The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Coon on April 16, 2011, 06:35:31 PM

Title: Check out this mill...
Post by: Coon on April 16, 2011, 06:35:31 PM
 I was just being a youtube bum a few mins ago and found this video....  Very interesting to say the least.  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMEV2UL79us&NR=1&feature=fvwp

What do you people think of this one?   

Brad.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Wildcat on April 16, 2011, 06:49:17 PM
Whooly cow what sawmill !!! :o :o
this puts all others out to pasture...
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: ladylake on April 16, 2011, 06:52:00 PM

Looks  $$$$$$$$, but nice.  Steve
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: beenthere on April 16, 2011, 06:52:48 PM
Looks a bit on the slow, deliberate side. And not showing much on getting rid of slabs and boards.  
And I'd bet the cost is outstanding as well.
But it was an interesting video, and thanks for the enlightenment. ;)
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: coyotencuttin on April 16, 2011, 07:15:25 PM
81 horsepower diesel engine for the 1200mm wheel version. I think I'd need a kenworth to make it portable. Wow!
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Chuck White on April 16, 2011, 07:26:34 PM
Really nice mill.

Seems to be a little rough on turning cants!

I like the sawdust collection system!

Way out of my budget, but nice!

Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: bugdust on April 16, 2011, 07:30:24 PM
......but it ain't orange!   :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bandmill Bandit on April 16, 2011, 08:10:25 PM
Quote from: bugdust on April 16, 2011, 07:30:24 PM
......but it ain't orange!   :-\ :-\ :-\

Yea but it just might be German! :P  checking now.

Yup German! Looks like head office in Hanover. Will have pricing mid week.
 
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Ernie on April 16, 2011, 08:29:59 PM
I'm quite happy getting the exercise pushing my Rimu twinsaw in the hot sun.  Maybe in another ten years or so.  I'll get myself one for my 80th birthday. :D
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Skip on April 16, 2011, 10:08:01 PM
 :o Looks like the Germans built a better mouse trap  ;)
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Magicman on April 16, 2011, 10:22:54 PM
I enjoyed watching it.  After today, it's fun watching someone else saw.   ;D
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Brad_S. on April 16, 2011, 10:36:37 PM
Interesting but I wouldn't say better. I reminds me a bit of my first saw, a Breezewood. It had a seat that allowed the sawyer to have the same view. The problem is it is not a one man machine when there is a seat on the machine, an off bearer is needed. IMO, the double turner and double clamping system look rather cumbersome. I do like the sawdust catcher though.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: D Hagens on April 16, 2011, 11:24:41 PM
Quote from: Skip on April 16, 2011, 10:08:01 PM
:o Looks like the Germans built a better mouse trap  ;)

Awwwww......no, this is the best mouse trap 8)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20317/2849/A_real_trap%21.jpg)  :D :D
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Coon on April 16, 2011, 11:58:38 PM
Those mousetraps are fine as long as you have steel toed boots on.... kinda hard on toes otherwise.  :D  :D  Don't ask how I know. 
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Warbird on April 17, 2011, 12:02:19 AM
Nice mill!  I could probably afford a single hydraulic lifter and maybe even one saw blade!
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: backwoods sawyer on April 17, 2011, 12:34:17 AM
Looks like a good solid mill that is not short on options.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Woodchuck53 on April 17, 2011, 05:24:15 AM
Way out of my budget if I was looking. Nice rig though, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: thecfarm on April 17, 2011, 08:14:10 AM
That's a mill!!!!  I watched the set up one too.Interesting the way it folds up and the head can be turned.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: customsawyer on April 17, 2011, 08:23:10 AM
It looks like a neat mill but I don't see the need for two debarkers. I would also put a green chain on the off load side to help keep things from falling on the mill.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bibbyman on April 17, 2011, 01:09:22 PM
I got to thinking about what the hydraulic schematic would look like.  Must be miles and miles of hoses and hundreds of valves and motors.

