Big Wood-Mizer MIA

[VA-Sawyer]

I found this photo of a bigger WM made in Eroupe. Did they build any here ?  I would really be interested in more info on getting one of these.



VA-Sawyer

[Kirk_Allen]

That is I think the LT80 model.  Bibby had a link to the European WM site but I cant find it now. They have never offered that mill here.................YET. 

[Kirk_Allen]

http://www.woodmizer-europe.com/

[VA-Sawyer]

Kirk,
It was listed as an LT-60 at one time. They don't seem to have it on the europe site anymore.  I seem to recall it cutting 8+ meter logs according to the specs.

[iain]

Don't forget this site

http://www.woodmizer-planet.com/

good reading matter


    iain

[Bibbyman]

They had one set up and demoed at the Wood-Mizer 20'th anniversary party in 2001.

I understand they had two in the USA.  One they sent to Africa (if I remember right) and the other...  the last time I seen it it was setting on the back lot in Indy.

Instead of an LT80, they'd rather sale you an LT70 with 6' extension. (The 6' extension will work with the Remote Command control – I think?)

I think they'll still sale the LT30 and have sold LT60's but don't want to.   Something about being so few that it disrupts the production line.

[iain]

Here's a link for all the blade monkeys

http://www.woodmizer-planet.com/text.htm?wscharset=windows-1252&s=Owner&m=23&id=224


get your running shoes on


iain

[VA-Sawyer]

Bibby,
The extensions don't work so well on portable sawing. 
What was the interest level at the demo ?
VA-Sawyer

[Bibbyman]

Here are some more pictures taken the day before the Wood-Mizer 20'th Anniversary Party in 2002.



There were about 20 people invited to come in a day early and get a demo on all the equipment.



Note that the LT80 has 3 loading arms, three back supports, two axles, and a couple of extra clamps that hold the cant down fore and aft.







About everything else looks like the LT70.  I think the remote console was arranged different and had a couple more hydraulic levers for the extra clamps.

[Warren]

Kirk,  Thanks for the WM Euro link.

VA-S,  If you look at the link below for the Euro LT-70, per the specs, it looks like it comes in Short, Medium, and Long.  The Long version says 8.4 metres.  I think that is in the ball park of 28 feet.

http://www.woodmizer-europe.com/prod.htm?p=T&i=4

Warren

[Norwiscutter]

If they were selling them at that Length, I would be hard pressed not to really consider buying one.  I think that if I were to run a portable mill, I speciifically would not buy a WM because of the length issues.

[VA-Sawyer]

Warren - Thanks, I missed that during my first look. About 27' 4" would be real nice on some jobs.  24-25' is the real target, but the extra couple of feet of maneuvering room would be nice.

Norwiscutter - I'm a little confused. Your tag line says you have a LT30. Are you saying you would prefer the longer length of the LT80 or that you think it is too long ?

VA-Sawyer

[customsawyer]

Are you able to order one of these from WM.

[Tom]

If the 27 foot mill had been offered by Wood Mizer when I bought my Baker, I would have 2 woodmizers now instead of a Baker and a woodmizer.   The length issue was one of the deciding factors in my purchase of a Baker 24' 3638.  I was also looking for diminished labor requirements but thought that I had found that in both machines.

I was talking with a Wood Mizer employee, at the 20th anniversary, about the 27 Foot mill and they had concerns.  One, and it sounded like an important one to them, was the inability of the long mill to enter or exit driveways.  There wasn't enough clearance in the long mill for the truck to go up without the back of the mill hanging on the road.  It was even worse as you exit.  They were having trouble getting it across the gutter of even filling stations if there was much of a ramp at all.

I can understand that but think that a resolution could have been invented.  I suggested that a coaster wheel be put at the end of the mill, but, that must not have been a viable trick.

My Baker also has problems with exiting some drives.  It used to be a big problem before the legs were cut down.  I had the front and back legs cut down, by Bryan Martin at the factory, during one of my warranty visits.  I had broken one leg when I hit a buried stump in a pasture as the mill crossed a furrow.   I now have plenty of clearance to get across most obstacles.

A sled under the back of the mill helps when off road but may mark a driveway or road when on pavement.

The other issues of such a long mill are found on the electric wiring and hydraulic lines that must follow the head of the mill.  It's especially critical when there is a remote station or static operator station.  Hoses must be run the length of the mill and protected from logs and debris.  The movable chase on my mill works, after a fashion, but is still too weak to hold itself up after a little use wears the joints.   Perhaps a different chase design could eliminate the problem, but, I'm not aware of anything that is made that will work.   

