This guide identifies key technologies and supplier options for cutting material to length, from circular saws to double-end trim saws and multi-trimmers.
Sawmills, lumber remanufacturers and pallet companies use trim saws for cutting material to length.
Businesses that make pallet stock notably use different types of trim saws for cutting cants or long pieces of lumber to length in order to produce deck boards and stringers. Pallet recycling operations also use trim saws, especially for cutting reclaimed deck boards and stringers to length.
A number of suppliers offer a wide range of trim saws for these purposes. They include manually operated single-head circular saws to double end trimmers and multi-trimmers with several saws. Some are designed for cutting cants and lumber to length, while others are designed primarily for trimming recycled pallet parts to length.
Listed below are suppliers that offer trim saws, along with their contact information and a brief description of their products. The description is not comprehensive and may not include all of the company’s models. Suppliers are listed in alphabetical order.
Alliance Automation
Phone: (419) 238-2520
Email: info@allianceautomation.com
Website: www.allianceautomation.com
Alliance Automation offers the Urban Sawmill for optimizing and trimming lumber to length.
The Urban Sawmill is a double-end trim saw with two circular saws running 16-inch blades and powered by 10 hp motors. The fixed blades are paired with a moveable backstop to trim material to various lengths. It can take boards up to 2 inches thick, 62 inches long. The maximum trim length is 4 inches per side, or 8 inches total.
A 3D scanning system captures the length, width, and thickness of each board to optimize production. The standard machine can produce 10 different boards that vary by dimension; it can be programmed to sort and classify boards of a specified length, width, and thickness.
The finished boards drop into collection bins. The footprint of the standard system in a straight line is 140 feet long by 15 feet wide. This can be curved to fit into buildings of various shapes and sizes. A conveyor to remove scrap is optional.
Although originally designed to be used for producing boards from pallet recycling operations, the Urban Sawmill can be used to optimize and produce boards made of new lumber.
The Urban Sawmill can be operated by two or three workers. Boards are loaded manually onto the infeed chain. Production is 20-25,000 boards per shift.
The Urban Sawmill reduces labor, makes the work easier, optimizes lumber and increases lumber yield.
After the success of its Urban Sawmill™ trim saw system, Alliance Automation has responded to customer requests by developing the Badger Sawmill Series. This new model includes the same laser scanner and saw system used in the Urban Sawmill, but with a much smaller footprint, lower system cost and slower production speed.
Baker Products
Contact: Clay Hedrick, Josh Rahlfs
Phone: (573) 663-7711
Email: info@bakerproducts.net
Website: www.bakerproducts.net
Baker Products, which manufactures machinery and equipment for the sawmill and pallet industries, offers several trim saws featuring a heavy-duty design and fast production at an economical price.
The Baker chop saw is manual or air-activated and comes with either a 20-, 26-, or 36-inch diameter saw. A 10-foot infeed roll case and a 5-foot outfeed roll case come standard.
The Baker AmbiTrim™ features 2 to 8 saw heads running 18-inch-diameter circular saws. The saws are set at equal or various distances from each other, depending on the application at hand. Each saw head can easily be positioned independently using a lockable saw head positioner. As boards are fed in laterally, the saws cut them into shorter pieces all at once.
The Baker MultiSelect uses individual chop saw heads to maximize production. From an operator chair, easily select-cut or multiple-cut material. The Baker MultiSelect comes with as many saw heads as you need. Unscramblers and other material handling equipment are available.
The Baker Band Double End-Trim uses bandsaws instead of circular saws to quickly and efficiently end-trim material. It can be installed in existing lines, allowing a continuous flow of material that does not require stopping and restarting. For more information on Baker saws, see the cover story on page 14.
Brewer Machine
Contact: Marty Fox
Phone: (800) 345-6516
Email: mfox@brewermach.com
Website: www.brewermach.com
The Brewer Under-Cut trim saw has many features and options designed and built to increase production of cut-to-length boards and cants and reduce operating costs. All components are heavy-duty.
Aluminum dogs with heavy-duty chain, powered by a variable-speed hydraulic system, enable controlling the speed of material. The saws adjust freely from front or back with rack and pinion drive and heavy-duty lockdowns to prevent movement during operation. Controls are located in an operator panel with main disconnect circuit breaker starters for each motor. The saws run 18-30 inch carbide tipped blades with 6-inch collars.
