Lumber stacking apparatus with automated sticker feeding feature for placing stickers between board layers

摘要

A lumber stacking apparatus 10 is described for forming a stack 12 of layers 14 of boards with stickers placed transversely between the layers. The apparatus 10 has a reciprocating arm structure 50 for successively picking up layers from an elevated surface and moving the layers over to a stacking station where the layers are stripped from the arm structure 50 as the arm structure 50 is retracted. The arm structure 50 has lifting arms 56 with open channels 64 formed therein to receive the stickers 16. A sticker distribution conveyor 160 extends along the rear of the apparatus to distribute stickers to spaced sticker stations 164 corresponding to the lifting arms 56. A sticker transfer conveyor 170 has a sticker removal subassembly 172 for engaging rear ends of the stickers at the sticker stations 164 and pushing the stickers lengthwise toward the open arm channels 64. The sticker transfer conveyor 170 has a sticker feeding subassembly 174 for engaging the forward end of the stickers and moving the stickers toward the channels 64 at a speed slower than the average reciprocating speed of the arm structure.