Log Breakdown


The most crucial part of lumber manufacturing is the initial log breakdown. Here the "headrig" cuts the log into slabs or cants which will be processed at machine centers further down the line. The dimensions of the slabs are determined by several factors such as the log diameter, log taper, log grade and customers' orders for lumber.



Because of the complexity of all the milling factors involved, the process is computer-controlled except for special cases that the headrig operator can overide. These first two pictures are of the large log carriage headrig.



Here a small log breakdown carriage headrig cuts the smaller logs. The choice of headrig is determined by the log diameter. The small headrig is far more efficient for smaller logs.