Technology Description
Lumber production from coconut trunk has been commercialized in the Philippines since early 1970's. Cocolumber is used for low-cost construction, furniture/handicraft, pallets, etc.
FPRDI studies show that coconut logs can be processed into lumber with different sawmilling equipment. One of the most efficient processing technique is the chainsaw-table saw lumbering system.
Round coconut trunks are sawn into halves or smaller dimensions as in flitches using a 10HP chainsaw at the cutting site. The flitches are transported to the lumber yard for resawing into desired dimension using a table saw.
The table saw may be stationary or mobile-type with 20 HP diesel engine. The sawblade is circular and the diameter is 510 millimetres.
The chainsaw-table saw lumbering system is designed for rural application. It involves relatively unskilled labour and the processing system may not be capital intensive. The lumber production per 8-hour operation is around 1,500 bd. R. The manufacturing cost is P5 38 per bd. ft. (Table A3.1).
Coconut lumber has a service life ranging from 4 (soft portion) to 18 months (hard portion) when used in contact with the ground. Coconut wood is susceptible to decay-causing organisms such as fungus, termites and powder-post beetles.
Treatment of cocolumber by soaking for 3-6 days in 6% copper-chrome-arsenate (CCA) preservative provides adequate protection from fungal and insect attack. This treatment could extend the service life of coconut lumber by ten times, thus, reducing maintenance cost for the end-users.
The cost of chemical and labour in the preservative treatment of cocolumber is P2.00 per bd. ft.
Target Beneficiaries
Entrepreneurs, cocolumber processors/traders.
Status Of Technology
Commercialized since 1988.
Users Of The Technology
The chainsaw-table saw lumbering system was piloted in Southern Leyte in 1988. Lumber produced were used for school building construction. A similar test was conducted in San Pablo City in collaboration with Mr. Roman de Castro, a chainsaw processor/producer of cocolumber.
The coconut log sawmilling technology was adopted in 1989 by the Quezon Cocolumber Co. in Lucena City; Daraga Agri-business Venture, Inc., Daraga, Albay, Rances Construction Enterprise" Bagacay, Tinambac, Camarines Sur; and the MCB Construction and General Services in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The technology was also delivered in 1990 to the Guinan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI), Guinan, Western Samar and Leyte-Samar Rural Workers Association, Inc. (LABRADOR), Marasbaras, Tacloban City. However, these organizations were unable to commercially apply the technology for reasons beyond the control of FPRDI.
To date, the sawmilling technology is being utilized by some hardware business entrepreneurs in Los Banos, Bay, Sta. Rosa, San Pablo City and Lucena City in Laguna province. The cocolumber processors in these areas usually buy coco-flitches for resawing to required sizes in a stationary and electric powered table saw.
The cocolumber preservative treatment technology was adopted in 1988 by the Maquiling Cocolumber and Trading in Los Banos, Laguna. The MCT has its own treating facility which was constructed with the technical assistance of FPRDI.
Sources FAO Report, Assessed on 21 February 2016
Lumber production from coconut trunk has been commercialized in the Philippines since early 1970's. Cocolumber is used for low-cost construction, furniture/handicraft, pallets, etc.
FPRDI studies show that coconut logs can be processed into lumber with different sawmilling equipment. One of the most efficient processing technique is the chainsaw-table saw lumbering system.
Round coconut trunks are sawn into halves or smaller dimensions as in flitches using a 10HP chainsaw at the cutting site. The flitches are transported to the lumber yard for resawing into desired dimension using a table saw.
The table saw may be stationary or mobile-type with 20 HP diesel engine. The sawblade is circular and the diameter is 510 millimetres.
The chainsaw-table saw lumbering system is designed for rural application. It involves relatively unskilled labour and the processing system may not be capital intensive. The lumber production per 8-hour operation is around 1,500 bd. R. The manufacturing cost is P5 38 per bd. ft. (Table A3.1).
Coconut lumber has a service life ranging from 4 (soft portion) to 18 months (hard portion) when used in contact with the ground. Coconut wood is susceptible to decay-causing organisms such as fungus, termites and powder-post beetles.
Treatment of cocolumber by soaking for 3-6 days in 6% copper-chrome-arsenate (CCA) preservative provides adequate protection from fungal and insect attack. This treatment could extend the service life of coconut lumber by ten times, thus, reducing maintenance cost for the end-users.
The cost of chemical and labour in the preservative treatment of cocolumber is P2.00 per bd. ft.
Outstanding Features Of The Technology
· Chainsaw-table saw lumbering system requires lower investment cost and relatively unskilled labour compared to traditional sawmilling system.· The system entails higher lumber yield/quality and lower processing cost compared to pure chain-sawing operation, the table saw provides an efficient system for resawing the flitches into smaller lumber sizes.
· Preservative treatment improves the durability and prolongs the service life of the cocolumber.
· Production and utilization of cocolumber broadens the raw material base of the wood industry and reduces the pressure on the exploitation of timber from the forest.
· Cocolumber is 3 to 4 items cheaper than traditional lumber.
Entrepreneurs, cocolumber processors/traders.
Status Of Technology
Commercialized since 1988.
Users Of The Technology
The chainsaw-table saw lumbering system was piloted in Southern Leyte in 1988. Lumber produced were used for school building construction. A similar test was conducted in San Pablo City in collaboration with Mr. Roman de Castro, a chainsaw processor/producer of cocolumber.
The coconut log sawmilling technology was adopted in 1989 by the Quezon Cocolumber Co. in Lucena City; Daraga Agri-business Venture, Inc., Daraga, Albay, Rances Construction Enterprise" Bagacay, Tinambac, Camarines Sur; and the MCB Construction and General Services in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The technology was also delivered in 1990 to the Guinan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI), Guinan, Western Samar and Leyte-Samar Rural Workers Association, Inc. (LABRADOR), Marasbaras, Tacloban City. However, these organizations were unable to commercially apply the technology for reasons beyond the control of FPRDI.
To date, the sawmilling technology is being utilized by some hardware business entrepreneurs in Los Banos, Bay, Sta. Rosa, San Pablo City and Lucena City in Laguna province. The cocolumber processors in these areas usually buy coco-flitches for resawing to required sizes in a stationary and electric powered table saw.
The cocolumber preservative treatment technology was adopted in 1988 by the Maquiling Cocolumber and Trading in Los Banos, Laguna. The MCT has its own treating facility which was constructed with the technical assistance of FPRDI.
Sources FAO Report, Assessed on 21 February 2016
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