Package saws or cross-cut unit saws provide a number of advantages to lumber remanufacturing operations like those found in some pallet plants and mills that make cut stock.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is speed and efficiency in cutting material to length. A cut-off saw or chop saw cuts one piece of a board to length at a time. Even a multi-trim saw, although with multiple heads it can cut one board or even a cant into several pieces, only processes one piece of material at a time.
Package saws or unit saws, with their bar saw technology – an oversize saw bar and saw chain – can cut to length an entire package or bundle of material in minutes, and accurately. They provide a tremendous time savings in cutting material to length.
A package saw requires only one machine as opposed to multiple individual saws and workstations, and only one operator. Some manufacturers provide automated systems that enable the saws to function autonomously once the lumber is loaded and staged and ready for the cutting cycles. There is no special handling requirement to feed the material into an individual saw or multi-trim. And once cut to length, the material can be kept in inventory or can be fed into an appropriate resaw line.
Several manufacturers offer unit saws, and they offer a wide range of features and optional equipment. Models include even small portable saws that can be used to cut to length bundles of material in place on a yard. Other models can be used to cut to length lumber, cants, and logs.
The following companies offer cross-cut unit saws. Listed in alphabetical order, we provide their contact information and a brief description of their product line.
HOLTEC USA
Plant City, Florida
(813) 754-1665
The HOLTEC system began as an idea when a customer was experiencing problems cutting lumber to length in 1966. HOLTEC personnel discussed his needs and designed a solution that would solve his problems: the concept of cutting an entire bunk (pack) of lumber at one time with speed and accuracy.
Although package cross-cut systems had been previously attempted, they were not necessarily known for precision. HOLTEC personnel were convinced that precision could be achieved in combination with speed. That was the goal they pursued.
HOLTEC installed its first precision cross-cut system in West Germany in 1967. With its innovative engineering, its precision cutting established HOLTEC as a leader in package cross-cut saws.
Today, HOLTEC package saws can cut with a precision of +/- 1 mm (.040-inch) with proper use and maintenance.
HOLTEC supplies about 80 percent of the worldwide demand for package cross-cut systems, according to the company, and its systems remain leaders in cutting speed and accuracy.
HOLTEC has a fully staffed and factory-trained after-sales support team dedicated to ensuring the productivity of its customers.
Over 2,500 HOLTEC systems are operating in the continental U.S. and six provinces of Canada and over 10,000 worldwide.
L-M Equipment Co. Inc. USA
Sandy, Oregon
(503) 235-3146
L-M Equipment Co. Inc. USA offers package saws ranging from small portable units to complete cutting systems, including log merchandising saws, for the forest products industry around the world. With machines in many countries and over 5,000 log harvesting saws sold to date, L-M is a name brand in the industry. Its machinery can be found in small lumber yards and in ultra-modern, high-speed pallet manufacturing plants and sawmills. Here are a few products the company offers:
Verticut 2000: Standard machines handle 16-foot or 20-foot lumber packages. The on-board hydraulic power unit has a standard 2 hp motor (7.5 hp optional) driving a pressure compensated vane pump. The Verticut 2000 comes complete with a hydraulic cylinder and controls for power cutting.
Portable Yard Saw: Ideal for most smaller jobs, its compact size and relatively light weight make it easy to transport wherever it’s needed, and at the same time it is rugged enough to withstand the hardship of a lumber yard environment.
Log Splitter 2000: This machine allows a single operator to break down oversized logs in several variations. The saw bar is guided through the cut by the overhead support structure, allowing it to maintain a consistent cut line through any length of log. Standard saws handle up to 20-foot logs at 60 inches diameter. Optional increased log capacity is available.
E-Cut: The all new E-Cut is fully electric. It is equipped with a newly designed, top of the line performance and full automation package that is geared toward facilities looking to continue developing their in-house processing and capability to the next level. A semi-auto function for cutline positioning is built into the controls for more reliable processing of precision end trimming cycles. A lumber stabilizer and saw line deflectors are provided to enhance cutting action and reduce cleanup requirements during and after operation.
