Saw Dust Addiction

[Magicman]

I always have the loader side ½ bubble high which also allows the Debarker to use it's own weight to help engage the log.

[Chuck White]

Don't forget a hammer or a single-bit axe/hatchet to drive the felling wedge in!

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I always have the loader side ½ bubble high which also allows the Debarker to use it's own weight to help engage the log.

And it helps a log sometimes get over that last little hump. 

[WV Sawmiller]

Lynn,

   A big log knocked my mill off the supports I had under it and was well over half a bubble off level. Yes, the debarker rested against the log better but then it kept wanting to rotate back when I no longer needed it so on our lunch break I jacked the mill back up with my bumper jack I take along (Another support item to consider taking along) and get it closer to level.

   We had about a 300 bf poplar log on one loading arm. Too big to turn so I pulled out the MM log puller/tuner shown above and it worked like a charm and impressed the heck out of my customer.

[Southside]

WV -

The fire extinguisher is a great idea, I will start doing that, I will thank you now in the event that one day I need to deploy it.  Pretty obvious when you think about it, fuel, fine dust, heat.  What could go wrong? 

To the OP - I also keep my alignment tool and the drive belt tension tool in my spare parts tool box, just in case.  Better to have it than to know what shelf it is sitting on 70 miles away.  In the cab of the truck I keep a multi meter and the owners manual when I travel too, gremlins are even worse when one does not have a wiring diagram to at least stare and and pretend to understand. 

[Magicman]

WV, Too far past level and you can actually overcome the head weight causing it to rock.  You never want to reach that point.

[Southside]

Magicman -

If you mean rocking front to back I actually use that to my advantage when hitching or un hitching the mill.  I will set the rear outrigger so it is about 8 - 10" off the ground, have the safety chains hooked to the hitch, then slowly roll the head back until right before she rocks, basically at balance point.  Then I can easily swing the hitch onto the ball that last 1" that becomes so troublesome at times to get squared to when working alone.    It also allows me to drop the front outrigger and just roll the head back a bit so I can look to see if I need to raise it up or lower it down when setting up.  Makes for a whole lot less prying with the chrome rod.   

[WV Sawmiller]

SSL,

   Many of us have learned from that trick to be sure to leave the rear landing gear at least part way down unless you want to see the tongue of the mill about 10' up in the air (Don't ask me how I know that  ).

   Yes, you can shift the weight when hooking and unhooking but when sawing and leaving overnight you want the landing gear solidly in contact with the ground IMHO.

   When I am hooking up by myself I put a shovel. long sticker or cant hook against the tip of the tongue and back up until I shake or knock it over when I hit it with the ball on my hitch. Shifting the mill left or right to put it on the ball is much easier than moving it forward or backwards, especially if you have several inches of sawdust built up under the wheels. Also I make sure the ball is a few inches higher than the hitch on the mill.

[Southside]

Yea - my mill did the sky gazing thing once too.  On a good note that makes it a lot easier to clean all those hard to reach places from the bottom!!!   

[Brad_bb]

Chainsaw, wedges, some small wood wedges like 1/8 or 3/16th wedges, and maybe some 1/2 inches too.  Dust brush, paint scraper, Small level, Some short pieces of 2x4, Some 5 gallon buckets, some garbage cans from dust and a dolly to move them.  Axe, bark spud, 6" Makita power planer, hand plane like a no 5.  Framing square, lumber crayon, Dixon makes holders for lumber crayons too at lowes.  Metal/nail removal tools - cordless drill with 1/8" bits ( I like the black Ace brand).  A crescent/Apex nail puller available on Amazon.  A couple sizes of cats paws.  Awl, metal detector.  I like the Garrett hand held wand. Hammer, and a 1/2 inch cheapie chisel.  I have a rubbermaid rolling cart that I keep my tools on, but then I mill inside on concrete.  A tool I don't own yet but want is a bark removal tool for the chainsaw like the log wizard or maybe the kind for an angle grinder.  The dolly will also help you go fill your water jug on the mill.   I also keep a short 3ft ladder on hand because my water and fuel are high up on the LT15go.  You may need it for using the axe on the log on the mill sometimes.

[starmac]

It doesn't take but once on that sky gazing thing to remember to leave the back leg partially down. I did that the first day, and just knew the head wasn't going to stop when it reached the end of the mill.
the wedges is always a good idea, as sooner than later you will run out of gas in the middle of a cut and NEED them, I too keep a step ladder. I have never cut any yard trees, so have never needed any nail pullers or metal detectors yet.

[SawyerTed]

Brad, thank you.  There's been a lot of great advice, your's included. 

I'm getting my list together.  I have a couple of extra truck toolboxes I'm thinking of using to secure the tools.  I might just pick up an old work truck or older suburban as a sawmill vehicle.  For small money I can preserve my "good" truck and have my tools wherever the mill goes.

[starmac]

You may laugh at one of my tools I hope to never have to do without again. It is a cordless milwaukii blower, I am sure other brands would work just as well.
My wife bought me this after seeing me use my air compressor to clean the mill, I can blow the mill clean in a matter of seconds or blow the sawdust off a 12 foot board from one end. If it went belly up tomorrow, I would have to get another one.

[Southside]

I might just pick up an old work truck or older suburban as a sawmill vehicle.  For small money I can preserve my "good" truck and have my tools wherever the mill goes.

Folks - he's worse than we thought - the disease is progressing faster than expected!!  Next thing we know he will be asking about support equipment - then buy an edger, a kiln will show up before too long.... I am afraid there is no hope.   

[SawyerTed]

I might just pick up an old work truck or older suburban as a sawmill vehicle.  For small money I can preserve my "good" truck and have my tools wherever the mill goes.

Folks - he's worse than we thought - the disease is progressing faster than expected!!  Next thing we know he will be asking about support equipment - then buy an edger, a kiln will show up before too long.... I am afraid there is no hope.   

  I also have Fishing Pox....

[red]

I might just pick up an old work truck or older suburban as a sawmill vehicle.  For small money I can preserve my "good" truck and have my tools wherever the mill goes.

Folks - he's worse than we thought - the disease is progressing faster than expected!!  Next thing we know he will be asking about support equipment - then buy an edger, a kiln will show up before too long.... I am afraid there is no hope.  

Yes the addiction has progressed ! 

[trimguy]

I might just pick up an old work truck or older suburban as a sawmill vehicle.  For small money I can preserve my "good" truck and have my tools wherever the mill goes.

Folks - he's worse than we thought - the disease is progressing faster than expected!!  Next thing we know he will be asking about support equipment - then buy an edger, a kiln will show up before too long.... I am afraid there is no hope.  


This was from 2018, yes @southside was right !! Look at him now , Lt50 on order , working on/ with a large wood products company , with a commercial sawmill in mind. 😂

[Nebraska]

One could probably could do a case study report on the effects of S.A.D. from just   this one case....
From chainsaw all the way to mill upgrades and commercial  sawmill management. 

[Southside]

I wonder if his previous infection with fishpox weakened his immune system and made him more susceptible to the disease? 

[SawyerTed]

   Fishing Pox and S.A.D. are slippery slopes.  Neither has a cure all that can be done is periodic therapies.