WM drivers...have you ever "bent" the drive track?

MotorSeven · October 02, 2009, 09:03:18 PM

It's an LT15
I have noticed a "bobble" 3/4 of the way down the track. The mill would dip to the outboard side & I could feel more resistance on while cranking/pushing. I looked over everything, checked level, couldn't see what was causing it. Today I marked the track on the drive side when the bobble occured, then when it seemed to level back out. Got the tape measure out, and found that the drive rail was bent "in" towards the mill by 1/8" & the error was over 2' long. Looking at the rail, I could actually see the bend.
The only thing I can think of is that 28' log. It was less that 20", but I must have let it roll onto the drive rail when loading it.
A cheater bar and a pipe wrench fixed it, but I did pop a couple of my upper welds. I guess I need to be more carefull with those BIG logs..........

Anyone else done this? Or....am I special?

RD

TimJr · October 03, 2009, 12:47:58 AM

I also have an LT15. I have only sawn for about 3 months now, but have put the mill to the test. I haven't bent anything yet. I have managed to put a good mark on the outside dog! Did I mention that I did that on the first cut of a new blade. Live and learn.

Chuck White · October 03, 2009, 07:06:34 AM

I noticed my mill would have that type of a dip once in a while, last year!
It turned out to be an easy fix. There was dirt and grease build-up on the inside of the lower rail!
That was probably from years of over-greasing. The grease would come out of the roller and collect dirt, dust, sawdust, and whatever else!
I just took a rag soaked with liquid wrench and wiped the rail down and the problem went away!

MotorSeven · October 03, 2009, 09:16:01 AM

I've hit the first & third stops.....always with a new blade

. Luckily, my neighbor has a setter/sharpener.
As far as the track rail, I must be talented to bend something on the opposite load side :D. I am wondering if I didn't catch it with the peavy while rolling that big log.....will have to watch that in the future.