Any feedback on WM debarker blade with 1/2" inserts?

[flatrock58]

My debarker blade is missing some teeth and needs to be replaced.  I see that there is the standard blade and also a blade with 1/2" inserts.  Is anyone using the larger insert blade?  If so how does it work?  I was afraid it might trip the breaker more on my LT40.  I did not see any comments about the 1/2" inserts when I searched the FF site.

[4x4American]

I know a guy who knows a girl who has a sister who has a brother who has an uncle who has a nephew who's her brother who met this guy that lives in NH who tried out that 1/2" debarker blade and didn't like it.  Said that it did funky things.  Like walking up the log.  Don't tell him I told you this.

[Percy]

I have one on my 70. The teeth are so wide, when you are making your first cut on a 30 incher, just the bottom of the   carbide teeth(1/2 inch) touch the log which is about a quarter inch below the cut line. Kinda like a third extra butt on a starving wolf,  pretty much useless. I took my sons diamond sharpener wheel and put it on my dewalt 4.5 inch angle grinder(fits perfectly)and put a 15 degree angle on the bottom half of the teeth and it makes a huge difference. If your debarker feed spring has too much hormones, it could give you breaker grief. Mine operates on a screen door return spring cylinder and it pulls just the right amount to remove a big batch of crud from the log without climbing or popping a breaker.

[Rachiano]

I have been using the wider debarker blade on the lt70 for a few months now and it's  doing great. In the beginning I was giving too much pressure on the log that it would trip the debarker breaker but within time you will learn how much pressure to apply not to trip the breaker. If it climbs up the log, you need to check the debarker alighnment...in another thread it was mentioned...I will look it up and add a link to it. Hope this helps.

Addition: Here is the link to a previous post https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,82497.msg1259702.html#msg1259702

[WV Sawmiller]

Flatrock,

   I'd like the wider cut but I am like Sawyer Brown in earlier thread and spend too much time right now re-setting the breaker when using my debarker on my LT35. I'll be the first to admit it is my fault by putting or allowing too much pressure on the blade and I am glad the design forces it to trip rather than breaking something. I'd guess if you use the half inch inserts you will have to be real diligent watching the taper of the log to keep from getting too much tension on the debarker while using it.

[flatrock58]

Thanks for the replies.  I will probably go with the regular blade.  I really don't want to have the breaker tripping on me all the time.

[Percy]

Check out this mod I made on my LT70 debarker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFpxoOZRLUs

[Magicman]

That is an innovative mod Percy.   8)

[4x4American]

That is awesome, Percy!  I like the thought of replacing the unsed alternator with a compressor and having the compressor working the debarker, blowing off the cant, and...wait for it...plumbing it in to your blade tensioner!  I would plumb it in seperately, so that you can still use the manual pump.  Not sure how long it takes to tension the blade with the hand pump, maybe it's not worth it, I don't know!

[Percy]

That is an innovative mod Percy.   8)

That is awesome, Percy!  I like the thought of replacing the unsed alternator with a compressor and having the compressor working the debarker, blowing off the cant, and...wait for it...plumbing it in to your blade tensioner!  I would plumb it in seperately, so that you can still use the manual pump.  Not sure how long it takes to tension the blade with the hand pump, maybe it's not worth it, I don't know!

Thanks guys. To expand on your idea 4x4, a regulator set at 80 lbs in conjunction with a 12 volt air solonoid would work great. Since I made that vid, I have installed a 12 volt compressor with a tank. Release/tension blade with the flick of a switch.....I may try that when things slow down...thanks for the idea :D

[flatrock58]

I like the debarker mod Percy.  You will have to let us know how it hold up after extended use.

[Percy]

I like the debarker mod Percy.  You will have to let us know how it hold up after extended use.

It has been working pretty much flawless since 2013. The compressor died @ about 6 months doing replaced it with a more durable unit with a tank/reservoir. Paid 120 for it and another 80 bucks worth of stuff.