Control system for veneer slicer

In a reciprocating veneer slicer comprising a flitch table providing a mounting surface, means for securing a flitch to the mounting surface, a knife and pressure bar assembly movable along a path toward and away from the mounting surface, the flitch table being reciprocable between first and second opposite positions transversely relative to the path of the knife and pressure bar assembly in a cutting and return stroke, the improvement comprising a linear hydraulic actuator for advancing the knife and pressure bar assembly toward the mounting surface prior to the cutting stroke to provide a uniform depth of cut and for retracting the knife and pressure bar assembly away from the mounting surface after the cutting stroke and prior to the return stroke, the linear hydraulic actuator advancing and retracting the knife and pressure bar assembly in indexes, an index comprising one or more steps of uniform incremental distance, advance indexes after an initial index consisting of an equal number of steps, retract indexes prior to a final retract index consisting of an equal number of steps, the depth of cut determined by the difference the number of steps in the advance and retract indexes.