Head travel stalling

stihltoomany · February 06, 2025, 05:26:16 PM

Lt40 super head travel keeps kicking out. Wait 30 seconds AND IT GOES AGAIN FOR A LITTLE BIT. Happens anywhere. Wont move foward or reverse. Thought it might be frozen sawdust cleaned rails. No help. Believe the drive is kicking out. But havent had time to research. Just happened. Any guidance appreciated.

John S · February 06, 2025, 06:08:10 PM

The drum switch clean and lubricated? All of the fingers solid and intact (I had one break off in December)?

barbender · February 06, 2025, 07:22:18 PM

Is it actually kicking the breaker, or does it just lose power?

SawyerTed · February 06, 2025, 07:46:52 PM

Check the brushes in the drive motor after servicing the drum switch.

stihltoomany · February 06, 2025, 08:18:27 PM

Stops dead and starts again. Working drum switch makes no difference. Mill only has 350 hours on it. Goes fine if i push and reduce load. Did this 3 years ago. Sawing 16" red oak 20 ft long in 95 °heat. Just passed off as overheating. Studying book now.

GAB · February 06, 2025, 08:23:20 PM

What the previous posters have said are all possibilities.
I'd also be checking the rollers that ride on the rails. I believe there are 7 and one of them might have a failing or failed bearing. Also check the drive belt for proper tension.
When you find your culprit I'd sure like to know what your cause was.
GAB

barbender · February 06, 2025, 10:00:00 PM

Check your carriage drive belt if you haven't already. The fact that helping to push it gets it moving again suggests that may be the culprit to me. I've also had similar symptoms from the solenoid for the feed getting weak.

Rhodemont · February 07, 2025, 09:00:37 AM

I have had same issue with my LT35 twice over the years. Pull the cover on the drive belt, it is probably loose or needs replacement. Got me moving both times.

GAB · February 07, 2025, 10:56:07 AM

Quote from: barbender on February 06, 2025, 10:00:00 PMCheck your carriage drive belt if you haven't already. The fact that helping to push it gets it moving again suggests that may be the culprit to me. I've also had similar symptoms from the solenoid for the feed getting weak.

Carriage drive belt is what I meant, however I worded it wrong.
Thanks for the assist Mr. Alger.
GAB

stihltoomany · February 07, 2025, 11:02:51 AM

I am sure motor is stopping belt not slipping. Wont back up either. Something is kicking out and resetting by its self. Looking into other causes today. Anything on the boards that resets itself?

WV Sawmiller · February 07, 2025, 12:20:22 PM

What happens when you push it by hand? Does it still freeze at that point? If so I'd suspect a bearing like the Cam follower bearing. If it rolls free then I'd suspect an electrical issue.

Is it only at that one spot or if you push the head further does it do the same thing further down the rail?

Old Greenhorn · February 07, 2025, 12:44:37 PM

My first question is: Where are you in Iowa that has 95° temps? Second question, as others have said: when was the last time you lubed the contacts on your drum switches? You should have a small tub on the lube sitting right there inside the control cabinet. I had that issue a couple months back and the cleaning and lubing fixed it right up.
There is nothing I am aware of in the system that will trip and reset. If the motor is truly using power (ALWAYS confirm this first so you know you are following the right path) then it has to be electrical, Also, just on a whim, check carefully to make sure that the key is engaged in that drive pulley. The number of hours on your machine are about the right time for little things like "not tight enough" screws to start showing up.
Let us know what you find. Good luck!

stihltoomany · February 07, 2025, 02:10:00 PM

Did this 3 years ago.

Old Greenhorn · February 07, 2025, 02:26:55 PM

Well, it's doing it AGAIN.

(Sorry)
Seriously. Tell us what you have checked and found and try to be specific. All the basic and common known stuff has been mentioned here already. I don't think anybody can come up with your magic bullet unless they have more specific information to work with.

I am still very curious about your "95° heat".

barbender · February 07, 2025, 03:59:43 PM

I had a solenoid that was weak that had the exact same symptoms. It makes it kind of a bugger to troubleshoot when it works, kind of. But iirc, it is a DPDT solenoid- double pole, double throw.

Sixacresand · February 08, 2025, 10:01:49 AM

My LT40 does the same thing. I Keep the track rollers and felt lubricated, maintain belt tension, keep sprockets and chain clear. But sometimes, the head just stops. Shutting down a few minutes, presuming letting something cool down and it starts working again. I would not think it would be a motor brush problem. I could be wrong. I replaced the speed control switch and that has solved the problem twice. I have read the $100+ electrical module inside the control box is the culprit and have checked the module lights and it seems ok. I make it a habit to set up the mill with the front slightly elevated for gravity assist. Ha!! I can't imagine my mill pulling my 250 lbs. along in a sawmill seat.

barbender · February 08, 2025, 11:03:18 AM

I set mine up just the opposite, with the feed going slightly uphill. That way gravity provides the brakes if I let off the feed, because I see a problem like a clamp or back support that is too high for the blade to clear. Yes I learned this the hard way😊

stihltoomany · February 08, 2025, 11:27:40 AM

The 95 ° was 3 years ago in the summer. My problem sounds like sixacresands problem. Although this mill only has 350 hours it is an 2003 model. Adjusting speed control makes no difference. Motor shuts down like it was turned off. Appreciate all the suggestions. Troubleshooting as time permits. Any one know where to get detailed electrical prints? This is 2003 super40 with 42 hp kubota. With accuset 2. Thanks all.

barbender · February 08, 2025, 11:44:19 AM

The manual should have electrical schematics in it.

stihltoomany · February 08, 2025, 03:10:16 PM

Me too. Not in my manual but did finally find on wm site. Now to get printer to print front cell phone.

Rhodemont · February 08, 2025, 06:16:59 PM

Call Woodmizer Service dept. Ask for electrical dept. They are GREAT at trouble shooting on the phone while you proceed as they ask. Have your serial number available and they can help you get back on track.

stihltoomany · February 09, 2025, 08:17:54 PM

Installed a 12 V Led Clarence lite in parallel at the motor. whenever the head stalls. The light goes out. Found out today that if you just wait it will automatically reset. starts to move again as the light comes on and indicates. did not have time to dig in the more electrical stuff in the control boards. Was sawing a 20 inch wide 21 foot long board and it's 3 years dead. Frozen red oak. when you hit it with the pickeroon to drag a board off. The picker room just bounces off. So we're in an overload condition. I just not sure that something isn't getting weak. Head moves by hand ok.

ladylake · February 10, 2025, 02:24:21 AM

Try a new circuit breaker , they can get weak. Steve

barbender · February 10, 2025, 09:08:04 AM

I can't remember if any of the circuit breakers on Woodmizers are auto reset. The ones on the outside of the console are manual reset, but there are some mounted inside the console as well that are a different type.