When a UK timber business steps up into serious, high throughput log conversion, the machine choice is only half the project. The other half is getting it installed correctly: delivered safely, assembled square, aligned accurately, commissioned properly, and handed over with operators confident on day one.
That is exactly the kind of end to end job SAWS UK supports with the Forestor CTR 1300 H80 hydraulic log saw mill, a heavy duty machine engineered for demanding production and very large timber.
Why the CTR 1300 H80 Suits Demanding UK Sawmilling
Machines designed to handle multiple pipes efficiently rely on hydraulic bundle clamps. These clamps use hydraulic cylinders in the front and rear vices to grip bundled materials securely, keeping them stable throughout the cutting process.
The clamp also features a pad with pre drilled holes, allowing operators to attach a plate or wooden block. This makes it easy to adjust the bundle width to suit different pipe and section sizes and material configurations.
Capacity and Arrangement
At its core, the CTR 1300 H80 is designed for big lumber and hard work. The published capacity includes a maximum log diameter of 1300 mm and a maximum cant or board width of 1000 mm, putting it firmly into the “process what others cannot” category.
The machine is also built around productivity features that matter in a commercial yard:
Hydraulic log handling to reduce manual handling and speed up positioning.
Motorised feed into cut and return, plus motorised head height adjustment, to keep cycle times tight and repeatable.
A large colour touchscreen with multiple cutting modes, supporting repeatable thickness setting and reducing operator error.
A blade system specified for 6500 x 60 or 80 mm band sizes, with the option of 80 mm for greater stability and potential cutting speed.
From an infrastructure standpoint, it is very clearly an industrial installation: the base machine weight is listed at 3600 kg (plus 670 kg per 4 m extension section), and the drive package includes a 22 kW main motor (option 30 kW), with separate motors for travel, lift and hydraulic power.
Step 1: Pre Install Planning (The Part That Avoids the Headaches)
A smooth installation starts before the lorry arrives.
For a CTR 1300 H80 project, SAWS UK will typically confirm:
Site access: turning circles, ground bearing capacity, offload plan, and forklift or crane requirements.
Foundation and levelling: ensuring a stable base so the rail sections sit true.
Electrical supply: the datasheet references minimum main breaker values of 80 A for the 22 kW version and 100 A for the 30 kW version, which is a helpful early check for site readiness.
Workflow layout: infeed log deck, outfeed space, stacking, and safe exclusion zones.
This is also when options are finalised, such as extension sections (base cutting length 6.6 m, with 4 m extensions available) and productivity add ons like a debarker, laser alignment, or digital load indication.
Step 2: Delivery, Positioning and Assembly
On installation week, the priority is always safety and control:
Offload and position the base section and rail sections with a planned lift and clear communication.
Assemble and bolt down the travelling sections and bridge, then begin the levelling and straightness checks.
Install hydraulic accessories in the right places for the customer’s log lengths and handling preferences. The CTR range is described as modular, with multiple attachment points to give flexibility in where hydraulic components are mounted.
The CTR 1300 H80 base hydraulic package is specified to include items such as hydraulic clamp supports, angular supports, a log turner, taper compensation components, and hydraulic blade tensioning.
That kit is what turns “a big saw” into a production system, because it reduces repositioning time and keeps the log stable and square through the cut.
Step 3: Commissioning and Accuracy Set Up
Once assembled, SAWS UK commissioning focuses on repeatability and cut quality:
Blade installation and tension: setting the hydraulic blade tension and confirming stable tracking.
Guide and wheel checks: ensuring the blade path is consistent across the full travel.
Feed and return tuning: verifying smooth travel and controlled approach into the cut.
Cooling and cleaning: the CTR 1300 H80 description references blade scrapers and wipers and a cooling approach suited to this blade class, which are important for reliable running in resinous softwoods or dirty bark conditions.
Control system setup: configuring thickness libraries and cut modes on the touchscreen so operators can select repeatable programmes rather than relying on manual judgement.
Where customers are targeting higher output or cutting very hard species, the published options point towards the 30 kW motor and 80 mm blade combination, which can support higher cutting speed and stability when correctly matched to material and tooth form.
Step 4: Operator Training and Handover
A good installation is not finished when the machine runs it is finished when the operators are competent.
SAWS UK handover training on a CTR 1300 H80 installation typically covers:
Safe start up and shut down routines
Log loading, clamping, turning and taper compensation
Setting thickness programmes and selecting cutting modes
Recognising blade condition and maintaining cut quality
Daily checks: lubrication points, hydraulic oil level, cleanliness, and general inspection
Basic fault finding and when to call support
The goal is practical confidence: operators should be able to produce saleable timber, safely, without “guesswork”.
The Result: A UK Ready, High Capacity Milling Cell
Installed properly, the CTR 1300 H80 becomes a serious capability upgrade:
Capacity headroom for large logs up to 1.3 m diameter
Reduced manual handling through hydraulic log manipulation
More consistent output using programmed thickness control on the touchscreen
Scalable cutting length with modular section extensions
And because sawmilling profitability is won or lost on uptime, SAWS UK can support the long term side too: blade supply matched to timber mix, consumables planning, and practical service support to keep production moving.
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