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Benshaw soft starters are designed from the ground up to perform dependably … even in the harshest industrial environments. We offer best-in-class solutions for continuous duty applications, hazardous locations/conditions, corrosive environments and high vibration operations.
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Applied Motor Controls for

Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber

Driving Efficiency in Wood Processing

In the wood and lumber industry, reliable motor-driven machinery is essential for productivity and precision. AC induction motors power saws, planers, conveyors, chippers, and dryers, ensuring smooth and efficient processing from raw timber to finished products. Our expertise in motor control and automation helps sawmills and wood processing plants optimize performance, reduce downtime, and achieve consistent quality in every operation.

Sawmilling

Applications

Select a machine to learn more
Saws
Blower/Fans
Chippers
Debarkers
Edgers
Planers
Shredders

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various sawing processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Band Saws
  • Circular Saws
  • Gang Rip Saws
  • Edger Saws
  • Trim Saws
  • Resaw Saws

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

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Contact Our Team
Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Saws

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve airflow processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, no matter the blower or fan type, including:

  • Centrifugal Fans
  • Axial Fans
  • Dust Collection Fans
  • Chip Conveying Fans
  • High-Pressure Blowers

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs

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Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Fans

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various chipping processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Drum Chippers
  • Disc Chippers
  • Horizontal Feed Chippers
  • Whole-Log Chippers
  • Waste Wood Chippers

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs

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Contact Our Team
Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Chippers

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various debarking processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Ring Debarkers
  • Rotor Debarkers
  • Drum Debarkers
  • Cambio Debarkers
  • Rosser Head Debarkers

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

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Contact Our Team
Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Debarkers

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various edging processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Single Blade Edgers
  • Double Arbor Edgers
  • Gang Edgers
  • Optimizing Edgers
  • Curve-Sawing Edgers

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

View Applications Infographic
Contact Our Team
Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Edgers

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various planing processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Single-Surface Planers
  • Double-Surface Planers
  • Four-Side Planers
  • High-Speed Planers
  • Moulder Planers

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

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Planers

Soft Starter and VFD controllers can improve the various shredding processes within the sawmilling, wood and lumber industry, including:

  • Horizontal Shredders
  • Vertical Shredders
  • Hammermill Shredders

If you're looking for the right setup for your site, get in touch with our team, and we'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

View Applications Infographic
Contact Our Team
Benshaw Sawmilling, Wood & Lumber - Shredders

Packaged just how you need it

LV and MV Motor control products engineered to suit your environment.

e-house installation
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Chassis Products
Chassis Products
  • Starters
  • Variable Frequency Drives
  • Contactors & Circuit Breakers
  • Overloads & Motor Protection Devices
1756226166886
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Enclosed Systems
Enclosed Systems
  • Standalone
  • Motor Control Line Ups
  • Arc Fault Panels
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Outdoor Ready
Outdoor Ready
  • Weather protected
  • Skids
  • Containerized

Case Studies

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment in sawmilling and wood processing benefits from VFDs and soft starters?

VFDs and soft starters are commonly applied to saws, conveyors, chippers, planers, kilns, fans, and pumps. They provide precise motor control, improve energy efficiency, and reduce mechanical wear on critical machinery.
How do soft starters improve sawmilling operations?

Soft starters provide gentle acceleration of motors, reducing mechanical stress on saw blades, conveyors, and chippers. This lowers maintenance costs, prevents downtime, and extends equipment life.
Can VFDs save energy in sawmills and lumber processing plants?

Yes. VFDs adjust motor speed to match process demand, reducing energy consumption on conveyors, fans, pumps, and planers, which lowers operational costs and improves overall efficiency.
How do VFDs improve process control in wood processing?

VFDs enable precise speed adjustments on conveyors, fans, and planers, ensuring consistent material flow, accurate cutting speeds, and optimized kiln and drying operations.
Can soft starters reduce maintenance and protect equipment? Yes. By minimizing mechanical shock during startup, soft starters reduce wear on saw blades, bearings, shafts, and belts, extending machinery life and preventing unplanned downtime.
How do VFDs and soft starters support long-term reliability in sawmilling?

By reducing mechanical stress, enabling smooth motor operation, and optimizing energy use, VFDs and soft starters extend equipment life, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall plant productivity.

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