FINDING THE RIGHT LOG

By John Hebert

Acquiring the proper species, diameter, length and log quality is very important for all sawmills. The practice of cut to length is becoming more common and with the help of modern equipment, logging proves to be much more efficient and less labor intensive for contractors. Some of the equipment now used (processors) perform a great job of providing very accurate log lengths to the mills. The logging practices that require chainsaws for larger trees have improved immensely in both safety and recovery. The fallers now use under cutting when falling large trees, which saves as much as a 2’ trim back at the sawmill which can add up to big savings and lumber recovery.

If there is a big demand for 14’ lumber, the companies’ log buyers relate this to the contractors; so they may they modify their cut to length bucking pattern heavy to 14’ lengths. The problem with cutting to length is that the logs often arrive at the mill site with mud or sand on the ends. As the logs are run through the sawmill, the band and circular saws tend to dull prematurely causing early saw changes.

I have often said that the best sawing is at a temperature of -5 degrees Celsius with snow on the ground. When hauling in the dry snow and stored on the frozen ground, the logs are decked, remain clean and they de-bark relatively easy.  If the trucks bring in full-length logs and then cut to the proper length for sawing the ends are fresh cut with no dirt and the saws will remain sharp much longer.

When bucking tree length logs attention must be given to proper bucking methods. When possible buck the butt end of the log first where the greatest volume of lumber will be.  If the log is introduced butt back into a lineal or in line bucking system, the log should be run back against a bumper “reverse bucking”, and establish the small end of the log first to achieve the most recovery and proper length of log for the rest of the log. Bumpers must be used to get accurate and consistent results to achieve maximum lumber recovery and minimal trim loss at the mill trim saws. Optimized bucking (scanned / computer decisions) with transverse bucking is a more efficient and accurate way to cut tree length logs to the proper length for sawing lumber. A scanner can “look” at a log and determine which will be the best bucking solution based on log shape, diameter and lengths; taking into account defects such as: tapers or flared butts, sweep, burls, breakage etc.

The proper log diameter is critical to maintain a good balance of flow through the sawmill especially feeding 2 or more log lines. Most mills now use efficient, accurate scanning, to determine the proper cutting pattern of each individual log prior to canting or sawing enabling the maximum recovery of lumber from each log.

Flexibility and having the ability the change the sawing program at a moments notice, considering width, thickness, or length, is a great benefit to any mill to accommodate sales or customers requirements. If a certain product in the lumberyard is not selling, and increasing in inventory, cutting patterns must change to keep inventories in check.

Communication between the company log purchaser and the logging contractors is critical to make sure the proper log is delivered to the mill site.

 If you have any comments, ideas or questions of interest regarding the sawfiling trade that we can use in this column, please send me an e-mail; jehebert@telus.net

   John Hebert is the Head Filer at Gorman Bros. Lumber in Westbank, BC.