My new 2011 Timberking 2000 Diesel

[maderahardwoods]

Well it finally happened! I drove up with the family to pick up a 2011 Timberking from Gerard of Joseph's Juniper in Burns, Oregon. Joseph runs an interesting operation harvesting Juniper trees in the Oregon high desert.  

The mill is a 2011 TK2000 with 32hp Kohler Diesel (and setworks) as well as the optional dual axle.  The motor was replaced under warranty a few years back and has about 200-300 hrs on it. I cut a few logs before handing over the payment, all of the hydraulics worked smoothly and efficiently.  

The mill was serviced religiously but needs a good pressure washing and a few consumables.  I was very happy by how she towed, no drift, even at higher speeds.

We got home Sunday afternoon and I wasted no time getting her parked and cutting a log up.  She went through a redwood and walnut like butter, I am currently running a 7 degree blade (that is what was included).

Timberking transferred the SN over to my name,  I must say they have great customer service! They are sending me a hat, manuals, DVD, as well as the Ultra and Ultra Max blades I ordered.  

There are a few modifications/repairs I would like to perform on the mill:

Deep cleaning
Verify blade tracking and belt tension (any tips would be appreciated), any specific model of belt tension tool I should buy?
Lube all points
Move ignition and warning light box to operator control center
Convert to LED lights!
Add tachometer
Add a remote throttle, this may be sooner than later!
Fabricate 1/4 plate wheel fenders, I would like to be able to stand on them for water fills and fuel fill-ups

I paid $28,000 which I feel is fair since the mill had the motor replaced.  I did a lot of research and even older WM and TK's are fetching good money currently.  I am excited to learn the machine and learn how to use the Setworks controller for dropping the head!

[samandothers]

Congratulations on your new mill!  You will have fun learning how to use it and doing the modifications.  

[Magicman]

I extend my hardy Congratulations to you (and your family).  It also sounds like you are taking the right steps toward learning and maintaining the "new" sawmill.  8)  I will be anxious to see some fresh sawn lumber.  

[reswire]

Congratulations!  Good things come to those who wait, and shop wisely.

[Larry]

Good choice on the mill.

I fabricated a remote throttle using a HF winch motor.  It has worked well for the past 8 years.  Other members have used a linear actuator which is really the best method.  If the TK remote throttle been available at the time I would have went with it.

Search is your friend and can find many modification tips, a lot done by me.  I consider the 12" hydraulic cylinder on the two plane clamp to be one of the best.  Really makes edging on the mill a whole lot easier.

[DPatton]

A 2011 TK2000 with a diesel....I think you got a lot of sawmill for the price! Congratulations. Was I seeing double in that second photo?

[sawmilllawyer]

As in two mills?

[DPatton]

As in two mills?

Yes, two TK mills side by side.

[xlogger]

I think you got a good buy. TK is great to work with even if you got a used machine. Congratulation

[maderahardwoods]

No sir, the previous owner has twin TK2000's, one was a 2011 and the other was a 2012.  He might sell the second and purchase a brand new mill from Timberking.

[Darrel]

I've seen your sawmill and have admired the operation there in Burns. Juniper is very dirty & messy stuff to cut so I'm sure the mill could use a deep cleaning. Congratulations and have fun!

[maderahardwoods]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

So I was up last night pondering how to add a linear actuator to control the throttle from the operator station.  The photos below show that there are no mounting bosses or brackets I could pick-up from.  It also appears that the throttle cable is missing a mounting bracket, it may have been lost during the motor swap.  

I think the best option is to swap the vernier cable head with a lever style cable throttle, specifically the Oregon 60-522.  I could then attach the linear actuator with a simple clevis to the throttle lever.  I am totally open to any other idea!

[CX3]

What is the purpose for adding this throttle thingy majig?

[ladylake]

  The throttle is so you can slow down or speed up the engine from the end of the mill where the controls are.  Whats that Kohler diesel doing on there, I thought TK ran Kubota . A mill by me has a Kubota on his TK 2000.  Steve

[DPatton]

Whats that Kohler diesel doing on there, I thought TK ran Kubota . A mill by me has a Kubota on his TK 2000.  Steve

Steve,
The OP said the original owner had a problem with the original motor. The Kohler is a replacement motor.

[Will_Johnson]

Currently all TimberKing diesel mills carry Kubota diesel engines.

This mill was made in 2011 during a time when we were using Kohler diesel engines.

[ladylake]

 Thanks for straightening that out Will. If that Kohler which is the same as Lombardini which don't seem to last I'd replace it with a Kubota  or maybe Yanmar no matter what it takes.  I think a lot of the small diesels use the same motor mounts.  Steve