Our good friend and FF sponsor Wood-Mizer has posted a new set of sales for the 4th quarter including a deal on the LT28. I'm currently shopping for a mill and while I'd love to buy the LT35 or possibly a used LT40 in the same price range I don't think my budget would withstand the hit so I'm looking at manual mills. With the LT28 on sale I'd like to know if there's any reason to choose it over a used LT15GO in very good condition. Both have the same engine and both have power feed, ramps, winch, and toe boards so the only difference I can see is that the LT28 also offers the log turner as part of the log deck package. Am I missing anything else? I know that the monorail design of the LT28 has added advantages with board offloading and band changes and that it can handle a slightly larger log but I'm not sure I see the LT28 as a big step up over the LT15GO. It really seems to me that the real step would be LT15GO to something with hydraulics, correct? In a new-to-new comparison the LT28 would win now that the sale has expired on the LT15. With a used LT15GO in great shape with some accessories included I just don't see any reason to pay up for the LT28. Any insight or advice you care to give on this would be appreciated!
Larry
Lt15 is still offered on sale on Ebay...... Just a thought. I've been researching and looking for 6mo. Or better. Looked at lt28 but went with the 15 I got lots of extras for less than the price of the 28. Guess it depends on what your gonna use it for.
Oh and when you find a used 15 either they want almost new price for it,or it's beat.
I looked at the same things you did before I purchased,
I believe the 28 is the better choice based
on the bed design and overall capacity, same bed as the 40 series
you get the canti head, a more robust trailer axle wheels and tires.
FWIW I actually went with an LT-10 wish I could have added the Yanmar diesel I would have.
Best
DGDrls
Definitely go with the 28. I bought a 15 last winter. When I got it home and began assembling it, I noticed that six of the welds on the mast were popping loose due to cold welding. I returned the mill for a refund. My friend is letting me borrow his 28 untill I can find a used mill in my price range. The 28 is built way better than the 15. My 15 had power feed also but the rope is a lot more "jerky" than the chain on the 28.
Hello,
we received the new pricing today. We did the math between the LT15Go with the power feed and the LT28G18 with power feed. I think there was $ 230 difference in price. The LT28 has 21' cutting length the LT15 go would be only 17' cutting length. You can also add the Log deck package to the LT28.
Sorry to hear about the LT15 welds, Wood Mizer will stand behind any mill if there is an issue like this.
Marty
I really don't know the differences,but I always try to buy more than what I need in life now.Yes,at that time it's all that I need, than a year or 2 down the road when I buy bigger,I say,Sure glad I spent the extra money now. But the money thing can hold a bigger purchase back too.
I would ask what you are planning to use the mill for. If the intent is to use it primarily for yourself then maybe an LT15GO is fine. If you want to mill for others or think you might want to mill for others at some point in a significant way then get as much mill as you can. The LT28 is certainly more mill and can better withstand larger logs.
I bought an LT28 with the log deck package and 18HP diesel. I love the diesel, but I wish I had an LT40. It was the most I could afford at the time. I originally looked at the LT15, but I'm glad I went to the LT28 instead. The price difference with power feed and so on, all said and done, was minimal.
I get the impression from the replies here and my further reading and research that while the LT28 is a great manual machine many who own it or checked it out in detail really wanted or wish they had bought an LT40. And while the LT35 is also a great machine it isn't quite what the LT40 is or can do. I'm really starting to think that the best way to go is to be patient (which is hard with 30 logs lined up in the yard!) and wait for an LT40 to come along with the optimal mix of price, condition, and distance from home. There are quite a few LT40's out in the market but none in my general vicinity so I'll keep my eyes open and see what turns up.
My thanks to everyone who responded to this thread and, in a larger sense, to all the people who share their knowledge via this forum. It's been a GREAT learning tool for me!
Larry
i have never seen the 15 but i have had my 28 for about three years no problems at all it is a great mill for personal use and limited custom sawing i have the log deck pkg and power feed i put eletric winch on log turner and it works great i would also recommend the wheels at the top of the backstops they are a great help when using the log turner.
It's strange,before I logged in I was just doing this same comparison. Going to call Wood Mizer Monday.
You forgot about the 12 volt electric power head controls (up and down )
I've owned both an LT15 and Lt28, the log turner is a big plus. I'm not sure about the GO. What does that add to the normal LT15 package?
Quote from: LoomBuilder on November 02, 2012, 12:52:27 PM
I get the impression from the replies here and my further reading and research that while the LT28 is a great manual machine many who own it or checked it out in detail really wanted or wish they had bought an LT40. And while the LT35 is also a great machine it isn't quite what the LT40 is or can do. I'm really starting to think that the best way to go is to be patient (which is hard with 30 logs lined up in the yard!) and wait for an LT40 to come along with the optimal mix of price, condition, and distance from home.
Larry,
You didn't mention what your plans are on the long run.
I would suggest to wait for the LT40 if you will have 30 logs to saw every week or so, or will try to make $ on the side. Otherwise you will cut up the 30 logs in in short order and then will have a big expensive lawn ornament to talk about. If you are looking for a hydraulic mill and not looking to make a living with it, the LT35 could be a very nice option.
If I were not trying to do this as a second job, I would sell my LT40 and get an LT15 or 28.
I own the lt-15 with a bed extension and like it a lot. The issue for me is being able to move around the 40 acres of pine and fir that I have. That's why I bought the lt-28 this week. The price seemed really good, and the easy set-up and longer capacity will come in handy. The lt-15 was a great first mill for me. I spent a lot of time and effort moving logs to the mill, when I could have moved the mill to the logs. I'll be selling the lt-15.
Wow! It's great to see this post of mine resurrected now that the LT28 is on sale through the end of the month. Frankly, I haven't been able to decide on any mill as it seems there are almost too many to choose from. For manual mills, there are a number of LT15's (including one a couple of miles from me and another offered by a member of this forum), one LT28 that's relatively new, and a couple of LT30's that are older but in very good condition. The LT30's seem to be a good option versus the LT28 given that you can get one with most of the same features as the LT28's currently on sale for about 1/3 the cost. So I keep checking mills and almost as soon as I think I've reached a decision another one turns up for sale!
A couple of forum members have asked about my plans for the mill. I really don't see it as an additional source of income, at least not in the near term (i.e. next 5 years) although I wouldn't mind sawing small jobs here or there just because I love working with wood and think it would be great to help out fellow woodworkers who might have a log or two they'd like to have sawn. It's really to take advantage of my property's small woodlot and the trees available at my in-law's farm. The 30 logs I have piled now (and have been there end-coated with Anchorseal since September!) came from a tree removal push around our house. This isn't something that would be a common or regular occurrence. I really have come to the conclusion that while I'd LIKE to have a hydraulic mill and do lots of sawing my personal needs and work schedule dictate more of a hobby in sawing. So a manual mill would be fine, portability would be a plus, and something in the LT15GO, LT28, or LT30 range would be ideal. I'm hoping that someday soon the mill/location/price combination will come together and I'll have a mill (like the lucky forum member right here in Butler, PA who found a LT30 last summer for $800 just before I started looking!).
Thanks again for all the posts, hints, tips, and general knowledge the forum has been so good to share with me!
Larry
(who's heading back to the shop to work on another loom!)