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wood mizer hyd lt35 vs lt35hd purchase

Started by widetrackman, September 25, 2020, 06:18:03 PM

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widetrackman

Well I am a newbie to band saw mills but now is the time to purchase one as i have 250 ac of pine and hardwood and something is always falling due to storms. I think I will buy a WM and clean up as well harvest some lumber. Most of the hardwood is 24-26" and 22" pine except for about 35 left that are 36" x 70' 65 yrs old and have lost another 5 in the last 3 years. First off I can not afford a Lt40 and will consider a LT35 w/ hyd pck ($15,995 + 3995 = $19,990 or the LT35HD hyd @ $23,595. My concern is that it cost $3605 more to get hyd toe board and 2 hyd clamps, manual toe board is no big deal but $3605 for 2 hyd clamps I question. Seems way to much for the two, what do you guys think $ are real tight. Also to mill my 36 " pine with a 32 " machine what would guys do, I dont have a chainsaw mill or alaska mill. Advice appreciated.

Haleiwa

Hydraulic clamp is about the last thing I would give up.  Every time you turn a log you have to loosen and retighten the clamp, and if it is easy, you will be more likely to do it when it is needed, rather than take one more cut before you turn the cant.  As for the bigger logs, you will probably be able to handle some of them if you take the butt flare off with a chainsaw; only a small portion of the log is the widest diameter.  Not very graceful, but I have seen large logs split by hand with a chainsaw with a long bar, and the two halves milled separately.  It wastes some boards, but if you only have a few, it might be the easiest way to deal with them. Talk to your closest dealer; sometimes there are a few good used mills out there for less than the price of a new, or at least for the same price as a new base unit with some extras installed.
Socialism is people pretending to work while the government pretends to pay them.  Mike Huckabee

A-z farmer

With that many acres of trees I would get the all hydraulic lt35.You will not be disappointed and it will be easier on you after a day of sawdust .

WV Sawmiller

  I think what you are calling the 2 hydraulic clamps are the extra side supports. Get them! They make all the difference in the world if you are sawing something shorter than 8'. IMHO they should be standard vs an option. There is only one movable hydraulic clamp on mine. Be sure to make yourself a Magic Hook to use with it for those big or odd shaped logs that do not want to roll on to the loading arms.

 The toeboards are great for leveling the pith of the log and are helpful when rolling a stack of finished boards or a heavy plank off the end on to a waiting trailer or forks. (They are also essential for making long wedges when you forget to lower one but that comes later. :D)

 I also swear by the debarker. They are great mills and I know you will be happy. Keep us posted on your successes and any uh-ohs (We've all been there and will laugh with you not at you.)

  On those oversized logs you may be able gunbarrel them making thin cuts off the top then rotating slightly and repeating till the log fits your mill. I think all of us have processed an oversized log or two and if just an occasional one don't sweat it.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Durf700

I recently purchased an LT 35 Hydraulic mill and came from a manual LT 15.  the LT 35 Hydraulic is an awesome mill... definitely get the debarker and the extra 2 hydraulic log clamps.. I'm 42 years old and in good shape.. I would not even think about milling again with a manual mill after getting spoiled with the LT 35 HD... I feel alot better and can produce 3 times as much lumber per day vs my old manual mill and not ache as much.. I still smile every time I have to spin the log around and filip a cant to take a little off the opposite side.. just a few levers and your off again milling! 

you can find them very lightly used sometimes..  I picked mine up 8 months old with 140 hours like new for 17k delivered to my door still with lots of warranty left and about 50 blades.  if brand new is what you want and can afford it then go for it..  if not keep an eye on FB or FB woodmizer owners.. 

let us know what you decide!!!

Nodak Andy

I just saw a 2013 LT35HD on a FB sawmill sales page for $17000.  Ad said it was out in PA at a woodmizer dealer.  Don't remember exactly where though... Had to keep scrolling to prevent divorce....

