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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: woodweasel on August 04, 2017, 11:19:26 AM

Title: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 04, 2017, 11:19:26 AM
   So the other day I did a portable job with my LT 40 Hyd. When I arrived at site the cutting head had come off the pin that it rides on. When I got back home it was off again. Which allows the head to move back and forth on the bed. It has a chain to keep it from moving a lot, but still? Its never done this before. I put a little downward force to keep it down? It seems to have play in the entire cutting assembly which allows it to lift off of that set pin? Never noticed this before . Its a new mill 50 some odd hrs. only. ???
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: RPowers on August 04, 2017, 11:24:32 AM
I live on a dirt road that isn't exactly smooth and this happened all the time, even when being mindful of the road, with my old LT-28. After a few times I got tired of watching for it and drilled a 1/8" hold through the pin above where the head rests and stuck a large lynch pin in there. No further problems, ever. Wood-Mizer should have a lock-pin installed there from the factory, IMO.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: WV Sawmiller on August 04, 2017, 11:29:24 AM
Weasel,

   I'm betting you hit the same bump on the way back that you hit on the way to the job site. ;)

    I did a mobile job Wednesday had a long, steep access road to a fairly remote area. It had some steep curves and my biggest fear was some sharp dips where i was afraid I would drag the end but turned out I had enough clearance. I did the whole trip in 4WD after I got off the pavement.

   I got behind another miller a while back and could see his safety chain was not connected but did not have a chance to pass and stop him. I hope he made it okay and realizes how lucky he was.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Chuck White on August 04, 2017, 11:30:01 AM
Quite a few years ago, I did the same thing on my FIL's 1992 manual LT40G18.

There's a post on here somewhere where I explained it just as RPowers did!
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Darrel on August 04, 2017, 01:01:22 PM
I live 2 miles in on a very rough dirt road and have been afraid it would happen but so far, it never has.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Jim_Rogers on August 04, 2017, 02:54:40 PM
When the showed me how to pack up/fold up my mill they said to lower the head down until it reached a mark on the stationary ruler that says: "stop" and that is about the 3/4" mark. I have always lowered the head to that point, and mine has never hopped off.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Percy on August 04, 2017, 03:24:44 PM
Quote from: Jim_Rogers on August 04, 2017, 02:54:40 PM
When the showed me how to pack up/fold up my mill they said to lower the head down until it reached a mark on the stationary ruler that says: "stop" and that is about the 3/4" mark. I have always lowered the head to that point, and mine has never hopped off.

Jim Rogers
Exactly what Marv told be back in 1997 with my first mill. He said the up/down  chains should be just a bit slack on the up side.   
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 05, 2017, 08:17:59 AM
  Roger, Roger guys. I appreciate the help!!!
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodrat on August 05, 2017, 11:54:42 AM
I used to live and work the mill on some really rough roads, and after this happened to me once, I just used one of those ratcheting cam straps to tie the whole thing down snug.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Percy on August 05, 2017, 05:20:31 PM
Quote from: woodrat on August 05, 2017, 11:54:42 AM
I used to live and work the mill on some really rough roads, and after this happened to me once, I just used one of those ratcheting cam straps to tie the whole thing down snug.
Quote from: woodweasel on August 05, 2017, 08:17:59 AM
  Roger, Roger guys. I appreciate the help!!!
Are you guys related??
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodrat on August 06, 2017, 12:52:39 AM
Quote from: Percy on August 05, 2017, 05:20:31 PM
Quote from: woodrat on August 05, 2017, 11:54:42 AM
I used to live and work the mill on some really rough roads, and after this happened to me once, I just used one of those ratcheting cam straps to tie the whole thing down snug.
Quote from: woodweasel on August 05, 2017, 08:17:59 AM
  Roger, Roger guys. I appreciate the help!!!
Are you guys related??

lol... not that I'm aware of. ;-)
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: MartyParsons on August 07, 2017, 09:23:19 PM
Hello,
   There are two 1/2" bolts under the battery box. They do nothing when the mill is not on the rest pin and in use. When you lower the saw head on the rest pin these bolts should push against the lower rail and take the weight off the lower bearings and help to keep it from moving. I would check this adjustment first.   This would be mill after 1995/96. Earlier LT40 LT30 would not have the bolts.

