April 10, lOlG 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



it, loads it onto the carriage, turns it to any desired position or 

 crowds the log up against knees if necessary, and does it all more 

 •quickly than you can read this description of its actions. The 

 kicker or log unloader, the log stop and loader and the steam nig- 

 ger save the use of two or three men on the log deck and permit 

 the handling of logs in such a rapid manner that the entire capac- 

 ity of the steam feed can be utilized. Without the aid of these 

 appliances the steam feed could not be worked to capacity, as the 

 number of logs neeessar}' simply could not be put onto the car- 

 riage b.y any other method. 



The carriage is operated by means of either twin engine or shotgun 

 feed, preferably the latter, especially for short logs. The shotgun feed 

 is quick, powerful and elastic. If a small log is on the carriage, it 

 can be shot through the saw at a fast rate of speed ; if large and hard, 

 the feed can be moved as slowly as desired, feeding all that the saw 

 will cut. On the gig back, it is so fast that practically no time is lost 

 getting back for the next cut. It is the pacemaker of the mill. The 

 sawyer who operates the log stop, nigger and feed is the heart of the 

 mUl. He can make it a success or failure. Only the best should be 

 considered for this important position. 



Steam or air cushions are located at each end of the carriage track 

 for preventing damage to the carriage and providing safety for the 

 riders. If the logs are very large and heavy, knees of the carriage 

 can be operated by steam set works — another great labor saver. 



When a gang or re-saw is used in connection with mill, as soon as 

 cant reaches proper position on the live rolls a steam trip throws it 

 onto the transfer chains, which carry it to the resaw or gang. These 

 trips can also be used back of gang for throwing stock off of the 

 gang rolls. If the stock is to go from saw to edger, it passes along 

 the live rolls until it hits a stop. This stop works a steam cylinder 

 operating a skid lifter which instantly raises the stock oflE from the 

 rolls and transfers it to side of edger. On large Pacific coast edgers. 



steam cylinders are used for raising and lowering the rolls on same. 

 Back of the edger a similar steam skid lifter can bo used if desired 

 to transfer lumber onto the trimmer transfer chains. The trimmer 

 saws on many machines are now raised and lowered by means of steam 

 or air cylinders. From the trimmer the lumber is carried to proper 

 pockets by lumber sorters. From these pockets it is taken by various 

 improved methods to the piles or kilns. 



In the live rolls opposite the slab slasher a steam skid lifter, similar 

 to that already described, can be used to throw slabs onto the slasher 

 cliains, which feed them continually through the saws. At any other 

 desired point in the live rolls a steam jump saw or circular cut-off 

 saw with steam-actuated cylinder can be located for cutting off slabs 

 or timbers. There are many other minor steam appliances used in 

 various mills, but space forbids going into details. 



Going back through the special machines. Without question, the 

 two greatest labor savers and capacity increasers are the steam feed 

 and steam nigger — they were also the first great improvements to 

 appear. They came on the market about the same time, the feed first, 

 tlie nigger following shortly afterward. The feed was the invention 

 of tlie late D. C. Prescott, the steam nigger of the late William E. Hill. 

 The sawmill world is indebted to these two men more than to any 

 others for the modern fast cutting, up-to-date mills of the present day. 

 What could be accomplished in the sawmilling business today without 

 the aid of these machines? Electricity is coming into use largely in 

 modern mills, but it is doubtful if any such improvements and in- 

 creased capacity will result as did from the use of the steam specialties. 



The illustrations used in connection with this article show the very 

 latest and most improved styles of steam machines mentioned. They 

 were furnished Hardwood Record by Anthony S. Hill, sales engineer 

 for -the American Saw Mill Machinery Company of Hackettstown, 

 N. J. This company announces its entrance into the field as a builder 

 of heavy duty sawmill specialties. 



U 



^ 



AT LEFT— LOG STOP 

 AT RIGHT— LOG KICKSE 



ST.A^TIONART CYLINDER 

 STEAM NIGGER 



