Daniel S Rowley Deceased1020 175Th Ave, Portland, OR 97030

4628781, Dec 16, 1986

Jul 3, 1984

6/627451

Daniel S. Rowley - Portland OR

B27B 702

83371

A lumber mill system includes an endless lower spike chain conveyor, log loading charger for loading logs one at a time onto such charger such that the geometrical center is laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline of the conveyor and microprocessor for determining the optimum amount of lateral offset, if any, to maximize lumber recovery from the log. The log loading charger includes a frame pivotable about a pivot axis, axial carriage supported by the frame for horizontal movement in the same direction as the lower conveyor, and tandem radial carriages supported by the axial carriage for movement toward and away from the pivot axis. The radial carriages support clamp arms for gripping the log. The charger operates to grip a log adjacent the lower conveyor, swing the log above the lower conveyor to the predetermined laterally offset position, and lower the log onto the lower conveyor while simultaneously moving the log downstream with the conveyor. An endless overhead spike chain engages an upper surface of the log to support it on the lower conveyor and minimize other than downstream movement of the log.