L-M Equipment Co. Ltd.
Surrey, British Columbia
(604) 576-0088
L-M Equipment Co. Ltd. has been providing a wide variety of cutting solutions for the forest products industry since 1957. It offers machines to help companies process logs, cants, boards, and packages of lumber.
Being situated in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential to design equipment that can withstand the toughest applications. L-M prides itself in manufacturing heavy-duty, quality products that have been proven to withstand the abuse expected in the lumber industry. Its slogan, ‘Built to provide service, not require it,’ resonates in the equipment the company produces.
L-M offers a wide variety of products to meet the demands of the industry, from its Portable Yard Saw with ¼-inch accuracy to its purpose-built, fully automated Verticut system that performs precision end trimming with 1/32-inch accuracy.
The L-M Portable Yard Saw comes standard with the 3-inch side shift; if you don’t line up the saw perfectly on your mark, you can lock the wheels in place and shift the base of the saw 3 inches to ensure your cut is where it should be. Twenty hp gas and 10 hp electric models are available.
The L-M ICut has a flexible design to accommodate cutting capacity from 20 to 60 feet and longer. Multiple package loading increases production and lowers idle time.
The L-M Verticut P4 (Performance, Production, Precision, Profit) can be pre-programmed and operated by a portable tablet, increasing efficiency and limiting operator errors. The operator does not have to initiate the first cut. The saw uses the L-M Fast Advance Cutting Technology to substantially reduce cutting cycle time.
L-M’s heavy duty, rigid construction ensures long life and helps maintain cutting tolerance. All package saws use .404 pitch saw chain with 5/16-inch kerf. L-M stocks all spare parts in order to minimize downtime.
Pacific Trail Manufacturing
Portland, Oregon
(503) 233-8952
Pacific Trail Manufacturing has been excelling in the design and manufacturing of a wide range of cross-cut unit saws for over 25 years. Its customers produce custom length units of lumber in a variety of markets throughout the world. From pallet manufacturers to home builders, the end user can expect customized lumber shipped directly to their job site, reducing cost and scheduling.
Pacific Trail’s extensive line of cross-cut unit saws are designed to cut to length everything from full units of lumber and plywood to paper rolls and engineered wood products. These unit saws hold cutting tolerances up to 1/32-inch throughout the lifetime of the saw.
Pacific Trail is committed to engineering to fit the needs of customers. Its focus is innovative design and continuous improvement to support saw operators and maintenance teams.
Pacific Trail cross-cut unit saw reflect the company’s motto: ‘A difference that will keep you cutting!’
Pacific Trail supports customers after the sale. Its support includes parts that can ship the same day, a dedicated saw bar repair shop, saw chain sales, grinding services, and on-site service calls.
Sering Sawmill Machinery
Battle Ground, Washington
(360) 687-2667
sales@seringsawmillmachinery.com
www.seringsawmillmachinery.com
Sering Sawmill Machinery serves the pallet and sawmill industry with a variety of products and services.
Sering Sawmill Machinery manufactures the Blue Babe line of portable and stationary package saws. The saws are manually or hydraulically actuated. They feature double-end reversible saw bars and self-contained saw chain lubrication systems and low maintenance requirements.
The Blue Babe Yard Saw features a fabricated steel frame and is powered by a 10 hp electric drive motor. It is equipped with three package alignment bumpers for short end trims and operator guards. It uses a 7-foot double-end, reversible saw board with standard .404 pitch chain. An operator’s aluminum guide bar follows the bar all the way through the cut for accuracy.
Chain Bar by Sering, a division of Sering Sawmill Machinery, manufactures and services saw bars for all major manufacturers of package saws and similar saws, including Holtec, LM Equipment, Pacific Trail, and others. For added durability, Sering saw bars get additional armor from a hard face stellite welding rod that is hand brazed one inch at a time to the chain rails.
Sering Sawmill Machinery serves customers throughout the world. Contact the company for inquiries about products or services.
