Timber Harvester Cable

Dewey · July 07, 2015, 09:22:16 AM

I have been running This Mill since "94" full time.. It's been a great Mill I've solved just about any issue that could come up with but this one.....
It has a Cable drive system on the back and forth hydraulic motor. When it was new I could saw all summer on the same cable.. Now I can't get a week out of one..I've replaced the pulley a few times because it will wear a groove it after awhile. I put one of my old ones back on and took a grinder to the groove to "round it out ".. And it's not much better... So I'm thinking I should get another new pulley or possibly a different type of cable.. I've tried several different size cables... So curious what you think.... And if I need a new pulley where can I get one ??

dutchman · July 07, 2015, 05:05:25 PM

I run a TimberHarvester 30 HT.
Have not replaced the pulley but should not be hard to find.
My cable is connected with long eyebolts with a spring around them.
Is yours the same?
I tried stainless cable but the wear was similar.

Fedge · July 07, 2015, 07:30:29 PM

It very well could be the pulley. I doubt that it would be hard to find because most of Timber Harvesters stuff seem to be available off of the shelf. You might want to find a different supplier for the cable. I bought some from my local hardware store for a pretty penny and it lasted for about 50hrs of sawing. I bought some from Home Depot, yes I did say Home Depot, and its just starting to go bad after more than 2 years. If you can't find the pulley, try Clouser Farms on the web. The owner used to sell for Timber Harvester and now makes mills of his own. I have seen on their website that they can help with parts for Timber Harvesters. However, I have never contacted them. Glad to see that there are other Timber Harvester owners out here.

Geoff

Dewey · July 07, 2015, 08:27:24 PM

Ya mine is the same..... Eye Bolt on each end... I also have added a swivel connector as well.... I called Clouser once they suggested to run a smaller size cable..... I will be honest have been racking my brain to remember their name so thanks for the reminder I will be calling him tomorrow to get a new pulley.... I have got to the point that I buy the cable by the roll so I never run out....
Any way My Mill has been outstanding I have bee running it full time for the last 19 years and it is still going strong..... I have made a few modifications.... but I still think they made the Best mill out there... and I wish they would have kept at it !!!
I have almost 20,000 Hrs on it And have long ago lost rack of how much I sawed with it..... I happy as well to know there are still guys that run them !!!! 8)

Hewer of Wood · July 07, 2015, 08:38:10 PM

Hello to everyone. I've been a longtime reader and saw this question that I thought I might be able to help with, so figured now was the time to join. I also have a Timber Harvester and am in the town where the company was located. The pulley is not a stock pulley. It was manufactured by a local machine shop and is hardened. I was having the same problem with cable wear so finally took the pulley off and had the surface remachined to remove the groove that had worn in. That was about 6 weeks ago. Still no visible wear on the cable. I was previously changing the cable every week. I would think any machine shop near you would be able to resurface the pulley. Its well worth doing as the drive cable system is one of the very few aggravating things on this particular mill. Hope this help. Shawn

Kbeitz · July 07, 2015, 08:43:02 PM

I'm useing the rubber coated cable...
You dont have to run it very tight a all to make it work.

Magicman · July 07, 2015, 09:03:33 PM

Hello Hewer of Wood, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum. With your attitude, you will fit in here very nicely. 8)

Hewer of Wood · July 07, 2015, 10:23:10 PM

Thanks Magicman. This is a terrific place. One other thought on the drive cable. I used to use 3/16" but switched to 1/8" with no ill effect. Its cheaper, seems to last just as long, and is easier to cut. Shawn

Chuck White · July 08, 2015, 06:38:08 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Shawn (Hewer of Wood)!

warren46 · July 08, 2015, 06:48:42 AM

I also run a Timber Harvester mill but it does not use a cable to advance and return the saw head. My mill uses a drive chain and sprocket to move the head. I will take some pictures when I am at the mill today. This has been a problem free feature of the mill for me.

bandmiller2 · July 08, 2015, 07:07:25 AM

My home built mill uses a similar setup, the bottom of the pulley should be flat. After much use it will wear a groove the wire cable will wear agenst itself and fray. I use but one wrap of cable around the pulley so it doesn't climb over itself. Pulley wear comes from slippage of the cable on the pulley, keep it tight, heavy spring at the end will help. I live with some slippage as it reduces shock on the mill start and stop. Fit of the cable in the bottom of the groove is important you don't want it cramped and rubbing. When a groove develops I remove the pulley and remachine the bottom of the groove. I use 1/8" cable and have a large spool. You can extend the life of cable and pulleys but in the end they are consumables and need replacement at intervals. Frank C.

thecfarm · July 08, 2015, 07:09:10 AM

Hewer of Wood,welcome to the forum. First post and being helpful first thing.

Been sawing long?

Brad_S. · July 08, 2015, 08:42:44 AM

Hey Shawn, nice to see you here!
Shawn used to lease space adjacent to the TH shop and probably saw every mill manufactured roll out the door! Thanks for chiming in!
Cfarm, Shawn is a looong time veteran professional sawyer who often helped me out back when I was full time.

Dewey · July 08, 2015, 09:56:26 PM

Thanks Hewer... I tried taking a grinder to it while it spun with cable off... I have a couple that I have replaced before maybe I will take one to be re machined and see how it works,,, Wish they still made ... They are a great mill

Dewey · July 08, 2015, 09:57:43 PM

Paul the owner of Timber Harvester actually stopped by my mill years ago....Whats he up to now any Idea ?

Hewer of Wood · July 08, 2015, 11:40:21 PM

Its been about a year since I've seen Paul. Last I knew he and his wife had moved a couple towns away and were helping run a Christian Camp on a local lake.
Having the pulley resurfaced made a huge difference. I tried a couple things myself first that didn't really help. Having the new surface ground was the way to go. They really are a great mill. It was a sad day when they closed.

bandmiller2 · July 09, 2015, 07:23:31 AM

I mourn the passing of TH, in my mind they were the full equal of any band mill. I would much sooner see a row of hydraulic spool valves than a row of micro switches. A friend of mine was a TH dealer and I met Paul and his crew. Frank C.

47sawdust · July 09, 2015, 07:09:52 PM

I have heard only good things about TH sawmills and the owner Paul.He seems to be a man who fully understands hydraulics.
I was told he even built his own wood processor.Sorry they are no longer in business,when I first got interested in sawmills they were the first choice,but that was right when they were closing their doors.

warren46 · July 09, 2015, 07:15:45 PM

I took some pictures of the chain drive for the carriage on my Timber Harvester mill today. This chain drive has not caused any problem since I bought my mill. The pictures are not real clear but PM me if you would like more details.

Warren