Brakes on sawmill

kelLOGg · August 09, 2012, 05:42:54 AM

Driving home thru town after a job in the rain I skidded twice for a few feet to stop at a red light. It made me ask if I should put brakes on the mill. My MP32 weighs (I estimate) 3000 - 3500 lbs and I tow with a Dodge RAM 1500 with ABS brakes. Tires have lots of tread. My mill is stationary most of the time so brakes would accumulate sawdust so I am concerned that electric braking effectiveness could be compromised due to all the moving parts. I'm sure the larger mills must have brakes but what about us with the single axle mills in the 3000 lb range? Do you have surge, electric or disk?
Bob

MartyParsons · August 09, 2012, 06:57:55 AM

Hello,
Early WM mills had surge brakes, when we service them for other things most are inoperative so I guess they would be high maintenance. The new mills have electric brakes and seem to work well. I would think as long as you moved the wheels or mill from time to time the sawdust would fall out of the wheel.
We traded a LT70 mill that had about 2000 hours and was stationary. It was never moved from the time I set it up. When I left the customers (down hill) and the brakes were working the sawdust was burning as it hit the road it was dark so it was getting my attention. I turned off the brakes and kept going. I pulled the wheels when back to the shop. No sawdust and it did not hurt the wiring, looked clean.

Marty

drobertson · August 09, 2012, 07:47:01 AM

Howdy, I am not sure about N.C. laws but several states start to require around the 3000lb. range. Or if the trailer weighs more than the towing vehicle empty. That said I have had mine on the Lt-40 since Dec.04'
I check mine Monthly. Nothing worse than the skid that ends up with a bump. David

Ianab · August 09, 2012, 02:12:28 PM

Most vehicles have 2 tow weight ratings. Braked and unbraked.

So for example a small SUV may be rated for 2,000 lb without brakes, but 4,000lb with brakes.

Probably depends what sort of driving you do too. A lot of highway driving eventually you are going to get into an emergency stop in heavy traffic. Having trailer brakes at that time usually reduces the pucker factor.

I think sitting around unused has the worst effect on brakes. Things seize up for sure. If you are moving the mill every week at least I would expect less problems than if it sat for 6 months, between moves.

Ian

Slabs · August 09, 2012, 11:35:58 PM

Judging by the size of your truck and the weight of your mill I believe brakes would be of great benefit. I've pulled loads with and without trailer brakes and in a tight situation the brakes are a savior. Yes, the installation might a bit steep but the liability could be enormous.

The thought of that MP-32 wrapped around a Volkswagon gives me the willies. Got a soft spot for MP-32's.

Ga Mtn Man · August 10, 2012, 09:04:36 AM

While we're on the subject, does anyone have a recommendation for an electric brake controller?

okmulch · August 10, 2012, 09:40:14 AM

Quote from: Ga_Mtn_Man on August 10, 2012, 09:04:36 AM
While we're on the subject, does anyone have a recommendation for an electric brake controller?

I use a Prodigy brake controller. Had it for over ten years. Works well. I have pulled goosenecks with 20,000 lbs on it with one ton truck. No problem stopping.

chevytaHOE5674 · August 10, 2012, 10:00:44 AM

Quote from: okmulch on August 10, 2012, 09:40:14 AM
I use a Prodigy brake controller. Had it for over ten years. Works well. I have pulled goosenecks with 20,000 lbs on it with one ton truck. No problem stopping.

Have the same and have had no troubles/complaints with it.

Chuck White · August 10, 2012, 11:29:49 AM

Quote from: MartyParsons on August 09, 2012, 06:57:55 AM
Hello,
Early WM mills had surge brakes, when we service them for other things most are inoperative so I guess they would be high maintenance. The new mills have electric brakes and seem to work well. I would think as long as you moved the wheels or mill from time to time the sawdust would fall out of the wheel.
We traded a LT70 mill that had about 2000 hours and was stationary. It was never moved from the time I set it up. When I left the customers (down hill) and the brakes were working the sawdust was burning as it hit the road it was dark so it was getting my attention. I turned off the brakes and kept going. I pulled the wheels when back to the shop. No sawdust and it did not hurt the wiring, looked clean.

Marty

My mill has Surge Brakes and they don't work.

