After the bark is removed, the timbers will then be carried on the conveyor to be bucked. This part of the process involves the timber being cut into specific lengths to be used as lumber. This cutting will be done with the use of a large circular saw. The type of bucking system will be dependent on the nature of a mill’s customer base and the type of lumber that it produces. A mill that puts out multiple lengths of wood for niche clients may have an electronic bucking system that allows them to cut the timber to whatever dimensions the clients require.
On the other hand, a mill that specializes in production of studs for construction purposes may have a simpler system that only cuts wood to one or two lengths. The final sizes will also differ according the type of timber depending on whether it is hardwood or softwood type. The type of saw used to buck logs is called a bucksaw or bucking saw, and the operator is called a buck sawyer or bucker. It should be noted that there are regional differences in how and when timbers are debarked and bucked. In some places, timbers are bucked with the bark on while still at the landing, in others they are debarked just prior to bucking. Keeping the bark on is known to help preserve the wood for longer.
