Use of a buffer level sorter always makes sense where timber should be sorted with as much care as possible, but the sorter should not require excessive space. Nevertheless, the space required by a buffer level sorter is greater than that for a box sorter, as an emptying section must be provided after each level. As the timbers in the levels lie loosely on top of each other and need to be separated prior to filling and after emptying, this sorter is only conditionally suitable for planed workpieces.

A film layer sorter takes up a lot of space, as the levels are arranged one above the other. However, it is ideal for careful sorting of classified planed timbers, as each board film lies individually in the levels and need not be separated again after emptying. This enables subsequent stacking of the layers and a maximum stacking capacity.