After much goading badgering urging, I am posting about the newest addition to my family, a LT40HDD35.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1035.JPG)
To accommodate the extra length of the LT40 versus the LT15, I added an additional bay to the sawshed so that I could house the sawmill and still have some room for lumber drying. I set the new LT40 on the right side and the edger on the left side. Edger boards come off the mill to some adjacent saw horses in line with the edger, then go through the edger. Finished boards come off the mill straight back onto a table where the boards can be laid out for spraying for powderpost beetles for the susceptible species like the oaks, ash, hickory, pecan, etc. Boards that do not need to be sprayed, like the pine boards in the pic, can be flat stacked off the mill then picked up with the tractor and be taken to be stickered on pallets.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1047.JPG)
The back part of the shed will be used to pre-dry-air-dry lumber. That is where the old LT15 was positioned. I had 3 cement pads poured for foundations for air drying stacks. You can see these at the back of the shed at the end. They are shaped like a horseshoe. Using the pallet system, I can stack up to 4 pallets high and air dry up to 7500 bf on the pads under the shed. In the far left background of the next pic, you can see the planer room with sheds for more air drying space where I can air dry an additional 7500 bf. This is plenty of air drying capacity for my small hardwood lumber business.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1049.JPG)
Here is a view of the shed, sawmill, and edger with pine logs staged for sawing. These are beetle killed pine that I salvaged off my property. I have some customers waiting for some "blue" or "denim" pine for paneling.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1050.JPG)
On the Cooks edger, I took the tires off to be able to lower the infeed table to a more comfortable working height. I also built an outfeed table to make handling the edged boards easier.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1051.JPG)
The last cog in the wheel is the Nyle L53 kiln. What a great little kiln. It has made a huge difference for me.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_0992~0.JPG)
Congratulations! I always learn something from your posts.
Nice !!
Great looking set up .
You hit the big time now .
I also like your post on the FF
Thanks
Jim/Bruno
Nice, thanks for the tour!
Danny,
A really first class operation you have there!!! A lot of thought and trial and error to get the flow right I'll bet.
You may be ready to host the next sawing project! Good looking mill. Proper tools for a proper job. "old saying"
I like it all! :o :o 8) 8) Andy
Congrats on the shiny new mill Danny! You are going to love having the hydraulics.
The next project is at your house 8)
Only if you can cook.
8)
Wow! Congratulations on the new mill. Great set up,I can hear the excitement in your post, as it should be! You are a class act!
Really nice setup, congratulations on new mill your back will love you.
Tim
great looking set up wdh smiley_thumbsup
Whee, Danny done went whole hog (old saying). I been hinting and arm twisting Danny for quite a while, trying to get him to add some hydraulics to that lt15 before he messes up his back and shoulders wrestling them big logs. Enjoy Danny. What more could a man want, hydraulic mill, edger, dry kiln, big shed, tractor with forks...congratulations..
Is the mill a walk with??? do you have the acuset2???? Do you plan to use the drag back????
Do you have the high speed blade guides???
Congrats on new mill. I am sure you will love it. Wanting somethin like that myself.
A very nice addition to the family.
Congrats on the new mill and the great setup. Enjoy your new mill
Lookin good Danny. Congrats!!! 8)
Wow Danny, what an upgrade since last time I was there!
Nice setup, good thing you are retired...
A big congratulations on your new saw. smiley_applause Your layout looks very nice. I like it all, except the heat you have there.
My favorite part was the big fan.Don't want that thing over heating,nor the operator.
Congratulations Danny, Great lookin' set-up! 8) 8)
SWEET!! Congratulations, Danny. 8) 8)
Retired guys have all the fun!
Very nice Danny....but I know why you took the tires off the Edger. :D :D :D :D
Quote from: Peter Drouin on June 30, 2015, 10:56:15 PM
Is the mill a walk with??? do you have the acuset2???? Do you plan to use the drag back????
Do you have the high speed blade guides???
Looks like a walk along and Simple Set. Congrats on the new mill! Once you go hydraulic, you never go back. 8)
Happy for you Danny, very nicely done sir!
