The Forestry Forum

Long story short, I purchased a used slabber mill (27" wheels, 3" blade) with all sorts of issue, and tracking seems to be one. 

The idle wheel sits on arms that can be adjusted to tilt it forward (cutting direction) or back (away from cutting direction); by adjusting these, I can get the blade to track on the idle wheel, but no matter what I  do the blade sits too far back on the drive wheel - the tip of the teeth work their way to ~ 1/4" behind the front edge of the wheel and then it seems to stay there. To me this would seem to indicate the wheels are parallel, but no coplaner.  Is that correct?  If so does this indicate the idle wheel is a little proud (ahead of/cutting direction) the drive wheel, or vice versa?  I've read one post on line that suggests that this indicates the idle wheel is proud, but I would think the opposite is true - if it's running stable on both wheels, then it is would be running parallel to both the wheels but would sit further back on the wheel that is further forward. 

Another issue: Obviously you want to get the machine tracking properly under full tension.  The tensioner was faulty, so I am replacing that, but in the meantime I have a threaded rod running through a nut secured to the plate the idle wheel sits on; by turning the rod, you can move the plate in or out, relieving or adding tension to the blade. My sense of it is that this does not put it under nearly as much tension as the hydraulic system that is being replaced.  But this is just my general sense - my Lenox tension gauge is reading fairly low, but it also reads low relative to the gauge on my Woodmizer, so I am wondering if there is an issue with the gauge.  I had wanted to get the saw tracking so I could make a few cuts as something of an indication of whether this threaded rod system is putting nearly enough tension on it - if so, it has some advantages over the hydraulic system I am replacing. 

Brand and Model of machine, pictures needed.

For a 3" band, I seriously doubt that you will get an adequate amount of tension by using  a threaded rod.

Does your mill have roller or any other type of blade guides?

Are you using standard machine threaded rod or ACME? The latter will allow you to tension better but still not nearly enough, IMO.