COOKS AC36 use or New woodmizer lt35

[Hayseed]

Hello I am new to the form. I have a small farm in Virginia. I have 100 acres of timber. I have helped on a old Frick circle mill most my 45 years of life. I am looking at a couple local sawmills to cut mostly for my personal use maybe sale some down the road. I have a friend willing to sale me his well maintained Cooks AC36 deisel with cat sharper. Has 700 hours, 04 model.  For about the same price that I can purchase almost  new woodmizer Lt35 with 40 hours. Any advice would be greatly appreciate.  I have some big mature timber I'd like to use for fencing, Sheds, Barn ....  Thanks Hayseed 

[Hayseed]

Sorry left out some information. Woodmizer lt35 has hydraulics and Mud Saw.

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

What kind of engine does the WM have?

If it's diesel then it's a tossup, otherwise take the cooks.

Herb

[WV Sawmiller]

   I hear very good things about the Cooks mills but I have not personally seen them in operation. I see good things about the WoodMizer LT35 hydraulic every time I fire mine up and have only good things to say about the WM team including the fact they offer a service loop every other year to help keep it in near new running condition.

   I'd suggest you observe both in operation and compare the features offered on both. Good luck. I really doubt you go wrong with either.

[Hayseed]

Lt35 has Kohler 25 gas.

[dgdrls]

The AC36 is larger and has more capacity.  
Based on the age of the Cooks I would guess its not an emission regulated diesel which
many find a plus.
IMHO go with the Cooks, larger mill, support and supplies are on par with WM.

D

[Hayseed]

I am leaning towards the Cooks. I've seen it cut very heavy built machine. I like the drag back. I work by myself a lot. I haven't watched the woodmizer cut yet but it is bright orange and they have a good reputation. 

[Greyhound]

Go with the Cooks for the diesel.

[kelLOGg]

Based on my 2002 model MP32, Cooks does make rugged machines. Still going strong.

[Southside]

Where about in Virginia are you?  One question you should compare is set up.  If you plan to move the mill much then the 35 will be more forgiving as far as where you set it up.  Both are good machines, the cooks has more hydraulic hoses and such so maintenance could be more costly depending on condition, etc.  

[PAmizerman]

I like the clamp system on my woodmizer. I use it to flip cants. Lift logs. It's serves more purposes than just a clamp. 

I do wish I had a chain turner though.
I like that all my controls and hydraulic levers are in close proximity compared to the cooks.

Like others said go run both then you will have a feel for which one you feel comfortable with.

[Hayseed]

I am just west of Roanoke.  Thanks everyone for the opinions. I am still not %100 either way.

[WV Sawmiller]

Hayseed,

   If you want to watch and run an LT35HD I am about 104 miles from Roanoke and you are welcome to to come watch and try mine out. Bring your rubber boots as it's real muddy here right now.

[Hayseed]

Hayseed,

  If you want to watch and run an LT35HD I am about 104 miles from Roanoke and you are welcome to to come watch and try mine out. Bring your rubber boots as it's real muddy here right now.

Thanks for the offer. I know all about the mud :(

[Chuck White]

The Cooks sawmills are definitely heavy duty, well made machines!

The only drawback I have against the Cooks line of sawmills is that they are so tall!

I just wouldn't want that much mill, higher than my head!

Don't know how top-heavy they are, but in general the Wood-Mizers center of gravity is quite a bit lower!

I'm a mobile sawyer and get into some tippy trails, etc. with my mill, places where the Cooks would more likely tip!

I just like the Wood-Mizer, but then I'm biased because I own one! 

[Two Trax]

I am new to milling, but on value issue, the Cooks hands down. If you are doing a lot of mobil sawing, the WM may have the edge.

[Bandmill Bandit]

The following is the link to a post I did for someone else in the same situation you find your self in at the moment.

The cooks mill is a good mill. However there are more than few things that make the woodmizer the much better choice of the 2 you have mentioned here. 

http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=98681.msg1524363#msg1524363

[Hayseed]

Thanks Y'all for the all the advice. I am still undecided. I think I'd be getting more for my money with Cook and it would be stationary. The woodmizer holds it's resale value. They both have great costumer service. 

[4x4American]

WMz has 10x better customer service hands down no comparison. 

[Bandmill Bandit]

The Cooks mill is a well built mill BUT the "heavy" has a lot more to do with the quality of steel and other products used in the building of their mill. They use good steel but mostly mild steel rather then the higher grades that Woodmizer uses.

"Heavy built" is rarely a good thing when it comes to machinery of any kind.

