Kykenkee Inc. in Vance, AL modernized their log yard by replacing an aging 1980s manual stop-and-chop bucking system with a FiberPro Gen 7 Sliding Infinite Trim (5) Saw Log Trimmer System. Equipped with 3D lineal scanning, the new system maximizes value recovery through optimized, accurate trimming lengths — while delivering measurable throughput gains to match the mill's broader investment in modern lumber technology.

KyKenKee's mill had made significant investments in their lumber operation and needed their log merchandising system to keep pace. As the focus shifted to lumber technology as the primary driver, the front end of the operation became a bottleneck — the aging stop-and-chop line simply could not feed the modern mill at the volumes required to remain competitive.

The installation presented a further constraint: the new merchandising system had to be built while the mill remained in production. Working closely with the mill team, the mill team engineered an offline installation plan that kept revenue flowing throughout the project.

Mill management pushed further — they wanted to achieve minimum stem gap to the primary without increasing processing speeds, in order to maximize productivity while limiting wear on equipment. That goal demanded purpose-built feeding solutions, not off-the-shelf compromises.

We replaced the stop-and-chop system with a Gen 7 Sliding Infinite Trim (5) Saw Log Trimmer — a traveling saw carriage design with infinite trimming capacity that fully leverages 3D lineal scanning for precise value recovery. The compact footprint allowed offline installation with no mill downtime, and the step-change in recovery and throughput over the previous system was immediate.

To solve the stem-gapping challenge, we supplied a screw primary log feeder. The screw feeder delivers precise, controlled gap to the primary — allowing the mill to push production limits safely while reducing wear on primary turning rolls and drive systems.

A complementary solution from another OEM addressed stem gapping between the ring debarker and the merchandising system, completing the throughput picture. The combination of accurate bucking, 3D optimization, engineered gap control, and single-operator control gave KyKenKee a compelling ROI on the full project.