I bought a monster

[homesteading]

I ordered mine with single axle and now I'm second guessing myself lol. Do you think the double axle contributes anything major?

It definitely tows good and turns awesome when backing up.  

[Lostinmn]

Nice machine! I've been looking at a couple of options, and this never even came across my radar.  I'm very interested to hear about how you like them as you get some blades in the logs.  

Please share your likes and dislikes as you start making sawdust!!

I looked up the three US dealers, and admit I was a bit underwhelmed by their websites, didn't seem like they were very well put together or set up.  How was your experience with them on looking at units, ordering and etc?

Happy sawing!!

[homesteading]

Nice machine! I've been looking at a couple of options, and this never even came across my radar.  I'm very interested to hear about how you like them as you get some blades in the logs.  

Please share your likes and dislikes as you start making sawdust!!

I looked up the three US dealers, and admit I was a bit underwhelmed by their websites, didn't seem like they were very well put together or set up.  How was your experience with them on looking at units, ordering and etc?

Happy sawing!!

Yeah the websites could use some help for sure, the manufacturer updated theirs recently which is better than it was but still is lacking.
The dealer in Maine was awesome, he had the top unit for each of the versions except for the green monster. He is very knowledgeable on the machines and we spent a lot of time go over each one.
I hope to get some sawing done over the next couple days and will give a review of it.

[Ljohnsaw]

 :P
I like shiny!

[homesteading]

So been running some logs through the machine and am very happy with the decision of getting it. So the issue with the band jumping off was I have never used a hydraulic tension-er before. I figured once it was set at 2000 lbs I was good. Wasn't aware that it needed to be adjusted the first couple minutes after start up. When the blade jumped the pressure had dropped down to 1200. After keeping a closer eye on it have had no issues.



 


Simple log leveler design. Takes some force with the bigger logs but isn't too bad.



 



I like the long handles for the back rests, you can adjust them from the operator side without having to walk around the mill.



 


The full length rollers are a great addition for offloading.



 


A simple idea to prevent cutting into your back rests, there is a bolt welded to the blade guide that will hit the arm of the rest to prevent you from going forward. I don't depend on it but like tht it is there.



 


I love the scale, very simple to read and makes cutting consistent sizes easy.



 


A pic of the hydraulic loader that I haven't used. I will be swapping out for the new arm design as soon as possible.




 


Another simple design option for lubrication, they use a bolt and air hose nozzle, when you engage the engine, the bolt pushes the handle and starts the lube flowing.



 

Been Cutting some oak for stair treads



 




 



 

The only thing I wish was different was the back rests, more beefier, but they work. 

[RAYAR]

Nice mill, nice pics. Looks like you need to do a back-stop upgrade, they do seem to be on the light side.

[VooDooChikin04]

I love these mills. I've been scoping out their design elements since you first posted this one.  Really interesting ideas they have used. 

I do have a question.  What is that serrated foot that lifts the log used for? (maybe a dumb question)

[RAYAR]

What is that serrated foot that lifts the log used for?

That is the toe board to level the log.

[VooDooChikin04]

ah...duh, seems obvious now. Thanks RAYAR

[Vautour]

Whoa what is this?? a simple idea to prevent cutting into your back rest??Man some of these manufactures are really thinking outside of the box... i guess people buying these mills won't be joining that "special club" eh 

[VooDooChikin04]

@homesteading  hey, from your pictures I seem to only count 4 screw Jack's for leveling? Also those 4 corner legs, how well do they work?  

[homesteading]

@VooDooChikin04 yep just four, one on each end and two under axles, there is actually five legs, there is one between the axles as well.

They work good so far. Leveling took less than five minutes, dropped the front jack, then the back and leveled along the length, used the two between the axles to get side to side. Then dropped the five support legs, tapped them with a rubber mallet to make sure they made good contact and then just backed off the jacks a hair to make sure everything was making good contact.

[homesteading]

Whoa what is this?? a simple idea to prevent cutting into your back rest??Man some of these manufactures are really thinking outside of the box... i guess people buying these mills won't be joining that "special club" eh

Oh I am sure I will

[Lostinmn]

A pic of the hydraulic loader that I haven't used. I will be swapping out for the new arm design as soon as possible.

Are you giving this design a test run with a log before upgrading?  