Congrats Danny on your very professional and impressive operation. The best deserves the best. smiley_thumbsup
Very nice looking operation--and an inspiration to those of us who haven't managed to get there yet! 8) 8). All the best, Rob.
Nice setup! :)
This retirement gig keeps you pretty busy.
good luck with the new mill!!!!
and no, you don't have nearly enough room under that shed, that thing is gonna cut
and run you out of room before you get used to it
Looking great Danny. Looks like a professional operation. A dust blower could be considered in the future.
Congratulations on the mill. smiley_clapping
That is sweet. You sure have a nice setup. I'm very happy for you!
Congratulations on a very nice setup! I am going to have to get down there sometime and get the grand tour.
NICE !
Great looking mill and shed layout
That's what my mill looked like when it was new (I forgot what new WM orange looks like :D).
Have fun!
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on July 01, 2015, 07:49:38 AM
Very nice Danny....but I know why you took the tires off the Edger. :D :D :D :D
Yeah... ;D
Looks like a professional operation to me. :) Congratulations on the new mill...nice things come to those that work hard.
What a sweet set up! I'm still wrestling all my logs with cant hooks, bad back, and bad shoulders. Does that barrel fan make a significant difference? I have one in my shop and my saw shed is open like yours (on 3 sides). Enjoy your new mill, you've earned it!
Thanks for all the kind words.
Peter,
Walk along. Simple set. Debarker. Board drag back.
Andy,
The fan really helps.
Some things that I have learned:
Sawing with the LT15 was a much more intimate experience. You have more of a feel of what the blade is doing in the wood. You are more tuned in, but I am sure that will change.
You can make mistakes twice as fast.
DO NOT hit the down lever while sawing in the cut with the computer setworks. Very bad things happen. One has the tendency to hit the wrong lever or button as one is learning what to do, and sometime learning is not fun.
Hydraulic toe boards are great as long as you lower them down after you turn the log. I have invented a few new geometric shapes with the new mill. Toe boards allow you to make some very creative cuts, even if you did not intend to be creative.
The debarker is a love-hate device. One must swing the debarker out before returning the head after a cut. One must do this every time or bad things happen.
One must have good footing and be fleet of foot when reversing the head because that things screams back and you could get runt-over.
There is an art to turning very small, sweepy, dog-legged, fence row, cherry logs with the hydraulics. They (the little logs) fight back.
With the LT15, little logs were aggravating. With the LT40, little logs are awful and cause one to have repent for bad vocabulary every night.
I love 4 degree blades.
Maybe get a chair like MM and Me you won't get run over and you can see the grade well from the seat.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/DSCN2414.JPG)
No thank you. I am not a Seat Man.
Quote from: WDH on July 01, 2015, 10:14:59 PM
No thank you. I am not a Seat Man.
After walking for miles and walking in the sawdust [which is like walking in snow] you might want a seat. You will get used to it, easy to step off.
I do wish you the best of luck with the new mill. 8) 8) 8)
Thank you, Sir.
Félicitation mon ami!!!!
Nice rig , glad to see you upgrading to a hydraulic mill. I also have a seat, never could get used to it, gave me back pain and getting on and off got old real quick when sawing alone.
Marcel. :) :)
I have made all of the mistakes listed by dan plus a few more.
Chuck White noticed the chainsaw cut in the cross piece on the loader arms as soon as he looked at my old mill before buying it as well as cuts in the side supports.
Dont make as many as I used to but still....
Has anyone started a post listing all the mistakes which can be with a mill?
This one sorta fits.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,58221.msg846934.html#msg846934
I see the competetion is stepping up. I am going to have to add to my shed and get a bigger mill now. Thanks Danny. :D :D
Congrats on the new mill and that is one fine setup.
I overlooked this thread and messaged Danny about his new mill. I do like the pictures.
Nice, Danny! My experiences going from manual to hydraulic mirror yours. Things move fast and mistakes come easy :) The gig back speed took me a long time to get used to. You can change pulleys on the drive motor to slow it down, if necessary ;)
Quote from: barbender on July 02, 2015, 02:51:56 PMYou can change pulleys on the drive motor to slow it down, if necessary ;)
Or to speed it up. :)
A man must be quick on his feet and in his mind :D.
