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Baker Blue Streak 3665D

Started by Horselog, January 28, 2016, 07:36:36 PM

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Horselog

I'm looking for anyone with experience around a big Baker with a diesel.  I really like the looks of it, and am wondering what downsides there might be.  I definitely like the Cummins diesel, the blade tensioner and the overall heavy duty look of it. 

Yes I know an LT70 is a good mill too, I'm wanting to give everyone a fair shot here.  I personally like the heavier look of the Baker.

But what I'm really looking for is experience with it, and it would be even more interesting if anyone also had Wood-Mizer experience. 

For those who haven't seen my other recent posts, I'm looking at setting up a smaller production operation to go with my current logging operation.  Somewhere between 5 and 10MBF/day is probably what I'd initially end up doing.

I'm going back and forth between a big portable and a stationary.  Experience with any Baker would be helpful.
Benjamin Harris
Appalachian Mountains of Virginia
horse_logger@me.com

280 rem

A friend has one, it's has served him well for quite a few, very hard abusive years. Drove a few hours to check out a dominator in use. They seemed happy, and definitely one heavy built machine. I did see a dominator for sale a few months ago with a diesel motor, so I'm sure baker is willing to configure it as portable if you wished. No complaints on the baker edger I own, it does its job fine. It will be replaced someday by something bigger.

Look at the select 3620 for portable and 4221 for stationary as well if you like heavy built, and setup and supported properly should offer production towards the higher side of your listed production range. I'll have more insight into that in a few months as we transition into a new 4221 in the coming weeks
We saw walnut lumber for the same reason Willie Sutton said he robbed banks, "because that's where the money is"

Select 4221E, baker edger, cat 908 loader, Jd 548E, timberjack 230d, hood 7000 loader.

kelLOGg

Cook's MP-32, 20HP, 20' (modified w/ power feed, up/down, loader/turner)
DH kiln, CatClaw setter and sharpener, tandem trailer, log arch, tractor, thumb tacks

fishpharmer

Consider customer service.  Woodmizer sets the standard in my opinion.
Built my own band mill with the help of Forestry Forum. 
Lucas 618 with 50" slabber
WoodmizerLT-40 Super Hydraulic
Deere 5065E mfwd w/553 loader

The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work. --Tom A. Edison

ladylake


I'd guess all the major manufactures have good customer service, best service is if it's not needed.  Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

slider

Custom sawyer and i watched this mill earlier at the ag expo in Moultrie Ga and I was impressed.I will admit that I am hard core woodmizer.What i liked most was the speed of the hydraulics.
al glenn

280 rem

Didn't that mill win the sawmill shoot out this past fall? Owning products of both companies I have found bakers customer service less needed, and quite a bit better when I did.
We saw walnut lumber for the same reason Willie Sutton said he robbed banks, "because that's where the money is"

Select 4221E, baker edger, cat 908 loader, Jd 548E, timberjack 230d, hood 7000 loader.

Jim_Wahl

I bought a used one about a year ago. It has been very reliable, but on the few occasions I need anything the parts are only a couple of days away. Absolutely no complaints here!
1997 Peterson 9" WPF since 1998
2004 Baker 3667D since 2014
Cooks Catclaw sharpener and setter



I am from Iowa, but I seem fine.

4x4American

Boy, back in my day..

4x4American

Boy, back in my day..

SineWave

TmbrCruiser here on the forum recently got one, I believe. Might be worth a PM.

Carson-saws

I have made remarks here and there about the BAKER...In order to "CMB"...only because this question was posed and the fact that I am well aware that "one mans food is another's poison" I simply want to be sure that ANY mill is goodI am not a salesmen  but...I personally like the BAKER very much...very well built and a lot of thought in the design...the setworks are accurate and user friendly...the operation also very user friendly...the mill in question tows very nice with no worries about turn radius or extending obstructions.  Both the 38 and 65 diesel are MORE than adequate for powering this beast.  The construction is very strong and leveling is very simple.  The outrigger stabilizes the unit well and set up on a "typical" area is quick and easy.  The model you are asking about has a large fuel tank which is actually a marine fuel tank...I have owned 3 different BAKER mills and as far as service goes...never a problem...in fact they actually sent their service truck up here to upgrade the mill at no cost to me...ceptin dinner...As far as blades go...well...that is obviously a choice each sawyer has to make for them self..yet..I prefer Lennox....There is a list of great things that can be said about the BAKER as I am sure there is equally the same list for other companies...but again...the question was asked.

