The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Hale87 on June 13, 2016, 08:42:42 AM

Title: Debarker
Post by: Hale87 on June 13, 2016, 08:42:42 AM
My debarker arm has gotten sluggish. Everything is lubed and as far as I can see it has nothing out of place. To me it doesn't make sense for that spring to loose it's mojo that quickly??

Any ideas??

Thanks
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: barbender on June 13, 2016, 08:49:42 AM
The pivot for the arm can get really gunked up inside, especially if your mill lives outside. You have to disassemble it and clean it up, it may even have some rust on it that you will have to sand off.
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: Magicman on June 13, 2016, 09:22:31 AM
Be sure to swing it in and out continually as you grease and continue to grease it to purge out the old grease.  I like to use a good high pressure grease.  Also, when setting up, always have the sawmill at least a half bubble high on the loader side.  You need the added weight of the debarker aiding the spring.  I also spray the spring/rod with "SLIP Plate" dry graphite.
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: fishfighter on June 13, 2016, 09:56:33 AM
I sure would like to see a video on how a debarker works. ;D
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: moosehunter on June 13, 2016, 10:01:24 AM
I had to disassemble mine and clean out the old gunk. Use your enginuity to hang the debaker, it will save you a lot of time.  I used a block under the pivot arm and a ratchet strap.
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: MartyParsons on June 13, 2016, 10:17:05 AM
Hello,
   If you pull the Debarker out of the pivot and there is gunk and sometimes even rust. I have a 1/4" bolt with a slot cut into the end. Thread a piece of sand paper and run it in the drill. Polish that top bushing area up and it should move freely.
Hope this helps.
Marty
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: Hale87 on June 15, 2016, 08:00:26 PM
Thanks for the help, as usual there's an unlimited amount of knowledge shared on this board.
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: Peter Drouin on June 15, 2016, 10:20:50 PM
I only use ATF on mine no grease .
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: Magicman on June 16, 2016, 07:04:33 AM
Are you saying that you "grease" the alemite with ATF or that you do not grease the alemite at all?
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: Peter Drouin on June 16, 2016, 12:11:19 PM
I run it back and forth [in/ out] and pant aft on the top pivots Shaff .
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: fishfighter on June 16, 2016, 05:28:11 PM
I'm still waiting on a couple pictures of close up or a video. ;D Really would like to see if I could build one. ;D
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: DanMc on May 15, 2017, 01:16:39 PM
So, I'm doing my homework on debarkers.  I know next to nothing about this, so please bear with my ignorance.  I did a bit of searching but this is the only thread I found that deals specifically with them. 

I suppose there are whole-log debarkers, but that's not what I'm wondering about. 

From what I gather, there are small debarkers that basically take a slice out of the bark on the side of the log exactly where the blade enters the log, to remove any abrasive material, so the blade doesn't get dulled by dirt, etc, on the outide of the log.  I haven't seen any photos or videos, so I'm summarizing what little I do know (or think I know). 

I have some logs that have been sitting on the ground and I'm concerned about milling them and hitting sand and all kinds of other grit.  Last year I milled one log that had dirt all over one side, so I wire-brushed off everything I could see.  After that log, the blade just wasn't the same. 

So if you experts can chime in, and especially if somebody can post a video, that would be much much appreciated!!

I'm thinking about what it would take to get one set up on my HM126 mill.
Title: Re: Debarker
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on May 16, 2017, 08:40:15 AM
Quote from: Peter Drouin on June 15, 2016, 10:20:50 PM
I only use ATF on mine no grease .
It's a quick fix for me on the job to put several shots of ATF on the debarker arm shaft when it slows down.  Just remove the 9/16 bolt on the bottom, use a pry bar to lift up the assembly an inch or so and squirt the ATF in there.