Quality built is 10X and more the better way to go.

Woodmizer is head and shoulders above any other band mill I have ever compared.

Wood mizer has no rival in the service and support category for sawmills. Not even a close second!    

As far as getting "more for your money", resale value is the ONLY true measure that enters the field on that count! Woodmizer is head and shoulders above ALL others.

How far away is your closest dealer?  

[redbeard]

Iam not going too compare the Apple too the orange. Who's boots are shinner!
But the two Mills your looking at are like 10 yard dump truck  too a one ton truck. how much dirt you wanna haul all day.

[Hayseed]

I agree Red Beard. 
I guess the question is do I won't a older big dump dump truck or a small new one?

[WV Sawmiller]

How far away is your closest dealer?  

For WM Jim Whitley and crew in Albermarle NC are 168 miles from Roanoke Va and Marty Parsons and team (Actual dealer for VA) are 268 miles away according to my range finder/GPS search. Both are real fine folks to deal with.

[ronwood]

If you want to be stationary and cut a lot of lumber the cook may be the better option with the diesel engine. LT35 would be easier to handle if you are mobile. I think that you would have to have a LT40 super or larger to compete in quantity sawed with the cook.   Some think that the 4 post is superior design. I not had any issue with my LT40HG25 has long has the blades are sharp and mill is maintained. Any mill out there will cut good lumber if properly taken care of

Ron

[SawyerTed]

Hydraulics speed is another factor to consider.  The WM LT35 doesn't set speed records with the hydraulics.  I do not know about the Cook's.  You should look at both.  This is an improvement I'd like to make on the LT35.  Jumping to the LT40 Super is a big jump in price for the speedier hydraulics.

I really like my LT35 but a drag back would be an asset if you work alone.  A drag back isn't an option on the LT35.  I work alone a lot. Again, the next model up is a big price leap for drag back.

You mentioned large timber.  A 32" diameter log is a big log but that's the published max log size for the LT35.  I've managed 36" diameter by doing a good bit of "whittling."  Comparing diameter capacity of the two sawmills relative to the log size you need to cut consistently will be important.

Wood Mizer is the industry leader for several reasons, one is they build a high quality product. I'm sure Cook's builds an excellent product but I have no direct experience.u

[Bandmill Bandit]

Ronwood raised a valid point about volume you want to produce in an hour on average.

I bought the LT40 hydraulic with the intent of hobby sawing for me BUT have upgraded it to be pretty much a Super to get the productivity I am satisfied with for the custom sawing that has become my lot.

IF you are going to be doing a LOT of milling by yourself the trapezoid bed and single mast head design outperform the 4 post design to the extent that the mills are not even in the same class.

I can consistently cut 300+BF per hour all alone but I have to bust my butt. You will be hard pressed with LT35 & LT40 hydraulic to do that. I don't think the Cooks will reach 300BF an hour average without a good helper.

The over all ergonomics and quality of a Woodmizer is without rival based on hands on experience of working with 5 different mills before I bought my mill AND just shy of 2000 hours sawing time on my mill with no major repairs outside of normal wear on belts, the blade guide bearings and brushes for the electric motors, and that has been minimal at the worst. 

FYI
To be in the same class as the AC 36 you would need to be comparing it to the Woodmizer LT40 Super or the LT50. This factor alone should tell you the value factor for your dollar.           

[Hayseed]

Speed is a big factor to me. I just sold my Timberking B16. Because I'd didn't have the patience for the electric head lift. 

[Southside]

If you are after speed, then look at a Super 70, but don't blink or you will miss something.   :D

[Hayseed]

 :D :D  What is your location. Southside ?

[Southside]

Dinwiddie

[Bandmill Bandit]

After thorough review of the AC36 specs on the Cooks web site, you would need to be comparing that mill with a LT50 at the very least to get an idea of comparative value.   

[Hayseed]

Thanks Bandmill Bandit. I can get the Cooks for less than the price of a new lt35. It is used but A friend of mine bought it new and it has been well kept. The down side is it is 13 years old with 700 hours. 

[tylerltr450]

I would look at features of both mills to value. A diesel motor in my mind is better than as gas one and I believe most people will agree.

WM and Cooks are both very good machines, if your not handy around equipment I would suggest get the WM since there is a lot more dealers around to help support you. If you are mechanically inclined I think the Cooks is a better option for you.

