The Forestry Forum

If you are sawing on a bandmill that uses V belts for Band-wheel tires and hear a loud roaring sound that wasn't there before, Stop the Machine.

Open up the access to the wheels and look under the belts.  Sawdust will build up under there and cause large lumps of what looks all in the world like Beaver Board.  The V belt humps up and causes the band to tighten and loosen every time the hump makes its circuit and turns the blade into a "musical instrument".  It can't be too good on the blade either.

Get a knife and screwdriver and scrape or dig this accumulation out of the V on the wheel and the Roar will go away.  

The first time it happened to me, I was afraid that I had burned up a bearing.  Boy was I relieved to find that I could fix it with my screwdriver.  

It happens mostly on the Drive Wheel.

Sappy Pine, Cypress and punky oak are the ones that have caused me the most trouble with cypress at the top of the list.

Some manufacturers are suggesting that you use smaller belts to eliminate this but I'll bet the stuff can still get under the belt and if it does you want to be able to get it out.

Don't panic........... :D

Good'un, Tom!  8)      That one belongs in the knowledge base. :P

Me thinks that Woodmizer mentioned this in one of their tips and tricks articles awhile back.  May not have been exactly like this, but was close enough.  I think they also mentioned that you should lift the hood on the dust chute every once in awhile and clean it out too. ::)

on woodmizers, drop down an inch on the belt length.  very hard to get on but no saw dust build up and belts and blades last longer.  go to suffolk machine and get their band blade handbook.

I like the whistle sound of my circle saws eating  their way though the log. 8) 8) 8)