Automated lumber retrieval and delivery

A lumber handling system having selectively a first configuration, a second configuration, a third configuration and a fourth configuration, the lumber handling system comprising:

• a track extending in a lengthwise direction;
• a board having an elongate length, the board having a width that is less than the elongate length, and the board having a thickness that is less than the width, wherein the elongate length and the width define an upward facing surface of the board, the board being selectively in a stored position, a suspended position and a delivered position, the board being higher in the suspended position than in the stored position, the delivered position being spaced apart from the stored position with respect to the lengthwise direction;
• a track follower coupled to the track, the track follower being movable in the lengthwise direction along the track between a retrieval position and a delivery position;
• a lumber support with a board-supporting surface engaging the board when the board is in the stored position, the board being spaced apart from the board-supporting surface when the board is in the suspended position;
• a piercing tool coupled to the track follower and being movable therewith along the lengthwise direction, the piercing tool comprising a lower tip, the piercing tool having selectively a release position and a penetrated position relative to the upward facing surface of the board;
• the lower tip of the piercing tool being appreciably above the upper facing surface and spaced apart from the board when the piercing tool is in the release position;
• the lower tip of the piercing tool being appreciably below the upper facing surface and penetrating the upper facing surface of the board when the piercing tool is in the penetrated position;
• in the first configuration, the track follower is in the retrieval position, the piercing tool is in the release position, and the board is in the stored position;
• in the second configuration, the track follower is in the retrieval position, the piercing tool is in the penetrated position, and the board is in the stored position;
• in the third configuration, the track follower is in the retrieval position, the piercing tool is in the penetrated position, and the board is in the suspended position;
• and
• in the fourth configuration, the track follower is in the delivery position, the piercing tool is in the release position, and the board is in the delivered position.