APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING OF LOGS

摘要

An apparatus and method for aligning objects, particularly logs, into a loading region are provided. The apparatus comprises a stationary first side wall and a second side wall having a section that is movable with respect to the first wall. A lower floor section is provided between the two side walls. The side walls and the lower floor co-operate to define a loading region having an inlet and an outlet. The loading region is expandable from an initial minimum width sufficiently narrow to prevent misalignment of logs introduced through the inlet to a maximum width. Movement of the second movable side wall expands the loading region to create a gap between one side wall and aligned logs arranged against the other side wall. The gap is sufficiently narrow to prevent misalignment of logs introduced into the gap to ensure an aligned and ordered stack of logs within the loading region.