The hydraulic valves must be electric operated.  You couldn't drag hoses back and forth from the cab.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bandmill Bandit on April 17, 2011, 01:45:00 PM
Quote from: customsawyer on April 17, 2011, 08:23:10 AM
It looks like a neat mill but I don't see the need for two debarkers. I would also put a green chain on the off load side to help keep things from falling on the mill.

If you want it done right the first time you need at least one German. If you want it screwed up RIGHT the first time you still need a German.

i agree on the second debarker
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 06:02:24 PM
Quote from: customsawyer on April 17, 2011, 08:23:10 AM
It looks like a neat mill but I don't see the need for two debarkers. I would also put a green chain on the off load side to help keep things from falling on the mill.

That's one of the first things that I noticed about it :) It's always been one thing that I could never figure out about the mills that I've seen where the companies brag about the debarker  and how it saves the band as it goes in but in my mind it's always been what about the dirt and crap on the way out? I think this is a pretty good idea :)
Just one of many things that I think about before I buy a mill.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bibbyman on April 17, 2011, 07:12:53 PM
Quote from: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 06:02:24 PM
Quote from: customsawyer on April 17, 2011, 08:23:10 AM
It looks like a neat mill but I don't see the need for two debarkers. I would also put a green chain on the off load side to help keep things from falling on the mill.

That's one of the first things that I noticed about it :) It's always been one thing that I could never figure out about the mills that I've seen where the companies brag about the debarker  and how it saves the band as it goes in but in my mind it's always been what about the dirt and crap on the way out? I think this is a pretty good idea :)
Just one of many things that I think about before I buy a mill.

I just wonder if this mill has an option to saw coming and going?   Then the dual de-barkers would make more sense.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: barbender on April 17, 2011, 07:21:32 PM
That would make more sense, Bibby. The whole set-up looks a bit over engineered, at least the way they present it. It would be neat to see one operating in real world conditions.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 07:22:32 PM
 But Bibby do your logs not have dirt and rocks on the side that the band comes through ??? :D :D
If you think long and hard about it what's the point of clearing one side of the log to save the band and let the band exit through crap and debris? Seems like a few saw companies could learn a few things from these guys 8) 8)
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on April 17, 2011, 08:16:11 PM
I would have guessed it Swiss if I wasn't told it was German.  But the head travel just seems slow especially the return. And if it was twice as fast what would it feel like to be in the box? 
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Brad_S. on April 17, 2011, 08:33:30 PM
Quote from: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 07:22:32 PM
But Bibby do your logs not have dirt and rocks on the side that the band comes through ??? :D :D
If you think long and hard about it what's the point of clearing one side of the log to save the band and let the band exit through crap and debris?
Regular dirt on the exit side does little damage to the blade because it is not being shoved through the cut, it is being kicked off and flung clear. Stones and frozen dirt being the exception. You sound as if you think a debarker is a waste of money. I would never own a mill without one myself.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: AvT on April 17, 2011, 08:48:13 PM
Looks like a fantastic saw to me.  The stuff they build over there can be totally amazing in quality, durablity, and PRICE!  One thing I was wondering about is where the blade lube was.  Speaking of German Quality, I am always amazed when I see one of those big Leibherr cranes.  Absolutely phenominal machines.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 09:49:48 PM
Quote from: Brad_S. on April 17, 2011, 08:33:30 PM
Quote from: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 07:22:32 PM
But Bibby do your logs not have dirt and rocks on the side that the band comes through ??? :D :D
If you think long and hard about it what's the point of clearing one side of the log to save the band and let the band exit through crap and debris?
Regular dirt on the exit side does little damage to the blade because it is not being shoved through the cut, it is being kicked off and flung clear. Stones and frozen dirt being the exception. You sound as if you think a debarker is a waste of money. I would never own a mill without one myself.

Regular dirt, stones and everything else on the other side is the same as what's on the cut side right? If it destroys the teeth on the way in then it destroys the teeth on the way out weather or not its throwing it or cutting it.
I think it's just another great thought made by a company that thinks! My guess is that they work in the woods, see what a mill needs and they don't sit behind a desk selling a product Smiley
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Brucer on April 17, 2011, 10:03:58 PM
Quote from: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 09:49:48 PM
Regular dirt, stones and everything else on the other side is the same as what's on the cut side right? If it destroys the teeth on the way in then it destroys the teeth on the way out weather or not its throwing it or cutting it.