The minimum board or cant length is 24 inches, and the maximum is 20 feet. The maximum cut thickness is 9 inches.
It can be equipped with 2-7 saw units. Each saw is powered by a 5-20 hp, 1800 rpm TEFC motor.
Tracking on 3½-inch V-wheels provides precise alignment and eliminates sawdust buildup on main rails.
An 18-inch-wide scrap conveyor with sides, powered hydraulically, picks up sawdust and end trims.
Options include hydraulically lowering the center saws out of the cut with the touch of a button and automatic servo-powered sets.
Go Fast Manufacturing
Phone: (800) 854-7439
Email: sales@gofastmfg.com
Website: www.gofastmfg.com
Go Fast Manufacturing introduces the MET-20 – a powerhouse trim saw designed for efficiency. The machine is equipped with a sleek, low-profile design, rugged framing, and efficient flat catch conveyors. The variable frequency drive allows adaptable infeed speed, and the emergency cable pull ensures swift access to the E-stop when needed.
Configurable with 2-7 saw heads, each powered by a robust 10 hp Baldor motor, the MET-20 boasts 20-inch carbide-tipped blades and adjustable cut lengths, making it a versatile workhorse. Handling material up to 20 feet long, 12 inches wide, and 5½ inches thick, it makes up to 45 cuts per minute.
Standard 12-inch-wide flat waste and take-away conveyors provide seamless material flow, with optional 18-inch-wide belts for added customization. Tailor your MET-20 with optional features like dust ports, digital encoders, unscrambler systems, board feeders, and an extended frame for longer lengths.
The MET-20 is enclosed with guarding on all sides and features a solid row of ¾-inch thick steel anti-kickback fingers, ensuring robust protection for the operator. Choose the MET-20 and elevate your production with unmatched efficiency and safety.
Industrial Resources
Contact: Mike Panik
Phone: (616) 791-7500
Email: sales@irinc.us
Website: www.iresources.us
Industrial Resources offers a fully adjustable trim saw to meet the requirements of pallet recycling operations. It features industry-leading components as standard equipment.
The Quick Cut Trim Saw operates with a 16-inch nail buster blade and can make up to 4,200 cuts per hour. Features include adjustable speed, a 3-chain conveyor, gravity brush board holders, adjustable board stops, and a powerful 10 hp motor.
Options include exit conveyor or track, single-phase power, and variable-speed motor options.
The Quick Cut Trim Saw can be combined with conveyors and Industrial Resources pallet dismantler bandsaws for a complete wood recovery system.
JF Industrial Technology Inc.
Contact: Yunfei Ding
Phone: (929) 258-8277
E mail: info@jfwoodtech.com
Website: www.jfwoodtech.com
JF Industrial Technology is the branch of Saifan in North America. Saifan manufactures all kinds of lumber cutting and processing machines.
The Saifan SF6060 pushing chop saw is mainly used for cutting pallet boards, blocks, material for wooden crates, and so on. It can also be used to cut furniture components.
Features include touch screen and PLC programming control, calculation and length matching, free sawing, and arbitrarily cutting. The machine can do batch and standardized production, reduce labor, and improve safety, production and efficiency.
The Saifan SF6021 is a double-end-trim saw to trim both ends of pallet boards, blocks, and other lumber to achieve the required, accurate size. Adjustment is convenient, fast, and precise.
The Saifan SF8005 is a multi-head trim saw for high-volume production. The size of the saw can be adjusted. It can be used to process boards, other solid wood and plywood. An entire bundle of material can be staged on the infeed platform. It can process a high volume of material with accuracy, a high degree of safety, and stable performance. The multi-head trim saw can be connected to an automated sorting system and stacker.
Keystone Machinery
Contact: Lloyd Hoover
Phone: (717) 859-4977
Email: keystonemachinerycorp@gmail.com
Website: www.keystonemachinery.com
The Keystone Machinery Multi-Head Trim Saw combines durability and convenience in a heavy-duty package.
It is constructed of heavy wall 4×8 tubing. Saw heads are offset so only one blade is cutting at a time. Individual floating, air-powered hold-downs are regulated by cylinders to eliminate kickback and are adjustable.
