LT 40 HD help

[Contractor1]

I went to use my mill today and had problems with the electric feed drive for the saw carriage. I would have to turn the speed control up to max to get the carriage to move and then it would work fine. I also would surge during sawing with the blade engaged. I adjusted the chain and checked the belt on the drive motor and those were fine. Could my problem be electrical as the drum switch or the feed motor speed control? I purchased the mill new last April and it has 97 hours on it. My first problem with it. Thanks for any comments.

[Magicman]

My recommendation is always to get one of the service tech guys at WM on the line.  About the first thing he will ask is if you have a 12v test light.

[Chuck White]

If you had the 12V power to the feed motor, insured the drive belt and the chain feed were ok, I would suspect the speed feed rheostat!

Then I would suspect the brushes in the feed motor!

[Log Dawg]

I would say it is the speed feed rheostat also, or the computer board. I have had both go out, call WM and they will walk you thought a check out .

[customsawyer]

A 12v test light is nice but I prefer a DC volt meter. If you can get one that test for DC amps. This will help the folks at WM to help you.

[Sixacresand]

Keep us posted on what you have to do to get it fixed.  I am experiencing hesitation in the head height control, always when I first start up the mill.

[slider]

I would suspect electrical but a bad carriage bearing can cause this.Also be aware that sometimes a bad bearing will appear to be good when it's not.With so few hrs on your mill this is probably not your problem .Hope this helps.  al

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Contractor1......does your mill do this at the beginning of the day and finally quit surging and start sawing smoothly?

Take the covers off the top rail rollers and be sure they are clean and all the sawdust is cleaned out around them.
Check the bottom rail rollers to see if they are restricted by a piece of bark or sawdust.

Wipe the rails down with ATV and then see if it still does it.

[drobertson]

I would make a call to wmz. as mentioned have a volt meter ready, in the mean while get things lubed up,  If I were to make a guess, the motor brushes would be suspect, as well as the speed control reostat.
Hope all goes well this new year for you,    david

[Magicman]

A 12v test light is nice but I prefer a DC volt meter. If you can get one that test for DC amps. This will help the folks at WM to help you. 

I agree Jake, but they always ask.  Answering that you have a test light makes them happy, but having the DC ammeter makes them delighted.   

My last failure in the power feed circuit was an intermittent speed control solenoid.  There are too many items to start guessing and throwing parts at a problem.

[Waterford Woodworks]

I have had the similar problem 2 times. The first time was on my mill and was at about 120 hrs, it was the rheostat controller, ordered a new one from woodmizer and was back in business in 15 minutes. The second time was on an lt 40 hd I was running for someone that had purchased the mill with big intentions but soon realized he was not as young at heart as he used to be. The mill was 2 yrs old and had 55 hrs, it sat a lot but was under cover. it turned out to be the drive motor. I carefully took it apart and could see all the rust build up inside of it, I cleaned it up with 220 grit sandpaper and put it all back together, never had another issue. It was easier than I thought it would be, my weakness is electrical workings and I have accidently let the magical smoke out a few times causing what I was working on to not work again.
Both times the woodmizer tech walked me through the trouble shooting and fixing the problem over the phone. I would call them. I love my woodmizer and their support.
Hope this helps

[barbender]

If you have something causing  mechanical resistance and you try to power through it, you are working on cooking an H bridge. You'll only do that once, they're about $400. On my '97, the display will say "overload" if I remember right. Check around your drive sprockets for sawdust buildup or a stick that could have slipped in there, make sure your rail wiper is lubed. You should be able to push the head by hand, you should feel an even resistance as you push down the rail.