lt40 lift chatter

[moandrich]

When we lift the saw head up it is a bit jerky, there is space between the pads and the uprights. Is there an adjustment and do we have to replace the pads.  1500 hours on machine

Thanx, Rich

[Bibbyman]

At 1500 hours the pads should still be in good shape and probably don't need adjustment. The chain may need adjusting.

Are you oiling the posts?  The chain?  Are you using ATF to oil the posts?  I used hydraulic oil on our mill and it caused the head to chatter.

[moandrich]

Just bought the mill, used atf on our lt30 and worked great.  Going wipe it down with a 3m pad and give it a good lube.
Do you adjust the tension of the chains?

[Chuck White]

I think that it will be just fine if you brush down the mast with the 3M pads, then wipe down the friction area with the ATF.  ;)

[T Welsh]

3m Scotch brite pads and ATF. Check your manual for the procedure for truing your pads to the mast. I have done it once in the last 10 years . Tim

[GDinMaine]

If you look under the carriage you will be able to find the bolt that adjusts the chain tension. Look in the manual for proper tightness. On the subject of lubing masts and chain people here posted that they do so before each use.  I just follow that advice.

[Tom L]

I've noticed on mine that if I saw for more than 6 hrs I need to re lube the mast with trans fluid or I get a chatter on the way down. like it wants to hunt a little for the bottom . re lubing it seems to solve the problem

[rmack]

I just got my mill out of hibernation yesterday, but I did remember that there was an issue I noticed with the posts.



  

 

Is this something I should deal with now?

hmnn... having read the instructions as an after thought, and having a stack of business cards nearby, I have deduced that a business card is about .020 and the gap I am looking at is closer to 3/32 about .090 I guess I should adjust it before I start cutting today.

[Finn1903]

I too had chatter on my mill.  What worked for me was spraying the posts with WD40 and wiping it all down to clean off any build up.  I had a little grease residue left over from when the mill was new and that collected sawdust and caused the chatter.  After cleaning I squirted on ATF and back to running smoothly.   

[Chuck White]

Bob; If you make adjustments to the mast pads, don't forget to check the blade alignment to the deck!

[rmack]

Bob; If you make adjustments to the mast pads, don't forget to check the blade alignment to the deck!

thanks Chuck, I just spent 2 1/2 hrs aligning the deck, now I'm on to the backstops, then grease everything, new blade, check headrig adjustments and cut some lumber 8)

[barbender]

Rmack, don't be in a rush to tighten those pads up on a new mill, and make sure the head is in the right location vertically when you check that gap.

[Chuck White]

Rmack, don't be in a rush to tighten those pads up on a new mill, and make sure the head is in the right location vertically when you check that gap.

+2, take your measurements where the book says to!

[moandrich]

Love this place  lot of great information.

[pnyberg]

I had a problem with head chatter on my LT40 (thread here: https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,52542.msg757771.html#msg757771).  In the end, what I think did the trick for me was applying ATF to the pads themselves.  I got a pump oiler with a long flexible spout.  About every 25 hours I put one squirt of ATF on the top of each of the 8 pads. I'm not sure what this is doing, but I haven't seen the chatter problem in a long while.

Of course I continue to clean and lube the mast as well.

HTH

--Peter