A Tear in my Eye

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I saw this LT50 run the first week the sawyer bought it.
I was impressed with the Diesel.
Well the guy that bought it put his son in law in the sawmill business.

Now the SIL's has a good job that doesn't allow time to saw.
So the owner is now 85. The mill has been setting here in the weather for 3 years.
Look at it!  :

Only 340 hours......and things are deteriorating on it.
I personally know the man but he doesn't want to sell it. Says he might decide to saw something one day.
I told him if he decided to sell it to please give me first chance but by then it would probably be better to forget it.



  

  

 

[brianb88]

That is a sad sight.

[terrifictimbersllc]

 :'( :'( :'(

[Chuck White]

It's time for a "pitty party"!   :'(

[WV Sawmiller]

   Aren't there laws against such things?  :( If not there should be. Sawmill dealers should require references before they let someone buy/adopt a mill. smiley_annoyed01

[terrifictimbersllc]

Can you talk him into getting it stored on gravel, mouseproofed and covered up?

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Can you talk him into getting it stored on gravel, mouseproofed and covered up?

I said he's 85.  :D :D :D

He has no sheds or barn....all his tractors and implements are setting in the weather.

[squirrel dog]

Dang, hate to see that also. Wish I had enough money to let such valuable equipment rust and rot away. :new_year:

[Peter Drouin]

Just bring a bag of money with you when you talk to him about it. ;D

[WDH]

Looks to me like it is now just a big flower pot for chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense  . 

[Bogue Chitto]

Hope the field does not catch fire. 

[YellowHammer]

I'd talk to his wife if he has one, she would straighten him out. :. Or his daughter.

[Southside]

Come on Poston - we all know goats love Privet and that is what you really find so attractive in those photos!!   :D  I can just picture it now, standing on the bed browsing!!   ;D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I can just picture it now, standing on the bed browsing!!   ;D

Actually thats what I was doing today.

[pineywoods]

OOOhhh, that does smart. It greives my soul to see fine machinery so deliberately abused. I have a similar case sitting in my yard, rescued from under a pile of sawdust. Never been in a shed. Been run over by a truck. Gonna have a shot at re-building it, a little at a time, maybe even paint. When I finish, there's another one from the same place, just rusting away, sigh, so many projects, not enough time.. >:(

[dgdrls]

jeez,....at least try to cover it and keep the weeds back
I'm thinking the S.I.L owns this one,

D

[sealark37]

It seems that some folks are surprised to find that sawmilling, in addition to being lots of fun and mild excitement, is a lot of hard work.  I suspect that the subject saw is at the center of a family dispute.       Regards, Clark

[47sawdust]

Looks like the place where ambition goes to die.

[HousewrightVA]

 

  

  I know the exact same situation here in VA right down to the age of the owner. Tried to buy it a couple of years ago,but there are potential heirs involved....so.
I let them know, whatever you do do not try to run it, with out going through it the deal with the damage of setting for years out in the weather. I think it will make someone a good mill one day after the owner passes.

[edwin dirnbeck]

If you drive anywhere in rural Mo.,you will see countless FRONT yards full of EVERY machine that the owner has owned. NON  are for sale.Edwin Dirnbeck

[terrifictimbersllc]

I saw a sobering sight earlier this year. These hydraulic pumps are half buried in dirt.   The owner is hoping to get this mill running again.   :'( :'( :'(



  



 

[alanh]

Im familiar with a similiar situation, new lt 40, hardly used, left outside, tried to buy it, nope, last word was the mice got into it and it was "no good", still won`t talk sell. whats just as bad is the huge pile of big, straight,clean white cedar powerline poles that are rotting into the ground next to it, wouldnt sell them either...

[Crossroads]

My cousin has a mobile dimension that they salvaged for free. It's in pretty bad shape and needs the engine rebuilt. I've tried to buy it several times, but his nephew is involved somehow and says no. So, found a place in Portland that had a 2017 lt40 wide sitting out in the weather rotting away and bought it in stead ;)

It's really sad to see perfectly good machines setting in the weather, not being taken care of.

