Device for processing round lumber sections

In a log processing mill for successively processing logs of the same fixed predetermined length and having a cutting station with guide surface cutting means for cutting exterior guide surfaces on a log as it is fed forwardly along a process centerline through the cutting station, fixed station guide means forward of the guide surface cutting means and engageable with the guide surfaces in a said log cut thereby for guiding the log along the process centerline, and entrance and exit transport mechanisms rearwardly of the cutting station and forwardly of the guide means respectively for longitudinally forwardly transporting a log of said fixed predetermined length along the process centerline from a retracted position rearwardly of the cutting station through and beyond the cutting station and guide means, the improvement wherein the entrance transport mechanism comprises at least two successive coaxial forward and rear clamp means independently operable for clamping and unclamping a log of said fixed predetermined length coaxial with the process centerline, and means for supporting said two clamp means for being independently shifted parallel to the process centerline from respective cut starting positions thereof to forward limit positions thereof rearwardly of the guide surface cutting means for feeding a said log of said fixed predetermined length clamped initially by both clamp means and then only by said rear clamp means along the process centerline and partly through the cutting station guide means and the exit transport means, wherein the guide means is spaced from the forward limit position of the forward clamp means a distance less than the distance between the cut starting position of the forward clamp means and the guide surface cutting means so that both of said clamp means are operable to feed a said log of said fixed predetermined length partly through the fixed station guide means, and wherein the exit transport means comprises fixed station transport means engageable with a processed log for guiding and transporting it along the process centerline and spaced from the forward limit position of the rear clamp means a distance less than the distance between the cut starting position of the rear clamp means and the guide surface cutting means so that the rear clamp means is operable to feed a said log of fixed predetermined length partly through the exit transport means.