[Farside Mike]

@homesteading or @memopad  
  Any updates on how you're liking the sawmill or any issues to report?  This is my first post on the forum but I've been stalking for a few months.  I've looked at several mills and like the features on the green monster wide, especially the 42" width of cut.  I'm in southeastern NC and unfortunately the closest dealer is in the Florida panhandle but I have been in contact with him via email.  My neighbor operates a tree service and has been piling up logs since I mentioned buying a sawmill so supply is plentiful and varied.  I just hate that so much is piled up and burned when it could be milled.  I looked at sawmills years ago but I didn't have the convenient access to free logs that I have now. 

[alan gage]

I looked at sawmills years ago but I didn't have the convenient access to free logs logs full of nails that I have now.

Fixed it for you.

Sorry, I've had run of bad luck with logs in the past few weeks. Most of them from the tree service.

Alan

[Barrye]

Hello
I have just ordered a 24ft Green Monster.
There is a 4 month lag time.
According to their web page they are sold out for 2021.
Next years model has a 5% price incease. 
I was also looking at the Logosol 1001.
Their lag time was 12 weeks.
It comes as a kit and was $5000 more for the same length and components.
The main reason I bought Vallee is they are a Canadian company.
I live in BC.
It has a solid steel ridgid  bed.
And it comes totally assembled.
Barry

[Will M]

Hello I pick my Green Monster Wide XL up this Coming Friday is there anything I should ask about or doublecheck ? We looked at many, many mills and thought this was best built mill, so what do you think after having one for a while. I am going to install hydraulic log stops, dogs, taper pistons and carriage feed myself. Have log deck already built and a David Brown tractor to facilitate loading and offloading. Very excited to receive mill have had it on order since February. Have lots of logs sitting in yard waiting in yard, lots of Ash, Black Walnut and Beech, some real large logs which is why I went to the wide model.Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated..Thanks Will

[memopad]

I've milled a fair amount with my green monster so far and don't have too many complaints. My early cuts were on the wavey side but I cut everything pretty straight now. I'm sure that was a learning curve on my part because I haven't changed anything.

I do have an issue with the blades riding pretty far back on the wheels, just about touching the teeth or getting very close anyway. The back of the blade rides on the guide even when not in a cut. Reading online and on these forums I don't think this is correct. It hasn't given me any issues that I'm aware of but I would like to correct it. That's where the biggest downside of this mill is for me... lack of customer and tech support. The "dealer" I placed my order with for the mill wasn't any help on any questions I had after purchasing. The few times I've called Vallee it was hard for a non French speaker to navigate their phone tree and find someone to talk through. This is mostly on me being a beginner and just needing to figure things out on my own, and it's worked out so far but if I had or have any major issues in the future I can see it being kind of difficult to resolve.

Part of me wishes I would've payed the premium and got a woodmizer just for the dealer support available. They really don't have a mill that fits what I wanted (I can cut 25' and still trailer) but I think it would've been worth the compromise. 

[DesertHobo]

@memopad I'm not familiar with these mills, is there a way to adjust tracking on the band wheels? From what you're saying, I'd think that'd remedy the blade sitting too far back on the wheels and the guides. Are the guides adjustable?

[Peter Drouin]

 

[memopad]

@memopad I'm not familiar with these mills, is there a way to adjust tracking on the band wheels? From what you're saying, I'd think that'd remedy the blade sitting too far back on the wheels and the guides. Are the guides adjustable?

It's been working well enough that I haven't looked in to it yet. I want to say it is adjustable, it looks like most things on the mill are. I wouldn't know where to start on adjusting the tracking.

[Guido Salvage]

As a prelude, I sell adult toys (tractors, farm equipment, trailers, ATVs/UTVs, boats, mowers, hand held OPE, etc.). A couple of weeks ago a guy walks in mid afternoon and asks for the sales manager. I saw Vallee on his jacket and asked if he sold mills. He looked surprised and indicated he did. I totally floored him when I told him I owned a Green Monster.

I debated on the Wide and should have spent the extra $4K to get it. Mine cuts 21', is on a tandem axle trailer and the new style log loader. I got mine at the beginning of the pandemic and have been pleased with it. Since my purchase they have changed the fender and log clamp design.

[Guido Salvage]

This is how it looked on delivery day...






How it looks now...





 
 
 

[Magicman]

You won't be running out of something to do for a while.  8)

Add your sawmill and location to your profile so that we will know and remember. :P