The Log Yard
Where Sawmill Efficiency Begins
The Log Yard is the starting point for your entire sawmill operation. It’s where raw, unprocessed logs are received, sorted, and fed into the mill. An efficient and well-designed log yard is the key to maximising throughput and setting the pace for the rest of your production line. Getting this stage right ensures a consistent, controlled flow of timber, which is fundamental to a profitable operation.
Pinnacle SA engineers a complete range of log yard equipment designed for durability, reliability, and automation. Our solutions work seamlessly together to transform a chaotic pile of logs into an orderly stream, ready for primary breakdown.
Our Log Yard Equipment Range
From initial transport to final sorting, our machinery provides the control and efficiency you need to manage your raw timber inventory.
Log Haul Conveyor
The workhorse of the log yard, the Log Haul Conveyor is a heavy-duty chain conveyor system that transports logs from unloading zones or storage piles to the infeed of the sawmill. Built to withstand immense weight and harsh conditions, it provides a reliable and continuous flow of raw material.
Log Scanner
This is the intelligent core of the modern log yard. The Log Scanner uses advanced scanning technology to precisely measure the diameter, length, taper, and sweep of every log. This critical data is used to make instant, optimal decisions about how the log should be rotated and cut to maximise lumber recovery before it even enters the mill.
Step Feeder
The Step Feeder takes a bulk accumulation of logs from the log haul and unscrambles them. It works by lifting and separating the logs, feeding them one at a time in a controlled manner onto the next conveyor. This singulation process is essential for preventing jams and ensuring a steady, manageable flow to the scanner and saw line.
Screw Log Elevator
An innovative and space-saving solution, the Screw Log Elevator is used to unscramble and elevate logs from a ground-level deck up to the main processing line. Its unique screw or auger design provides a continuous, smooth lift, making it an efficient alternative to longer, inclined conveyors.
Log Rotator
Working with the data from the scanner, the Log Rotator precisely turns each log to its optimal rotational position. By ensuring the log is perfectly oriented before it enters the breakdown bandsaw, the rotator guarantees the first cut is made for maximum yield and grade.
Log Kicker
The Log Kicker is a sorting mechanism that executes the decisions made by the scanning system. As logs travel down the conveyor, powerful pneumatic or hydraulic arms activate to “kick” or push a specific log sideways off the line and into its designated bin.
Log Bin
Log Bins are the designated holding bays where sorted logs are collected. By using log kickers to sort logs by diameter, length, or species into different bins, the sawmill can create a buffer of uniform logs, allowing for efficient, batch-based processing.