By Application
Stackers for the Dry End of the Planer Mill
Lumber arriving at the planer mill is already dried and surfaced. There are no stickers to place — the job is to build tight, uniform solid packages ready for strapping, wrapping, and shipment. GBI solid-pack stackers handle both dimensional and random-length lumber, at the throughput rates planer mills require.
The Dry-End Job
No Stickers. Tight Packages. High Throughput.
The planer mill is downstream of the kiln. Lumber has been dried, surfaced, and graded. The stacker's job here is simpler in one respect — no sticker placement — but demanding in another: the machine must build dimensionally precise, tight packages at the full throughput rate of the planer line. Loose, uneven, or misaligned packages cause problems at the strapper, the wrapper, and at the lumber yard.
GBI solid-pack stackers are engineered for this job. The same hydraulic ruggedness and Fastack frame design that makes GBI's green-end machines outlast the competition applies equally to the dry end — with configuration changes that optimize for solid-pack output rather than sticker placement.
Package Types
Dimensional and Random-Length — GBI Handles Both
Dimensional Lumber Packages
Uniform-width softwood dimensional lumber (2×4, 2×6, 2×8, etc.) is the primary output of most softwood planer mills. GBI solid-pack stackers build tight, even courses — every board the same width, stacked square, ready for the strapper.
Package dimensions are set on the HMI. The stacker controls course count and layer height automatically.
Random-Length & Random-Width Packages
Hardwood planer mills typically produce random-width and often random-length boards. GBI stackers are configurable to handle this variability — building even packages from material that isn't dimensionally uniform.
This is the same lumber handling flexibility GBI brings to the green end of hardwood mills, applied to the dry-end packaging stage.
Dry-End Mill Workflow
Where the Stacker Fits
Kiln Output
Dried lumber packages arrive from the kiln. Stickers are removed (desticked) before the lumber enters the planer line.
Planer & Grader
Lumber is surfaced, shaped, and graded. Defective boards are culled. Output is sorted by grade and length.
Infeed Transfer
Graded lumber is transferred to the stacker infeed — either directly or via an intermediate sort deck.
Solid-Pack Stacker
The GBI stacker builds tight solid packages — no stickers — ready for strapping, wrapping, and outbound shipment.
Machine Characteristics
What Makes a Dry-End Stacker Different
No Stick Magazine or Distribution Chain
Dry-end stackers omit the sticker handling systems entirely. The mechanical envelope is simpler, the cycle is faster, and there are fewer components to maintain.
Tight Course Alignment
Solid-pack output demands precise board positioning — every board in the same horizontal plane, end-aligned. GBI's course control systems hold dimensional consistency across the full package.
Same Hydraulic Ruggedness
The hydraulic drive architecture that gives GBI green-end machines their 25-year service life applies equally at the dry end — no annual service contract, no scheduled PM program.
Configurable for Strapper & Wrapper Integration
Outfeed transfer is engineered to connect directly to your strapper and wrapper — the full downstream packaging sequence runs as a single coordinated line.
Supporting Equipment
Complete the Dry-End System
Breakdown Hoists
Tilt hoists destick and break down kiln packages at the infeed — separating stickered packages into individual board courses before they enter the planer or stacker infeed.
Breakdown Hoists →Infeed & Outfeed Transfer
GBI engineers the full transfer system connecting the planer outfeed to the stacker and from the stacker to your strapper, wrapper, and load-out.
Infeed & Outfeed Transfer →Controls, Sensors & Monitoring Upgrade
If you have an existing GBI stacker at the dry end, the Third Generation controls retrofit brings modern sensing, crash prevention, and remote diagnostics to your current machine.
Controls Upgrade →Tell Us About Your Planer Mill
Species, package dimensions, throughput rate, and downstream handling — GBI engineers the right solid-pack stacker for your dry-end operation.
Get a Quote Solid-Pack Stacker Details