I can't decide, Wood-Mizer LT-40 or TimberKing 1600

[GoGo]

I'm going to get a new mill, the Wood-Mizer has a few more hydraulic features and is bit more expencive, both have have hydraulic log lifter and turner. The TimberKing has a 20 HP motor and the Wood-Mizer a 28 HP   Any thoughts.

[flip]

Run one of each before you buy.  My .02

[DanG]

Hi GoGo, and welcome to the Forum.

You didn't say if you're an experienced sawyer, or if this will be your first mill.  If you're already active and just upgrading, you probably have a pretty good idea what your needs are.  It then becomes a matter of observing the mills in action, and hopefully doing a bit of sawing with them yourself.  That should tell the tale.

If you're a new sawyer, you have to rely on input from the guys who know, and you've sure come to the right place for that. ;)

[GoGo]

Hi Dan
    I've never owned a mill, but have worked (volunteered) with a similar Wood-Mizer. Basically new to sawing.

[jpgreen]

Oh that's an easy descicione..  :D

[DanG]

I'll have to speak(type) in generalities, since I'm not a bandmill sort of person.  Things you must look at when selecting a mill revolve mostly around how you will be using it.  For instance, if you're doing portable custom milling, set-up time(and effort) is a real important factor, but it has little importance if you're stationary.  If you expect to saw alone, then look for features that make that easier.  If you expect to have help most of the time, you'll may want to emphasize faster hydraulics and more power, even if you have to buy a used machine to get it.  Those are less important for a solo sawyer because he spends most of his time doing things other than sawing.  The speed of the mill has less impact on his productivity, but automated features such as a board drag-back have more impact.

Another consideration that most new sawyers overlook is ergonomics.  That is where it really pays off to get your hands on the mill yourself before you make up your mind.  For instance, I wouldn't want a LT-40 in a full-time operation unless it had the Auto-clutch feature.  I'd have to factor the cost of that upgrade into the purchase price if I was shopping.  Other mills have similar fallacies that might be a problem for one guy and not for another.  Some mills have features that make sawing a possibility for people who couldn't even dream of sawing on most mills.  Sometimes, it isn't so much the feature as it is the layout of the controls.  Since Tom is out of town, I'll talk about him a little bit. ;D  He has some mobility problems, mainly in his shoulders, that make it hard to reach up over his head.  That would make sawing nearly impossible on most mills, but the controls on his big Baker are all on a panel at waist height.  The hardest thing for him to do is reaching the key to start it up.  After that, he can run an army of off-bearers right into the dirt.  For another example, I love my old MD saw, but if I was 5'6" instead of 6 feet tall, I'd spend a lot of time on a stepladder.  The controls go up with the head on this one, and I can barely reach the key when it's all the way up.

These are just a few rambling thoughts I have gathered while playing with a number of different mills and watching a lot of others at work.  I hope it helps you make a wise decision.  Keep us informed. ;)

[Bibbyman]

I always advise calling the companies (in this case Wood-Mizer and TimberKing) and asking for names and contact information of owners in your area willing to demo their mills.  Preferably, they will select owners of similar model mills you are interested in or are doing the same things you are interested in doing with the mill once you get it.

I did this when I was comparing mills.  I went and visited a couple of owners and called a couple of others.  This experience decided it for me.

[saw4you]

That is a no brainer, you never go wrong with a Wood-Mizer. Great mills ,I have one and just about to have another one, the 40 Super.

[Dave Shepard]

I love the Mizers too, but I think GoGo needs to make a comparison to see which one fits the bill the best.

Welcome to the forum, GoGo!


Dave

[musikwerke]

If you keep it and run it long enough to need parts, you'll be glad you went with Wood-Mizer.  Not that the other manufacturers don't have parts for their mills but the people at the Wood-Mizer home office are the best.  I've never been so impressed or pleased with any other company.

[saw4you]

I have to agree with the last guy, the people at Wood-mizer are all about making you happy with your mill, new or old

[Brad_S.]

There is a timber show in Booneville, NY in less than 2 weeks. In the past, both manufacturers you mention have been there as well as many others. I know a few Vermonters have made the drive in the past so it can't be too bad and might help you finalize your decision.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=26540.0

[Firebass]

Don't be afraid of swing mills ;D

Firebass

[Kcwoodbutcher]

The TK 1600 comes with a 25 HP Kohler, the older ones had the 20 HP. They're built like a tank. Parts are never an issue and customer service is great ( of course I live in KC and can just drive up and get them). I have a 1600 which I abuse regularly and it takes it in stride. Are you looking for new or used?

