Down grading

[Crossroads]

In January my wife and I decided it was time to upgrade the mill. After a lot of thought, price comparison and more than 1 YouTube videos, I went all in and ordered an lt70 wide super. Yahoo! Since that time, I have spoken to several Sawyers who have the super 70 and have come to the conclusion, that that mill really doesn't meet my business profile. I had been considering canceling my order and making upgrades to my Lt40, such as a bigger engine, accuset 2,fine adjusting outrigger, and command control. After pricing these upgrades, it didn't pencil out to spend the money and still have a 5 year old mill. So, I have officially downgraded my order to the Lt40 wide super. I believe that the 40 super will fit our profile more closely, being about 90% mobile with a few custom orders here and there. 

[dgdrls]

Always wise to crunch the numbers and ask questions
Whats the lead time for the build from WM?

D

[Walnut Beast]

Just talked Friday and inquired on a Slabmizer and they said 16 to 17 months on a mill and Slabmizer 

[OlJarhead]

 8)Congrats! 8)

I've often pondered this myself and usually come back to the conclusion that should I ever decide to upgrade it would be to an LT40 Super with diesel power and a command control station (I'm still contemplating that because I like walking along and watching what's going on but I'm getting older and the back won't hold out forever so there is that)...

Whoa!

I just priced the LT40Super vs the LT50 and I'd go with the 50 and save money and get a chain turner and the 38hp gas motor!

[OlJarhead]

Sawmill, LT50HD 38HP Gas Remote
Model	LT50HDG38-RA
Engine	G38 - 38 HP Kohler Twin Cyl. EFI Gas Engine - air-cooled
Base Price	$52,595.00
Subtotal	$52,595.00

Accessories

	Accuset 2 System (006002)		included
	AutoClutch System (024643)		included
	Fine Adjust Outriggers (FAO-KIT)		included
	Hydraulic Bi-Plane Log Clamp (017264)		included
	Hydraulic Chain Log Turner (034537)		included
	Hydraulic Loading Arms (LTHDLA)		included
	Hydraulic Roller Toeboard (035640)		included
	Hydraulic Vertical Side Supports (034732)		included
	Powered Board Return (015209)		included
	Sawmill Trailer Package (40STRB-FAO)		included
X	Debarker (110214)	1	$2,295.00
	Lube-Mizer System (LMS-HPR)	1	$795.00
X	LaserSight System (LS-FI)	1	$1,095.00
X	High Performance Blade Guides (006324)	1	$215.00

Totals

Accessories Subtotal	$4,400.00
Grand Total	$56,995.00

[OlJarhead]

ok I reworked the numbers and the 40 was less:

LT40 Super Hydraulic Remote 38HP Gas
Model	LT40HDSG38-RA
Engine	G38 - 38 HP Kohler Twin Cyl. EFI Gas Engine - air-cooled
Base Price	$48,095.00
Subtotal	$48,095.00

Accessories

	Accuset 2 System (006002)		included
	AutoClutch System (024643)		included
	Hydraulic Bi-Plane Log Clamp (017264)		included
	Hydraulic Loading Arms (LTHDLA)		included
	Hydraulic Log Turner (014675)		included
	Hydraulic Roller Toeboard (035640)		included
	Hydraulic Side Supports (4) (HSS)		included
	Powered Board Return (015209)		included
	Sawmill Trailer Package (40STRB)		included
X	Debarker (110214)	1	$2,295.00
	Lube-Mizer System (LMS-HPR)	1	$795.00
X	LaserSight System (LS-FI)	1	$1,095.00
X	Fine Adjust Outriggers (FAO-KIT)	1	$1,195.00
X	High Performance Blade Guides (006324)	1	$215.00

Totals

Accessories Subtotal	$5,595.00
Grand Total	$53,690.00

But I'd take the 50!  I'd get chain log turners, verticle side supports and more! :D

[ladylake]

 
The chain turner and vertical stops are worth way over $3000.  Plus the fine adjust jacks.    Steve

[Crossroads]

I already chased that rabbit. That's how I ended up ordering the 70 lol  

I was able to save my place in line from my January order. I didn't ask about the lead time, but am hoping to still be on track for an April 2023 arrival. 

[TimW]

OlJarhead,
      Those figures are an eye opener.  I would go with the LT50 at those prices, if I upgraded.
Years ago, when researching a Mahindra tractor.................. for $2,000 more, I could have had a larger hyd. pump and a two speed PTO.  I kick myself all the time over not forking out that extra 2 grand.
hugs,  Brandi

[SawyerTed]

I went with the LT50 diesel because the difference between the LT40 Super Hydraulic Wide Head and the LT50 Diesel wide head was only a couple of thousand dollars.   The difference should pay for itself quickly in reduced log and cant handling time.  I beat the early February price increase. 

I didn't feel like the 70 had enough advantages to justify the leap from the 50.

I too mostly saw portable and the 70 seemed like too much mill.  The 50 with command control will meet my needs I think.  

[Magicman]

If I was ordering new today it would be an LT40 Super, Wide, Diesel, Debarker, FAO's, LubeMizer, Operator's Seat.   $61,325 + tax, etc.

No question nor hesitation.

[SawyerTed]

The LT50 wide head with debarker, FAOs, chain turner, hydraulic stops and command control, Lubemizer, high performance blade guides,  and diesel was $61,875 before taxes in January. 

[Crossroads]

With the 38hp gas, command control, debarker, FAO, I'm under 50k. The money wasn't my deciding factor though. The 40 super offers what I actually want in a mill. 

[Bruno of NH]

My friend with a lt70 tells me he wouldn't want to do mobile work with one.
Being stationary I would choose an lt50 38hp gas and get a price on a big blue mill and make my decision from there.

[Walnut Beast]

SawyerTed knew the right decision hands down!  The 50 is the best deal for what you get. I would hate to have any less. Especially if I was doing stuff for other people. If you never had a chain turner and get one you would never go back!!! The things you can do with the chain turner are amazing! From using as additional clamping to using for adjusting for taper. On a Timberking anyway 😂💪

[Magicman]

$61,875 before taxes in January.

Run the numbers, I get $67,695 now.

[Southside]

The 70 really is a mill that you want an edger and three people behind you. Two is OK, but with three you can keep that mill sawing. 

The operator controls and setwoks are what really set that mill apart. Dosen't mean it's perfect for every situation though. 

[Crossroads]

The 70 really is a mill that you want an edger and three people behind you. Two is OK, but with three you can keep that mill sawing.

The operator controls and setwoks are what really set that mill apart. Dosen't mean it's perfect for every situation though.

That's kind of what I've heard too as well as being to finicky to drag all over the country on a daily basis. 

[Walnut Beast]

$61,875 before taxes in January.

Run the numbers, I get $67,695 now.

The Diesel motor went up I think. He got lucky 

[customsawyer]

Back in the days that I used to do mobile milling I was never able to get the production capabilities of my LT70. Even though I would take my tractor, edger and my regular 2 hired men. If I was going to be mostly mobile milling I would go with the LT50 wide with the diesel. The LT40s are great mills. I started my business with one and produced a lot of lumber with it.  However the chain turner is a game changer. The one draw back to the chain turner is you can't hook all 4 side supports together for the short stuff. I still think the advantages of the chain turner out weighs this down side.
If you are going to be doing this as a business you want every single advantage in your corner. This is kind of like when you are looking for a lawyer. Their price is not what you should be looking at. It is their ability. You can hire to much lawyer just like you can buy to much mill. You need to match their ability to what you are wanting to do.

[Crossroads]

Thanks for the reply Customsawyer, I definitely value your input as someone who's been there done that.