  side bar:...yes the BAKER has won the shoot out on several occasions...yet...so has the other companies.
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

paddler

ive got a baker bluestreak. i love it. customer service has been fantastic. mine was made in the early 2000's and has a diesel kubota. Its easy and intuative to use and maintain. I tow it with an chevy 1500 and it sets up real quick. ive never had any issues with it other than basic maintenance.


A woodmizer looks pretty small sitting next that baker!

drobertson

I have been around  both,  spoke with sawyers that bleed blue, others orange, it really is a Chevy, ford, and dodge thing,  all have had, and will continue to have at times issues.  Speaking from only three years of Paul Bunyan shows,  each of the companies have good service reps,  the reality of it in my opinion is how the mills will be set up, off bearers, edgers and the like for production, and just how each mill fills the bill for fluidity to said plan. Its  also important to remember there's more  to an operation than the mill itself,
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Carson-saws

drobertson....yes Sir...it is the sawyer that makes the saw...not the saw that makes the sawyer....I just happen to be partial to the BAKER and very happy with them.  The folks that JUST got their BAKER and all the other goodies that were added to their operation are an example of what is available.  I suppose if someone has real deep pockets the edgers,planers, off load and stacking features are all equally as heavy duty built as the BAKER mill is it self.  and...well...I like the color better too.....sorry couldn't resist.  But like drobertson said...some like Ford or Chevy etc etc...to each their own as long as you're milling safely, and having fun doing it.
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

ladylake

 Nice to know that setup is easy, if I ever buy another mill I'll be checking out all of all hydraulic mills.  Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

4x4American

Quote from: ladylake on September 27, 2016, 06:08:54 PM
Nice to know that setup is easy, if I ever buy another mill I'll be checking out all of all hydraulic mills.  Steve

My old boss bought a 3665 Baker and he hasn't had a chance to build a shelter for it yet.  So for awhile he parked it in one barn and whenever he would saw with it he would hook it to his truck and drag it to where he was sawing on his property and saw and then put it away.  So if he went through that hassle, setup can't be bad.  He told me it takes 10min
Boy, back in my day..

tmbrcruiser

Tomorrow will be the first day cutting on my mill, a Baker 3650E with and edger. I went to the Paul Bunyan Show and watched the sawmill shoot out. If production was the only factor in choosing a mill I don't think there is a dimes difference in the Baker or the Woodmizer. Having said this the Baker won the shoot out by a few boards. My decision came down to design and I felt the four post head of the Baker was a better design and I don't want to knock Woodmizer design. There are a lot of orange machines out there.

I purchase an electric mill because I knew I want the mill to be stationary. Word of caution talk to an electrical engineer about your service and the equipment you intend to run. If you do not have three phase power making it is possible but not cheap. Don't ask me how I know. Now that it's done I think I will be happy with electric.

Please PM me if you have any questions you think I can help with.
Once you get sap in your veins, you will always have sawdust in your pockets.

scsmith42

Unless Baker has changed their design from Tom's mill (3638D Mfg in 2008), I defy any one person to start with one in transport mode (saw head over the axles and pinned in place, blade untensioned) and completely and properly set it up in 10 minutes.  An hour is more realistic.

I'm talking about properly leveled from end to end and side to side, within 1/16", with all supports properly set and tightened. 

Two of the leveling jacks are in-between the back axles, and an unholy pain to set up.  You have about 1/8 of a turn on your wrench to loosen and tighten the load jack bolts on that pair of jacks, and usually have to crawl on your back under the axle's to set some blocks under the jacks, and then use the jack handle from the side in-between the springs and the frame to move the jacks up and down. 