[fishman]

i absolutley love my TK, am upgrading to a B20 this fall, the few things i have needed have been recieved in 2 days (including one saturday delivery) they are very easy and pleasent to deal with, call matt and ask to see one of their mills close to you

[MartyParsons]

Hello GoGo,
We sell Wood-Mizer's and Wood-Mizer has many things to offer you. Blades, Service, ReSharp, Cantilevered Head, 30 Day Money Back, 5 year warranty on frame, 2 year warranty on everything else. We do many shows and that is the best place to see the mill in operation. We have found that the Wood-Mizer mills sells themselves. You are a little out of my sales area but you are welcome to give me a call and I would be glade to answer your questions. We can find a Wood-Mizer close to you and go talk to the owner. You can go to a show and talk to Wood-Mizer owners their also. The LT40HDG28 is the most popular mill we have, I would check out these options. HSS (Hydraulic Side Support) or the Bibbyman Kit  ;) , Debarker.
The Lube Mizer option is also another nice option if you are sawing species with sap that would deposit on the band blade, like Ash, White Pine etc. The Auto Clutch is also nice but with the 28 hp engine you should have no issue, If you are looking at the 34 hp Diesel then we recommend the Auto Clutch.

You should ask many questions to all of the manufactures listed that support the Forestry Forum.

Thanks
Marty

[ADAMINMO]

I say you try to go to the Boonville,NY show and give all the sawmill manufacturers a go.There will be many there to look at.There is good and bad in all machines.To me they are customer preference.It really depends on your application for the mill.Hope to see you at the show.

[Warren]

GoGo, Welcome to the forum.  This is the basic Chevy, Ford or Dodge question...  

I am running my second Woodmizer mill (LT40 SHD) and have been pleased with both.  Five other band mills within 40 minutes of me. Two WM's, two TK's and one Baker.  Everybody is happy with their brand of mill and the service they receive.  As DanG and some others have pointed out, try to go see the mills in action, at a show, at somebody's shop, where ever.  Then decide which one has the options and layout that best suits you and your situation.  

IMHO, all of the brands can turn out good lumber and good production numbers when well maintained and run by an experienced sawyer.   Personally, I started off with a small manual mill (WM LT15) to minimize initial outlay and minimize the cost of "mistakes" during the learning curve.  When I decided to go full time, I sold the LT15 and upgraded to the LT40.

Just my $0.02...

Warren

[Todd]

Hey GoGo...welcome to the Forum!

You're in the same position that I was 2 years ago...hard to decide on paper!
I'd recommend that you see them in person and talk to the guys from the factory at a show...even have them show you how to run it.  After I looked at about 8 different mills, I decided on the Baker based on price and features.  The 3667D that I've got has been great, and parts and service help is always first rate.  I really like the sturdiness of the machine, and it's handled everything I've thrown at it (with the exception of a concrete patch and a 5/8" bolt in a Maple log)with ease. 

Plus...Blue is wayyyyyy prettier than orange ;D)
(here comes the fight!)
Todd

[Dave Shepard]

IS NOT, IS NOT! Just kidding. :D


Dave

[jpgreen]

Tell you one thing that really turned me off about TK was the salesman's need to tell me how woodmizer's saw inaccurate lumber due to the wobble in the cantilever head.  They were dead wrong on that one, and quite envious of WM's sales I think..  ;D

The monorail frame has a distinct advantage over a rectangle in rigidity from end to end and side to side. It's basically a superior design IMO and there's no small reason they are the number one selling saw mill.

Look at the hardcore sawyers here on the forum (myself excluded)... they run orange..  8)

[Dave Shepard]

I am going to play devils advocate here. Can you go wrong with a Woodmizer? I doubt it. I run two of them and they are great mills. However, that doesn't mean the other mills out there are to be ignored. I would think that anybody wanting a mill would go out there and try to see as many different mills as possible. If possible, you should try to have an idea of what kind of sawing you are going to do, as the type of sawing will make a big difference in the type of mill you will need. I often think that the most people jump over the decision of what type of mill to get and go straight to what brand should they buy. As you have run a Woodmizer, I am guessing that you know that you want a bandmill, so you have made that decision. As for the cantileaver head? No worries there. If I can see any gaps under a six foot level on top of the cant, I know my band is dull. I find it hard to find any measurable deviation with a sharp band.

So, go out and have fun shopping, and maybe we can add a member to the Orange Team. If not, then we get another member for the Blue Team, or Red Team or.....


Dave

[MikeH]

 Get the woodmizer with a seat and you will be riding in luxury. Unless you will need to make extra money with the saw to pay the difference in price. Money can be a tricky thing to get when you start out. Some people like to walk with saw but I walk all day at my regular job and like to sit on my saw. ;D

[Dan_Shade]

how difficult is it to reach the handles for the hydraulics in the seat?

[Bibbyman]

It's not difficult at all since you have to run the head down to the contact strip area before you can use the hydraulics anyway.