A timber processing system includes a frame including a mount for attaching to a skid steer, tractor, excavator, or the like; and a grapple attached to the frame for moving timber pieces into place for cutting by a saw.

A timber processing system includes a frame including a mount for attaching to a skid steer, tractor, excavator, or the like; and a grapple attached to the frame for moving timber pieces into place for cutting by a saw.

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.

A feed roller, comprising a round plate-type flange body, and radial ribs fixed at an even spacing over its outer circumference with gripping members for providing a firm grip of the surface of a tree stem being handled by the feed roller. Further, the outer edge of the plate-type ribs is disposed at an oblique angle to the axis of the feed roller, and the outer edge of each rib comprises several gripping members having a straight blade edge, arranged such that the blade edges extend parallel to the axis of the feed roller.

A feed roller, comprising a round plate-type flange body, and radial ribs fixed at an even spacing over its outer circumference with gripping members for providing a firm grip of the surface of a tree stem being handled by the feed roller. Further, the outer edge of the plate-type ribs is disposed at an oblique angle to the axis of the feed roller, and the outer edge of each rib comprises several gripping members having a straight blade edge, arranged such that the blade edges extend parallel to the axis of the feed roller.

A system including a lumber-pickup arm having a plurality of suction cups in a staggered configuration to pick up a piece of lumber that may be cracked, crooked or askew on the pile of lumber from which it is to be picked. In some embodiments, the system performs a method that includes locating a selected piece of lumber to be picked up; lowering the pickup arm so that at least some of the plurality of suction cups are seated on a first surface of the selected piece of lumber; reducing air pressure within the at least some of the plurality of suction cups; raising and moving the pickup arm to move the piece of lumber to a first destination; and increasing air pressure within the at least some of the plurality of suction cups to release the piece of lumber at the first destination Cups not holding vacuum are deactivated.

An apparatus for mounting logs for processing on a sawmill having a log bed defining a log bed plane includes a first plate, a stationary jaw, and movable jaw. The first plate is configured to be fixedly mountable on a log bed of a sawmill, and configured to support a log to be cross-cut. The stationary jaw is fixedly supported on the plate. The movable jaw is supported on the plate, and is configured to move at least in part in a direction parallel to the log bed plane when the first plate is mounted on the log bed. The movable jaw and the stationary jaw are collectively configured to fixedly clamp a log on the first plate in a clamp interior such that a grain direction of the log is normal to the log bed plane.

An apparatus is provided for cutting a plurality of workpieces that is arranged relative to first, second, and third reference axes that are perpendicular to each other. The apparatus includes a cutting assembly and an input assembly. The cutting assembly includes a chassis, and first and second saw blades movably coupled to the chassis that are configured to respectively cut along first and second cutting planes that are transverse to each other. The input assembly includes a tabletop and first and second clamping mechanisms for clamping the workpieces collectively. The first clamping mechanism includes a first counterpart and a first movable member that is translatable along the first reference axis and translatable relative to the first counterpart. The second clamping mechanism includes a second counterpart and a plurality of second movable members that are each translatable along the second reference axis relative to the second counterpart.

A pulley system for transferring motor torque to a cutting blade assembly is provided. The system is installed on a log cutting machine. A motor of the log cutting machine is positioned on a support table, which is intended to raise and lower during operation. The cutting blade assembly includes a cutting blade member for cutting a log off a tree trunk. A chain is attached to a cutting blade member and the support table, such that when the cutting blade member is driven downward towards the tree trunk, the connected chain and support table are lowered assisting the actuation of the cutting blade member via the pulley system.

A jack for elevating logs from the ground comprises an elongated pole as a handle lever, the pole having a steel collar surrounding its distal end and terminating in a steel spike. Welded to the collar along an upper surface is a serrated rib. Beneath it is a wheel assembly that serves as a fulcrum. Proximal of the collar is a clamp for fastening a T-shaped stand to the pole. An adjustment bar is welded to the collar and to the clamp, the adjustment bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures extending therethrough. An arcuate claw member with a tooth at its distal end has its opposite end fastened by a shoulder bolt as a pivot to the adjustment bar at a selected one of the aperture locations to accommodate logs of different circumferences.