LT 40 engine options

Noland · February 17, 2014, 06:56:02 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum, I had a Lt 15 I recently sold, so I ordered a new Lt 40 HD with the 29 HP fuel injected Kohler.
Does anyone have this engine out there on a Lt 40? Just wanted some opinions on this engine.
I asked dealer about the upgrade to a 38 HP carbureted kohler, but he said it was a bit thirsty. So I decided to go with the stock engine. I realize diesel would be great but does not fit my budget, and not planning on using this mill every day.
Hope I made the right choice. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Noland

thecfarm · February 17, 2014, 06:59:30 PM

Noland,welcome to the forum.
You went from a manual mill to a hyd mill. Good for you.

Magicman · February 17, 2014, 07:06:27 PM

Hello Noland, and Welcome to the Forestry forum.

Sorry, I have no experience with that engine.

CCC4 · February 17, 2014, 07:49:50 PM

Welcome to the forum. Depending on what you are sawing, you should be fine. I have run several Woodmisers including the LT40 and the LT50 Super Hydro with the Cat diesel motor. All in all I really don't think the LT 50 ran off from the LT 40, and I really had nothing I couldn't saw with the LT 40. A big advantage of the LT 50 is I used wider thicker blades. You should be fine.

pineywoods · February 17, 2014, 10:37:26 PM

Have a neighbor who succeeded in wearing out one of them fuel injected kohlers on an lt40. Little over 5000 hours, nothing broke, it just got very tired. Keep your fuel clean and you'll be OK

riverlogger · February 17, 2014, 11:10:44 PM

I bought a brand new wood mizer lt40-hdg25 back in 2000. It was an awesome little machine with all of the hydraulic options including a nifty little debarker motor. It had the kohler engine and man that thing would saw more in a day than any two men wanted to off bear. I sold it years back to a guy from Panama who was going to cut cants from mahogany to ship to the US.

Noland · February 18, 2014, 06:47:26 PM

Thanks for the advice about the 29 HP gas in a Lt 40, I feel pretty good about that engine now.
It should be ready in a week or so. Can't wait to buzz my fist log with it!
This site is very helpful, thanks men.
Noland

Magicman · February 18, 2014, 06:53:53 PM

Adding your sawmill and location to your profile will help with future questions. ;)

Dave Shepard · February 18, 2014, 07:05:42 PM

I learned on a 24 HP LT40. Seldom did I feel that it was underpowered. Sure, you can cut faster with a bigger engine, but you will find that the actual sawing is only part of the job. Turning and clamping, pulling slabs and boards, etc. will keep you plenty busy as well.

Chuck White · February 18, 2014, 07:55:31 PM

That's what I have now Dave (24hp Onan), and I don't feel it lacks power!

The direct swap-out that Wood-Mizer offers now is the 25hp Kohler.

Nice thing about it is that it comes with the pully and the throttle linkage. Should be able to remove the old engine and install the new and be back to sawing within an hour!

Brucer · February 20, 2014, 12:52:55 AM

I've got the 28 HP EFI Kohler on my mill. I'm pretty sure the 29 HP is exactly the same engine that's been tweaked a bit.

After 2300 hours the engine has been rock solid. It starts every time, no matter what the weather. Never a problem with idling. A couple of times (in 8 years) the engine was low on power in very hot weather. That turned out to be a combination of dirty few filter and a slight leak in the O-riing on the connector to the fuel tank -- not an engine problem at all. Just replace the filter and the O-ring and you're back in business.

SawyerBrown · February 20, 2014, 05:46:38 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Noland

ladylake · February 20, 2014, 06:27:13 AM

Depends on what your sawing, if making wide cuts in tough wood the extra power is nice. Smaller easy to cut logs 29HP is plenty. The 27hp Kohler I had was way underpowered in those wide cuts in hard wood. Steve

york · February 20, 2014, 08:25:16 AM

Steve,what are you running for power now???

thanks Albert

ladylake · February 20, 2014, 08:40:59 AM

A 29hp Isuzu diesel which seems like it has twice the hp of the 27hp Kohler on 1/2 the fuel. I've run my brothers TK2000 with a 34hp Kohler which seems real close to my diesel but it likes gas. Both are way ahead of the 27hp Kohler due to the extra torque. Steve

Ga Mtn Man · February 20, 2014, 08:53:21 AM

FYI, the Kohler 29HP EFI, according to the "new" SAE rating system, is now 26HP. Woodmizer has changed the model number of the standard LT40 to LT40HDG26 .

http://www.woodmizer.com/us/promo.aspx

I'm pretty sure my mill has been cutting slower since discovered this. ;)

I wonder how this engine compares to the 25HP they use on the LT35. ???

Contractor1 · February 20, 2014, 02:05:03 PM

I bought a 2013 LT 40 with a 29 Kohler last year. I have limited hours but no problems with it. I considered the 38 hp Kohler upgrade but I was told it was carbureted instead of fuel injected. The few times I thought I was underpowered I was probably pushing a dull band. As I just saw for a hobby and it sets a lot, I make sure that I put fuel stabilizer and non ethanol fuel in the saw.

Cypress Sam · February 20, 2014, 05:16:16 PM

I run the 38. In big cypress(28" to 36") it really pays off. I used to run the lt35 with the 25hp engine. If you go with the 38 be sure not to skimp on the auto clutch!

scully · February 23, 2014, 08:45:03 AM

The guys up at wood-mizer just retrofit that motor onto an LT 40 and went through the whole mill , I helped them saw a couple good size pine logs to dial it in etc. I was very impressed with the power and rate of cut ! Take the time to monitor your band performance ,it is easy to get caught up in cutting well past the point were a new sharp band should be installed . Stay sharp my friend and you will be very happy !