Thanks for the reply Danny. I'll be moving the fan up to the sawmill shed. And you made me feel better about my little LT15! Afraid I'm too old to learn all those new tricks!
Danny, enjoy the fruits hydraulics of your labor! I cannot think of a more deserving man with such a quick mind! :)
Happy for you Danny. Hate to tell you but there is a downside to a bigger faster mill. It's called sawdust and getting rid of it is a pain..A 5 gallon bucket hung under the sawdust chute for starters, but I see a sawdust blower in your future..
What a sweet operation! Good for you Danny.
Congrats on the new mill and set up 8)
I am jealous of the diesel :D
The gig back only seems fast to you now. In a month or so you will find yourself pulling on the head trying to get it to move faster.
...and there will be a sawdust dissipation system in your near future.
It never ends :).
You have gotten off the porch and now it's time to run with the big dogs. ;D
One toy leads to another.
Quote from: WDH on July 01, 2015, 10:00:31 PM
Thanks for all the kind words
Some things that I have learned:
Sawing with the LT15 was a much more intimate experience. You have more of a feel of what the blade is doing in the wood. You are more tuned in, but I am sure that will change.
You can make mistakes twice as fast.
DO NOT hit the down lever while sawing in the cut with the computer setworks. Very bad things happen. One has the tendency to hit the wrong lever or button as one is learning what to do, and sometime learning is not fun.
Hydraulic toe boards are great as long as you lower them down after you turn the log. I have invented a few new geometric shapes with the new mill. Toe boards allow you to make some very creative cuts, even if you did not intend to be creative.
The debarker is a love-hate device. One must swing the debarker out before returning the head after a cut. One must do this every time or bad things happen.
There is an art to turning very small, sweepy, dog-legged, fence row, cherry logs with the hydraulics. They (the little logs) fight back.
With the LT15, little logs were aggravating. With the LT40, little logs are awful and cause one to have repent for bad vocabulary every night.
Danny, very nice setup and congratulations on your new addition.
I had to laugh when I read your description above! It reminded me of my experiences with "Tom" after running the Peterson for so long.
Look out Weyerhauser sawmills. :D
Congratulations on your new retirement investment. Let the sawdust fly and ambrosia beetles cook. ;D
I can tell you, Weyerhaeuser ain't skeered :D.
Dream big. ;D
Quote from: WDH on July 01, 2015, 10:00:31 PM
Some things that I have learned:
Sawing with the LT15 was a much more intimate experience. You have more of a feel of what the blade is doing in the wood. You are more tuned in, but I am sure that will change.
You can make mistakes twice as fast.
DO NOT hit the down lever while sawing in the cut with the computer setworks. Very bad things happen. One has the tendency to hit the wrong lever or button as one is learning what to do, and sometime learning is not fun.
Hydraulic toe boards are great as long as you lower them down after you turn the log. I have invented a few new geometric shapes with the new mill. Toe boards allow you to make some very creative cuts, even if you did not intend to be creative.
The debarker is a love-hate device. One must swing the debarker out before returning the head after a cut. One must do this every time or bad things happen.
One must have good footing and be fleet of foot when reversing the head because that things screams back and you could get runt-over.
There is an art to turning very small, sweepy, dog-legged, fence row, cherry logs with the hydraulics. They (the little logs) fight back.
With the LT15, little logs were aggravating. With the LT40, little logs are awful and cause one to have repent for bad vocabulary every night.
I love 4 degree blades.
I had some good laughs when I read this. But...it is very true. There are more things to keep in mind with fancier machines. It won't take long to develop a routine though.
For flipping smaller and sweepy logs, use the two plane clamp, or two-plane clamp and claw turner together. Learning the art of flipping cants the other way around with the two plane clamp takes some time, but you will find it useful. ;)
Congrats on the mill! Enjoy! :)
And with smaller stuff as described, I usually flip them 180° on the first turn.
