Cooks HD3238?

redprospector · February 09, 2015, 04:24:03 PM

Anybody running a Cooks HD3238 mill?
Experience?
Opinions?

redprospector · February 10, 2015, 01:58:37 PM

Do they really exist? :D

york · February 10, 2015, 02:03:59 PM

Hi,there are several FF members that have this fine mill,hang in there,they must be really busy.....

beenthere · February 10, 2015, 02:35:13 PM

red
Do you have one?

redprospector · February 10, 2015, 06:06:49 PM

Quote from: beenthere on February 10, 2015, 02:35:13 PM
red
Do you have one?

No, I'm weighing options. Thinking about upgrading from my old home made mill.
A lot of people talk about Wood-Mizer, and Timberking (I'm looking at them too), but I haven't heard much about Cooks (particularly this model), and wanted to hear some "real world" experience.

SPD748 · February 10, 2015, 06:44:20 PM

I drove down to Cook's several years ago and had a look at their mills. All were very well built with plenty of features. One thing I found odd was the direct hydraulic controls on mill bed functions and electric solenoid over hydraulic controls on the mill head functions. Basically, the log loading, turning and clamping are all direct hydraulic while the actual sawing of the log was a hand held box full of switches. Now, I'm not saying one system works better than another however I personally would ~~like~~ love their mills if they were all straight hydraulic valve controls instead of the electric over hydraulic controls. Again, personally, I prefer the 'feel' of hydraulic handles over electric switches. Now, this is a personal preference and in no way a negative review of Cook's products. They are really nice people turning out a really nice product.

-lee

ozarkgem · February 10, 2015, 07:28:57 PM

Quote from: SPD748 on February 10, 2015, 06:44:20 PM
I drove down to Cook's several years ago and had a look at their mills. All were very well built with plenty of features. One thing I found odd was the direct hydraulic controls on mill bed functions and electric solenoid over hydraulic controls on the mill head functions. Basically, the log loading, turning and clamping are all direct hydraulic while the actual sawing of the log was a hand held box full of switches. Now, I'm not saying one system works better than another however I personally would ~~like~~ love their mills if they were all straight hydraulic valve controls instead of the electric over hydraulic controls. Again, personally, I prefer the 'feel' of hydraulic handles over electric switches. Now, this is a personal preference and in no way a negative review of Cook's products. They are really nice people turning out a really nice product.

-lee

I would guess the reason for the electric over hyd on the head is that it is less expensive to run elec wire than hydraulic hose.

JB Griffin · February 10, 2015, 09:24:49 PM

Also easier to have a remote control box on a 15ft cable so you can walk around the mill and run the head controls.

I also would rather have direct hyd. head controls, but its almost unavailable on a mill.

redprospector · February 10, 2015, 11:40:54 PM

Thanks for the replies.
I understand why the electronics mixed with hydraulics are used. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm battling the electronics on my Bobcat hydraulic controls right now. I guess everything is a tradeoff, when their working right I really like them, when they're not, I really don't like them.

5quarter · February 11, 2015, 02:13:49 AM

Lee, I think Cooks current line up is fully hydraulic...no electronic controls.

Red...If I were to buy another mill, it would be the HD3238. I'm guessing that most people ready to spend that kind of $$ decide to go the whole 9 yards and get the AC36. A couple guys here do own the HD3238. Maybe they'll see your thread.

kelLOGg · February 11, 2015, 06:56:08 AM

For what its worth, I have the MP32 which is the same frame and sawhead cage but w/o the hydraulics. It is very rugged - been using it for more than 12 years.
Bob

JB Griffin · February 11, 2015, 09:22:52 PM

When I was looking for a mill I called Cooks and they told me that they had a sale on and for like $2k more I could get the gas motor AC36, watch for a sale and get the AC36, Kinda no brainer. ;D

redprospector · February 12, 2015, 11:58:34 PM

Quote from: 5quarter on February 11, 2015, 02:13:49 AM
Lee, I think Cooks current line up is fully hydraulic...no electronic controls.

Red...If I were to buy another mill, it would be the HD3238. I'm guessing that most people ready to spend that kind of $$ decide to go the whole 9 yards and get the AC36. A couple guys here do own the HD3238. Maybe they'll see your thread.

What are you sawing with now? The fact that you would buy one says something for them.

redprospector · February 13, 2015, 12:07:56 AM

Quote from: kelLOGg on February 11, 2015, 06:56:08 AM
For what its worth, I have the MP32 which is the same frame and sawhead cage but w/o the hydraulics. It is very rugged - been using it for more than 12 years.
Bob

Thanks Bob,
The frame on the Cook's mills is one of the things that kinda draws me to them.

