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Updated July 2006

The debarker model VK450 was the first of the “new generation” VK debarker models followed by models VK600 and VK800. It quickly became the most sought-after small log debarker on the market. This proven technology still serves hundreds of small log sawmills around the world. The long-lasting popularity of the VK450 debarker is based on its reliability and ease of use, which guarantees high-quality debarking results with minimum operating cost.

VK butt reducing is carried out with a butt reducing rotor integrated in the debarker, which is always mounted in the first rotor position of the machine frame before debarking. The power transmission from the electric motor to the reducing rotor is carried out by using V-belts.

The butt reducer cuts wood crosswise towards the log’s infeed direction. For this reason, the power required is significantly greater when compared to the debarking process. Holding the log during reducing requires a lot more holding force from the feedrolls, whereas in the debarking process, the bark is only abraded away from the wood surface. The pressure level of the feedrolls is adjusted automatically to a higher level.

The reducing tools are mounted on the reducing ring, which is mounted on a rotary wheel. The log is fed through the reducing ring. The reducing tool is mounted on the side of the opening cut, removing a maximum of 10 cm from both sides (reducing a maximum total of 20 cm). The debarker continuously follows butt diameters and the program reduces the feed speed automatically with large butts, if needed.

The reducing ring opening is fixed. The operator has rings of different openings (usually three to four pieces) in use, which are used according to the log’s diameter class. The rings are locked in the “rotor pulley” with a reliable locking system. The reducing ring is unlocked and the ring is changed with a separate hydraulic change-over device delivered with the debarker, which also functions as a storage holder for the rings. Changing a reducing ring takes about five minutes.

The FibreMax is designed for easy upkeep to further enhance its reliability. The bolt-on inserts can be replaced quickly and without any special expertise. Replacing the inserts of a single roll takes not more than an hour.

A VK infeed conveyor ensures accurate centering of a log into the infeed line of the debarker, as well as good grip of the log when it enters a debarking rotor. These are the basic conditions for high quality debarking and prevention of log damage. The VK infeed conveyor centers a log both vertically and horizontally (X-Y centering). Centering is done with help of a conveyor trough and a pressure flap/roll, which is connected to it.

The importance of a centering infeed conveyor is emphasized when logs are fed at high speed. One purpose of an infeed conveyor is also to calm logs down before debarking starts.

In a modern sawmill, logs are often fed into a debarker without log gap. In these cases, the importance of an infeed conveyor is vital, in order to ensure smooth operation with no double-feeding of logs. A centering infeed conveyor also allows feeding of curved and other low-grade logs to debarking.

Valon Kone manufactures both fixed debarking rotors (rings) and sliding rings with either hydraulic or pneumatic tool arm pressure. Most of our debarking rotors are equipped with six tool arms, and most fixed-rotor debarkers feature a pull-out rotor that provides easy access for inspection and maintenance, improving serviceability and operator safety.

Since the beginning, Valon Kone has manufactured debarking rotors with hydraulic tool arm tensioning. Each tool arm is equipped with its own hydraulic cylinder and rubber spring, which together apply and maintain the required pressure. Tool arm pressure is adjusted using a separate hand pump by increasing or decreasing the spring tension. Because all hydraulic cylinders are connected to the same hydraulic circuit, pressure can be adjusted quickly and uniformly across all tool arms.

The simplicity of this hydraulic system ensures reliable operation, easy adjustment, and long service life, making it a proven solution for demanding debarking applications.

Originally developed for the North American market, Valon Kone introduced its new-generation pneumatic debarking rotor in the mid-1990s. The technology quickly proved its value, and its success led to its use across Europe and other global markets. Today, Valon Kone's Air Seal rotor technology is used in Kodiak debarkers for North America as well as in VK debarkers supplied worldwide.

The pneumatic rotor uses compressed mill air to generate tool arm pressure. The patented Air Seal system continuously supplies pressurized air from outside the rotor, allowing tool arm pressure to be adjusted automatically during the debarking process. When the rotor is empty, only enough pressure is applied to keep the tool arms in position. As a log enters the rotor, PLC-controlled valves increase the air pressure to a preselected level, providing the force required for efficient bark removal. Once the log leaves the rotor, the additional air pressure is released, and the system returns to its holding pressure, ready for the next log.

Combined with heavy-duty components and a high-capacity air flow system, Valon Kone's Air Seal rotor delivers fast response, reliable operation, and precise pressure control. The result is efficient, high-quality debarking across a wide range of operating conditions.

All debarking rotors manufactured by Valon Kone can be installed on the old debarkers as a retrofit package. For additional information about VK debarking rotors, please contact Valon Kone Sales

A majority of VK debarkers worldwide are delivered with a fixed debarking rotor. With these, log centering is usually done with a VK centering infeed conveyor. Fixed ring debarkers can have one or two debarking rotor(s). A butt reducing rotor can also be installed together with debarking, where necessary. The sliding ring debarkers are stand-alone machines with no infeed conveyor; the ring centers itself according to log diameter.