I have some bigger stuff lined up to saw. Looking forward to it. Tired of fence row, dog-legged, crooked, small cherry with nothing but pith.
Quote from: WDH on July 05, 2015, 08:20:23 PM
Tired of fence row, dog-legged, crooked, small cherry with nothing but pith.
Quit your whining. smiley_crying You got hydraulics. :D :D :D :D :D
WOW, Danny. Nice mill. Nice setup. Now you can rip through those pecan logs. ;D
All the best to you. Have fun. Cutter
I will be consorting with the devil smiley_devil (pecan) soon. These range from 27" to 33".
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1053.JPG)
Then, these oak logs.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_0987.JPG)
Nice logs! :)
They really are. Nice logs make you want to get up early and saw.
Quote from: WDH on July 05, 2015, 08:50:46 PM
I will be consorting with the devil smiley_devil (pecan) soon. These range from 27" to 33".
I believe I see some .055 7° Turbos in your future. I bet if you call WM they will send you one to try. I prefer them over .055 4° in hickory, pecan, and brick. :D :D
YH
I have some .045 4 degree but no 7's :).
One needs to aim a little higher with the forks, makes awfull lookin' fenders to show such nice lookin' logs. just saying...... ;D
:D :D
It is the rolling of the logs off the trailer, not the forks, that is the problem.
One needs to get a bigger trailer :).
It never ends...... :-\.
I can see you are all full of eagerness to get after those logs. :laugh: Who wouldn't be.
If you put the 33 incher on the mill be very cautious of how you turn it. Don't get in a hurry. Those big boys have a way of rolling off over the back stops. :o >:( ::)
I found that putting some type of extension on the back stop for the first couple of turns is cheap insurance.
Those black oak logs are some kind of pretty.
Well don't over do it in the heat. My heat tolerance is lower than yours. ;D
Funny story about a trailer...A buddy of mine was delivering some wood on an incredibly beat up, rusted out utility trailer. It was so bad I offered to weld some of it back together before he went home, about 20 miles. He said he didn't have time, and didn't want to drive at night because none of his taillights worked and he didn't want to get a ticket. I joked and said maybe night time was best because then maybe then the cops wouldn't ever see him.. :D
Quote from: WDH on July 05, 2015, 09:51:05 PM
:D :D
It never ends...... :-\.
It may end sometime, but I haven't seen it yet, either. :D
Robert,
Southern red oak, Quercus falcata :).
I must confess that this little trailer takes quite a licking.
SD, this heat can be bad, real bad. Being under the shed and having the POWER BOX and FAN big fan helps.
:D
I have not forgot.
Quote from: WDH on July 06, 2015, 09:59:42 PM
Robert,
Southern red oak, Quercus falcata :).
Does it cut out better than black oak (Quercus velutina)? Bark is very similar.
Robert,
I also now have a set of pipe extentions for the uprights, one lives and learns, those big dudes find a way of jumpin' off at the wosrt of times. :-\ Oh... remember to take them off after the log is turned. ;)
Oh man...
Very nice mill and setup overall! I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures with the new mill.
-lee
I can remember a time when WDH would have brought those logs over here to get them sawed. I think I have been replaced. ;D
Quote from: customsawyer on July 07, 2015, 08:39:06 PM
I can remember a time when WDH would have brought those logs over here to get them sawed. I think I have been replaced. ;D
Like Danny said the other day, "Jake who?" :D :D :D :D
Now, now. Lets not be hasty.
David. Shut up. :D
:D :D :D :D :D
Jake from State Farm? :D :D :D :D
Jake from state farm.I see the goat is still stirring the pot.No wonder he didn"t make the project this year.
Robert,
Southern red oak is generally a little better quality than black oak. Down here, they can both make some really nice trees.
:P Can some of those nice trees become nice lumber, many times I have sawn what some would call nice trees into lumber that was, at best.... wood. :-\
Just wondering if the fast growth would afffect the usability of the trees as lumber.
The growth is faster than up your way, but it is not so fast in hardwoods to make a huge difference in the end use.