The saw heads are adjusted easily in the gear track to ensure saws are square. Saw blades are mounted overhead and can be lifted out of the way by cylinder if not needed. Even-ender rolls and lumber stop keep lumber cuts consistent.
Saw blade power ranges from 3-15 hp, available in electric or hydraulic. Saws can cut material 6 inches high and 10 inches wide. Length capacity is 24 inches to 16 feet.
The saws are equipped with safety shields with a hinged door for blade removal and a dust outlet on top.
The machine comes with an 18-inch wide, 20-foot conveyor. With a push-dog design, the dog pushes the board onto the conveyor.
Optional features can set cut boards on edge and increase cutting capacity to 6×12.
Newman Machine Co.
Contact: Mike Harris
Phone: (336) 273-8261
Email: sales@newmanmachine.com
Website: www.newmanwhitney.com
Newman Machine offers the KM-16 trimmer to trim lumber into multiple lengths in a highly productive, accurate manner. The machine comes standard with a low maintenance hold-down system and newly upgraded dust collection ports.
The KM-16 features heavy-duty construction, fast, easy set-up and operation, and low maintenance. It provides high-speed trimming at up to 60 pieces per minute.
Each V-belt driven overhead saw unit is powered by a 7½ hp motor and utilizes 18-inch diameter blades. The KM-16 will process material up to 4 inches thick. It can cut a minimum of 18 inches up to 16 feet. Optional 10 hp saw motors and 22-inch diameter blades with no. 80 chain is available for the heavy-duty trimmer for cuts up to 6 inches thick.
The frame is made of welded heavy-duty 6-inch channel and angle iron, with component pieces accurately fitted for an exceptionally rigid frame.
Cut increments are set by hand cranks and secured by individual friction locks. Self-adjusting hold-downs and lock-up heads are provided for each saw unit. Individual push-button-operated air lifts are available.
The feed system is powered by a 1.5 hp gear motor with variable frequency drive for feed speeds ranging from 20-60 counts per minute.
The KM-16 comes with 12-inch wide conveyors for lumber and scrap with belt direction to customer specification.
Newman will customize the machine at the customer’s request. For example, it may be lengthened or shortened and saw units added or deleted.
Pendu Manufacturing Inc.
Phone: (717) 354-4348
Email: info@pendu.com
Website: www.pendu.com
Pendu heavy-duty, multi-saw trimmers provide steady, productive service to cut random width or dimensional lumber and cants to length. Pendu trimmers range from 3 to 7 saws and can be made to handle lengths up to 20 feet or longer.
Each trimmer is equipped with 22-inch diameter saw blades and has a depth of cut from ¾ inches to 7½ inches. Saw motors range from 10, 15 or 20 hp, and feed rates are variable from 28 to 40 lugs per minute. Waste blocks and sawdust is removed with the full-length 30-inch wide waste conveyor under the machine. Dust outlets can also be added to each saw transfer.
Each machine comes standard with manually adjusted saw transfer. An upgrade to auto-adjustment with servo-positioned transfers is optional; this option features a touchscreen control system to easily select material lengths and move the transfers into position automatically, making changeovers quick and easy. Other options are driven ending rolls for each transfer and console-controlled drop blade.
Pendu offers a number of infeed and outfeed options for increased flexibility and higher production. For example, the trimmer infeed can be configured with the automatic board dealer wheel assembly and the outfeed can be equipped with single or dual belt conveyors for feeding boards vertically. Horizontal outfeeds are also available in single or dual belt conveyors or cantilevered rolls feeding in single or dual directions.
PRS Group
Contact: Jeff Williams
Phone: (866) 546-8864
Email: jwilliams@prsgroupinc.com
Website: www.prsgroupinc.com
PRS Group specializes in engineering and manufacturing machinery and equipment for pallet manufacturing, pallet recycling, and pallet sorting and handling. It offers four trim saw solutions for the production cutting of deck boards and stringers.
The PRS OPTIMAX trim saw has been in production for over 30 years. This single-end-trim saw features chain feed conveyors and belt-driven saw blades as well as multiple board stops to provide optimization of the lumber being trimmed or reclaimed.
