Wood mizer Solenoid issue

crankin · April 16, 2024, 08:49:37 PM

1st post here hopefully someone can help . I have no power to hydraulics on lt 40 super . I'm not very good with multimeter or electronics but the solenoid in small box next to battery has 12.8 on the left post , when I turn on key right post which has wire going to brass block that contacts the copper strip on frame has no voltage . I put jumper cable on wire to brass block and hydraulics work . Does this mean that the solenoid is no good , thanks in advance .

Magicman · April 16, 2024, 09:53:31 PM

First, Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Yes, when you turn the key on you should hear the solenoid click and the right post should then read the 12.8 volts. If it clicks and does not then it is defective and needs replacing. (If it does not click then we need to do a bit more troubleshooting.)

That continuous duty solenoid is used both there and also in the hydraulic box to provide power to the hydraulic pumps. You should keep at least one spare.

It is not unusual for sawmill owners to jumper the left and right post together until your new solenoid(s) arrive. I would use at least a 10 gauge wire for the jumper. Two would be better because those hydraulic pumps each pull close to 100 amps. Just be aware that the hydraulics will now operate without the key being turned.

crankin · April 17, 2024, 06:08:01 AM

Ok , I did not recall it making a click sound , I think I heard a click in accuset box but I will go out when it gets light out , check & let you know what it's doing ... thanks for the info mm .

Dave Shepard · April 17, 2024, 08:58:52 AM

Don't jumper, just move the right cable to the left lug. Or bolt the two cables together and wrap in electrical tape. WM can get you a new solenoid fast. My WM orders usually come next day.

crankin · April 17, 2024, 12:25:42 PM

So much for 1st daylight ... went out and found that I had a real nice 3 yr old heifer expire over night and had to bury it .
When I turn key to # 3 accessory no click sound in the solenoid next to battery , there is a click in the accuset box . Any help as to how I would check the solenoids in the hydraulic compartment ? Anyone knows cows any thoughts on that , we have good weather ( Ocala Fl ) area , no lightning , vet was no help thanks again Ted

Andries · April 17, 2024, 12:34:14 PM

@caveman is an ag. teacher in the Lakeland FL area and a darned good Sawyer too.
He might be able to give advice that's region specific.

caveman · April 17, 2024, 03:33:24 PM

I think we bypassed that solenoid on our LT-50 when it failed. We have an auxiliary battery wired in so our hydraulics work whenever a lever is moved.

If the heifer appeared healthy, it may remain a mystery what caused her to die. That stinks as she is at the age she should start providing calves every year. We usually plan for Brahmans to calve around 3 y/o and European heifers to calve at about 2 y/o.

I've seen them eat stuff that tangles up their gut (rope halter). Round objects like oranges can get hung up if they swallow them whole and I've heard of cows dying from choking. We used to have a lot of citrus here and generally crushed the oranges before feeding them to cattle. We had 20" of rain that month the one ingested the rope halter so burying her was not an option. When the carcass started to rot down, the owner called me and let me know that a rope halter was in the remains. Sometimes they will die while calving if the calf is too big or oriented wrong.

Magicman · April 17, 2024, 04:05:42 PM

Quote from: crankin on April 17, 2024, 12:25:42 PMWhen I turn key to # 3 accessory no click sound in the solenoid next to battery

Now is the time to verify all of your breakers. Be sure that the two that are on the rear lower portion of the control box are reset. One is the Debarker and I do not remember offhand what the other is. This is not your problem but it's easy to do so why not. Notice that there is also one on each side of the front control panel.

Now remove the long strip at the bottom of the front panel seen here secured by 4 screws. I suspect that the center Aux. breaker has operated. Be sure that they are all reset.

Now report back and lets see where we are.

I stopped tending cows when I left home @ 17 years old.

WV Sawmiller · April 17, 2024, 05:21:10 PM

From what I'm reading I'd be sure to check the key switch too.

crankin · April 17, 2024, 09:47:09 PM

After work I attached both wires to the left post and hydraulics did work , would that indicate that that solenoid is no good . I'll check those breakers , I've seen 3 on back of accuset box but have not noticed the two on the bottom

Magicman · April 17, 2024, 10:03:32 PM

Yes that is an indication that the solenoid is not making contact if you are applying 12 volts to the solenoid through the key switch. If you are not supplying 12 volts to the solenoid then it will not operate anyway and it proves nothing. Take your voltmeter and look for 12 volts on one of the small solenoid terminals. The other will have ground on it.

Troubleshooting is a step by step voltage reading process to verify that voltage is being applied to the proper component as various switches are operated. Your voltmeter or test light are your friends.

