In [Figures 42] and [43] are shown different views of the automatic lumber stacker for edge-wise piling of lumber on kiln cars. Many users of automatic stackers report that the grade of their lumber is raised to such an extent that the system would be profitable for this reason alone, not taking into consideration the added saving in time and labor, which to anyone's mind should be the most important item.
Fig. 41. Car Loaded with Lumber on its Edges by the Automatic Stacker, to go into the Dry Kiln end-wise. The bunks on which the lumber rests are channel steel. The end sockets are malleable iron and made for I-beam stakes.
In operation, the lumber is carried to these automatic stackers on transfer chains or chain conveyors, and passes on to the stacker table. When the table is covered with boards, the "lumber" lever is pulled by the operator, which raises a stop, preventing any more lumber leaving the chain conveyor. The "table" lever then operates the friction drive and raises the table filled with the boards to a vertical position. As the table goes up, it raises the latches, which fall into place behind the piling strips that had been previously laid on the table. When the table returns to the lower position, a new set of piling strips are put in place on the table, and the stream of boards which has been accumulating on the conveyor chain are again permitted to flow onto the table. As each layer of lumber is added, the kiln car is forced out against a strong tension. When the car is loaded, binders are put on over the stakes by means of a powerful lever arrangement.
Fig. 42. The above illustration shows the construction of the Automatic Lumber Stacker for edge piling of lumber to go into the dry kiln end-wise.
