Lug loader

Abstract

A lug loader for loading individual boards of lumber from a feed transfer to a lugged transfer in a lumber mill. A plurality of saw-toothed wheels engaged each board in turn and propels it onto the lugged transfer. A plurality of parallel stop members receive boards individually from the feed transfer, each stop member having a board-receiving portion to receive and support a board lying transversely across the stop members and a stop portion preventing further travel of the board when resting upon the stop members. The stop members are movable between raised and lowered positions and are located relative to the saw wheels such that a board lying across the stop members is maintained out of engagement with the saw wheels in their raised positions and may be lowered into engagement with the saw wheels. The presence or absence of a board on the stop members is detected and a control signal is generated in accordance with the condition detected. A lug index associated with the lugged transfer generates a control signal at predetermined points of progression of the lugged transfer whereat a lug is at a position to receive a board from the feed transfer. The control signals are applied to a controller which actuates the stop members such that when the lugged chain transfer is at an appropriate point to receive the board and the presence of the board on the stop members is verified, the signals applied to the controller causes the stop members to move to their lowered position and when it is detected that the board has been propelled forward by the saw wheels, the stop members are returned to their raised position to receive the next board. The combination of the positive saw wheel drive for the boards and the board detecting device eliminates many problems associated with conventional 'backlog-fed' devices.