My stepson wants me to bring my lt30 to his place 50 miles away. East central wi. Will be several Saturdays work. I will leave it at his place till done. Never had it out of pole barn before in the winter How much to worry about salt on the road if the road is dry?
I hate the idea. If the roads are clear...maybe. My mill had been moved a couple of times on Wisconsin winter roads by the previous owner. I still have ill feelings toward him for it.
Honestly, if I HAD to move my mill (or my firewood processor) on winter salted roads, I would put them on a trailer.
Trailer and cover. Enclosed trailer better. This crap they apply to roads is the worse. Even if dry still salt dust.
I agree with Barbender, I'd rather not move a mill in winter. If I did, I'd be planning to pressure wash it.
An LT30 is only about 18 feet long, so most 'car mover' trailers would take it.
Some overhang, sure, but do-able.
Band mills are a bit like a piano.
High strung and fussy.
If your sil :uhoh: really wants this to happen, make the timing of it at your choice.
Up, high and dry and driving on clean roads.
A guy named "Jeff" (somewhat notorious on this Forum) once posted a photo of a Slush-Mizer. Enough to make you cry.
It was barely recognizable as an LT30 mill.
It was a clear signal for all of us glaciated types to avoid that same misery.
Before salted roads
Jimmy pre Chicago.jpg
After 4 years of salted roads.
Jimmy with HMMVW tires and wheels.jpg
Passenger floorboard is made from duct tape and fiberglass.
Sure wouldn't want to expose my sawmill to that...
I gave up selling winter firewood real quick when I saw the toll it took on my dump trailer. If conditions arent ideal i wouldnt do it.
Yep, I have one dump trailer that is in really rough shape due to road salt. It needs a complete rehab. I have another that I bought new, that I refuse to pull in the winter.
Mr. Christensen Sir:
You need to inform your stepson that you have a cold coming on and think it might be over by late April, and that you would consider his request then.
Salt and sawmills do not mix well.
GAB
Had him read the advice you all gave to me, He will bring the logs here. Thanks
my step son and I get along very well. When we need help he is there. A few years ago we sawed the wood for his living roon floor,
@Jeff might be the best to address the effects of road salt, as his mill came through some of the worst on its way from CO, iirc.
As Andries pointed out, the Slush-Mizer
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10180/slush-mizer_opt.jpg) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=357331)
My mill had very little original wiring left on it by the time I got it, and none of it is now, but there wasnt much to start with on a manual 86 lt30
I'm pretty sure I towed mine 3 hours away one time in winter here in the midwest, but I did it on a dry day. Dry roads. No ill affects.
It's an LT15go. One thing I have needed to do for a long time is get all the sawdust out of the cross bars. I have some that are packed. There is only small acess on either side so I'll have to probably vac one side and blow in the other. I wouldn't want to get salty water in there and be held by the saw dust. My mill is inside so I haven't worried about that dust much.