[alan gage]

To show they aren't all lost forever: I bought my mill (Timberking B-16) this summer and it had been sitting outside for 12 years or so. Went to look at it in the morning, struck a deal with the guy, and drug it home that afternoon. Needed a lot of work and I still need to replace the hydraulic lines but it's gonna get a second chance at life.





Alan

[moodnacreek]

Going north, the farther I go, the worse the weather and  more machinery left outdoors.

[Dave Shepard]

I can respect that people can do as they like with their personal property, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.  :D

Before I got my mill I had been desperately trying to get involved with a mill somehow. I would see abandoned mills like that and it would really upset me to think of the potential rotting away.

[TKehl]

If you drive anywhere in rural Mo.,you will see countless FRONT yards full of EVERY machine that the owner has owned. NON  are for sale.Edwin Dirnbeck

Spies!!!  How did you find my place?  ???   ;D  ;)   Oh wait, this does fit 80-90% of rural MO.   ;D

We've owned the farm since 1911, several generations of farm equipment and cars.  I've cleaned up some, but also bought some so...kind of a wash.

I've cut my share of of old cars, tractors, and equipment out with a chainsaw.  Most weren't worth much when they were parked. 

This mill gives me pause though.  Makes me think Chernobyl...

[WDH]

The goat just wants to graze the privet. 

[paul case]

Real funny how much easier to buy something that is for sale, HUH???

My cousin has a mobile dimension that they salvaged for free. It's in pretty bad shape and needs the engine rebuilt. I've tried to buy it several times, but his nephew is involved somehow and says no. So, found a place in Portland that had a 2017 lt40 wide sitting out in the weather rotting away and bought it in stead ;)

It's really sad to see perfectly good machines setting in the weather, not being taken care of.

PC

[Crossroads]

Real funny how much easier to buy something that is for sale, HUH???

My cousin has a mobile dimension that they salvaged for free. It's in pretty bad shape and needs the engine rebuilt. I've tried to buy it several times, but his nephew is involved somehow and says no. So, found a place in Portland that had a 2017 lt40 wide sitting out in the weather rotting away and bought it in stead ;)

It's really sad to see perfectly good machines setting in the weather, not being taken care of.

PC

Works every time ;)

[jb616]

I know what you guys are talking about. It took me two years to get this mill from the owner who left it in the Michigan weather for 15 years. I am in the process of restoring it and should be ready in the spring. Here is a couple of pics where I found it and in my garage currently.

  

  

 

[Darrel]

That'll dry a tear or two!

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

jb616....PLEASE.....post more pics of your restoration. This looks interesting. Thanks buddy.

[TKehl]

I've bought a lot of stuff that wasn't for sale by making a reasonable offer.  Sometimes the owner just doesn't want to get lowballed, but doesn't know what the thing is worth. 

Doesn't always work, but it's funny how often peoples fear of loosing a cash offer overrides their desire to keep something they weren't using anyway.   ;D

[4x4American]

That is terrible...awhile back I had seen something similar that I wanted to buy and I went there and oiled it for the old man...never ended up with it but he was happy...I could have bought it but decided against it.

[Logger RK]

What got me was when a supposedly buddy of mine had a rare IH little rubber tired tracked cable Skidder (which iv seen a couple on this forum).  I told him if he ever wanted to get rid of it let me know. I go to visit and he just finished cutting it up for scrape. I did tell him I had recently seen one on C list for 10k as a collector.

[Banjo picker]

If there is something out there that you could really use or need; it can be good to stop by from time to time and check on it... as long as the people aren't mean or nasty about it.  Sometimes you just have to be there at the right time, when it clicks to them that its time to part with an item.  I myself sold an ole R model Mack dump truck... finally the main reason was I got tired of hearing about how I didn't need it or ever use it from the misses.  Man showed up one day and made an offer an he got it.  I actually wish I had it back, but his timing was good to make a buy that day.  :(  Banjo

[sealark37]

