2005 lt40

[Bruno of NH]

What do you think
2005 lt40 280 hrs 28hp
No set works
Non hydraulic 
$11,000

[Bruno of NH]

It has a debarker

[WDH]

You need setworks and hydraulics.  

[DPatton]

You need setworks and hydraulics.  

Ditto that!

[Southside]

You need setworks and hydraulics.  

* 3 on that.

[curved-wood]

I wouldn't return to a mill with no hydraulics. Lot faster and incredibly easier on the body. 
Set work:  I have no set works on my mill and I could get along. That depends on your production. 

[SawyerTed]

+1 on setworks and hydraulics. I would lose interest in sawing if I had a manual mill.  

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'd call WM and see if those features could be added and the cost to do so. If not too costly might be a real bargain. I'm with the rest, I would want both those features.

[pineywoods]

Adding factory hydraulics to a manual lt40 can be done, but it's not really practical. Two big gotcha's. Cutting and welding of the frame is required.. The other is electrical. Woodmizer use a 12 volt dc motor to power the hydraulic pump. The manual mill electrical system doesn't have the needed 200 amp capacity. Really better to trade up.  For another option, go here home-made hydraulics

[beav]

Hydraulics... absolutely!!
Setworks...meh
I can figure the next cut before I start the last cut with half my brain tied behind my back. The scales make it easy.
No setworks is one less finicky doo-dad requiring periodic monetary infusions. Plus I hear it's habit forming.
Just my 2c

[Dave Shepard]

You can get away without setworks on a standard 40, but a Super or bigger moves too fast to hit the mark. 

[DPatton]

For me with my mill the setworks is just too accurate not to use. Having to adjust the head height based off a scale takes too long and I don't produce the same accuracy. 

[PAmizerman]

Save your money and get hydraulics and some form of setworks. Accuset 2 is definitely better!!

[JB Griffin]

Setworks is very nice, and will increase productivity,  but not necessary at all. If you don't believe me watch Hank Somero show the world that it ain't necessary as he won the shoot out last year without computer aid.

2017 Portable Sawmill Shootout - YouTube

[Brucer]

That's exactly the same as my first mill (only I didn't get the debarker :().

I did just fine with it. Who says you need hydraulics ???? Just me, my manual mill and a Logrite 30" mill special ;D.





Top timber in the pile is a 14" x 21" x 20' long FOHC Ponderosa Pine.





OK, so it was a slog. But I was able to upgrade to a hydraulic mill a year later (with debarker) based on my performance with that job.

As long as you have the log deck package (ramps, winch to load and turn logs) you can handle some pretty big stuff.

Be warned that there's a lot more walking to saw a log than there is on a hydraulic mill. The clamp is only accessible from the loading side and you have to be on the other side to raise and lower the side stops and work the toeboards. No roller type toeboards on that particular mill, either. Just a plate that you crank up and down at each end.