Economic Implications of Chipping Headrigs for Milling Southern Pine

To analyze the effect of the installation of chipping headrigs on sawmill operating methods and net revenue, a sawmill was synthesized by modifying a conventional mill using data from operations of chipping headrigs at several cooperating mills. Results indicate that in situations where small logs predominate today, a sawmill built around a chipping head rig and without a conventional side would be most advantageous. Such a mill could process only small logs but at high speed, using little labor, and at relatively low cost. Logs unsuitable for the operation could be traded, sold, or chipped. Furthermore, such a mill could concentrate on one or a few sizes of dimension lumber. Output could be limited, for example, to 2 by 4s and 2 by 6s. Although less than maximum lumber yield would be obtained from each log, exceedingly high rates of production could be achieved, together with economies in drying, finishing, and marketing.

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