Hello new here and have a questions on a mill I am looking to get.

ladylake · January 21, 2020, 05:34:21 AM

From post 17

(If you buy a hydraulic mill, it will be 100% hydraulic. No 12volt hydraulic systems.)

This is the thing I would consider the most when paying a lot of money for a new mill.. Look on here on troubles with mills, almost always electrical things. Steve

YellowHammer · January 21, 2020, 09:11:56 AM

The LT40 frame and configuration is the workhorse of the WM line. It's not the fastest, not the most technologically advanced, but its reliable. The Super is pretty much the same mill, solid as a rock, but produces more wood due to faster log manipulation because of its twin hydraulic pumps, and quicker sawhead movements due to slightly stronger feed and head motors.

I wouldn't get a Wide Head without getting the biggest engine offered, that would be a mistake, in my opinion. Straight cutting requires an optimum feed and speed and when cutting widehead sized logs, Hp allows the saw to feed at the required speed. Feeding too slow is as bad as feeding too fast, causing waves, blade heating, pitch build up, etc.

farmfromkansas · January 23, 2020, 04:03:41 PM

If I were looking for a mill, would look for one used. All 3 brands are good mills, and if you could find a good used one, could save considerable money. I have a Cooks mp32, neighbors have a Timberking 1600, both are good mills. No woodmiser in the neighborhood, that I know of, but there are a couple home built with rubber tire wheels. I wanted to saw lumber, not build a mill.

terrifictimbersllc · January 23, 2020, 05:07:23 PM

Quote from: YellowHammer on January 21, 2020, 09:11:56 AMI wouldn't get a Wide Head without getting the biggest engine offered, that would be a mistake, in my opinion. Straight cutting requires an optimum feed and speed and when cutting widehead sized logs, Hp allows the saw to feed at the required speed. Feeding too slow is as bad as feeding too fast, causing waves, blade heating, pitch build up, etc.

This is one reason why I ended up with an LT70 Super last summer.

I ran a LT40 Super 42HP Turbo Kubota 18 years, wanted to upgrade to NEW and WIDE, but didnt want to step backwards to 35HP non-turbo.

The other reason is that I went to the sawing project at Jake's last April and hung out with the wrong crowd. :D

Bruno of NH · January 23, 2020, 05:32:25 PM

I have the lt40 wide hydraulic 38hp gas.
I cut lots of wide stuff.
I like the gas but have not ran a desiel mill.

AnthonyW · January 23, 2020, 06:52:22 PM

Just my thoughts.

When I bought my mill it was and a Woodmizer. If it was not a Woodmizer I don't know if I would have purchased it. I just looked at a LT30 that would have required a COMPLETE rebuild from the frame and head to the engine and wheels. I only considered the project because (a) power lift and feed and (b) [you guessed it] it is a Woodmizer.

I'm sure the others are fine mills, but mine is a Woodmizer.

Greysonvalleyrr · January 31, 2020, 11:06:34 AM

Well I am still looking, Have been busy doing other things. Hope to have one by April.
Looked at a Baker
[color=var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-color, var(--yt-spec-text-primary))]Model 3638G Blue Streak Looked to be massive.[/color]
A Lt40 comes in at 3900 lbs and the baker Twice as much. Pretty much the same price. Mid 40's.
If you order the baker you can get it to accept 24' cuts , but you have to order it that way when built being mobile.

YellowHammer · January 31, 2020, 01:35:24 PM

I've not run a Baker mill but have a Baker edger, and their equipment is top grade, very commercial performing. I've been to their factory and watched them in one of three full time sawmill sites, and they do not baby their equipment. Thats why I bought their edger, I saw two guys who were getting paid by the bdft and they produced a lot of wood while I watched, that was their full time job, if the hardware broke down, they didn't get paid. Then I went into their fabrication plant and they had several million dollar laser cutting machines and a warehouse filled with people building stuff. I was very impressed.

Their service is excellent, also.

