woodmizer lt30

millstead · August 07, 2012, 04:48:56 PM

i stopped today to look at a woodmizer lt30 that a guy has. he says he would like to get rid of. he bought it brand new in 1982 and it has been un used for the last 15 years and stored out side with a cover over the engine . i tried to turn the engine over and it was tight . mill only has 700 hours on it , no hydraulics but it does electric power feed and electric up and down for the blade . the condition of the electronics our un known . the mill is going to need some work to get it going. th owner says he is not sure what it worth and i told him i didnt know either and thats why im posting this to find out some opinions on what its worth . does anyone have any expierence with these older lt30s our they a good mill for custom sawing . do they cut fast i saw a video someone posted and it was cutting verry slow. thanks for all the insight

drobertson · August 07, 2012, 05:06:04 PM

Sounds like one of those things one has to see in person. what kind of engine is on it? , Might put in a fresh battery and try out some of the functions. I know an ole timer who has use one for years and years. If you get things working,excluding the engine, you might make an offer, $1000> might be a jewel. might be a head ache. Does it have a trailor package?

POSTON WIDEHEAD · August 07, 2012, 05:20:30 PM

I don't know what kind of market you would be sawing in, but if your gonna be milling to sell lumber, I would consider buying a brand new or at least a newer mill than you are describing.

If you are gonna be milling for your own wood and you enjoy rebuilding and refurbishing old equipment, try to get this mill has cheap as you can.

When you say the motor was tight, was it frozen up?

David

Bibbyman · August 07, 2012, 05:38:08 PM

82 would be a very early model and most likely have a small engine and so it'll saw slow.

With enough info, Wood-Mizer can suggest a value.

millstead · August 07, 2012, 09:01:25 PM

yes the mill has a small tecumseh engine i was thinking if i put a bigger engine on it might saw faster . what size engine would you suggest

hackberry jake · August 07, 2012, 09:15:17 PM

My mill came with a 13hp Honda an I replaced it with a 20hp Honda. I would shoot for 20 or 24 hp if I were you.

moandrich · August 08, 2012, 11:07:49 PM

We have a lt30 with a 18hp briggs. love the mill but wish the engine would blow up so we could put a bigger motor with alternator and debarker. If you can get it for the right price I would jump on it. Having said that, we cut for fun and soon after we started we decided that if we ever sawed for profit we would change to a hydraulic mill.

landscraper · August 09, 2012, 08:47:20 PM

I have a late 80's lt30 with kohler 16? Hp - since i load, cut and offbear solo when i cut it's fast enough for me. I saw in my spare time for myself cutting framing and forming lumber out of pine only - i think she'd be slow on hardwood or as a production venture. I will repower one day, soon as i get all the other stuff on my list done.

customsawyer · August 10, 2012, 02:56:55 AM

The main question I got out of your post was "is this a good mill for custom sawing?". No. I am sure it is a great mill as a hobby for yourself but I wouldn't want to try to make a living with it.

Meadows Miller · August 10, 2012, 10:41:27 AM

Gday

First off welcome to The Forum ;D ;D 8) I am with Jake on his comments to ;) and ill ad If it starts getting up there in price you might be better off getting a later mod or new mate ;)

Regards Chris

grweldon · August 10, 2012, 12:58:51 PM

Man, if I could have found an LT-30 for $1000 I would have been all over it!

millstead · August 14, 2012, 09:40:32 PM

i went and bought the lt 30 today i paid the man i bought it from 1000.00 dollars he counted the money and then gave me back 200.00 said he thought 800.00 was more than enough. he was glad someone was going to get some use out of it i put two new tires on the mill and brought it home . after getting it home it only took about 30 minutes to get it running had to change a fuel line and the ignitoin switch it runs like a top . all the electronics worked . i did have to heat up the leveling jacks the where rusted tight and the head blocks where also tight but a litle bit of work and its ready to saw with. before i do any sawing i will give it a paint job im going to try to upload some pic for everyone to see thanks for all the help

POSTON WIDEHEAD · August 14, 2012, 09:43:24 PM

Sounds like a GREAT addition to the family.

Leigh Family Farm · August 14, 2012, 09:43:53 PM

Nice purchase. Post the pics when you can.

thecfarm · August 14, 2012, 09:46:37 PM

Now you went and done it. Once you put that blade into the wood, there is no turning back. You are almost addicted. :D What's the plan for all of the lumber?

shortlogger · August 14, 2012, 09:56:30 PM

Sounds like a great way to get a taste of milling , I wish i could had found a deal like that when I started ,for 800 you cant loose

Ianab · August 14, 2012, 11:11:53 PM

For that price I think you done good.

Having it start and most bits work is an extra bonus ;D

While it wont cut as fast as a higher power mill, and doesn't have the fancy log handling, it owes you a heck of lot less. If you decide to upgrade later you will be able to sell it as a good workinglmanual mill, and get your money back easy enough. In the meantime you have taught yourself how to run a mill, and cut a heap of wood.

Ian

grweldon · August 15, 2012, 04:15:06 PM

I think you stole it! I would have much rather found one like that than to buy a new one, especially with the lack of time I've had to use it! Didn't count on that problem...

Good job! Enjoy!

millstead · August 15, 2012, 09:16:13 PM

yesterday i ordered some blades from woodmizer. i didnt think they would show up so fast fed ex delivered them today so i got to saw some logs today. i w.s suprised how fast the mill cut i thought it would be much slower. for the price i paid i cant complain at all. and the people at woodmizer are great i called with some questions and they helped me out alot. i was wondering how long a blade last before sharpening and also anyone have any ideas for a lube tank and setup my mill does not have one. thanks

Tronvik · September 22, 2012, 01:42:27 AM

Good to hear she is up and running. I used two old 1960s mapp gas aluminum cylinders, that i made into water tanks they only hold 2.5 gal. I fabricated them to rest like wm does, got tired of the plastic ones cracking. Just put a kohler 18hp on my 1984 lt30 its ok but imho it does not have the torque of the old k321 that came on the mill. Had a kubota 16hp diesel i wanted to try on it, but after talking with marty in pa. We thought it was was a little too much weight. Mind those track bearings the old mills rods are not as hard as the new ones, they will wear. A friend of mine in nc has one from 1984 that the upper track is so worn that i can shave on it :D . But it still cuts perfect. Speed is not everything i cut for accuracy. Just finished milling all the floors walls and ceiling for my house. Air dryed the pine,built a freezer panel wood fired kilh. Had the tongue and groove machined by a friend. And then the wife and i installed. Good luck, i was in your boat in 2003 but payed 5000 to rescue mine from the weeds. Wm had the manuals for my mill,and they were helpful. But i learned from my friend in nc how to set up before i made the deal my mill. Tron