Solution: Newman Machine Company Customized a KM-16 Multiple Trimmer to the Sawmill’s Specifications.
WLS Sawmill in Benton, Ark. purchased much of its lumber in random lengths and widths and needed a machine that could efficiently process it into the various lengths needed. WLS Sawmill turned to Newman Machine Company of Browns Summit, N.C. to develop a solution. Newman customized its KM-16 Multiple Trimmer to give WLS Sawmill the increased flexibility it needed.
Jimmy Sorrells, owner of WLS, said that he did not even think about going to another supplier for help with what he needed, but immediately thought of Newman.
“I had several KM-16s in the past so I knew all about what they could do,” he said. “The KM-16 is great for cutting random width, random length lumber.”
Because of previous experiences with the KM-16, Sorrells knew exactly what upgrades and modifications he wanted on the machine. There were four major changes that he needed. First, a standard KM-16 has a maximum capacity of a 16 foot board, but Sorrells needed to be able to cut boards up to 20 foot in length to accommodate the random length lumber he was buying. Second, the original machine had only five saw units, but he wanted six for greater flexibility of cutting lengths. Third, he wanted a lumber conveyor that was 18 inches wide instead of the standard 12 inches so he could process wider lumber. This also would prevent lumber from getting caught while moving through the conveyor. Lastly, Sorrells wanted the scrap conveyor removed so that he could install one that ran through several of his machines.
“It was all for flexibility,” said Sorrells. “There are many different lengths you can get out of one board versus another, and the ability to be able to do that is important.”
When he approached Newman with the modifications he wanted, Sorrells said he found the staff at Newman was good to work with and very willing to do exactly what he asked. They fulfilled all of his requests by building a new KM-16 from the ground up based on what WLS needed.
“We built it from scratch and built it to his specifications,” said Randall McCorquodale, a Newman machinery salesman.
Having the modified KM-16 gave WLS the greater flexibility it wanted along with the increased efficiency of having one machine that they could use to cut a wider variety of board lengths.
Altering one of its standard machines to meet a customer’s needs was not anything new to Newman, as customized machines is one of its specialties.
“We’re trying to help our customers any way we can,” said McCorquodale. “We always try to be very flexible.”
For more information about the KM-16, Newman or its services, visit www.newmanwhitney.com or call 336/273-8261.