Nodak Andy

Found the post.  Just says to call PA Woodmizer.... Says 520 hours. LT35HDG25 with debarker

widetrackman

Quote from: Nodak Andy on September 25, 2020, 08:36:00 PM
Found the post.  Just says to call PA Woodmizer.... Says 520 hours. LT35HDG25 with debarker
BTW if anybody spots a used LT 40 please post it. Thanks

thecfarm

widetrackman, welcome to the forum.
You will need a Logrite cantdog or a peavey too. Sponsor on the left. Nice people, made in the USA.   logrite_cool
What's all the lumber going to be used for?
You will like sawing.
How will you get the trees out of the woods?
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

rooster 58


woodweasel

Spend the money for the Hydraulic. 😉😉

Durf700

Quote from: rooster 58 on September 26, 2020, 07:16:35 PM
I have an lt35hdg25 available
looks like this could be your mill??  no wait time.. 

WV Sawmiller

    We don't know his location so may not be an option. Don't forget to pay the piper (FF) the appropriate finder's or seller's fee if you do this deal since it all came from right here. Fair is fair. ;)
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

rooster 58

I am near Colorado Springs,  Colorado.  And yes, if there is interest,  we will certainly go about it the right way

richhiway

Hyd mills are worth every penny. I have a manual LT 40 and it is a lot of work.

Debarker will pay for itself in blade life.
Woodmizer LT 40
New Holland 35 hp tractor
Stihl Chainsaws
Ford 340 Backhoe

Crossroads

My first mill was manual until I built hydraulics for it, then when I upgraded, hydraulics was the most important option....
With the right fulcrum and enough leverage, you can move the world!

2017 LT40 wide, BMS250 and BMT250,036 stihl, 2001 Dodge 3500 5.9 Cummins, l8000 Ford dump truck, hr16 Terex excavator, Valley je 2x24 edger, Gehl ctl65 skid steer, JD350c dozer

Southside

Well - go fell a 22" oak and buck it to 16'.  Then mark a spot with paint as a reference.  Grab your peavey - which you will need with any mill - and start rolling that bad boy around.  Try to get the painted reference mark to stop at 3:00, then 9:00, then 12:00.  Now come up with a rough estimate of how many times you plan to do that as you harvest your 250 AC of land.  If you still think the difference in price is worth it then skip the hydraulics.  

Personally I find it quite satisfying to every now and then spin a log round and round using just my right thumb, as folks stare in wide wonder, but that is just me.  ;D  
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
Riehl Edger
Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
Enough cows to ensure there is no spare time.
White Oak Meadows

terrifictimbersllc

Not just you. Sometimes I can debark a log with my right thumb in a few seconds like that.
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

barbender

Do you all remember that time everyone on here recommended a member get the hydraulics, he did, and then about 3 weeks later he came back on on here.  Fit to be tied. Bitterly angry with his decision to spend the extra and make his life easier. He was so nasty and angry with everyone I think Jeff had to ban him. Anyone else remember?😉
Too many irons in the fire

widetrackman

Well I was thinking about "rooster's" LT35 but wife said to far off to see and was pushing me to order a new LT35hd w/debarker--- How could I resist,  sooo I ordered one this afternoon 8) . Delivery 10-12 weeks  :o Going to miss the best time to create saw dust this year.

DWyatt

For what it is worth, I bought my mill (1999 LT40HDG25) 3 years ago and it cost me $15,000. Spent some time doing the neglected maintenance and she runs like a dream. With the size of trees you're talking, a used LT40 would be perfect.

Durf700

Quote from: widetrackman on September 29, 2020, 01:51:18 AM
Well I was thinking about "rooster's" LT35 but wife said to far off to see and was pushing me to order a new LT35hd w/debarker--- How could I resist,  sooo I ordered one this afternoon 8) . Delivery 10-12 weeks  :o Going to miss the best time to create saw dust this year.
Congrats!!!  you will love it!!!  I picked up my first mill in February , did a bunch of mods to it because it was manual LT 15 and started milling in the snow this past spring during the shut down from Covid.   then I quickly sold it and went to hydraulic LT 35!  they can do alot and you will have a blast!  be sure to post pics of your new mill when you get it!!!

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