LUMBERING IN PIKE REGION OF CALIFORNIA. *71 
SINGLE-BAND MILLS. 
The principal advantages of a band mill are the small saw kerf 
and high speed in sawing. The investment is larger than for a circular 
mill and the daily output must be greater. This calls for heavier 
and better equipment all through the mill. 
Single-band mills are well adapted to medium-sized logging chances 
and have many advantages over both smaller and larger mills. 
The initial investment is not too great for an operator of moderate 
means ; and the operation lends itself peculiarly well to management 
by one man. Thus, in many instances it is the most desirable 
mill for operating in National Forest timber. Because of certain dis- 
advantages in operation and upkeep, the sawing cost is frequently 
a little higher than for a double-band mill. Where the output of a 
single-band mill in 10 hours will not warrant the required investment 
in logging facilities and stumpage, it is often better to work a day 
and a night shift than to- construct a double-band mill. The dis- 
advantage of working double shift is that little time is left for mill 
inspection and repairs. 
Although similar in type, single-band mills throughout the region 
vary in details and thoroughness of construction, according to the 
length of time they are to be used and whether they are to be operated 
for one or two shifts daily. The initial cost varies from $35,000 to 
$75,000, exclusive of pond and yard. The 10-hour output likewise 
ranges from 50,000 to 65,000. The output for a mill operating - 
double shift is from 110,000 to 120,000 per day. 
The equipment varies in the same way as the construction; that is, 
heavier equipment is used in the mills intended for operating double 
shifts or producing the maximum daily output. The sawing equip- 
ment of a representative mill consists of the following articles: 
1 series live rolls. 
1 log j acker. 
1 log kicker. 
1 log stop and loader. 
1 steam log turner. 
1 8-foot or 9-foot band mill, either right or 
left. 
1 carriage, with either two or three head- 
blocks. 
Steam or power set works for carriage. 
Steam or cable feed works for carriage. 
1 60-inch gang edger. 
1 lumber transfer to trimmer. 
1 slash transfer. 
1 overhead slasher. 
1 gang trimmer. 
1 lumber-sorting transfer. 
1 chain refuse conveyor. 
Filing room, equipped for riling band and 
circular saws. 
The mill building is commonly of two-story frame construction, 35 
or 40 feet in width by 120 feet in length. The roof is often made of 
corrugated iron instead of shingles or boards. The boilers are placed 
in an adjoining boiler house, which may be of wood, corrugated iron, 
or brick, depending upon the permanence of the mill. The engine 
room is usually underneath the mill floor. A satisfactory power plant 
consists of a 16 by 36 inch engine and two 60-inch by 16-foot boilers, 
the aggregate development being from 250 to 300 horsepower. 