From my option the Cooks is a solid heavy built machine that is good for portable and stationary work. WM is a good light weight machine that has a great support system. I prefer the Cooks hydraulics over electric motors of WM. I also prefer the 4 post design over the cantilever design of the WM, 4 post just seems better for longevity. I also think you can get more board feet per hour out of the Cooks than a WM because you stand that the back of the machine the whole time and pull the boards back to you, unlike some WM machines. please note this is my option and I haven't run a WM machine or Cooks machine.

[Banjo picker]

Board drag back is pretty important when you work alone.  The board foot per hour depends on how nice, and how long the logs are.  My mill can cut 24' logs...but the standard for an AC36 is 21 feet, so lets say you are cutting 20 footers.  To get the 300 board feet you only need to cut 15.   Piece of cake.  Banjo 

[ladylake]

 I'd get the mill that is the most reliable, hardly ever hear of any problems with Cooks mill.  Service that isn't needed is  the best.  Steve

[Stephen1]

700 hrs is not very many hours for a sawmill. 

[Magicman]

The down side is it is 13 years old with 700 hours.

I fail to see the "down side".

[Bandmill Bandit]

The only real potential down side on a 13 year old 700 ish hour machine would be dryed out seals and some possible upper cylinder/valve train rust/corrosion. Could be a factor on the roller guides too. Neither are deal breakers for me.

And this would have more to do with how long it has been sitting since it last ran and has it been under cover out of the weather?  This would not scare me at all cause Id just pull the top end apart and make sure there are no sticking lifters/rocker arms/valves and make sure the valve seals are all good. Id probably just change those seals cause I had it open and I have to tools to do it. 

I would purge the fuel system and install new fuel filters BEFORE I started it, IF it has been sitting for more than year? Just some preventive maintenance.   

I think I'd lean to the Cooks as well over the LT 35 in this situation BUT if it was a 40 Super in the race it wouldn't even be a contest for me.    

[Southside]

I would also look closely at the setworks, assuming it has one. Check to see if the system is still supported and if not what is involved in an upgrade. Computers don't last forever, especially in a sawmill environment. 

[WV Sawmiller]

   Been watching this and interesting views. I'm impressed with the 24' cut on the Cooks mill. That would be real nice if you are cutting some long headers for barns and other outbuildings. I've cut 20+' headers on my mill and it pretty much maxed out the normal capabilities. If you plan to saw stationary the drag back might be an attractive feature in how you set up your operation. If you plan to saw mobile the WM has some advantages.

   For my mobile milling I love the cantilever design of my mill as I feel it gives me more flexibility to offbear off either side or either end. The twin rail, including WM new ones, do not jump out at me when offbearing comes to mind.

   I sawed head to head with one of WM (Hereby unnamed) major competitors who criticize the cantilever head and it was a good looking mill and sawed good lumber but we shared a loader/helper on a big tractor and the other sawyer told him to put the biggest 17' long hemlock log on my mill as his hydraulics might not handle it. My loading arms never batted an eye when I hit the lifting toggle switch.

  I think both mills you describe are first rate so just compare the features and support features and I am sure you will be happy with your choice which ever one you pick.

[Magicman]

That is a very good point concerning the computer/setworks Southside.  A call to Cooks with the sawmill Serial Number in hand would be appropriate.

[Banjo picker]

 

 

Speaking of lifting capasity.  This is Chris aka @Meadows Miller with the first tree he cut in the USA.  We got 2 24' logs out of this tree that he cut off my place.  He cut these on the Cooks into 2 x 6 boards that were used for rafters on my cousins house that they bought and remodled.  Don't rember exactly how big the tree was, but you can see by comparing it to Chris's body it was a very nice pine.  If there were any limbs up to 48' they were very small.  Point being the Cooks did not have any trouble lifting them.  I have never had a log that the mill would not lift.  I have had to use my backhoe to get them to the mill as the tractor would not move them, but if you get them on the arms, they are going on the mill.  I drilled holes in the concrete and put dowels in them to keep the mill from moving when loading big stuff.  Banjo

[Magicman]

This is Chris aka @Meadows Miller with the first tree he cut in the USA.

And then you sent him to me......  


 
And he ate all of my hamburgers.    

Pictured on the left is our late Friend and FF Member, Willie Steel. (wwsjr)  :'(

[Banjo picker]

Willie was a good guy.  He was the first forestry forum menber that I personaly talked to after I got started in this line of work.  He called me one sunday afternoon.  
 
When Chris  was here, my mom was having a bad spell and I didn't get to spend the quality time with him I would have liked.  He and I did drive down an visit with Willie one enening though.  

If Chris came back now, he would love this high speed internet I have now :laugh: :laugh:...think I had dial up back then.  Maybe he'll see this post and chime in.      :D :D :D :D  .

