adding a debarker to lt40hd

[attwood]

I am considering adding a debarker to my 96 lt40hd ive searched around on here but haven't found what im looking for  what all other than the debarker do I have to get and what will I have to upgrade on my mill  im thinking the extra weight may cause some problems and also the added power needed for it may call for a bigger alternator  thanks for any input

[Magicman]

My first call would always be to WM.  They can look at the model, version, and year and tell you what is available or adaptable.  Of course even then we are limited only by our own imagination.

[Chuck White]

My mill has a debarker that was installed after the mill left the factory!

It's a lot of extra weight and I was having to replace the brushes in the little up/dn motor quite often.

Then about a month ago I replaced the lift motor and gear box assembly and installed a larger unit, it's Wood-Mizer part # A11585 and will cost around $646.00 plus shipping!

Simply remove the old and install the new, takes about half an hour!

[woodhick]

Chuck did that increase the speed of raising your mill?  I do not have a de-barker but plan to add some day but thinking the faster up/down speed might make that upgrade worth the cost?

[MartyParsons]

Hello.
The 1996 LT40HD would have the alternator and the up down chain must say USA. After 3/1997 all sawmills had the 50-2 chain so no worries.
Here is the note.
"USA" should be stamped into the side plates
of the chain. If it is not, you will
need to replace the existing chains with
the proper specified chains.
Original alternator would be a 61 amp and there have been up grade kits moving up to 105 amp. The 61 amp would be ok for the Mark II Debarker.
The saw head gear box will handle the extra weight with no issues. I would not think you would notice the speed difference as long as the up down motor is in good condition.
Hope this helps.
Marty

[Delawhere Jack]

I really need to add a debarker to my '95 LT40. Hopefully things pick up a little as the weather improves so that I can fit it into my budget.

[Remle]

I added the Mark II Debarker option to my 1994, LT 40 HD back in 2008 and have had no problems or other modifications were necessary, as Marty says check the lift chain for the "USA" side plate. FYI cost was around $1500 in 2008.

[yellowrosefarm]

When I bought my 92 LT40 a couple of years ago it had no debarker. My first call was to Woodmizer where I was told "you can not put a debarker on that mill". My next action was to start searching C-List for a used one, which I found about 3 hours away. I took measurements off of another mill that had a debarker and mounted it on mine in the same location. It has worked fine and doesn't seem to affect the up/down speed. There must be different ones because this one only weighed about 40lbs, not a significant amount to add to the head. I made my own wire harness and switch box including a light when it's running. With hearing protection on and the mill running I couldn't hear the debarker so the light lets me know it's on.

[MartyParsons]

Hello,
just make sure you stay safe. If the up down chain would fail it may not be good. The warning is if you have one up down chain or one that was made in another country it may fail. It is also best to have an external alternator.
There have been two revisions on the debarker. The first one was a Mark I it had a belt drive. It does not work as well as the Mark II which is a direct drive. I am not sure of the exact weight of each.

Hope this helps.
Marty

[Chuck White]

The sawhead on my mill may not raise or lower faster (or maybe it does a little), but it definately is smoother and easier.

I think the difference in HOW it moves, makes it appear that it moves faster!

[attwood]

got a chance to go look at my mill and it has a size 40 chain  Taiwan stamped on it

[Chuck White]

If you're adding a debarker, you'll need to have 2 chains side-by-side!