I had to work for six hours with a chainsaw to free up my D-4 Cat enough to drag it out with a wrecker.  I watched the sawmill I bought for twenty years as I drove by the owner's house.  When he finally put a price on it, the only part visible was the exhaust stack protruding from the honeysuckle vines.  Much to my surprise, he would not take my money until he sawed a log on the mill.  It took two hours to clear away the vines and trees, but the engine started right away.  Old machines require persistence.       Regards, Clark       

[pineywoods]

I have rescued 3 woodmizers from the scrap heap, number 4 is in my shop awaiting re-build and #5 is on the wait list. Learned a bunch here, special thanks to Marty Parsons. The nearest wm facility is 200+ miles away. If I were a bit younger, I would seriously consider establishing a sawmill repair and rebuild business, but at my age, it's just not practical. Don't need the money, kids are well established, and grandkids college funded. I have a nice wm lt40 with hydraulics and remote, material handling equipment, connections to a couple of tree service companies and 3 or 4 logging crews. In other words, I don't need any more projects, but it still hurts to see nice stuff just abused and neglected..

[woodhick]

I bought my current mill in similar situation.  Its a LT40Super.  Had to replace electric motors on it. Been running fine since, I have owned it for 3 years or so now.   It baffles me why folks don't store stuff indoors??  Ok I get it a barn is expensive and shed a little less but for crying out loud you have (or had) a sawmill which would lower the cost of shed to just the metal roofing! 

[Dave Shepard]

Building permits, zoning regs, have to own the land....

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Building permits, zoning regs, have to own the land....

Where this LT50 sits and where my mill is, the land is zoned Agriculture.
No permits to build a shed needed.
Now if you want electrical in your shed...that will require a permit with inspection

[Timbercreekfarm]

Same here, I know a guy with a woodmizer, hasn't used it in at least 10 years, probably more. It has been sitting outside for just as long, I have called him twice in the last few years, he won't even talk about selling it. I should know better, he has trucks, cars, backhoe, tractor trailers, old kubota, all outside, none running, none for sale.

[PAmizerman]

I ran into this problem when I first started looking for a mill. My pap bought a woodmizer lt30 back in the eighties. Unfortunately he passed before I was even born and the mill got sold. When I started looking for a mill I was able to track his down. Thought how cool would that be to get my paps mill. I went to look at it and it was in very sad shape. Been sitting outside since about 1990. The guy gave me an I don't want to sell it price and it's still setting outside.
We keep all our equipment under roof. I guess that's why you can't hardly walk through our buildings sideways😂😂.

[scully]

Great thread ! I had always said I was going to find a Wood-Mizer with a Kabota diesel when I retired and buy it . As fate would have it I lost my job 3 years before I retired .3 months into unemployment I get a tip on one . It sat outside for 3 years and had only 300 hours on it . The price was to good to pass up . I don't know how I pulled it off but I got it . The down side was it sat near a 4 lane high way in the north east . the winter air and moisture from the salted roads really took it's tole on allot of stuff . The engine was covered though . I hauled it home and started fixing what needed fixing . Best move I ever made ! I would not let this mill go for anything !  It blows my mind to see them sitting outside unused for years etc. Posthole 40 don't give up on that one ! There ain't nothin that can't be fixed on it !

[whatwas]

I collected and restored old vehicles(mostly vintage snowmobiles) for 25 plus years and have brought  ones home that "aren't for sale" more than once by talking to the owner and figuring out what turns their crank more than money. I've used chain saws,welders, work horse harness, lumber, even build a shed, etc...... for currency and at the end of the day everybody's happy. At 85 this owner has had a ton of money pass through his hands, maybe there's something else you can buy/or have as trade bait that he wouldn't have bought for himself. One thing for sure, that mill needs a rescue. Good -luck

[WDH]

Old Posthole 40  :D. 

[LeeB]

At least he just called him a posthole. Could have been worse.

[red]

Is it a square post in a round hole ? Or a round post in a square hole ?  Just so many decisions to make on the back 40 .

[Hackermatack]

Not the first mill that I have seen sitting in the weeds but certainty one of the nicest. At least it is a quality product and when it eventually comes up for sale it can be salvaged. Last I knew you could send them back to WM for a good as new overhaul. 

