New to me LT40

[homesteader1972]

Hello,

I was fortunate enough to find a good value on an older LT40HD. Its a 1988 model with a 20hp Onan on it. It runs and cuts well, though it does need a few minor repairs like new drive belts.

Today though, the wire coming from the negative terminal on the battery and connecting on the back of the feed control shorted. Got hot and smoked. I thought maybe the wires in the harness were bad and grounding, so I removed the wire on both ends, the battery side and feed control side and replaced with a jumper wire and had the same outcome. I know little about electrical components, all else appears to be working well, though the smoke came while using the hydraulics. Was wondering if any of you would have any ideas.

Also would like any counsel on what all to inspect on this mill, as I hope to put it to work. I am not sure of its total hours, but it has had only 441 since 1999 when the hour meter was replaced. It has been sitting outside alot though.

Thanks much.

[Magicman]

I am not sure about your definition of "shorted", but it sounds to me like you have a loose/bad ground connection since it smoked when you had a higher current load with the hydraulics.

[homesteader1972]

Thanks for the reply MajicMan,

The wire got real hot and the insulation smoked. When I ran the jumper wire, the aligator clip got hot and distorted. What your saying makes sense. Im just learning the mill, so any ideas are helpful.

thanks

[GAB]

homesteader1972:
I'm not the best when it comes to electrical, but is it possible that a (or some) rodents have chewed some of the insulation off of a (or some) wires somewheres?
Based on what you wrote I would of thought that the fuses in the line(s) involved would have blown.  I'd be checking the fuses to make sure they are of the recommended amperage for the line(s) it is (or they are) in.  You do not need to experience a thermal incidence.  Good Luck  Gerald

[Red Good]

I have never seen your mill but are you sure the battery is hooked up correctly ? Ground usually goes to the body / frame then the positive goes to the loads . But mills may be diferent .

[T Welsh]

homesteader1972, Did your mill come with the instruction manual? If not contact Woodmiser and purchase one,register the mill with them. Once you are registered you can research the history of all parts purchased at Woodmiser. Your melt down problem is sounding like a short circuit some where in the hydraulic system. High amp system is controlled by a solenoid,but without more info everybody is guessing!When I purchased my LT40HD it came with the bible . I read it front to back and then got familiar with the mill by checking everything that was in the instruction manual, it has been a life saver as I know whats going on when something starts acting funny and or stops working. Let us know if we can help you with anything! Good luck with your mill!! Tim

[Magicman]

If your ground had been making good connections from the battery to the sawmill then placing a jumper would have done nothing at all.  The fact that you ran a jumper wire and it got hot, proves that your ground is not making a good connection.  It has got to be clean and secure on both ends.  Your problem might be and probably is the ground contact that rides the bottom rail.  It is probably dirty, loose, or even missing.

[SawyerBrown]

Alligator clips not very efficient at transmitting high amperages (with hydraulic load), so that may explain your jumper wire too.  Hydraulic loads will be higher trying to push colder (thicker) hydraulic oil this time of year vs when it was warmer.  I'd check the integrity of all the wires and especially the connections, clean them up good especially if you see corrosion.

As far as other things to check ... the biggest thing with sitting outside will be non-metallics -- so hoses, belts, tires.  I'd give all the hydraulic hoses a good once-over and make sure they're not cracked and the connectors solid.  If you're going to be pulling the mill around to jobs, I'd definitely be worried about 14-year-old tires.  I think the ratings on the tires are right up there at the limit anyway.

Congratulations on the "new" mill!

[SawyerBrown]

Sorry, correction ... 25-year old tires if original.  I'd make sure they aren't getting some cracks, even if the tread looks good

[Magicman]

If the ground contact that rides the bottom rail is faulty, the heavy current will probably damage the cam followers.  Verifying that contact is very important.

[Peter Drouin]

If the ground contact that rides the bottom rail is faulty, the heavy current will probably damage the cam followers.  Verifying that contact is very important.

[thecfarm]

Yes,on the tires too. And congrats on the mill.

[homesteader1972]

If the ground contact that rides the bottom rail is faulty, the heavy current will probably damage the cam followers.  Verifying that contact is very important.

The ground contact was the problem. Took it apart, cleaned it, resprung the spring and all is well now. Not sure what cam followers are yet though.

I did get an owners manual, parts catalog (1988), sharpener and setter and even a cant hook with the mill.

It has sat a while, so the tires are dry rotted some, the bearings need repacking and the lights tinkered with.

I know it needs drive belts, a mid throat bearing and looks like one of the toothed sprockets that go with raising and lowering the head need replacing. Also a bearing thats on the pulley shaft on the speed control looks to be coming apart.

Anything else I should be checking out, let me know.

Thanks very much

[Magicman]

You are on the right track and doing quite well.   

The cam followers are the bearing that the saw head rides the rails on.  If you loose the ground contact, then current flows through the cam follower bearings and you know that can not be good.