Lt40 log capacity

[Crossroads]

Like I said, if your clamp never even tried to help couple with the fact that the log is below the weight limit anyway, there is something going on with your hydraulics.
Many times I have seen folks post that their loader exceeds the 4400 pound limit.

I wonder too what the temps were when you tried to lift it and also did you warm the hydraulics up first or go straight to trying to lift the log?

The temps were in the mid to upper 40's and this was the second log of the day, so I would think the hydraulics should have been warm.

[Dave Shepard]

A long shot, but make sure that your levers aren't hitting on the cover to the hydraulic box. My levers got out of adjustment this summer and if you can't stroke the valve all the way they can't make full pressure. They are easy to adjust, all you have to do is loosen the lock nut and then you can rotate the handle just a little bit.

I agree the 36 inch by 21 foot log capacity could be a little bit misleading. I think they're simply trying to state the largest diameter and the largest length not that you can have both a 36-in and 21 foot long log. I know in older sales material they do list the weight of 4400.

[starmac]

Your hydraulics should have been plenty warm then, something else going on.
I agree the lift capacity should be in the spec chart on them, I don't agree that the lift diminishes the size of log that the mill will cut. Many times on this forum members have shown how to get around the 36 and 21 foot figures to cut both larger and longer logs, the mill will handle it.

[Dave Shepard]

I've never exceeded the 4400 lb spec per bed section. If you are then you shouldn't expect the mail to be able to handle it as far as loading and turning. That's not to say that the mill can't handle the weight, but you've exceeded the design specification of the hydraulic system. As has been mentioned, many people have cut some pretty huge logs and as long as you're careful it shouldn't be an issue.

Hopefully this is a simple issue to resolve your hydraulic pressure problems. I'm quite sure that the loading arms are going to lift that log pretty easily if it's under 4,000 pounds.

[Crossroads]

I have a job later this month near the wm dealer, I'll see if I can get in to have the pressure tested.

[Dave Shepard]

Is there a gauge under the cover of the hydraulic box? My LT40 Super has one plumbed in and I can see the pressure when I run the hydraulics. I have to take the cover off to see it.

[terrifictimbersllc]

mine too, goes to max when hydraulic actuated.

[Chuck White]

I like the idea of a hydraulic pressure guage!

[Dave Shepard]

I couldn't find a pic in my gallery, but its just a blade tension gauge teed into the pressure line.

[Crossroads]

I'll check Dave, but I think I remember reading in the manual directions for installing the gauge as if there wasn't one in place yet. It's going to be a couple days before I can get at it since I'm back to my day job for a few days.

[pineywoods]

I would be looking at the electrical system. That hydraulic pump runs off a 12 volt dc motor, and it loves lots of amps. Weak battery, corroded battery cables, poor contact on the rail brush, especially the one on the bottom of the frame. etc.

[Crossroads]

I would be looking at the electrical system. That hydraulic pump runs off a 12 volt dc motor, and it loves lots of amps. Weak battery, corroded battery cables, poor contact on the rail brush, especially the one on the bottom of the frame. etc.

That's definitely a possibility, but I'm leaning towards the relief valve being out of adjustment because I can hear it bypassing. If the pressure checks out ok, I'll start cleaning conectors.

[Dave Shepard]

 If you start looking at connections, check the contact strip. If the head is moving when you use the hydraulics it will get arced badly. The contact block could be out of adjustment, too.

[starmac]

Hopefully it is something simple, I know the brushes in the motor can go bad as well.

I know I have seen guys mention on here that the loader on the woodmizers are rated to 4400 pounds, but I can't find any mention of weight limit anywhere on the wood mizer sight, where are you guys finding it?

[YellowHammer]

If the relief valve is bypassing, then it would be important and fairly quick and easy to mount a pressure gauge on the pump output line.  That will answer a lot.

[Crossroads]

I talked to my wm rep. This morning and he says my mill is only rated at 3900#.

I found a gauge today, I'll try to track down the fittings tomorrow, so I can verify the pressure. That should answer some questions.

The mills only 2 1/2 months old with 50 hours on it now, I hope the brushes aren't worn out already, but stranger things have happened.

[starmac]

Yea, with it being that new, I doubt it is the brushes, or any other wear related item. I would lean more to something out of adjustment, or a loose /bad connection. Sometimes something like that can be a pain to track down, hopefully all goes smooth.

[Dave Shepard]

3900 #? Its the same bed and log loader as the Super. Having only one pump just means its slower.

[Crossroads]

He said he would ask some questions at headquarters and call me back. Hopefully he has something encouraging to share. Kinda tough being at work today, I'd really like to be playing with the mill.

[Stuart Caruk]

The theory of what a log should way only gets one so far. I've loaded oversized old growth fir on my LT35 that my 8500# forklift wouldn't touch without tipping over. Had to put it on the log deck with the log loader...

Theory and actual practise are 2 different things.

[John S]

At all of the WM owners days that I have attended, the weight rating for an LT40 has been 4400lbs.

[starmac]

I have looked over their website pretty hard the last couple of days, and have not found any rating at all as far as a weight limit on any of their mills. What ever it is, it is not as far as I can tell advertised on their site.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Looking at my 2017 WoodMizer "Portable Sawmills and Wood Processing Equipment" catalog specifications page (page 32) footnote #1 says "Maximum log capacity for the LT28 and larger mills are 4400 lbs (1,995 kg)" and footnote #3 says "Loading of logs heavier than 4400 lbs (1,995 kg [BX equipped mills] requires auxiliary loading equipment."

    I don't know where someone came up with a 3,900 lb weight limit figure.

[starmac]

So, does that mean the mill itself is rated for 4400 pounds or the loader, to my way of thinking it sounds like the loader.

[GAB]

Is it possible that both numbers 3900 & 4400 are both correct?
Where 3900 is the PSI rating of the pump and 4400 is the weight of the logs it can lift.
PSI x the area of the cylinder divided by the ratio of the arm length = lift capability in pounds.
Gerald