By Stacker Type
Dimensional and Random Width Solid Pack Stackers
Tight, uniform packages. GBI solid-pack stackers handle both dimensional softwood lumber and random-length or random-width hardwood — building shipment-ready packages at the throughput rates planer mills and treating plants require.
Typical System Life
Mill Installations
Scheduled PM Required
Overview
Precision Packaging for Planer Mills and Treating Plants
At the end of the lumber value chain — whether exiting a planer mill or a treating cylinder — the stacker's job is to build tight, dimensionally consistent packages that survive strapping, wrapping, handling, and transport to the end customer. Speed, package quality, and uptime are what matter on the dry end.
GBI solid-pack stackers apply the same hydraulic ruggedness and Fastack frame design proven across 100+ installations to the dry-end job — a mechanically simpler, smaller-footprint machine optimized for solid-course output at the throughput rates production planer mills and treating plants demand.
In Operation
GBI Solid Pack Stacker in Production
A GBI solid-pack stacker at Hoover Treated Wood Products, Texas. Watch courses accumulate and lower — tight, square packages built automatically at production throughput.
Package Types
Dimensional and Random Width — Both Handled
Dimensional Softwood Lumber
2×4, 2×6, 2×8, and larger nominal dimensions in standard lengths. Typical output of softwood planer mills and post-treatment lines at treating plants. GBI stackers build even, square packages — board-count and layer-height controlled from the HMI.
Applies to: softwood planer mills, treating plants processing dimensional lumber.
Dry-End Planer Mill Application →Random-Length and Random-Width Lumber
Hardwood planer mills typically produce boards of varying width and sometimes varying length. GBI solid-pack stackers are configurable for this variability — accumulating random-width courses into even packages without requiring uniform board dimensions.
Applies to: hardwood planer mills, mixed-species operations, treating plants with random-length inventory.
Dry-End Planer Mill Application →Machine Characteristics
Built for the Dry End
Streamlined Architecture
Fewer moving parts than a stick-placing configuration means a simpler mechanical envelope, faster cycle times, and fewer wear items to manage — lower TCO across the life of the system.
Tight Course Alignment
Every board in the same horizontal plane, end-aligned. GBI's course control systems maintain dimensional consistency across the full package — what goes to the strapper is square.
Hydraulic Drive Architecture
The same shock-tolerant, cold-weather-capable hydraulic drive that gives GBI green-end machines 25-year service lives. No annual service contract, no scheduled PM program.
Configurable for Mixed Output
Package dimensions, board counts, and layer heights are set on the HMI and changeable between runs — supporting multiple product specs on the same machine without mechanical adjustment.
Strapper and Wrapper Integration
Outfeed transfer is engineered to connect directly to your strapper and wrapper line. GBI designs the full downstream handoff as part of the stacker installation.
Third Generation Controls Available
Modern Rockwell ControlLogix L8 controls, FactoryTalk Optix HMI, and remote diagnostics are available on new solid-pack machines. Existing GBI stackers can be retrofitted via the Controls, Sensors & Monitoring Upgrade.
Specifications
General Capability Reference
Specifications vary by mill configuration. Contact GBI for application-specific sizing.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Package Types | Dimensional softwood; random-length; random-width hardwood |
| Drive | Hydraulic — shock-tolerant, cold-weather capable |
| Frame Design | Fastack — minimized motion architecture |
| Lumber Lengths | Typically 6 to 20 feet; longer on request |
| Package Widths | Typically up to 48 inches; wider on request |
| Handedness | Configured left- or right-hand to mill layout |
| Typical System Life | 25 years |
| Controls | Third Generation — Rockwell ControlLogix L8 + FactoryTalk Optix HMI (standard on new machines) |
Related Applications
Where Solid-Pack Stackers Fit
Dry-End Planer Mills
Post-kiln planer mill operations — the primary home of the solid-pack stacker.
Planer Mill Stackers →Treatment Plants
Post-treatment re-stacking of lumber and plywood in solid packages after the treating cylinder.
Treatment Plant Stackers →Hybrid Lumber and Plywood
Treatment plants handling both lumber and plywood on one stacker line.
Hybrid Stacker →Configure Your Solid-Pack Stacker
Package dimensions, lumber species, throughput rate, and downstream handling — GBI engineers the right system for your planer mill or treating plant.
Get a Quote Planer Mill Application