Quote from: JB Griffin on February 11, 2015, 09:22:52 PM
When I was looking for a mill I called Cooks and they told me that they had a sale on and for like $2k more I could get the gas motor AC36, watch for a sale and get the AC36, Kinda no brainer. ;D

That's kinda what I'm looking for. What is the real difference between the AC36 and the HD3238? Is it just the difference of the AC36 taking a 36" diameter log, and the HD3238 only taking a 32" log? What's the difference in production with comparable engines? I seldom get a log over 24" so either mill would handle anything I get around here.

SPD748 · February 13, 2015, 06:22:51 AM

One difference that I'm aware of is the band wheel diameter. The HD3238 has 19" wheels while the AC36 has 26" wheels.

-lee

5quarter · February 13, 2015, 10:54:38 AM

Red...I've been running a shop built mill for years. comparable to the mid priced MP-32, I suppose. Just for laughs, I'll post a few pictures of it one of these days. :D :D

JB Griffin · February 13, 2015, 05:52:56 PM

On the HD3238 you can only get setworks, on the AC36 you can get setworks and a debarker, in addition to the band wheel difference, If I could have found a used AC36 diesel w/ setworks and debarker reasonably priced and reasonably close I would bought it over my LT40.

4x4American · February 15, 2015, 08:33:45 AM

:P

FarmingSawyer · February 15, 2015, 05:03:05 PM

I'll be following this thread as I have my sites set on an AC36 when I get rich and famous......

redprospector · February 15, 2015, 09:16:23 PM

Quote from: FarmingSawyer on February 15, 2015, 05:03:05 PM
I'll be following this thread as I have my sites set on an AC36 when I get rich and famous......

I don't think the famous part is necessary, the rich part would be a big help though. :D

sweetfarm · March 24, 2020, 10:18:36 PM

Quote from: SPD748 on February 10, 2015, 06:44:20 PM
I drove down to Cook's several years ago and had a look at their mills. All were very well built with plenty of features. One thing I found odd was the direct hydraulic controls on mill bed functions and electric solenoid over hydraulic controls on the mill head functions. Basically, the log loading, turning and clamping are all direct hydraulic while the actual sawing of the log was a hand held box full of switches. Now, I'm not saying one system works better than another however I personally would ~~like~~ love their mills if they were all straight hydraulic valve controls instead of the electric over hydraulic controls. Again, personally, I prefer the 'feel' of hydraulic handles over electric switches. Now, this is a personal preference and in no way a negative review of Cook's products. They are really nice people turning out a really nice product.

-lee

If you search Cooks YouTube page you will find a video of a mill they built for an Amish fellow. All hydraulic with no electrical on the hydraulics. He makes the comment that it is more difficult to use but, you get used to it. If you want no electric they will build it!

esteadle · March 25, 2020, 01:48:45 PM

Quote from: SPD748 on February 10, 2015, 06:44:20 PM
I drove down to Cook's several years ago and had a look at their mills. All were very well built with plenty of features. One thing I found odd was the direct hydraulic controls on mill bed functions and electric solenoid over hydraulic controls on the mill head functions. Basically, the log loading, turning and clamping are all direct hydraulic while the actual sawing of the log was a hand held box full of switches. Now, I'm not saying one system works better than another however I personally would ~~like~~ love their mills if they were all straight hydraulic valve controls instead of the electric over hydraulic controls. Again, personally, I prefer the 'feel' of hydraulic handles over electric switches. Now, this is a personal preference and in no way a negative review of Cook's products. They are really nice people turning out a really nice product.

-lee

My Timber Harvester 30HT25 is electric over Hydraulic the same way that Cooks is -- for Head up / down and Carriage forward / advance (I also have width switch to move the roller bearing and in/out, to open the throat).
I've replaced a lot of parts in my hydraulic loops since 2003: hoses, valves, and motors. I've never replaced a hydraulic solenoid valve.
Electric over hydraulic is required for Setworks, which make lumber far more accurately than you could without them.

sweetfarm · March 25, 2020, 05:27:20 PM

Accurate and consistent!
It really is faster than direct hydraulics. The computer can do math and, make moves faster than you can.
Glad to hear that part of your mill has been trouble free.

farmfromkansas · March 26, 2020, 07:35:04 AM

I have the old MP32, really tough long life mill. Mine is an 05 model. You can add the electric power feed, and a few other helpful options, I use the electric winch to turn logs, helps to hook a chain onto it when you turn really big logs, hooked to the bumper of my truck, helps keep from bending something. I have used a chain saw to cut some off the big end of logs to get my mill around them. Have a big one laying there waiting to get cut up now. The extra capacity would be welcome at my place, to be able to cut a 36" diameter log.

KenMac · March 26, 2020, 10:21:13 AM

I do believe the HD3238 is on the same frame as the AC 36. My AC 36 is very stout and well made. I like the controls and the computer set works. They're all expensive, but Cook's are less than WM I think for comparable capabilities. I am happy with my choice.