A layer destacking system for destacking layer from stacked layer pallet load, including layer seating platform configured to seat the destacked layer on layer seating platform, conveying surface with conveyance traverse direction traverses the seated destacked layer off layer seating platform, slip sheet detection sensor coupled to layer seating platform and arranged to sense slip sheet in contact with seated destacked layer on uppermost surface and bottom surface of seated destacked layer, slip sheet pickup removal mechanism extending over layer seating platform configured to engage, above layer seating platform, slip sheet contacting one uppermost surface and bottom surface of seated destacked layer controller communicably coupled to slip sheet detection sensor to receive signal from slip sheet detection sensor identifying presence of slip sheet, controller is operably connected to slip sheet pickup removal mechanism to actuate slip sheet pickup removal mechanism engaging slip sheet contacting one uppermost surface and bottom surface.

A tilt hoist system for breaking down a lumber stack having tiers of lumber. The tilt hoist system includes a tilt hoist apparatus to successively bring a topmost tier thereof at a release location, an outfeed, a transition assembly for guiding each tier of lumber to the outfeed, and a transition assembly controller. The transition assembly includes an inclined transition track having a top end positioned to receive each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus, and a bottom end adjacent to the outfeed. The transition assembly also includes movable retaining arms configurable in a top end configuration in which the retaining arms are positioned to hold said topmost tier at the release location and a bottom end configuration in which the retaining arms are positioned past the bottom end of the transition track. A retaining arm actuator is operatively connected to move the retaining arms.