Lynn, you are probably the only one still on here that knows why I did that.  Banjo

[Magicman]

Oh yes Tim, I am following you.  Matter of fact, you and I had some conversations during that time.  ;D

[Hayseed]

 8) looks like I am good to be the proud owner of a new to me Cooks mill. Thanks for all the insight. Their is wealth on knowledge on the form. I am going to start a new tread on hope to get some pointers on makin the mill ean it's keep. Thanks again. 

[Banjo picker]

When you get that new to you mill home, post up some pictures.  Congragulations .... Banjo

[tylerltr450]

Congrats!

[Bandmill Bandit]

Congrats on the Mill purchase!

We obviously did not confuse you too much BUT you now have succumbed to the terminal addiction that ALL of us on this forum have.

SAWDUST.

It will ultimately be the demise of us all!

I want to be incinerated on a huge pile of cedar and pine flichs and slabs But that isnt legal I am told!  

[SawyerTed]

Good going!  If a day of productive hard work is a good thing to you, I hope you have many many good days of milling!  I'm afraid that I enjoy the hard work but the beautiful product is worth it, most days.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Congratulations on the new family member. Nurture and care for it and I am sure it will serve you well.

[scouter Joe]

Way to go . I was pulling for you to go with the Cooks . I know that's the way I would have gone . Congratulations ! scouter Joe 

[Two Trax]

Congrats! Think you made the right choice! Good luck in your new venture.

[samandothers]

Congratulations!  Let the fun begin!

[Percy]

Congrats.. Thats a pretty heavy duty unit......KUbota engine??
For Sale - 2018 Cooks Demo Hydraulic Sawmill AC3662 - YouTube

[Hayseed]

Thanks!  I can't wait to make some saw dust. It will be a few weeks before I pick it up. My buddy has a few logs he wants to saw before letting it go. It has a Volkswagen deisel on it.

[redbeard]

Hayseed  congrats on your AC 36 Cooks venture. I will be joining you on the learning curve come March

[terrifictimbersllc]

Congratulations, you definitely got yourself  something there! Looking forward to hearing about your sawing experiences and where this takes you next.🎯👍👍👍

[KenMac]

Last Friday, a couple of friends and I drove down to Cook's Saw Mfg. and checked out there operation and inspected an AC3662 along with a 14" edger. I was impressed with their equipment and plan on ordering a package deal in the next few days. I think you made the right choice.

[timbur]

Hayseed  congrats on your AC 36 Cooks venture. I will be joining you on the learning curve come March

redbeard , you have a 2019 3662 Cooks , or are getting one soon ? I have one coming in March 


Good luck Hayseed , I think you made a good choice !

[redbeard]

Timbur yes mine will be ready for pick up or delivery late February
I ordered in December too get a tier 3 Diesel

[timbur]

Timbur yes mine will be ready for pick up or delivery late February
I ordered in December too get a tier 3 Diesel

Enjoy , 
Mine is supposed to be ready mid March , I ordered it late Nov

[Meadows Miller]

G'day Everyone 

Sorry for my lack of posting the past few years life has been pretty busy after I got back to Australia i built a sawmill that was producing 12-15000 bft per day but left that to poor choise in business partner and went back to sawing with myself and my right hand man on my Lucas and Varteg mills along with buying a Norwood I setup to saw long beams all parked up there now dad still saws about 50000bft a year for his log building which keeps em running  

Then I met Skye my Wife online and decided to take another shot on a relationship which is going along amazing as shes great partner and gets excited about the same things I do and puts up with my timber babble  we have been married near on two years now shes also a sawmiller with an Lt70 and Awmv equipment .

 I also have another project that I will write it's on thread for ;)

@Banjo picker @Magicman  @Red Beard I truly enjoyed feel blessed spending the short time we did together and had an amazing time together . 
You all treated n fed me really well from the crab at  Jeff's in WA to the Pigroast and alot of beers and sawing at Jake's lol to Burgers Chicken at Linns and Tim Willy and I having pulled pork sangas on our visit with him wildly was truly a great man 

Regards Chris 

[Banjo picker]

@Meadows Miller it is good to hear from you.  Glad you found a lady that can hang with you on the sawing.  That will be a super big plus for a relationship.  

You will have to help me out with what Awmv equipment is.   say_what

Banjo

[Meadows Miller]

Gday Tim

Great to hear from and talk to you again mate she is a rare find I'll say   AWMV is the production side of Wood Mizer sawmills and stands for Another Wood Mizer Vision I have heard mate

Chris

[redbeard]

Welcome back Meadows Miller!