The (mill) adventure begins

[GDinMaine]

I finally got around to get some pictures sorted out from the past month, so I can properly make this post.  After much searching and mind-numbing nervousness in mid-October I bought a 12-year-old LT-40 Super.  The idea is to start a part time business, that I will allow me to have some fun work besides the not-quite-so-fun work.  The best thing in this is that my family, and quite literally the whole neighborhood has been very supportive.  My neighbors and even another local sawmill owner all have been very helpful.  I will start with the pictures so they will tell a better story then I can.


Here is the site where the mill will live.   I started with this.
 


I cleared an area about 60x80' or so to make room.  I can clear more, but this will do for a start and for now I didn't cut down any decent size trees yet. I want to put the mill in it's permanent spot, where the slabs, logs, lumber and sawdust are not in the way of other things.


The after picture.


When I went to look at the mill, my BEST helper and a friend came with me for the eight-hour roadtrip.  The fine folks, that sold the mill gave us two for the price of one.  That made my son's day many times over.  He carried that thing everywhere for two weeks. 


Just another photo of my tractor with the home-made logging winch.  Nothing fancy, but it works great.



Pictures of the mill are coming tomorrow.

I want to thank the community on this board for the information that YOU(all) posted over the years.

[moandrich]

Great pictures, love the winch with saw holder

[b dukes]

Looks like your off to a good start. I like your tractor. I have been looking for one. I have a large tractor with a forklift mast on the back I use for lifting. , but a front end loader would be so much better.

[fishpharmer]

Your off to a good start.  Thanks for sharing.

I nominate your son for the Woodmizer sawdust addict poster child, orange mill, orange shirt and orange hair. :D 8)  Fantastic!!

[Solomon]

Your off to a good start.  Thanks for sharing.

I nominate your son for the Woodmizer sawdust addict poster child, orange mill, orange shirt and orange hair. :D 8)  Fantastic!!

He sure does fit the bill!!!   maybe you can work out a deal with woodmizer.   You son will be their poster child and you get free blades , parts and service for the rest of your life.   And when the mill wears out they give you two brand new LT70s and matching edgers to go with'em!!!     

[Solomon]

Heck , you even have an orange tractor!!!!! smiley_inspector

[JohnM]

WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME!  ;) :D  (I've telling him to start this post for 3 weeks! )

Already said it in person but guess it doesn't hurt to say so here either... ;)  Congratulations, Gabor!  (I'm still getting my mill though. ;) ...some day....maybe :()

I've seen the 'new' mill in action, it needs some 'straightening' (well, squaring to be more precise) but it's a heck of a nice rig.  After hunting season (I'm useless til than ;D) is over we'll get some 'practice logs' from my place over there and get her (are mills like boats, female names? ) running true...assuming we find someone that knows what they're doing! ;) ;D :D

Oh and guess what guys...that lil redheaded kid is already tailing boards! :D  No lies!  

JM

[GDinMaine]

Thanks guys.  I'm very excited about this whole thing.  As John mentioned the mill does need a bit of tweaking.  I spent most of Sunday and a bit of today doing a complete alignment on it following the book step-by-step.  It should be all ready to go tomorrow morning.  Nothing like getting to know how a machine works by doing the complete works right off the bat.  I did want to saw some at first just to see how it does and how I did.  Have not broken anything yet and am happy.  Yes.  My son is tailing boards off and when John came over my boy was mad, when we took a board off and didn't wait for him. 

As for the tractor and the winch.  It is all home made based on an old Holmes pto-driven wrecker winch.  I made room for all the stuff I need while working in the woods.  Saw, gas, helmet, chains, wedges, snatch blocks, file, hammer, all fit on the shelves.  It leaves the loader free for other tasks. The tractor is a bit small for logging and a bit big for mowing among apple trees and tending to the garden.  So.  I would call it just right for my needs.  It stays busy year-round for sure.

A progress picture from last year


 

And the "fine" finished product. It hauled 12 cords last Winter.



 

[thecfarm]

Nice looking winch. Looks like it works fine. Have fun sawing.

[Magicman]

This is also going to be an adventure for us !!!  Congrats on the toys, and you have a winner for sure with your young helper.