The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: 123maxbars on February 07, 2020, 05:36:31 PM

Title: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: 123maxbars on February 07, 2020, 05:36:31 PM
I put out a video today that I thought was pretty interesting for other sawyers. All the footage was sent to me by Huel who runs a LT50 on his farm down in LA. Now I am  sure he probably was not the first person to do this (he told me the idea came from another sawyer in Arkansas that had the same set up) but it was the first time I have seen/heard of this being done to a Wood-Mizer. What I am talking about is the placement of the operator controls inside of an old F150. Anyways here is the link to the short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9IAuA0vl4M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9IAuA0vl4M)
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: KenMac on February 07, 2020, 07:06:26 PM
Best use for a FORD truck I've ever seen!! Bet someone will disagree with me! :D :D :D pc_smiley
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: moodnacreek on February 07, 2020, 08:11:21 PM
Made no sense to me at all.
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: 123maxbars on February 07, 2020, 08:39:24 PM
Quote from: moodnacreek on February 07, 2020, 08:11:21 PM
Made no sense to me at all.
Well let me explain it to you then, and help you understand.
Huel has two employees that stack the wood and keep the sawmill feed with logs.
This is similar to a large sawmill operation where sometimes the operator will sit in a small operator booth with both a door and windows and run the mill with the comfort of air/heat etc. Huel came up with a way to do that with and old truck instead of building a stand alone booth. In the winter he has a small heater in the cab and an air conditioner for the summer. Since he never touches the boards he saws then why not have a comfortable position to operate from? 
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: richhiway on February 08, 2020, 05:28:17 AM
Nathan,
When you put yours in get an extended cab so you have more leg room.  8)

I think I'll leave the power seat in so I can recline it for nap time.

I like the story about his tree, I hope he got some nice boards.
Rich
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: Jeff on February 08, 2020, 07:10:32 AM
Thanks for that Nathan because it made me think about an old friend.
Reminiscing about an old circle mill sawyer in Sawmills and Milling (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=82932.0)
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: PA_Walnut on February 08, 2020, 07:21:24 AM
LOL. Just because you CAN, doesn't mean that you SHOULD.   ::) ;D :D
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: Jeff on February 08, 2020, 07:26:12 AM
I hate it when someone says that to me.
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: SawyerTed on February 08, 2020, 08:19:56 AM
I can see where a truck cab is a reasonable solution - a big safety glass to look through, an adjustable seat already set up, plenty of room for a lunchbox or cooler, it's up off the ground so cleaning under is easy, it is relatively dust tight, noise reduction is fairly easy, heat and air is easy.  It just wouldn't be my first choice for an operator booth.
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: moodnacreek on February 08, 2020, 08:20:54 PM
I got hit by a knot between the legs the other day. Can't have a cab with a manual setworks and dogs. To use foot pedals on an automatic mill you must sit. I don't think that band saw throws stuff at the operator or has pedals. Must be nice to have men doing the work.
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: barbender on February 08, 2020, 09:08:22 PM
Bandsaw debarkers (mudsaws) can really fire a knot at you, in fact that's what mine does best😂 Probably not as good as a 52" circular blade though😁
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: KenMac on February 09, 2020, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: barbender on February 08, 2020, 09:08:22 PM
Bandsaw debarkers (mudsaws) can really fire a knot at you, in fact that's what mine does best😂 Probably not as good as a 52" circular blade though😁
My debarker turns away from me. I actually assumed they all did. Do some turn towards the operator?
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: GAB on February 09, 2020, 08:28:34 PM
Quote from: KenMac on February 09, 2020, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: barbender on February 08, 2020, 09:08:22 PM
Bandsaw debarkers (mudsaws) can really fire a knot at you, in fact that's what mine does best😂 Probably not as good as a 52" circular blade though😁
My debarker turns away from me.  Do some turn towards the operator?
YES
GAB
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: barbender on February 09, 2020, 10:40:15 PM
I have the original "mark I" debarker on my '97 mill. Yes it turns toward you, and being the mark 1 only used a 1/2 hp motor and belt drive, it doesn't do much but fire knots at you. That it's good at. The only reason I even run it is because I enjoy living dangerously 😂
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: PA_Walnut on February 10, 2020, 09:27:47 AM
Quote from: Jeff on February 08, 2020, 07:26:12 AMI hate it when someone says that to me.


Just being funny. To each his own...the innovations from members here is the appeal. Truth be told, I do some pretty crazy things myself. Like mood lighting on my new DH kiln! :D;D (The brew sitting in the foreground is a Goose Island Bourbon County. At 16%, a nice way to celebrate!) :D


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/46676/IMG_4551.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1581344748)
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: Jeff on February 10, 2020, 09:51:44 AM
I didn't mean that as a slap down, though it sure looked like one now that I read it back. Its like when someone tells me  i must have too much time when  Ive just done something unique or creative. I hear that one often, because I like to be unique and creative, although there seems to be a large diminishment in that ability recently.  Sorry for the crack. I was just thinking outloud.
Title: Re: A Very Unique Sawmill Operator Station Mod
Post by: PA_Walnut on February 10, 2020, 10:12:49 AM
All good. Didn't really take it that way. Sometimes my "old man" just comes out too much!  :D ;D
I really appreciate innovation and almost all artistry. I do crazy stuff all the time...BECAUSE I CAN!  ;D