The success of the debarking process depends on achieving two key objectives: removing bark efficiently while minimizing fiber loss. High debarking quality and maximum raw material recovery are essential for optimizing production efficiency and reducing operating costs.

In sawmills, effective debarking also improves the value of wood chips produced as a by-product. Since clean wood chips are used as raw material in pulp production, minimizing bark content helps maximize their value.

Debarking performance is influenced by several factors, including the strength of the bond between the bark and the wood, bark structure, log shape and quality, and operating conditions. Debarking characteristics also vary between wood species and can differ significantly within the same species due to growing conditions. In general, frozen or dry logs are more difficult to debark because the bond between the bark and the wood is stronger.

With more than 75 years of experience, Valon Kone has developed extensive expertise in debarking wood species used across the global forest products industry. Our proven solutions are designed to deliver high-quality debarking under a wide range of operating conditions. Whatever the wood species or application, our specialists can help you select the optimal debarking solution for your production process.

So called stringy bark exists among both softwood (e.g. Spruce, Western Cedar) and hardwood (e.g. eucalyptus) trees. The common feature of species with stringy bark is that the fibers are oriented in a longitudinal direction. This means that when the bark is removed, it creates long, strong strips which easily stick – not only around log feeders and conveyors, but also around debarker knife arms. Such sticking can cause unexpected downtime in production. For decades, we have pioneered methods for debarking species with stringy bark around the world. After years of testing different kinds of cutters and knife tips, we can offer a viable solution for everything from springtime Nordic spruce to fast-growing eucalyptus.

Rotor debarking is the most widely used debarking method in the sawmill and veneer industries, including plywood and LVL production. It is the most cost-effective solution for the high production volumes typical of these operations. Compared with other debarking methods, rotor debarking minimizes fiber loss and wood damage, maximizing raw material yield while delivering consistent debarking quality. These advantages make it the preferred choice for sawmills, plywood mills, and other veneer production facilities.

In sawmills, debarkers are typically installed either at the saw line infeed or at the beginning of the log sorting line, before the logs are sorted by diameter. In the Nordic countries and North America, debarkers are most commonly located at the front of the saw line. In contrast, many sawmills in Central and Southern Europe, as well as South America, position the debarker within the log sorting line.

Positioning the debarker at the saw line infeed requires a highly reliable machine, as the performance of the entire production line depends on it. This configuration offers several advantages:

Keeping the bark on the logs until they enter the saw line also offers important benefits for log storage and handling. Bark improves grip, making logs less slippery and easier to handle in the log yard. It also protects the wood before sawing by reducing surface damage caused by loaders and slowing moisture loss during storage in warm conditions.

Positioning the debarker in the log sorting line can improve sawing accuracy by enabling log measurement after debarking. Because the logs are measured without bark, the measurement is based on the actual wood volume rather than total log volume, including bark.

The optimal location of the debarker also depends on local timber pricing practices. In many Central European markets, for example, sawmills pay only for the wood volume, excluding the bark. In these cases, debarking before the measurement used for payment ensures accurate volume determination and fair timber valuation.

Another advantage of installing the debarker in the log sorting line is increased operational flexibility. Since the debarker operates independently of the saw line, its operating hours can be adjusted to match production requirements. This helps maintain a sufficient supply of debarked logs and supports continuous, efficient sawmill operation.

We regularly supply single-rotor or tandem rotor debarkers to sawmills all over the world. See machine series VK5000, VK8000, VK9000, and Kodiak in particular.

In veneer production, protecting the surface and ends of the logs during debarking is essential. Rocks, sand, and other impurities trapped in the bark can damage peeling knives, accelerating tool wear and reducing veneer quality. By removing the bark before peeling, the knives remain in better condition, resulting in longer tool life, lower maintenance costs, consistent veneer quality, and uninterrupted production.

In plywood manufacturing, the highest-value material is found in the outer veneer layers, making it essential to preserve the log surface during debarking. Unlike sawmilling, where the outer layers are typically converted into wood chips, veneer production utilizes the log surface to produce high-quality veneer. Minimizing surface damage therefore maximizes raw material value and veneer yield.

In most veneer production processes, logs are soaked before peeling to improve veneer quality. Whenever possible, debarking should be carried out after soaking, as softened bark can be removed with lower tool pressure. This reduces the mechanical stress on the logs, feed rolls, and debarking tools while helping to preserve the log surface. Post-soaking debarking is particularly beneficial in regions where logs may freeze during winter. In addition, some wood species, such as birch, should always be soaked before debarking.

With decades of global experience, Valon Kone has extensive expertise in debarking the wood species used by the veneer and plywood industry. Our solutions have been proven in mills processing a wide variety of species around the world.

For birch processing, one of the most widely used solutions is the Valon Kone VK8032PLY debarker, specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of veneer and plywood production.

For other hardwood and softwood species, Valon Kone's single-rotor debarkers are the preferred solution. Models including the VK90, VK100, VK110, VK1092, and the VK8000 series provide efficient, high-quality debarking with minimal fiber loss across a wide range of wood species and production environments.