The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Percy on March 01, 2005, 12:41:35 PM

Title: More Mill Mods
Post by: Percy on March 01, 2005, 12:41:35 PM
Lately, our sawmilling consortium :D :D :D seems to be selling lots of WRC beams. Long beams. I used to have an inclined conveyor which the LT70 dragged the flitches into and they were accumulated in a bin beside the edger for further processing. Well the incline conveyor didnt like anything longer than 16 feet or so and with the six foot extension I just added to the 70, the conveyor system was about useless. (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0001%7E0.JPG)
We'd have to process the long flitch on the log deck, stopping the mill from the next cut , or we could drag the thing outta the way and try and process it somwhere else. Very hard work as there isnt room. So we built this 26 foot human powered roller deck that the LT70's drag back easily places the monster flitches. I have an electric chainsaw to cut the  flitches into managable lengths.(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0005.JPG)We can roll the cants/beams out  on this roller deck instead of taking them out via  the log deck(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0001.JPG)

the cants end up here which means the mill can  start another log.(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0006.JPG)
Production is up about 25 percent without any extra effort simply because the saw is idle for much less time waiting for these  flitches/cants to be dealt with.

To get the 26 foot logs easily  in to the mill, we had to mod the roof  pillar beams(Polish teknology) :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0003.JPG)

WE also removed a pillar in the mill that was in the way  dealing with the long flitches. It looks kinda wonkey but the engeneer dude that I talked to said it would hold  as the bracework acts like a truss. Its a 30 foot span. I have a 6X6 that I put under it everynight when I go home...just in case ;D ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0002.JPG)

We have a nice view around here and have been having some stellar weather.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0010.JPG)

This board looks way cool. The wrinkly stuff is frozen sawdust that has shrunk/freeze dried in the low humitity.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10599/PICT0008.JPG)

Anyways, the point of this post is about keeping the saw cutting. If your production isnt what you think it oughta be, try looking at ways to make it easier for the saw to keep cutting. Its a simple premise but one that I forget sometimes. And this simple system works soo much better than the old one for long wood.
Later
Percy




Title: Re: More Mill Mods
Post by: Bibbyman on March 01, 2005, 12:53:16 PM
That's more than a sawmill mod!  That's a sawmill layout redesign!

Good info...  Thanks for posting.

We also find an electric chainsaw very handy around the mill.
Title: Re: More Mill Mods
Post by: MULE_MAN on March 01, 2005, 01:29:42 PM
Production is up 25 %.  Now that's a redesign  that's really going to pay off
Thanks for the picture's , you done good !!!!  8)
Title: Re: More Mill Mods
Post by: Paul_H on March 02, 2005, 12:44:54 AM
Very nice setup! That post mod is uptown. :D
Title: Re: More Mill Mods
Post by: KiwiCharlie on March 02, 2005, 01:13:23 AM
Hi Percy,
Those mods sure looks good!
The shed that you have there - is there a name for that style?  Do you know if you can get plans for the style, or was it just something you made?!  Thats the sort of shed Id like to build as a work space.
Cheers
Charlie.
Title: Re: More Mill Mods
Post by: Percy on March 02, 2005, 02:12:18 AM
Thanks for the comments folks.
Kiwicharlie- The roof/millshed is a work in progress. I add as I need and correct as required as things evolve constantly.  I may move to a new location in the next 6 months and when I build a new shed, it will be designed around  the 70 instead of the 40 as that was the original mill. I roughsketched  my plans but the technology is simple. I couldnt sink the vertical posts into the ground as I built the floor first. After I got tired of getting rained/snowed on, I built a roof. It was mounted to the deck and needed all kinds of bracing to keep it upright as there wasnt the support that a beam buried 6 feet in the ground would have.  Then I added more deck, then more roof, then realized how I shudda done this and that...whoooboy...spensive lernin :D :D :D.  Readyrod and bridge washers and lots of gusset/bracing. actually went up quite easily and is very strong. Had 4 feet of wet snow up there a year ago and nary a wobble..............heh.....