They haven't worked since way back when I first got the mill and most likely a while before that.

I'm thinking of converting from Surge to Electric.

Has anyone done that conversion?

What would it run to get it done?

I don't know the brand right off-hand, but I do have a controller already in my truck.

Dave VH · August 10, 2012, 01:13:24 PM

I have a simple drawtight brake controller. Same as the Reese one, just cheaper and with a different sticker on it. Very user friendly and reliable. I have several different trailers with electric brakes and need to change my controller intensity frequently.
A few years ago I was towing about 10k on the highway and somewhere along the way blew a brakeline. I found out on the off ramp trying to stop from 70mph. My trailer brakes stepped up and brought me to a stop because I was able to adjust my controller on the fly. The moral to the story is learn your controller, you don't know when you're really going to need it.

kelLOGg · August 10, 2012, 04:38:21 PM

I have a Tekonsha (sp?) and I like it. I think it alone would stop my truck like Dave VH said.

shelbycharger400 · August 10, 2012, 04:44:31 PM

hey chuck
changing from surge to electric?
change the complete axle. rewire trailer with a 6 or 7 pin pigtail.
run the led taillights while your at it. surge brakes are junk, leak and most likely it is rusted up

bill m · August 10, 2012, 05:28:22 PM

Chuck White , R.H. Scales in Albany N.Y. can help you with brakes for your mill. I have dealt with them many times and they are good.

Stephen1 · August 10, 2012, 06:01:39 PM

i have 2 trailers with surge brakes. Service is the way to go. If you service everything they all work. Electric are better for sure. I would not think you would have to change the axle out to change to electric, just put on new electric drums and rewire.

bill m · August 10, 2012, 07:11:44 PM

Quote from: Stephen1 on August 10, 2012, 06:01:39 PM
I would not think you would have to change the axle out to change to electric, just put on new electric drums and rewire.

I think the drums are the same for surge or electric. You can buy the complete backing plate assembly for about $100 per wheel.

Slabs · August 10, 2012, 08:07:29 PM

I like the backing plate changeout option. Same axle, wheels and drums. It's probably the most reliable but if you're going on the cheap, at least one axle on every mobile home has brakes and they can often be had quite reasonable. Sometimes free.

kelLOGg · August 11, 2012, 06:25:48 AM

resuming with our regular programming ... ;D adding bakes to my mill is getting complicated. I have 13" wheels and a 3500 lb axle. I cannot find a drum that fits this ... at etrailer. Do I have to change axle, wheels, tires as well as buy drums?? :(

rockman · August 11, 2012, 07:36:30 AM

Bob, Might be worth calling Cooks, I'm sure they could point you in the right direction in regards to what you would have to do for brakes on your MP32.
I know when I was rebuilding my Hudson brothers trailer, I called Hudson bros. gave them the serial # and they knew excatly what I had and what parts would fit it, I really like dealing with people who know thier product and want to help you out. Often times OEM is as cheap or cheaper than aftermarket in the long run. My 2 cts.

Kevin

kelLOGg · August 11, 2012, 08:17:23 AM

I wrote Cooks several days ago but haven't heard back yet. Guess I will follow it up w/ a call.
Thanks, Kevin
Bob

rockman · August 14, 2012, 06:25:58 PM

Just curious as to what you found out about your brakes. I get my curiousity froom my Mothers side.. :D

Kevin

kelLOGg · August 16, 2012, 07:04:44 PM

I contacted Cook today. Apparantly, I am the first MP32 owner to ask about brakes. They arranged for me to order drums and brakes from their supplier (LuckyB) so I ordered them today. Two drums, left and right brake for 13" wheels, 3500 lb axle. E-trailer didn't list them so I thought they must be rare beasts - anyway Cook came thru for me.
Bob

kelLOGg · August 23, 2012, 09:39:55 PM

I got the drums and brakes and installed them Tuesday. To address my concerns about sawdust accumulating in the drums I am thinking about wrapping fabric around the gap between the backing plate and the drum. Remove it when I saw away from home which is not frequent. What do you think would be an easily wrapped material - I thought of panty hose

. I know, I can hear the jokes now. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I read on another forum of a guy who painted his trailer pink (he showed a picture) because it had been stolen before and he wanted to make it unattractive. So stranger things have been done. ;)

Bob