Some mills use open hydraulic hoses run on a cable.  I opted against mills with this design because my portable business took me to the front yards of million-plus dollar homes and my professional appearance counted as much as the product I produced.  It's the same thing as the difference I experienced in using a McCulloch or Husky.  The customer's opinion is formed more by their judgment of how professional you appear than what kind of job you are doing.  Granted, a poor job is seen regardless of the equipment but, a good job isn't.  It's especially critical when making a "first impression" and that may be taking place on another job.

Electric wire and hydraulic hoses become a problem as the length of the mill increases.  The rig also becomes more expensive and harder to maintain.  I've found that 50 foot hydraulic hoses, encapsulated in a chase that is difficult to open and close, can set you back for days, as well as tap out your pocket-book.  If hose runs were designed with shorter lengths, the maintenance cost may diminish, but, the manufacture and replacement costs would go up.

There is a concern with the total length of the rig too.  DOT has length designations that could cause you problems with a longer mill by forcing you into a higher license category.   The swing on a long mill is great when the axles are amidship.  Cornering becomes a learned task.  Semi trailers have axles on the rear and can pinch another auto when turning.  A mill with centered axles has the opposite problem.  Along with the problem of "trailing"(which causes pinching) the mill has a great swing on the back that can find the driver of the truck swatting a vehicle on the out board side of the turn.

The longer the mill, the more stresses are imposed on the longitudinal beams.  Manufacture of girders to support the mill in transport, to keep the fram from breaking, adds weight and expense, as well as rigidity.

While mill length is a positive thing, I can understand the qualms a manufacturer has in producing a one.  I still want one though and find that my 24 foot mill (which will cut 25 feet) is satisfactory for most of my applications.  If I had access to a 27 foot mill, I would find a use. :D

A stationary mill would definitely benefit by being able to produce long beams.   The mill built by woodmizer for the re-construction of "Old Ironsides" had a bed 110 feet long so that they could cut the masts.

[VA-Sawyer]

I've been thinking about Tom's answer and I have to admit that he has a few good points. It still doesn't change the fact that everytime I see this mill, I think it is just what I need.
My dad tows a 40 ft 5th wheel RV behind his truck. It doesn't sit very high in the air, about the same as my mill. He doesn't have that much trouble on the road, except the time he brought it down my driveway and needed to turn it around.
Maybe if they shortened it just a little... I could get by with 25' if I had to. Come on Wood-Mizer,  what would it take to get one ?
VA-Sawyer

[Bibbyman]

Why don't you call them and see what they have to say?

BTW,  I was looking again at the Europian site and note that they call it a LT70L now.

[Jim_Rogers]

If you really want to saw long logs and make long beams, get a regular LT40 length mill and get it without the remote station. Then buy a 24' bed extension. Have the bed extension set up as with a trailer package. Then you can move the mill, move the trailer and set up anywhere and cut up to 45' or so.
I have a friend here in MA who had this type setup and he used it many times "on the road" doing jobs that needed long lumber/timber.
He also uses the bed extension as a trailer to deliver lumber or beams with when not hooked up to the mill on site or in his yard.

Jim Rogers

[VA-Sawyer]

Jim,
That would mean three trips each way to saw anything over 21 ft., plus all the extra setup time to align the extension. Some of my jobs are 90 minutes one way, so I don't think that would work so well for me. It would be nice to be able to do 45 footers, but to be honest, my real need is more like 24-25'.
I believe that Arky has a shorter extension he uses at home. I don't know if he takes it on the road. Arky, do you saw over 21' on the road ? If so, what is your procedure ?
VA-Sawyer

[Jim_Rogers]

Va:
I have a six foot bed extension and I do use it on road jobs if they, the customers, are willing to pay for it to be transported, both ways, and set up.
If they want long timbers/lumber from their long logs they will pay for it.
I charge them by the hour and do an estimate first of how much it will cost. And they do pay it.
It is listed as an extra service on my rate sheet, by special arrangement.
And on top of the extra to set it up I charge extra per bdft for doing stuff longer than 16', which helped pay for the bed extension.
Again if they want the long stuff, then they will pay for it, and they do....
Sometimes I'm the only one who will do the long stuff they want done.....

Jim Rogers