I have also seen the rest pin hole worn to the point it was not there just a slot. I have cut out the rest pin hole and replaced it with a new one. ( try that) replacing a hole?  LOL Well a hole of the right size with some new steel.
Hope this helps.
Marty
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Beavertooth on August 10, 2017, 04:19:06 PM
My LT70 will do the same thing. After this happening twice and having to stop and fix it on the road I just started putting a rachet strap on mine also to hold it down. The 1988 model LT40HD that I had had a safety chain at the pin that would not let it come up.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 12, 2017, 08:24:22 PM
  Thanks Marty, I will check the bolts under the battery box.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on August 13, 2017, 05:51:24 AM
I think my rest pin is over 3" high. This must be some wild ride.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: DPatton on August 13, 2017, 08:42:16 AM
I know you guys are talking about Wood Mizer mills and it sounds like many of you have encountered the same issue. Not sure if a mill modification may be possible or even desired by any but this how one of the other fine sponsors of the FF addresses the issue.
TK mills have two 1" bolts (one on each side of the of the bed) that secure the power head to the bed of the mill during transportation. This makes for a very secure connection that will not allow any head movement during transport.(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43417/IMG_0314.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1502413107)

When the transport is done and its time to setup and mill the bolts are simply removed and installed back into their threaded receiver from below. There they are secure and out of the way till you need them again.(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43417/IMG_0319.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1502627364)

It's a very simple, easy, and secure system.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Magicman on August 13, 2017, 02:55:42 PM
Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on August 13, 2017, 05:51:24 AM
I think my rest pin is over 3" high. This must be some wild ride. 
I agree.  The up/down movement is controlled by a worm gear which cannot be moved from the "back side".  I have no idea how the head can jump off of the travel pin unless the lower cam followers are badly out of adjustment.  ??   smiley_headscratch
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on August 13, 2017, 04:01:08 PM
Maybe a regular (non-Super) having a lighter head could do it, or perhaps if the hitch pin that holds the travel pin upright came out and motion rocked it back or forth to release the head?
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: MartyParsons on August 13, 2017, 05:06:18 PM
Hello,
   This is a great topic. But? It is getting more press or causing more worry that would be needed. Here are some things to check.
Stop bolts on the lower bearing assemblies on 1995 and new mills.
Lower the saw head to the STOP line on the scale. Or 7/8"
If you tow your mill every day and it has many hours on it. I have see the hole worn. like 5000 hours +
Watch your speed on rough roads. Use common sense when towing your mill.

I have towed many a mill. I never had one jump off the rest pin. Just saying.

Hope this helps.

Marty
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: drobertson on August 13, 2017, 06:24:03 PM
I agree to a point with the over press,, and would press more on speed control where needed.. I remember years ago, like maybe the second portable job?  the roads are gravel,, some wash board, but not West Virginia stuff,, anyway my partner at the time chose to haul buggy,, I was tailing behind,, I will leave it here and say he pulled the mill no more after this one,, albeit only about a two mile stretch to our next job, which was the officially largest log sawn, and it was past capacity, got done and  I finished the drive home, and have from that point on.. Point being,, not saying there was careless driving in this OP's case,, just saying these are precision machines, not field mowing, hay making tools.
I would be inclined to ratchet strap it down in addition to the  supplied tools from the manufacturer.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: jcbrotz on August 14, 2017, 05:16:21 AM
I drive on Pennsylvania roads and have never had the mill bounce off the pin not even when the axle spring broke. :) >:( :o you guys gotta slow down, which leads me to my question of did the roof hurt your head?
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Darrel on August 14, 2017, 11:51:08 AM
 :D :D :D

Yes, the roof did hurt my head as well as the heads of my wife, my son and my daughter!  Hurt the head liner too!   Taught me to drive slower, it did!!! ;D  That was long before I bought my mill.
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 15, 2017, 07:05:50 AM
  Brand new mill, nothing wore-out.  I drive the same way I did with my old mill (careful).Although pulling the mill 135 miles, you will hit some BUMPS.
So I will check the adjustments. ::) ::)
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 15, 2017, 08:43:42 PM
  I got all kinds of answers on this one. ;D Again ,Its a new mill, I've pulled my old one, all over Central Texas. My driving habits haven't changed. I'm as careful as I can be pulling it. Although pulling it on Houston freeways is challenging. I am inclined to believe it is an adjustment problem. Will check it when I get home, at the end of the month. ;D
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: Chuck White on August 15, 2017, 10:22:45 PM
Quote from: woodweasel on August 15, 2017, 08:43:42 PM
  I got all kinds of answers on this one. ;D Again ,Its a new mill, I've pulled my old one, all over Central Texas. My driving habits haven't changed. I'm as careful as I can be pulling it. Although pulling it on Houston freeways is challenging. I am inclined to believe it is an adjustment problem. Will check it when I get home, at the end of the month. ;D

I agree,  IMHO, if everything is adjusted correctly, the sawhead cannot bounce off of the rest pin!
Title: Re: Head Bouncing Off Pin While In Tow
Post by: woodweasel on August 18, 2017, 11:14:40 AM
Quote from: Percy on August 05, 2017, 05:20:31 PM
Quote from: woodrat on August 05, 2017, 11:54:42 AM
I used to live and work the mill on some really rough roads, and after this happened to me once, I just used one of those ratcheting cam straps to tie the whole thing down snug.
Quote from: woodweasel on August 05, 2017, 08:17:59 AM
  Roger, Roger guys. I appreciate the help!!!
Are you guys related??    Yes, he is my brother from another mother. My daddy was a Rat ;D ;D