The OPTIMAX is available in two models. The OM-2 has a horizontal frame design that allows the saw to have an operator tailing the saw to sort and stack the trimmed material. The OPTIMAX OM-3 has an inclined frame that enables larger lumber bins and longer batch-cutting runs. Several options are available, including scrap conveyors, board counters, and dull blade sensors.
For lumber processing that requires double end-trimming, PRS offers the DUALMAX. It features a hopper feed system with a magazine and two 7-½ hp direct arbor saw motors. It can process up to 4,000 pieces per hour. The DUALMAX trims material up to 66 inches, producing components that range from 30-60 inches. An integrated two-stage scrap conveyor removes waste and maximizes production.
The PRS AUTOMAX is a highly automated trim saw solution that scans, optimizes, trims, and sorts pallet lumber at rates up to 30,000 pieces per shift. The AUTOMAX features an unscrambler that singulates the boards prior to presenting them to a VAB scanning system for optimization and data collection. Once scanned the boards pass through a series of 5 saws that cut the boards to criteria entered into the machine’s control. The machine then sorts the boards to this criteria and drops the processed lumber into bins.
Saw Service & Supply
Contact: Gary Snyder
Phone: (800) 661-5687, (800) 735-5604
Email: garysnyder@sawserviceandsupply.com, nathanbelock@sawserviceandsupply.com, dalebelock@sawserviceandsupply.com
Website: www.sawservicesupply.com
Saw Service & Supply manufactures a line of pallet repair and dismantling machines, including the popular Saw Service 10-inch Trim Saw.
Developed for the pallet recycler, this trim saw is designed to cut reclaimed deck boards and stringers to a new length. It was designed with two specific objectives for the customer: to increase production and to lower saw blade costs.
The Saw Service 10-inch Trim Saw will help you increase production to the level you require. You can single-load or double-load the conveyor. It is easy to operate and has a 3-chain load and drive system. It can trim boards down to a 15-inch length; the maximum length is 57 inches. Also, if needed, it will cut two lengths at one time.
A big issue in pallet recycling operations is the cost of saw blades. This machine will reduce your cost for blades because it is designed to use inexpensive, disposable 10-inch saw blades. It eliminates the need and cost associated with sending blades out to be resharpened.
A 5 hp belt-driven motor for the saw blade and a 1/2 hp conveyor motor provide plenty of power.
It is built ruggedly, fabricated with 2-inch square tubular steel, and is easy to maneuver with a forklift. The dimensions are 47 inches by 59 inches and 37 inches high.
Sawmill Supplies & Equipment
Contact: Mark or Chad Morgan
Phone: (318) 994-2116
Email: sawmillsupplies@centurylink.net
Website: www.sawmillsupplies.net
The Morgan family of Sawmill Supplies and Equipment has been manufacturing Morgan equipment for the pallet and sawmill industry, as well as custom variations, for over 30 years.
The company’s multi-head trim saws can be customized for your business. They are available in 2, 3, 4 or 5-head models. The standard version features 10 hp motors that run 20-inch carbide blades per head. It has adjustable saw heads and a variable speed feed system. Optional conveyors for waste and product are available. Other customizations include more powerful saw motors, larger blades, and other variations.
The company also offers the hopper fed double end-trim saw, also known as the pallet board trim saw. It is designed to trim new or used pallet boards. The frame is built of heavy gauge structural square and rectangle tubing. It has a small footprint to fit in any size mill. This trimmer features a 5 hp motor on each 10-inch blade to cut material that is ½-inch to 2 inches thick.
Smart Products
Contact: Ken Hess
Phone: (800) 401-0099
Email: smartpro@smartproductsinc.com
Website: www.palletrecyclingequipment.com
Smart Products, which specializes in designing and creating high-quality pallet repair and recycling equipment, offers three types of trim saws for cutting lumber to length.
The Smart Products board trim saw can cut up to four stringers at once or deck boards stacked 6 inches high. The company also offers single end and double end power feed trim saws that can produce 10,000 boards per 8-hour shift.
The single end power feed trim saw runs an 18-inch nail cutting blade. The saw is powered by a 10 hp three-phase motor; a single-phase motor is optional.
The trim saw can handle material up to 2 inches thick and from 18-60 inches long. The inclined saw table and overhead blade design helps to eliminate kickback. It features a heavy-duty #60 roller feed chain with a ½ hp gear reduction drive. Four adjustable board stops are standard.