Southside · April 17, 2024, 10:27:19 PM

Cattle have an "average" lifespan because some 3 year olds suddenly die, and some live to 20+. I have had cows get cast in the middle of an almost flat field, it was only by luck I found that one and got her up in time as her rumen was like a balloon, 30 minutes more and she would not have made it. Sometimes we just don't know. Does not make it any easier, especially with todays prices.

crankin · April 18, 2024, 08:20:49 PM

Good evening, here's what I saw , small box next to battery, both large cable connected to left post hydraulics work no volts to right post , small post has 12 volts only when key is turned on , breakers in accuset box are not tripped , I looked in hydraulic box : both large posts on bottom of each solenoid have 12 volts , top post gets 12 volts if I actuate hyd lever but only on 1 solenoid, and just for fun I noticed fluid coming out top of 1 pump when I closed down the locking arm ( can't believe how many solenoids are on this thing) any more insights please pass along thanks

Magicman · April 18, 2024, 08:30:47 PM

If I am following you, you have verified that your supply solenoid in the box is not operating and needs replacing. Also the solenoid that is supplying the pump that is spewing fluid is also not operating.

I would order three. Two to replace your two defective/not working solenoids and one for a spare.

Yes, there are three in the hydraulic circuit, but once you are up and running, you should be trouble free for a long time. You could just go ahead and replace all three and keep the working one from the hydraulic box as your spare. Just a thought.

Peter Drouin · April 20, 2024, 06:06:37 AM

I try to have a spare of everything.

A lot of $$ upfront,
But, downtime costs $$ too.

tacks Y · April 20, 2024, 08:45:09 AM

I have been selling some kiln dried wood this winter trying to clean out and reorganize. I do not cut to sell, just my own use. A man came and bought some from me said he had worked for WM. He went on to say he designed a debarker/mud saw for them but when he showed them they said it was built to well. He was told by the owner they make more on parts than they do selling saws. He knew the top dog by first name and sat in his office talking things out. Said he left after their approach to build durability.

Let the stones fly, I am not trying to flame anyone or WM. The man seemed honest and it was interesting to talk to him.

barbender · April 20, 2024, 11:35:35 AM

WM has had issues on their debarkers. On the other hand, I've had my mill for around 15 years, and I doubt that I've sent WM $1000 for parts in that time. I'm calling BS on that guy.

fluidpowerpro · April 20, 2024, 01:55:46 PM

Sounds like he was sore that they didnt like his design.

barbender · April 20, 2024, 02:03:48 PM

Tacks, to be clear, I don't think that is the kind of post that even belongs here. And I think you realize that too, owing to the fact that you wrote "let the stones fly". That's not the right attitude to have here and you know better.

tacks Y · April 20, 2024, 06:23:26 PM

Quote from: barbender on April 20, 2024, 02:03:48 PMTacks, to be clear, I don't think that is the kind of post that even belongs here. And I think you realize that too, owing to the fact that you wrote "let the stones fly". That's not the right attitude to have here and you know better.

Feel free to delete it. I do not have a dog in this race but..... the man seemed to know what he was talking about. So I was just sharing. I do not have a WM. If I was doing mobile sawing I would, I do not so I don't. But that is just me.

beenthere · April 20, 2024, 08:55:13 PM

Quote from: tacks Y on April 20, 2024, 08:45:09 AMI have been selling some kiln dried wood this winter trying to clean out and reorganize. I do not cut to sell, just my own use. A man came and bought some from me said he had worked for WM. He went on to say he designed a debarker/mud saw for them but when he showed them they said it was built to well. He was told by the owner they make more on parts than they do selling saws. He knew the top dog by first name and sat in his office talking things out. Said he left after their approach to build durability.

Let the stones fly, I am not trying to flame anyone or WM. The man seemed honest and it was interesting to talk to him.

But you just believed him ??
Maybe owe it to WM to dig a little deeper, please.

Percy · April 20, 2024, 09:52:55 PM

That 3rd solonoid in the small box near the battery failed on me about 16 years ago. I still havent replaced it( didnt think it was a big deal. The mill worked fine with it bypassed..........till the other day. I have wired my LT70 for hydraulics everywhere so when one solonoid failed in the opposite fashion that most of them fail(this one stuck in the ON position), it puked out all the oil and killed the battery and probably shortend the pump and motor brushes life so......I think im gonna replace that solonoid after 16 years...hate to rush things but...its time

Magicman · April 20, 2024, 10:17:43 PM

That "supply" solenoid is a sorta safety item to prevent someone from operating the hydraulics when it is unattended. I don't know about now, but previously the non-Super mills did not have that supply solenoid.

They are expensive and alternative solenoids are available at 1/2 $ or less, but they last for several years. I keep 2-3 on my truck because I am always at a customer's location and when I have a failure, I want the sawmill up and running with the least amount of down time. Knowing the symptoms and having the knowledge and parts to quickly bring it back to life will amaze your customers.

I normally have some operating expense $$ available in December so I go through and make a nice order of spare parts with that tax years $$. That is better than paying taxes.