[Dave Shepard]

Twenty, or more, years ago when I first started looking at band mills, there were twenty - two band mills within twenty miles of me. Only two were used regularly. It seems to be very common to find them unused.

[Darrel]

Mine doesn't get used as much as I'd like, too many other things to do and it is outside with a carriage cover on it. I do keep it oiled up with ATF and maintained.  I'd build a shed for it now but the county won't let me build any structures on my property even if a permit isn't needed until I build a dwelling.  Construction scheduled to start in the spring.

[Southside]

  I'd build a shed for it now but the county won't let me build any structures on my property even if a permit isn't needed until I build a dwelling. 

Wow - quickly becoming the Peoples Republic of Oregon eh?

[Darrel]

  I'd build a shed for it now but the county won't let me build any structures on my property even if a permit isn't needed until I build a dwelling. 

Wow - quickly becoming the Peoples Republic of Oregon eh?

Unfortunately yes. Still better than anywhere in Californis except maybe Modoc County.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Its sad but think about it like this.

Some people will get this and some won't.
I can not believe how fast I went from 50 - 61 in age. I mean it was quick.

Some of these old timers and some young timers do not realize how fast time goes by.
They have good intentions and before you know it the lack of care on ANYTHING will start to decline.

I have even said and heard my dad say " I should have done sew in sew and that would not have happened.....but I just didn't have time".

And what am I talking about? TIME.

All of us need to MAKE time to do things that need to be done....or we pay the price.

Thus there is an LT50 sitting in the weeds that will one day need A LOT of TLC.

[barbender]

That is spot on, Posthole😁 Really it is, I have so many things I need to get done, and a year goes by like nothing. I have no outbuildings or sheds, so pretty much everything is out in the weather, including my mill. A lot of you guys saw more in 3 days than I do in a year, it's more of a hobby/stress reliever/ I just like having one type of thing. I'd like to get where I could saw at least half time someday, but without a concrete plan it will not happen. So, wise words, from an old goat👍🏼

[Crossroads]

Mine doesn't get used as much as I'd like, too many other things to do and it is outside with a carriage cover on it. I do keep it oiled up with ATF and maintained.  I'd build a shed for it now but the county won't let me build any structures on my property even if a permit isn't needed until I build a dwelling.  Construction scheduled to start in the spring.

As I was reading this I thought, wow, this guy must live in Oregon. Low and behold, he does lol. I'm battling with the county right now trying to get a placement permit for an agricultural building. Fortunately, I have a space for the wood Mizer, but the old Kubota and all it's implaments are sitting in the rain.

[Southside]

It's really amazing how some of these states have become so difficult to live in.  Here in Virginia if you are building an agricultural building - and that includes forest product production at the scale we are at - there are no permits, no inspections, no code, nothing for the building or electrical.  Guess they figure if you are dumb enough to screw it up then it's your problem.  The code enforcement officer literally told me to "make sure you know what you are doing" when it came to installing a new 400 amp service. 

[Darrel]

No permit needed here in Klamath County to build a pole barn, in can't be completely closed in, I think it has to be open on a long side or both ends open or something. At one time I knew and was satisfied that it would work for my mill shed.  I see them with ends open and a long side open so maybe either is ok. But as I said before, I gotta wait until I get my house built.

[Peter Drouin]

My last LT40HD I sold is outside. First thing he did was to put the cover on the HOT engine and melt a big hole in it. :
He had big Ideas for the mill until he found out how much work it is. He even has 100 ac of trees. Now it sets and rust, and calls me for lumber. : : : :
I know Mr goat, there's some truth in the getting old thing and not caring. But I see 80 year olds around here keep all their stuff in good shape.
But, When I see that happen, Lazy comes to mind.

[thecfarm]

I need to build just a cover over my mill. Been saying that for 15 years.     How time does get by a person.
I did build a (building) for my tractor,before I started to live here. Note the ( ). At that time I had no mill. It was built of of 2x trees.  :D  Just round posts,like a pole barn,even round for the rafters. An old wide belting for a roof and some old tin too. Just to make it look that much better, : old tin on one side too. BUT it does not leak and the tractor is under cover.
Sawmill is next.