Economics of sawing slabs

[Minnesota_boy]

The mill that has hired me to saw long timbers for them has asked if I could saw wide white pine slabs, 30 to 36 inches wide.  I said that my limit with the bandsaw was 24, but then I was thinking about how much it would cost to get a chainsaw mill with a slabbing attachment and saw those in what would otherwise be down time in the winter.  What would this setup cost, how long would it take per slab, and how could I charge and make a profit?  Any ideas?

[SawInIt CA]

You can saw 28" slabs if you puch it up on the tabs and put a shim under the cant....at least on my lt40. Maybe that is good enough for them and no more capitol outlay for you. Just a thought

[solidwoods]

This must be less than 5000bf?
Anyway, I would be setting up a chainsaw mill,  4 poster , 2ea 5hp 220vac or best, gen. your elec. to run a large cheap 3ph motor (use the gen if the pwr goes out ).  
And a long long bar.
Make the mill fit your present mills track if you can.

JIM

[fencerowphil (Phil L.)]

Solidwoods has a good idea.

If you are not into engineering and welding,  Peterson and Lucas both sell items which could help you.  You could adapt them to your existing over-length bed.

There is someone else, also, but I don't have time right now to dig it out of virtual reality.  I'll try to think who it is later, and post it.  (This unkown one is cheaper.)
Phil L.