SawyerTed · January 31, 2020, 06:35:29 PM

Baker mills are very well built heavy duty machines. But to cut timbers for a scale ride on train hobby, that's a whole lot of machine.

Woodpecker52 · January 31, 2020, 07:46:19 PM

I would say if you can afford the best then buy the biggest and best. Will need support equipment also, skid steer etc. may as well keep the economy booming go for it.

Greysonvalleyrr · February 01, 2020, 03:23:57 PM

I have a New Holland Tire skid steer I got new 5 years ago has 300 hrs now on it. Have a Komatsu PC60 excavator It came with a claw for moving timbers. Have a Mobark wood chipper. Case 580K 4X4. A terex 18 ton truck crane with 130" stick a few Farm tractors all Ford. And a 60 ft Grove manlift. These all all my toys never do any work off my property for others. I really like the baker 3665 but the price with options is hitting 67 K. The 3638G is hitting 45 K both are 24' cutting. The only difference between them is the cheaper one is 38HP gas and the other one is a 65HP Cummins.

My wife keeps asking me how much are they, Used there 50 to 100.00 new 65hp diesel is 2500.00 Watch for a yard sale when I die. You can probably pick everything up for 2000.00

Woodpecker52 · February 01, 2020, 11:43:52 PM

Bakers listed on sawmill exchange under bandmill, hydraulic. I like the looks of all their mills especially the 3638G looks very well made and massive. I would say the 38 hp would be plenty of cutting power. The saying is you can't take it with you but you can die happy trying. By the way trains can be highly addictive especially scale.

ClarkFarm · February 03, 2020, 09:14:24 AM

I have gone through the same decision process between what I wanted and what I really needed for a mill. Nearly two years of struggling with what to replace my manual mill. At 72 yrs old, hydraulic is now a must. How much power and speed I needed was dictated by how much lumber I can lug each day. Cost was important but why buy a $45,000 mill if less will get the job done just as well. I didn't need a mill that could cut a 36" log, even though I have the equipment to move them. So I am picking up an LT35HD the first of May. It should do every thing I need it to do. Saved enough money to finely get a sharpner/setter and some other goods that I have been drooling over.

Southside · February 03, 2020, 10:05:45 AM

The 35 is a very good mill and will serve you well, that's what I started with. Welcome to the Forum.

tylerltr450 · February 03, 2020, 10:39:00 AM

Quote from: Greysonvalleyrr on January 16, 2020, 08:16:37 PM
the other question I had was plate for the trailer in Pa.

No plates are required in PA.
Sawmills fall under farm equipment.

bushhog920 · February 03, 2020, 10:52:27 AM

70 years old I bet your back is 70 years old to. Support equipment is more important than the mill itself. You could be better off with a $5k mill, $10k forklift, and a $10k 2ton crane over the mill than a $25k mill. You still have to handle all the lumber going on/off the mill.

Southside · February 03, 2020, 10:58:54 AM

Couple $100 bucks worth of skate rollers and we don't lift a board until it gets stacked. Pivot it onto the edger, then slide it off the home built collection table off the end of the edger, slabs and all follow the same path, makes the physical aspect much easier.

Greysonvalleyrr · February 03, 2020, 11:18:09 AM

Quote from: bushhog920 on February 03, 2020, 10:52:27 AM
70 years old I bet your back is 70 years old to. Support equipment is more important than the mill itself. You could be better off with a $5k mill, $10k forklift, and a $10k 2ton crane over the mill than a $25k mill. You still have to handle all the lumber going on/off the mill.

You have it close, my back is about 90 years old. And doing it with one good leg only makes it a little harder. Had the right leg pulled off in 1998 at the knee. Doctors did a good job getting it back on but it still a bit wobbly. Have a ton of support equipment at the farm. The best one i have is the Terex truck crane with remote wireless controls. its 18 ton and lots of stick 130 ft. at 130 ft it only good for 1000 lbs.