Setup time and hassle is my single greatest frustration with a Baker.  You can't have any of the leveling jacks extending above the carriage or else the saw head will hit them.  So that means that when setting up you're using a combination of blocks under the jacks or digging them out for increased clearance unless you are on a perfectly level site.  I finally removed some of the jacks and refabricated them for clearance of the sawhead.

Maybe Tom is more difficult than most, as it is their longest carriage and can mill a 25' log. 

Yes, the Baker is much heavier than the Woodmizer (9K lbs for my mill versus 5K lbs for an LT70), but ease and quickness of setup is one area where Woodmizer flat out smokes a Baker.  If your business will primarily be 18' and shorter logs, milled at the customers site, I would lean more towards Woodmizer.

If you're going to primarily operate as a stationary mill, then the field tilts more towards the Baker.

From a customer support perspective, my dealings with the Baker Tech and Part's folks has been great.

In my humble opinion.....

Peterson 10" WPF with 65' of track
Smith - Gallagher dedicated slabber
Tom's 3638D Baker band mill
and a mix of log handling heavy equipment.

Carson-saws

tmbrcruiser.... :D...perhaps if it is the first time setting the mill up it might take longer than 10 min.  but..With a crew that has done this many many times and leveled "hither and yon"  The mill is up and running in no more than 20 min at best...or worst...however way you choose to say it...I would only expect a "loyal WM" person to make an attempt to find some kind of "flaw" and as stated..one mans food is another's poison.  Alas...I have never had any trouble or "pain in the hinder parts" with set up in any location..All I can say is...I personally do not care who runs what...all I care about is doing it safely...enjoying it... sharing information...learning...and carrying on...
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

jclvsall

We have the 3665 and the 3638. 

Love them.

We have the 2" 3665D It is amazing!

We have had a few repairs. I wont lie. But I will not complain!  Brad and David at Baker have stayed on the phone sometimes for an hour as we walk through something on the machine.  Couldn't find better service really.  I have had David get a part off their machine to tell me a measurement of what's behind it. 

We have run Timberking and woodmizer but settled on the baker.  It is the speed we can push through the white oak and hickory with that 2" that impresses me.

I will tell you this.  I spent a bunch of time on here when we owned the TK and WM but not anymore.




Brian
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Quote from: jclvsall on October 03, 2016, 07:23:30 PM
We have the 3665 and the 3638. 

Love them.

We have the 2" 3665D It is amazing!

We have had a few repairs. I wont lie. But I will not complain!  Brad and David at Baker have stayed on the phone sometimes for an hour as we walk through something on the machine.  Couldn't find better service really.  I have had David get a part off their machine to tell me a measurement of what's behind it. 

We have run Timberking and woodmizer but settled on the baker.  It is the speed we can push through the white oak and hickory with that 2" that impresses me.

I will tell you this.  I spent a bunch of time on here when we owned the TK and WM but not anymore.




Brian


How are the setworks on them?  After having the WM Accuset II setworks, I feel like I would be at a disadvantage without them, they were the main reason I went orange, and they really impress the heck out of me.  But I can't push the feed the way I would like to be able to.




I think one day in my biz plan, I want to have a setup that is a combination of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAF5gC9Ggk




and this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=223aFkBccDs


Would definitely go 2" band. 


Or the heck with it, go all in and get a Lumber Pro  sail_smiley smiley_angel02_wings :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Gru0IyX6s
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

The old setworks on the 3638 dont have a core.  But the new one the 3665 has very good setworks.  I can't imagine cutting without it now.  The dragback as well.  We didn't have that on the lt40 or the b20.

But we are in it for production.  I liked cutting with the others for custom work but when we headed into production the 2" was the way to go.

We run 2" .055 7* turbos from WM.  Woodmizer has a real fine blade right there.

Brian
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Yea those turbos are top shelf that's for sure. 


