Tilt hoist system with transition assembly and corresponding methods

A tilt hoist system for breaking down a lumber stack having a plurality of tiers of lumber, the tilt hoist system comprising:

• a tilt hoist apparatus configured to tilt the lumber stack into an inclined orientation and to lift said lumber stack to successively bring a topmost tier thereof at a release location;
• an outfeed comprising a conveyor configured to receive each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus and convey the same away from the tilt hoist apparatus;
• and
• a transition assembly for guiding each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus to the outfeed, the transition assembly comprising:
• a transition track extending at a downward inclination and having a top end positioned to receive each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus, and a bottom end adjacent to the outfeed;
• one or more movable retaining arms configurable in a top end configuration wherein the retaining arms are positioned adjacent to the top end of the transition track and contact a longitudinal side edge of a front piece of lumber of the topmost tier of the lumber stack to receive and hold said topmost tier at the release location and a bottom end configuration wherein the retaining arms are positioned past the bottom end of the transition track, out of contact with the front piece of lumber upon reaching the bottom end of the track, thereby releasing the tier of lumber onto the conveyor of the outfeed;
• and
• a retaining arm actuator operatively connected to the retaining arms to move the retaining arms between the top and bottom end configurations.

A tilt hoist system for breaking down a lumber stack having a plurality of tiers of lumber, the tilt hoist system comprising:

• a tilt hoist apparatus configured to tilt the lumber stack into an inclined orientation and to lift said lumber stack to successively bring a topmost tier thereof at a release location;
• an outfeed comprising a conveyor configured to receive each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus and convey the same away from the tilt hoist apparatus;
• and
• a transition assembly for guiding each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus to the outfeed, the transition assembly comprising:
• a transition track extending at a downward inclination and having a top end positioned to receive each tier of lumber from the tilt hoist apparatus, and a bottom end adjacent to the outfeed;
• and
• a transition track actuator to raise the transition track simultaneously with the lumber stack until the release location is reached and lower the transition track once the topmost tier is located on the outfeed.