A new tool for improving the drying of hardwood lumber

Within the framework of the IMPROVE System Lumber Drying Program, a new tool has been developed in the form of a guidebook and checklist. This publication helps meet the objective of the Lumber Drying Program to provide easy-to-use methods and techniques that kiln operators can use routinely in the course of normal work around the kilns to improve lumber drying quality operations and to identify sources of drying loss. The checklist section of this manual allows you to systematically evaluate the many factors that affect drying quality. Each item in the checklist has a rating key based on a scale from 4 (high) to 1 (low). Each level of rating is described in the guidebook, and an explanation of why certain techniques are desirable or undesirable is offered. Explanations are supported by drawings where needed. The ratings are a goal to aim for?a low rating of 1 indicates a strong need for improvement. In a well operated kiln, most ratings will be 4 or 3. It is suggested that periodic evaluations be made to access progress in improvement of the drying operation.

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