How do the setworks on the 3665 work?  I've been to shows and the setworks on the 3665 are always wrapped up in plastic cause the guy who saws for them from NH doesn't use them...but I do, so I wanna see how they work and how accurate they are
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

You have 8 preset cores and 8 preset sets.

The core is what you want to end on.  Example : cutting a crosstie I would use a 7" and 9" core and a 1 1/8" set for sideboards.

The motion would be a togle switch on that panel to chose your set ( first use only. After that set us locked in until you change it)  then you togle the core. 

As you cut you have a 4way joystic next to your hydraulic valves.  L & R move the movable guide in and out. Fwd is joging your set down the chosen 1 1/8th" back is raising for your dragback.

You also next to your joyatick have 2 togles one for debarker on off.  One to reset on setworks.

I hope that helps.

If I get a chance I will video for you and post it.

Brian
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

Ga Mtn Man

Are the "presets" adjustable by the user?
"If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy." - Red Green


2012 LT40HDG29 with "Superized" hydraulics,  2 LogRite cant hooks, home-built log arch.

4x4American

That does help, thanks.  And I would love to see a video!
Boy, back in my day..

SineWave

Quote from: tmbrcruiser on September 30, 2016, 10:41:50 PMI went to the Paul Bunyan Show and watched the sawmill shoot out...

Well, dang it. I'm building a mill and wanted to go to that show this weekend to look at all the different designs and maybe pick up a few ideas for designing my mill, but now I gotta stick around for this miserable hurricane! Looks like we may need to dog down the hatches, TmbrCruiser...

Carson-saws

Quote from: jclvsall on October 03, 2016, 10:07:08 PM
The old setworks on the 3638 dont have a core.  But the new one the 3665 has very good setworks.  I can't imagine cutting without it now.  The dragback as well.  We didn't have that on the lt40 or the b20.

But we are in it for production.  I liked cutting with the others for custom work but when we headed into production the 2" was the way to go.

We run 2" .055 7* turbos from WM.  Woodmizer has a real fine blade right there.

Brian

What year is the mill with no core setwork?...I have always had the core and my first mill with setworks was a 2004.  I agree totally on the BAKER setworks...really user friendly.  For what few times I have had to call for a service question,  it was resolved.  What impresses me even more about BAKER is if and when they do have an upgrade, they let you know and it always just makes it even better. 

Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

jclvsall

Sorry for the delay. Been a long week.  Rook delivery of the resaw. 

Yes the sets and cores are programable to 16ths i think. 

Here are pics of the setup.  You clear it with the reset togle on mill the set you board thickness and then the core you want to leave and then jog it with the joystick.









Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Looks simple enough to get the hang of
Boy, back in my day..

Carson-saws

Yupp.......that's the set up.....like I have mentioned...very user friendly and accurate...nice set up you have jclvsall....good to share with a BAKER guy....does typical maintenance pretty much keep "down time"  less of a worry for you too?...
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

jclvsall

Carson Saws yes we do have typical maintinence.  Every once in a while a blade break will cut the drive belt.  Or something will bend the alluminum movable guide mount and needs replaced.

We have had a couple issues with Cummins engineering. 

Several upgrades we had to make were to add a poly blade keeper at the top to keep the blade off the clutch housing.  Any cavitation in the blade caused it to hit the clutch.  Our clutch we noticed after about 400 hours had a good groove started.  We added the keeper to fix that.

Second was adding an idle wheel scraper.

Third we went to 7* Turbo woodmizer blades. 

For the most part we dont have much down time.  Our one problem has been with the hydraulic pump that Cummins has on here.  For some reason we keep spinning the splines off the shaft. Baker has been good to us despite the fact that it is all part of the package they get from Cummins.  We are working at having Cummins look at it.

Otherwise we have very little down time. 





Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

Carson-saws

jclvsall.....The wheel scraper now is a weighted scraper and works real good.  I can relate to prior set up and how it would sometimes pack the wheel.  We used to keep an eye on it and hand scrape after a few hours but now the scraper set up eliminates that.   One of the mods I did myself was...because it is year round the summer heat was a burden on the setworks only because there was no"air in" fan to keep it cool.  The "air out" fan helped eliminate that but I went ahead and installed an "air in" fan and use nylon stocking as a filter, and simply wired it to the existing fan.  Never had any problems to speak of before but did find the control box to get pretty dern warm so I thought I would address it before a problem occurred.  I could go on and on about how much I like the BAKER portable...as I am sure others could about which ever mill they own...again..as long as you are safe, smiling and gettin the job done, makes NO difference what you're running.
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

jclvsall

Could you post a pic of the weighted scraper.  Would love to see it.

Had a great day today at the mill.  Cutting a 10mbf order of 10x10 timbers and 12/4 lumber as side boards.  Really keeps the loader moving  8)



Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

How do you change the chainsaw chain on the debarker?  I've been wondering about that one for awhile, and was reminded this past weekend when I was looking at the 3665 where I used to work...well I guess I still work there I was setting up the new Cook's sharpening equipment there lol
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

On ours you remove the bolts from the bottom of the disk the chain is on.  The disc falls off with the chain. 
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

What is yours the 3665?  A newer one?


How accurate are the setworks btw?
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

2009 3665 with cummins 

The setworks are very accurate.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

How does it measure where the headrig is at and control how far the headrig drops do you know? 

Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

I have not torn into it.  I dont know what kind of position sensor it has.    It rides on ball screw.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Boy, back in my day..

4x4American

Does weather affect the accuracy of the set?  Like say on a cold morning then a warm afternoon does it need to be calibrated?
Boy, back in my day..

xlogger

On my TK after I warm the Hyd oil up some on cold morning my setworks work fine. Sometimes its fine not so warm. When I first got my mill I did have problem being off sometimes. But after about 100 hours or a little more it improved a lot. I think on TK the white blocks that ride up and down on the 4 post head are a little too tight when new.
Just wondering does the WM setworks have to be adjusted on cold morning? If so how do you do it? I have a friend that has one, maybe I can help him if you have to do that.
Timberking 2000, Turbo slabber Mill, 584 Case, Bobcat 773, solar kiln, Nyle L-53 DH kiln

4x4American

No, the WM setworks is great.  It uses a transducer to measure in 1/32" increments.  Very accurate.  I wasn't sure if the Baker's setworks moved the headrig by timing the opening of a hydraulic valve like yours does.  The WM setworks knows right where the head is at and if the head didn't get there it will bring it there.  I have been very impressed with it's accuracy. 
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

Our setworks on the 3665 never varies.  It's height reading was off slightly when the carriage wheels had worn but that was not the setworks fault.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

ladylake

 Setworks accuracy and how well they work is real important on a mill, nothing more aggravating than have to reboot or reset them in the middle of sawing . Both my B20 and my brothers TK 2000 are dead on and work all of the time after some troubles right at first which were figured out and fixed with some help from this forum.  I was over at another mill with a almost new mill and wanted to see how thick he cut his 1" lumber, couldn't believe it but the whole stack varied from 1" to 1 1/4" thick in 8' long boards. With my mill when I set it on 1" the boards come out 1 1/32" every time.  Good to know the Baker setworks are accurate and work good with out rebooting them.  Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

tmbrcruiser

I have cut about 10,000 bf with the mill (3650E Baker) since setting the mill. I am so happy with the ease the mill cuts lumber and consistency of the mill. The set works were easy to learn and lumber doesn't vary. Well I should say the lumber doesn't vary as long as I turn the log when I see stress. I cut about 1,500 bf of river birch found it to need turning more than other species. When I see thickness vary from end to end on lumber I believe this is related to stress moving the log not the accuracy of the set works. Baker and their support team get 100% endorsement from me.
Once you get sap in your veins, you will always have sawdust in your pockets.

4x4American

This is all good info, I wasn't sure about Baker's setworks and user friendliness of it.  I don't like how the operator is only in one spot though.  I like how the 70 super allows you the option to saw towards yourself or away, so that if you have a tail man or don't, you can be out of the way or tail the mill yourself.


