The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: crozier on February 08, 2020, 01:21:30 PM

Title: water lubrication
Post by: crozier on February 08, 2020, 01:21:30 PM
I have a Woodmizer LT 28. I'm having trouble regulating the lube water. It seems as though I get a pretty good stream of water then back it off the slightest bit, the water stops.  Should I try a different type of valve?
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: Woodpecker52 on February 08, 2020, 01:30:45 PM
Blow out the valve and line with air hose sometimes just funk in the line and valve.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: SawyerTed on February 08, 2020, 01:45:42 PM
The valve on the tank on my LT 35 was plastic.  I replaced it with a brass hose bib. It works way better and has finer adjustment.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: SunnyHillFarm on February 08, 2020, 02:09:54 PM
I had the same problem with my LT 27. I use a gas pilot swing valve in the feed line closer to me. I use that to regulate on and off once the main valve is set. This has worked well for me. Getting the plastic valve flow just right is a problem sometimes.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: WV Sawmiller on February 08, 2020, 03:59:27 PM
  Did you crack/open the air vent on top? If it gets stopped up it will prevent proper water flow too. Just a thought.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: donbj on February 08, 2020, 04:10:42 PM
An idea I had for this was to install a small low current draw water pump in line before the valve so there was always pressure against the valve and wouldn't plug as easily. Just a few pounds would do I'd think (5-10). That way if it did plug, just a quick blip of the valve would clear it and flow would still be regulated with the valve as usual.

Another advantage would the constant pressure. As the water level in the tank goes down so does the pressure(head) in the system. A little pump may solve that problem.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: CCCLLC on February 09, 2020, 07:35:24 AM
One of my mills is the older (1990) WM Lt40 HD. It has the gravity feed water lube tank located on the top of one of the masts. Works well but when I raised it an additional 10" up in height, water pressure also increased, big plus.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: millwright on February 09, 2020, 07:56:45 AM
On my lt35 I added another valve beyond the first one. I then use that one to regulate the flow, and use the first one to turn the lube on and off thus not changing the flow amount. 
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: Magicman on February 09, 2020, 08:14:59 AM
There are many ways to vary the flow; windshield washer pump and a hazard flasher.  smiley_headscratch  smiley_idea
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: crozier on February 10, 2020, 09:26:04 PM
My vent is open so it is not pulling a vacuum.  I like the idea of using a hose bib type valve.
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: caveman on February 10, 2020, 10:24:26 PM
When we had an lt-28, we opened the plastic tank valve to the proper amount of flow for what we were sawing and had another brass valve in line that we would open at the beginning of the cut and close at the end.  Occasionally the screen before the tank valve would need to be cleaned/blown out.  I spent the last 30 minutes looking through my gallery but was unable to find a picture of it. 
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: Steve Carson on February 11, 2020, 02:06:54 PM
I added a second valve also that I could reach from the same side of the mill I operate from. Set the top one to flow how you want it and the second one is just an on off. 
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: Chuck White on February 11, 2020, 07:38:56 PM
I think I plumed mine just the opposite!

The valve on the water jug opens the flow, and the one right near the control console adjusts "how much flow"!

I also have a solenoid valve mounted under the platform that the fuel, and the water jug sits on!

It's wired to ground, and to the #2 lug on the feed drum-switch!

Water only flows when the sawhead is going forward, when it stops or backs up, the valve shuts the water off!

It's the same valve that's used in the Wood-Mizer Lube Mizer system!
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: boonesyard on February 12, 2020, 09:42:59 AM
Quote from: Chuck White on February 11, 2020, 07:38:56 PM
I think I plumed mine just the opposite!

The valve on the water jug opens the flow, and the one right near the control console adjusts "how much flow"!

I also have a solenoid valve mounted under the platform that the fuel, and the water jug sits on!

It's wired to ground, and to the #2 lug on the feed drum-switch!

Water only flows when the sawhead is going forward, when it stops or backs up, the valve shuts the water off!

It's the same valve that's used in the Wood-Mizer Lube Mizer system!
Pictures of your setup would be great if you have some?
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: Chuck White on February 12, 2020, 12:18:01 PM
I don't have any pics!

I mounted the solenoid valve on the underside of the fuel and water platform, and ran a line from the water jug to the valve, then across to the point where the water drips on the blade, then installed a "fine adjustable" valve in the line near the console!

It's a very basic setup, but it really works well!
Title: Re: water lubrication
Post by: boonesyard on February 12, 2020, 02:14:37 PM
Quote from: Chuck White on February 12, 2020, 12:18:01 PM
I don't have any pics!

I mounted the solenoid valve on the underside of the fuel and water platform, and ran a line from the water jug to the valve, then across to the point where the water drips on the blade, then installed a "fine adjustable" valve in the line near the console!

It's a very basic setup, but it really works well!
Sounds like a nice inexpensive solution, thanks.