Started the day on the LT15. Last cut on the first log and suddenly my clutch wouldn't engage. The lever was totally loose. I studied it for a bit praying the handle shaft hadn't snapped or something like that. I finally figure out that the spring pin hold the handle shaft to the linkage bracket had sheared. Just enough cycles I guess had caused the spring pin to give up. It was kinda tricky getting the broken pin out. It was difficult getting a hammer in there to strike my punch. Then a trip to the hardware store. Reassembling it was even harder as you cannot see the hole in the shaft and have to start the pin in the bracket and then kinda guesstimate when you're about lined up and drive the new pin in. Luckily she found the hole and I was back in business after readjusting the cam over link. It knocked 2 hours out of my 6 hour milling day. I manged to finish that one 12ft 8x8 walnut beam, and then 4 small Walnut crotches milled 9/4. Got all our bark and dust from previous day and today burned up in the vortex burn barrels.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16191/Clutch3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1552703743)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16191/Clutch1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1552703742)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16191/clutch2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1552703742)
Same thing happened on my LT 15 start, was a bogger bear to get the new pin in. I had a problem with the key on my engine pulley slipping out of the key way even though bolts were tight. used some silicone at the end and in the key way and that has fixed that problem.
Aww come on - the design looked GREAT on a CAD mock up!! :D
I've got about 300 hours on the mill. I'm estimating because I didn't have an hour meter on my mill until i installed one about 39 hours ago. I estimate that I had about 260 hours on it when I installed it. I did buy an extra pin, just in case.
If the Engineers and Designers had to assemble the first 10 of anything they design it would be quite an education for them. Would probably go a long way towards better product designs as far as maintenance goes.
Gerald
Anymore, most engineers have only one goal in mind when they design something. Get the product out the door and sold so that they can get paid. (So far I've not noticed this applying to engineers for most sawmills) But the very idea of having to remove the front tire and the cowling inside the fender just to change a headlight is a fine example of where engineers keep their heads.
You've got it wrong, it's not the engineers....it's the engineers managers/bosses. They're the ones demanding it get done and out the door (ahead of schedule so the manager looks good, then that compresses schedule becomes the norm from then on, until they need it done even quicker to look good...meanwhile the engineers reward for sacrificing and making bosses look good - no raise or a pittance and pressured to do even more in less time, while the butt kisser who's never gone above and beyond gets promoted). This coming from a product design engineer no longer working for THOSE people. The engineer would like to take the time to make it the best, but they usually don't have that option.
Brad,
Reminds me of the 6 phases to any major project:
1. Enthusiasm
2. Disillusionment
3. Panic
4. Search for the guilty
5. Punishment of the innocent
6. Rewards for the non-participants
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on March 18, 2019, 09:25:00 AM
Brad,
Reminds me of the 6 phases to any major project:
1. Enthusiasm
2. Disillusionment
3. Panic
4. Search for the guilty
5. Punishment of the innocent
6. Rewards for the non-participants
How true that is lol