My first mill didn't have a debarker. The second one did -- just the one. It makes a heck of a difference. On the "output" side the teeth are blowing out the wood just below the dirt etc. The only time it matters is when you're dealing with thick mud or frozen dirt.

I use the same principle when I'm bucking my logs. I find a clean area near the top and then saw down with the tip just below the surface. Then I buck the log from the other side. Dirt is always getting blown out toward me by the wood chips. I get 4 times as long between chain sharpenings.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Brad_S. on April 18, 2011, 07:50:12 AM
Quote from: D Hagens on April 17, 2011, 09:49:48 PM
Regular dirt, stones and everything else on the other side is the same as what's on the cut side right? If it destroys the teeth on the way in then it destroys the teeth on the way out weather or not its throwing it or cutting it.
[/quote]
Absolutely not true! When the blade strikes something on the way into a cut, the object is pushed against the log. It has nowhere to go and with the force of the blade pushing on it, something has to give....namely the blade tooth. On the way out, a struck object  can fly freely away, causing minimal to no damage. also, much of the debris on the out side is pushed away by the flying wood/sawdust/bark even before the blade teeth get to it.
I'm not saying a debarker on the exit side isn't a welcome idea, but for the cost involve, the benefits would be minimal were as a debarker on the entry side is money well spent IMO.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Dave_ on April 18, 2011, 11:44:01 AM
Kinda reminded me of the old ratchet setter riding the carriage days.  The scissor log turner is cool.  And I got to get me a pair of those Euro overalls the operator is wearing :D
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: metljakt on April 18, 2011, 02:27:16 PM
Lemme guess.........100,000 Euros.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: rph816 on April 18, 2011, 03:06:17 PM
It would be a sweet machine if it was double cut.  Move one of those debarkers to the back side of the head, put teeth on the back side of the blade and go go go. 

Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Tom on April 18, 2011, 03:37:53 PM
Those wide bands almost require that you have a sawshop handy.  They need hammering like a circle mill, but more frequently.  The teeth on that band are swedged or soldered too.  That's a whole lot of sawmill to be portable.  It's probably more in the line of being transportable and aimed at semi-permanent or permanent installation.  I sure wish they would give you measurements and capacities in something besides Magic Mans.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: D Hagens on April 18, 2011, 03:47:07 PM
Quote from: Tom on April 18, 2011, 03:37:53 PM
Those wide bands almost require that you have a sawshop handy.  They need hammering like a circle mill, but more frequently.  The teeth on that band are swedged or soldered too.  That's a whole lot of sawmill to be portable.  It's probably more in the line of being transportable and aimed at semi-permanent or permanent installation.  I sure wish they would give you measurements and capacities in something besides Magic Mans.
Hey Tom, it's interesting that you mentioned this about the wide bands needing a sawshop close by. Does the width of a wider band make it harder to sharpen and set by oneself? Also what's the life span of let's say a 6 inch band compared to a 1 1/2 inch band?
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: AvT on April 18, 2011, 04:09:15 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=pAMRuA6Oajc&vq=medium#t=1
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: ROUGH CUT on April 18, 2011, 09:01:03 PM
Wow! I never even dreamed about a mill this great.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bandmill Bandit on April 18, 2011, 11:43:48 PM
Quote from: ROUGH CUT on April 18, 2011, 09:01:03 PM
Wow! I never even dreamed about a mill this great.

Yea its a great looking mill but after a few views i can see LOTS of areas where maintenance would be a more then just a little head ache.

It is German and over built as one would expect but being German my self I can see a few places where the desire to engineer and mechanize may have out weighed simple and serviceable and be cause for hours on a meticulous maintenance program that may be as signifigant as the production capability.

