Recovery of small diameter pine sawlogs in band and circular sawmills

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to compare the efficiency of a band and circular sawmill in conversion of small diameter pine saw logs. Data was collected on 100 logs, 50 logs from each sawmill category. Sample logs were selected randomly WOODCO U LIMITED which is located along Nakawuka-Sakabusolo road in Wakiso district. For each sampled log, top diameter, bottom diameter, taper, sweep and length were evaluated. Timber recovery from such a log was then determined. The impact of log diameter, taper and sweep on timber recovery was analyzed using correlation while the difference the mean recovery of the band and circular sawmills was tested using an independent student t- test. Log diameter was positively correlated with timber recovery while log sweep and taper were negatively correlated with timber recovery. An independent student t- test showed a significant difference in the mean recovery of the band and circular sawmill. The mean recovery of the band sawmill was 33.6 per cent while the mean recovery of the circular sawmill was 27.11 percent. The study therefore showed that band sawmills are generally more efficient in converting small diameter softwoods compared to circular sawmills. It was therefore highly recommended at forest investors use band sawmills when converting small diameter logs. It was also recommended that sawmilling companies consider log diameter, taper and sweep when procuring logs for conversion into timber.