The trim saw has a replaceable saw throat plate, and the 42-inch infeed table is removable.
The single end power feed trim saw can achieve production rates of 15,000 boards per 8-hour shift.
Universal Machinery Sales
Contact: Mona Tracy
Phone: (855)-298-8898
E-mail: sales.universalmachinerysales@gmail.com
Website: www.universalmachinerysales.net
Universal Machinery Sales offers numerous trim saws with multiple options. They range from the 14-inch manual chop saw (optional 10-inch blade) to 5-head multi-trims, angle chops, chop saw systems with conveyors, and super chops with up to 26-inch capacity. Various motor options, including gas, are available on many models.
The manual chop saw also is offered as an 18-inch model. It has four manual stops included with the standard table. A single-phase motor is available.
A standard chop saw with conveyor has a 22-inch blade capable of cutting 6×12 material. A gas-powered option is available.
The Trim-Trac end-trim has adjustable stops to run lengths ranging from 16-56 inches on the standard machine. The precision infeed with three chains and multiple dogs allows automatic alignment. An incline model is also available.
The multi-head trim saw can be configured with 2-5 saw heads. Other options are motor size, length modification, 18-inch wide waste conveyor and product conveyor. A gas-powered version is also available.
A hopper feed double end-trim has 10-inch blades with optional 12-inch blades. Length from 20 inches to 60 inches, 47-50 boards per minute.
The company also offers a line of pop-up cut-off saws. The Robo-Chop is a modified up-cut saw with a programmable, automatically controlled push feeder. Different length infeeds are offered. Comes with a 60-inch outfeed table. Cycle time is approximately 2 seconds.
Vista Machines Inc.
Contact: Paul Dennis
Phone: (717) 359-9212
Email: paul@vistamachines.com
Website: www.angleboss.com
Vista Machines manufactures Angle Boss up-cut saws to cut lumber to length both straight and at an angle. Some models also provide bevel cutting capability.
These cut-off saws were developed to combine the positive features of an up-cut style saw, such as ease of operation, accuracy and speed, and safety. The saw blade is not exposed in the rest position, and the material is held firmly in place by a guard-clamp assembly while cutting is performed.
Quick, easy left and right rotation of the saw table allows angle cuts up to 75 degrees from 0 for mitering capability. The Model MB-18 has bevel cutting capability (the saw blade can lay over to the left up to 45 degrees from 0) as well as compound cutting capability — any combined miter and bevel setting.
After the material is positioned under the guard clamp, the operator presses one button to lower it in place to hold the material. He presses a second button to initiate the cut, and when the cycle is complete, the saw lowers back into the machine base and the guard clamp raises to release the material. The cycle automatically reverses if the operator releases either button at any time. Cycle time is about two seconds.
Standard machines are available with an AutoSet feature that lets the operator input the desired angle setting via a push-button keypad.
Wood-Mizer
Contact: Brad Kirkaldy
Phone: (765) 228-6775
Email: bkirkaldy@woodmizer.com
Website: www.woodmizer.com
Wood-Mizer manufactures pallet recycling equipment, including pallet dismantlers, trim saws, and conveyors.
The PC200 single end power feed trim saw is engineered to efficiently trim the ends of deck boards and stringers for manufacturing recycled pallets. Designed for pallet recycling and remanufacturing operations, the PC200 trims the ends of boards from 21 inches to 66 inches long, up to 2 inches thick, and 10 inches wide. It can trim up to 12,000 boards per 8-hour shift.
The PC200 features an overhead blade design for reduced board kickback, electronic variable feed speed for optimum production, and a gravity-assist incline feed system for efficient material flow. Four quick-adjust board stops with scale make it easy to switch between cutting lengths without stopping production. The 18-inch diameter, nail-resistant, carbide-tipped circular saw blade is able to be resharpened for dependable cut quality.
The PC200 can be paired with Wood-Mizer Pallet Hawg® PD200 pallet dismantlers to create a pallet lumber recycling system. The dismantlers disassemble the pallets, and the PC200 trims the used lumber to length for recycled pallet stock. Heavy-duty belt conveyors are also available to provide efficient material flow.
