The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: SCSawyer on November 01, 2020, 08:25:15 AM
Has anyone ever used a d4d power unit to power a circle saw ? I can't seem to find a reliable horse power rating, I find 42-75hp ?
The old Cat power units had the hp on the tag on the engine but no on a tractor. The original advertising for that machine in it's serial no. range would state the hp. I bet it is at least 50. The old D6 [318] was the starting point for a sawmill. They are +- 100 hp. Your d4 should do the job with well spaced teeth and slow feed especially in softwood.
You can probably look it up on the internet .If memory serves the old D4400 produced around 35 drawbar on the crawler and around 40 as a power unit.
Fact I know you can go to You Tube and see sawmills using the entire crawler via flat belt powering saw mills .I knew of one in Roundhead Ohio that used a little D2 for power .It must have been enough because it was in operation for decades .
One of my sawmill mentors used a D4D power unit for years with no problem or complaint.
D4D Cat: 65 flywheel HP, 1680 to 2000 RPM depending on transmission type, Model D330 engine, 4 cyl., made from 1963 to 1977.
I think it would work.. OK
I would look for a larger unit,
D