Impact of log small-end diameter on the cost of sawn timber: Case study of a small bandmill

Authors: R.K. Grant
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1977, Issue N.Z.J.For. 22(2) 1977, pp 263-273, Aug 1977
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: A case study of a small bandmill showed that increasing log small-end diameter from 250 mm to 800 mm caused a 14 to 18% reduction in the mean cost of sawn-timber production. Nearly all of this reduction was due to the effect of log small-end diameter on conversion rather than on the rate of production.
However, log small-end diameter was found to be a poor indicator of the cost of the sawn timber produced from a log; 82% of the variation in percentage conversion and over 99% of the variation in the cost of the sawing process were due to factors other than log small-end diameter.

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