Does the Baker have cruise control?
Boy, back in my day..

xlogger

Only seen one baker running. The guy didn't use the setworks, it had a large wheel with the inch gauge on it that even a old guy like could see.
Timberking 2000, Turbo slabber Mill, 584 Case, Bobcat 773, solar kiln, Nyle L-53 DH kiln

jclvsall

 The feed valve locks in forward but not reverse. The feed speed is adjustable with a separate hydraulic flow control valve.   
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Thanks for all your help..one more Q, if it hits the end of the track on cruise control and you're off stacking a board is there something that would stop it from tryin to keep moving forward or will it just keep psi there until something wears out/breaks?
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

No she slams like hulk hogan body slamming andre the giant!
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

ladylake


When hitting the end of the track on hyd machines oil is just pumped through the relief valve, no harm unless you left it pumping for a long time which would heat up the oil.  Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

4x4American

hahahaha thats a good one, so does my wm.  I hadn't thought about a relief valve...durr!  Thanks
Boy, back in my day..

Bluejay27

Us electric feed guys ruin a motor instead. Although if you have an autoclutch, you can wire in a switch and bumper to kill the autoclutch and power feed. It just takes 2 relays and some diodes, the NC terminal lets the normal signal through, but when the switch closes, the relays close. This kills power to the power feed and sends the autoclutch "on" signal to the NO terminal and down the "off" wire (12v at either results in that signal, not 0v for off). And the diodes pass the on signal back to the relays to hold them on until the signal is off (you manually cycle autoclutch and power feed off).

Just a tip so you guys aren't crashing into the end, although I don't know how it could be done hydraulically aside from like a log splitter where high enough pressure kicks the lever off on the return cycle. And maybe add a spring loaded crash plate at the end.
'98 Wood-Mizer LT40HDD42 Super, '08 LT40HDG28, '15 LT70HDD55-RW, '93 Clark GPX25 Forklift, '99 Ford F550

4x4American

On the 3665 it looks like the hydraulic valves will get in the way if you try to drag back a wide board...how wide of a board can you fit through that opening there before you start hitting the operator controls?
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

Carson-saws

jclvsall....sounds like you are very happy with your BAKER...can't say as I blame ya.. Meant to ask...did you ground your dust collection system? As far as through the tubing.
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

jclvsall

Yes we love our baker.  Our dust collector is not on sight.  Believe it or not we are pushing a million feet and still shoveling! 

We talked about hooking it up this week though.  Seems we will have some extra time.

After saying i never tore into the up down mechenism earlier in this post I have now!

3665 owners beware!!! The up down cogged belt run by the little hydraulic motor just in front of your face supprts the entire weight of the head believe it or not!!!  Last week we heard a pop while the head was moving down.  Heard it again yesterday.  Pulled the plate off to find the belt was a little loose.  We located the jack bolt running through the little alluminum block and turned to no avail.  Noticing the tensioner pully was tight to the frame we lossened the center bolt.  Thinking we should check the bearing inside the tensioner pulley we decided to just pull the bolt all the way out so we could remove the tensioner pully and inspect the bearing.  As soon as the tensioner pulley was free the belt flew off and the head went into a freefall.

Shattered both flange bearings on the bottom of the ball screw and drove the flange bearing collets up into the ball screw bearings destroying both of them!

So now I have tore into it.  Talk about Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre the giant!  That bad boy came crashing down!!!

Both Lee and I sat there shaking from the adrenaline and thanking the good Lord that belt didnt grab his arm and there were no body parts under the head at the time!!!
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Holy cow!!! Glad nobody got hurt- yikes! 
Boy, back in my day..

4x4American

So how are ya making out with the repairs?
Boy, back in my day..

jclvsall

Got most of it back together today.  Went to the woods logging before we finished.   We have to recalibrate the position sensor yet and check head for level.  Then it's just replacing all the covers. 
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.  Ben Franklin

4x4American

Maybe a warning label would be a good idea on Baker's part!


How do you like those bullet guides do you have to adjust them much or are they pretty trouble free?  Do they wear out bands?
Boy, back in my day..

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