But and the Good and Bad

Magicman · April 09, 2025, 10:35:36 PM

But indicates that something unplanned interrupted your intended plans which required a change of action. But can be Good or Bad.

In my instance it was Good that the Bad was not any worse.

This picture shows that the side supports had been lowered about half way to allow this monster log to roll toward the mast and allow me to take a larger bite with the next pass. This is standard practice and something that I have done many times. After the pass, the side supports are raised and the log turned for the next pass. Then problem was that this log was so heavy the side supports could not raise without some help, also not unusual. I lowered the log clamp and went underneath the log to nudge it a bit away from the side supports.

The log loader arms were at the top to prevent the log from rolling off of the mill but the log was so heavy that the log's rolling momentum did not stop when they contacted the log loader arms. Yup.....

The log kept rolling and took the sawmill with it. Of course I was at the hydraulic control box and I knew that it was gone and there was nothing that I could do to stop it so my only thought was to get away.

Neither the saw head nor the blade guide arm hit the ground.

I was now in a "damage control" mode. Shut the engine off and then decide how to upright the sawmill. First we rolled the log off of the loader arms and away from the sawmill. I connected a chain to the travel chain which is behind the axle and raised the loader side outriggers so that they would not bend, etc. as the sawmill was uprighted. I also retracted the blade guide arm and gradually lowered the engine on the mast as the sawmill was gradually uprighted.

The only damage to the sawmill was a broken top fitting on the hydraulic cylinder and a crushed and twisted loader foot. A new fitting took care of the hydraulic cylinder and some work with a "rosebud" straightened the foot enough so that we could reload the log and saw it today. The sawmill is now at the welding shop to properly straighten the loader foot. He is gonna do all that he can to have me back normal for Monday's sawing.

There was not really a cockpit error that caused this, but I acknowledge that I was seriously beyond the normal and stated limits of the sawmill. If this mishap is viewed in such a way that it can/will help someone else in the future, then I feel justified in sharing it on the open forum.

Will I ever exceed the sawmill's limitations again? Certainly if that is what it takes to saw a job. Ain't skeered!!

Jeff · April 09, 2025, 10:48:32 PM

Oh no and oh wow!

Dan_Shade · April 09, 2025, 10:52:31 PM

Yikes!

I'm glad you are able to tell the story about this.

Wlmedley · April 09, 2025, 11:03:11 PM

Looks pretty scary to me. Glad you were able to get out of the way.

WV Sawmiller · April 09, 2025, 11:24:26 PM

I first looked to see if you had your seatbelt on then remembered you said you don't/can't use it on these long logs.

Do you have a good estimate on the overall weight of the log?

Glad there were no associated pictures of injuries that required posting.

Good luck on speedy repairs and resumption of sawing and mostly glad you were not hurt.

Brucer · April 10, 2025, 12:54:49 AM

Dang!

The only time I had logs heavy enough to do that on the mill, I was loading them off a log deck. I never got to test the mill's tipping capacity

.

thecfarm · April 10, 2025, 04:45:04 AM

Glad all ended well.

Ianab · April 10, 2025, 06:03:20 AM

This is when I appreciate setting up the mill Around the log. If the mill is easier to move than the log, then so be it.

Meanwhile in NZ

But I'm glad the damage wasn't serious.

Peter Drouin · April 10, 2025, 06:11:00 AM

Next time, put a 2x4 on the loader side of the deck. That will stop the log from doing that.

jpassardi · April 10, 2025, 06:44:35 AM

I'm just relieved to see you didn't get hurt. Wasn't good but could have been much worse.

aigheadish · April 10, 2025, 06:52:53 AM

Whoa! Glad you are ok MM!

dgdrls · April 10, 2025, 07:01:46 AM

Oh boy!! , glad you got away unhurt MM

D

SawyerTed · April 10, 2025, 07:24:53 AM

Holy Frijoles, Magicman!

Glad you escaped injury free!

Magicman · April 10, 2025, 07:26:49 AM

Quote from: WV Sawmiller on April 09, 2025, 11:24:26 PMDo you have a good estimate on the overall weight of the log?

The Log Weight calculator in the FF Tool Box indicates that it was close to 8K pounds.

Rhodemont · April 10, 2025, 07:30:00 AM

Yikes MM, glad you are OK.

Machinebuilder · April 10, 2025, 07:57:37 AM

WOW!!!!!

I'm glad you weren't hurt.

I don't recall seeing anyone else had rolled their mill.

This is not a good thing to be first at.

doc henderson · April 10, 2025, 08:00:11 AM

Well, you must be getting close to being able to say "I have done/seen it all". Glad you are good, and the mill is repairable.

Resonator · April 10, 2025, 08:29:39 AM

Glad you're OK!

Chuck White · April 10, 2025, 08:34:47 AM

It was good to see minimal sawmill damage, but mostly that you're ok!

There was most likely a little bit of "pucker time" during the process!

Old Greenhorn · April 10, 2025, 08:39:19 AM

Boy am I glad you weren't in that seat! Rough handling on the mill, but seems like all in all you got pretty lucky. Be careful man!

John S · April 10, 2025, 08:43:22 AM

How level was the terrain there? I almost tipped my LT40 the other way on a slight slope working on a huge walnut log. Glad it worked out and thanks for the great post.

jpassardi · April 10, 2025, 08:50:02 AM

Fortunately the Magicman pulled one out of his hat and escaped unscathed!
Lucky the mill head didn't slam the ground.

Magicman · April 10, 2025, 09:13:37 AM

John S, it was absolutely level.

jpassardi, yes, the saw head hitting the ground could have been catastrophic.

Regardless of the log's length, I would never be in the sawmill seat when making log maneuvers and adjustments such as this. I need the ability to see exactly where the log is positioned plus see the log clamp and log turner claw.

Turning this log required not only the claw and clamp, but also the rear toe board to be able lift and then allow the log's weight against the claw to gradually turn the log. I have never had to use three hydraulic functions to turn a log before. Yes, we could have used the Magic Hook and the backhoe, but I wanted all of the log's movement under my control. This was by far, the heaviest log that I have ever sawed.

WV Sawmiller · April 10, 2025, 09:34:15 AM

Quote from: Chuck White on April 10, 2025, 08:34:47 AMThere was most likely a little bit of "pucker time" during the process!

I suspect there was a lot more "loosening" than puckering going on.

Resonator · April 10, 2025, 09:39:51 AM

One suggestion for future big logs...
When I ran side-dump semi trailers, there was always a risk with wet/sticky loads for rollover. On jobsites where heavy machinery was available (loaders, excavators), it was common practice to "cover" the trailer end frame with the machine to prevent it from flipping. Possibly the same could be done with the mill and whatever loader is on site, or chaining it down to the lowered bucket of the machine.