Adding hydraulics to lt40

[rs1626]

Hello  i have built a chain style log turner for my woodmizer  but  the pump i have does not have enough flow ( i think)  to turn hydraulic motor 
was wondering if you guys think i should pursue chain style or go to claw style  i have also built a clamp that looks a lot like woodmizers it works fine
am in process of building arms for power backstops as i write this
any advice would be helpful i dont know a whole lot about hydraulics

[Bibbyman]

Wood-Mizer would sale you the hydraulic back supports – linkage, cylinder, etc..  But that would take all the fun out of making them. 

You could weld the leg onto you existing manual back supports.  But be cautioned that they are real tricky to get the shape right and the holes in the right position to link them together.  Your mill probably has the mounting for the cylinder to work the back supports.

Keep in mind too that the Wood-Mizer back supports and log turner arm work on the same hydraulic circuit and have flow control valves in the lines so the that the turner don't turn unless the back supports are all the way up.  Then the back supports don't go down until the log turner arm is all the way down.  This keeps dummies like me from trying to roll a log off'n the back of the mill because I forgot to put the back supports up.

If you're determined to build your own back supports,  why not copy the LT70 style?  Unless you're planning to saw really fat logs, you wouldn't have to go up to 15" like the LT70 back supports.

Have you looked through the "Helpful Sawmill Mods" post?  I've posted about making all four back supports powered.  There may be other ideas that would help you also.

[Minnesota_boy]

Keep in mind too that the Wood-Mizer back supports and log turner arm work on the same hydraulic circuit and have flow control valves in the lines so the that the turner don't turn unless the back supports are all the way up.  Then the back supports don't go down until the log turner arm is all the way down.  This keeps dummies like me from trying to roll a log off'n the back of the mill because I forgot to put the back supports up.

Woodmizer needs to put another valve in the circuit so you can't load a log without the back supports up too. 

[Bibbyman]

Woodmizer needs to put another valve in the circuit so you can't load a log without the back supports up too. 

Now who would ever load a log and forget to have the back supports up?.... :D ;D

[Minnesota_boy]

Not once did I, nor twice, but 3 times so far!  :D

[rs1626]

I own a machine shop so making parts is not a problem
Does the turner and backstops work from same valve?
I drew arms for existing back stops on cad system to get holes and throw worked out. I will post some pictures soon

[Bibbyman]

Does the turner and backstops work from same valve?

On the LT40 they do...

[rs1626]

looked at a claw today can anybody tell me what the purpose of the slot where the cylinder and the two weldments hook?

[Minnesota_boy]

When you pull the lever to engage the turner, it forst swings in close to engage the log, then lifts.  When you retract it, it comes down and then swings out of the way.  That's the function of the slotted hole.

[woodbowl]

rs1626,
    It's not hard to convert. I converted my manual lt40 and added an extra valve instead of using the flow controler between the side suports and turner. Man is it handy! I can cross control and do things that a regular lt40 can't. I can scoot the log forward and aft, also I can flip a can't backward. If you worry about rolling a log off the other side...............no problem, you won't do it but once.  ;D ;D Here is a thread you will want to look at. https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=13496.msg189645#msg189645

[Minnesota_boy]

rs1626,
If you worry about rolling a log off the other side...............no problem, you won't do it but once.  ;D ;D

Are you sure?  I've done it 3 times.  : :  I learned how to reload the log without help and can do a 16 foot by 16 inch log in less than 5 minutes now. 8)

[woodbowl]

Are you sure? I've done it 3 times. : : I learned how to reload the log without help and can do a 16 foot by 16 inch log in less than 5 minutes now. 8)

When you wedge a 16" log between the tire and the beam, how do you get it out and load it back on the mill without help in less than 5 minutes? Do you have support equiptment?

[Kirk_Allen]

Simple!  You take the wheel off and the log falls to the ground.  A couple of long 4x4s and you roll it back up on the mill.  Or pull the mill forward, roll log back to other side, then load it again.

Where did I learn that?  :D :D :D :D

[woodbowl]

Oh.................

[Furby]

Kirk, Don't you mean....... At what point in the operation did you learn that ???
;) ;D :D

[Minnesota_boy]

When you wedge a 16" log between the tire and the beam, how do you get it out and load it back on the mill without help in less than 5 minutes? Do you have support equiptment?

Use 2 come-alongs.  Fasten the end of the cable to the mill, wrap it under the log and back over the top of the log and fasten the winch end to the mill.  Repeat for the other end.  Use the come-along to parbuckle the log up the cable.  It takes some effort but not much time.  You might need to use a pry bar to get the log started if it is wedged too tight.

[W]

I know it might be fun to make your own parts, but for $300 and an hour of time, you can install woodmizers upgrade to work the manual stops along with the hydraulic ones.  Life just got easier, I get a lot of customers who have short logs, no more running back and forth for me.

Now what I've got to do is replace the leveling legs with hyd. cylinders and tie their operation to the existing hyd. levers so I can level up with out hurting my back.  Next I can add auto level (like on an RV), then teach the customer to saw, and I'll just stuporvise (for an hourly rate of course).

connecticut sawyer

[WH_Conley]

W,  Ya gotta get someone trained to bring the easy chair, coffee and sandwiches as well, if yer gonna do it might as well do it right. :D