1989 LT40 powerfeed question

[Chiselbut]

First time owner/user. Brought home a 1989 LT40 yesterday.  Everything worked when checking it out in the morning. Towed it home. Loader arms chained in up position.  I pushed the forward and reverse feed lever and it engaged just for a second.  After that no movement even for an inch or two.  Feed motor is operational belt on pulley has good tension.  Manual doesn't provide how to operate power feed.  Do the log hydraulic lift arms need to be down for the head to move?  Or did I jam the head on the track?  A lot to learn.... Advice on this issue is appreciated .  First time owning a sawmill. 

[Chuck White]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Chiselbut!

On the LT40, the hydraulic system has nothing to do with the sawhead feed system!

Suggestion: Check the tension (or lack of) on the feed drive motor pulley!

[Jeff]

Make sure it is not in the travel position, chained on each side.

[Magicman]

Back to basics, if the power feed belt, etc. is OK, check the breakers.

[Chiselbut]

Got it figured out.  Those small up/down and forward reverse motors draw a lot of amps!  

I direct jumped the engine - finally got that started with a fresh battery. 

Once the existing battery was being charged by the generator - the up/down and forward/reverse worked.  

The negative post on the battery was @very warm/hot.  The insulation on some of the smaller gauge wires is melted too.  Need to spend some time with this.  

On a steep learning curve.  Thank you for the help. 

[Magicman]

Anyone that can figure stuff out and ask questions when they hit a rough spot can handle anything that a sawmill can dish out.

You are gonna be OK. 

[SawyerTed]

If you haven't, register the mill with Woodmizer, even a used one.  Get access to parts and support.  Once you have the mill registered, you can order parts online.    

If you have registered it, proceed.  

Parts diagrams, electrical schematics, hydraulic schematics and manuals all are online if you don't have the originals.  At the Woodmizer site, look under resources.  

Plus, as you know, there's no better place for technical and practical advice than here. 

[Ben Cut-wright]

What engine? Is the charging from engine dynamo or a belt driven alternator?

The hydraulic pump will pull much more current than the lift and travel motors.

Electrical load will be from the highest voltage source at the time.  If the alternator/dynamo is primary source for extended periods of time it won't last very long.

There should be an auto reset breaker in the positive circuit.