal cylinders (42, 44, 46, 48), one of each at each end of the conveyor, are interconnected between end frame members (22, 24) and anchor locations (50, 52, 54, 56). The cylinders (42, 44, 46, 48) are extended and retracted for moving the conveyor vertically and/or horizontally. The conveyor frame (12, 14, 16) is stabilized in position, both endwise and angularly by a stabilizing arm (66). This arm (66) has a universal joint (68) at its inner end connected to an end frame (24) and a universal joint (70) at its outer end connected to an anchoring structure (72). A system of horizontal and vertical light beams (HB, VB) is used to measure each log as it ascends on the conveyor (10) to an uppermost position.

Abstract: An end-dogging log carriage system has two narrow, carriage sections, supportably guided on an elongated track, interconnected by a drive cable and a clamping cable. Both cables are wrapped around a spooling drum mounted on one of the carriage sections in such a way so that rotation of the spooling drum simultaneously changes the operative length of both clamping and drive cables thereby moving one carriage section with respect to the other to adjust the length of the log carriage and clamp a log therebetween. The tension in the cable system acting at the cable attachment points on each carriage section provides therein a preinduced countermoment in opposition to the dogging moment occurring when a log is dogged. The carriage sections are laterally biased against a single sidemounted guide rail spaced from the supporting track and discontinuous proximate the saws by a preloaded torque shaft mounted on each carriage section.