Sawmill and Support Equipment Layout Question

[Mossy Chariot]

I have reviewed many sawmill layout posts and learned a lot from you guys.  With that said, I have a somewhat unique situation on which I would like your thoughts and opinions.

I live in the hills of East Tennessee, more specifically on a ridge top.  As such, I have very little flat area on which to work.  I recently had a space dozed on which to put my sawmill and all other support equipment as well as for storing logs and stacking lumber.


 

You will note, from the picture, I had to terrace the space.  Each terrace is approximately 65' deep by 70' of long with a road between the terraces on each end.  The height of the terrace is about 5' to 5 1/2'.  My current plan is to build a 40' deep by 60' or 70' long pole barn on the upper level right at the edge of the terrace with a 20' lean-to extending over the lower terrace.

My question - What suggestions do you have to best utilize the elevation difference between the level areas to benefit sawmill process flow?  

I have a lot (log storage, lumber storage for air drying, a DH kiln, and sawmill) to put in a pretty small space.  I should also indicate, my overall operation will be generally a one man operation, not intended to be large enough to make a living but large enough to pay for sawmill support and other toys.

I look forward to your input and thank you in advance!!!

[Ron Wenrich]

I have seen where some have used the difference as a log infeed for the mill.  It eliminates the need for lifting logs onto the mill.  

[SawyerTed]

I have a similar situation.  When my mill is under the sawmill shed, it sits on a hump.  I have several sets of 8' and 10' roller conveyors.  My slabs are now coming off the tail end of the mill and going out the end of the shed (down hill) on the rollers.  My lumber goes on conveyors off the operator side of the mill (parallel with the mill).  Lumber is either stacked and stickered on 6"x6" dunnage for banding or lumber is stacked and stickered on customer trailers off the conveyors.

The elevation difference is about 40" off the end of the mill where the slabs go.  The elevation difference off the side is 10"-12" where the lumber goes. 

Right now my challenge is log loading.  I have a plan for a trailer type log deck because it is uphill to the mill from the log yard.

[PAmizerman]

Have you watched any of @Percy Videos or looked at his set up? He has his mill elevated 

Sawmill Contraptions - YouTube 

[Andries]

Mossy; when the logs arrive, they're on a trailer, truck, whatever.
If your layout has the logs unload at the highest point, then after that it's all downhill.
Let gravity be your friend.
It never shows up late and hungover, and it's always on duty.
As PAmizerguy and Percy have shown, a one-man operation can have a lot of "help" without a salary/budget problem.
Maybe Percy will offer up some:"if I was gonna do it over again . .. " hints.

[Sixacresand]

I like that setup @PAmizerman 

[twobears]

yep I agree you need it setup like percy.

[PAmizerman]

@Sixacresand me too. Percy has a pretty sweet setup.

[YellowHammer]

I'm not sure how you plan to unload log trailers, but having a side elevation that is level to the deck of the semi trailer is a great bonus, basically like a loading dock except even with the side of the trailer, not the back.  It keeps you from having to lift heavy logs over tall backstops and really increases the kinds of equipment you can use to unload full size log trailers.  

[moodnacreek]

If you run a machine with forks to handle logs the log deck and head saw [sawmill] go as high as possible because non of that work is done by hand. After that output goes left or right or straight and down hill to lumber yard.

[Mossy Chariot]

Sorry it took me so long to respond!  Some really great ideas.  

Ron, Andries, and moodnacreek - I will definitely have the mill on the upper level as I actually have a great view from there when the leaves are off the trees.  There is plenty of room to maneuver logs to a log deck with the mill near the terrace to utilize the drop off.

SawyerTed - Thank you for the explanation of process flow.  Definitely food for thought in my situation.

PAmizerman, Thank you for sharing Percy videos.  I've watched @Percy videos several times now and really like his operation.  Also like his overall shed layout.  Wondering the span and size of his roof rafters.  I like the clear open space on the lower level.

YellowHammer - Great point on unloading logs.  I should have enough room on the end of the terrace, which has a gradual increase/decrease in elevation, to back a trailer along the terrace. The varying terrace elevation will allow for unloading logs from trailers of various heights by adjusting the position of the trailer along the terrace.

Keep you ideas coming!  I'm hoping to develop a general plan soon and start designing the shed(s).
Thanks Guys!!!