May be wrong but trust me I do understand the mind set extremely well. None the less it is an impressive mill for sure.

you need a German to do it right and to screw it up right too. ;D
   

Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: backwoods sawyer on April 19, 2011, 01:45:49 AM
The way that thing folds up for transport is quite impressive as well. Everything seems to be hydraulic. This is not a one man sawmill by any means more along the lines of the WM 3000 "ONLY PORTABLE" and is ideal for the small woodlot system that Germany has. I do not believe you would take a mill like this out on anything less then about 5,000 bft. The portable edger that is transported on the mill is quite slow compared to a twin cut edger but better for production then edging on the mill.   
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Brucer on April 19, 2011, 01:47:05 AM
There are some interesting ideas with that mill.

I have always thought about a cross-cut saw that would never cut below the bottom of the band blade. It would be very useful for the extra-long (and overlength) timbers. I had never considered attaching one to the sawhead itself. Hmm ...

I also like the idea of a "dumping" sawdust container that travels with the head. Imagine having a small bin at the front of the mill with a conveyor or blower attached. Instead of having a long hose or pipe attached to the sawhead, you'd simply dump the traveling container each time it stopped over the stationary bin. I figured a 1 cubic foot capacity container would handle the biggest 32' log I'd ever have on the mill. Hmm ...

Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Bibbyman on April 19, 2011, 09:19:11 AM
I've looked at my Sears radial arm saw and thought about what it'd be like to mount the arm and saw in front or black of the sawhead.   But, besides the complications and being in the way most of the time,  you'd have to stop the sawing while you make the cross cut – like done in the video.   We have a Sears electric chainsaw that we use to trim flitches and boards.  Saw the flitch and drag it off onto the table where the offbearer can use the chainsaw to trim the end before or after edging.  Thus the mill keeps on sawing.

Now if it had two saws,  then it could edge both edges as it saws.  Many of the circle mills have this feature.

You get to the point of diminishing returns.   All the features and robotic folding and setup add greatly to the complexity and weight.  I noted that they pulled it to site with what I'd guess to be a 100 hp tractor.  I noted too that it had a pindle hitch setup that would tell me the unit weights too much for a half ton pickup or maybe even a heavy ton pickup to pull.

The blades sharpening looked like it used a swedged tooth.  I figure the kerf is something over 1/8" – maybe closer to 3/16".  The blade looked to be a major investment - not the relatively "disposable" typical portable bandmill blade. 

The clamping system looks to be aggressive in order to clamp through the bark and such on a log.  But looks like it could really leave deep marks on the cant and in the finished boards.  What if you have a log with sweep, crook, rotten sap, or large knots?  Would you be able to find a clamping spot?

Anyone else watch the edger video?  That's something different.  It don't look nearly as productive as the mill.

http://www.youtube.com/v/RYV82hM8Wlc
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: gunman63 on April 19, 2011, 09:52:26 AM
Bibby, I noticed they pulled it with a tractor also, but i was wondering if its more "thats the way we pull things". the more foreign countrys u see in videos, the more they do it, weather its sawmills or firewood processors, its most always hooked to a tractor to transport. I just dont think they use pickups or one tons or bigger trucks, the way we do over here. granted u still  would  never pull it with a pickup.
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: AvT on April 19, 2011, 10:33:29 AM
Grande Prairie Alberta has produced a few geniuses when it comes to designing and building equipment for the forestry industry.  The most notable is Reg Isley who is the brains behind Risley equipment.  Another is Davco Machine just started by a couple of guys that like making stuff.  here is their youtube channel with their latest endeavor. http://www.youtube.com/user/davcosolutions
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: paul case on April 19, 2011, 12:55:30 PM
that is neat, until i get to thinking how bad i dislike having to work on stuff. i would much rather work with it than work on it.
maintenance NIGHTMARE.

pc
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: Fred on April 19, 2011, 10:53:16 PM
That edger is plum cute! :D
Title: Re: Check out this mill...
Post by: backwoods sawyer on April 20, 2011, 02:17:52 AM
He seemed a bit gun shy of that saw coming at him. What happens with a bind up and nothing to hold the flitch in place.
I didn't like the way the Cooks mill chewed up the wood and this mill seems to take chunks out as well. But if it was green and yellow I would still tow it to the bigger milling sites even if it meant getting a bigger truck.