My New (to me) B20 Mill

[Bolson400]

Well I did it. After all kinds of back and forth, and a whole lot of searching, I brought home a 2001 Tk B20 hydraulic mill the other day. About 1,100 hours. For the most part, its in good shape and doesn't need much. The next couple days will be devoted to alignment and getting the tracking right. Then I suppose it'll be on to the set works. They're bypassed right now. That sounds pretty common on these when they weren't used for full time custom sawing. So far the hydraulics work well, but I haven't put them under a load yet. Both engines start right away and run pretty smooth. I still don't know what all to look for on these but I'm getting more familiar with it. I also wanted to say thank you guys for all the help you've already given me. Some have gone out of their way to get in touch with me and give me insight. Thanks again.

[Tom the Sawyer]

Bolson400,  welcome from another B-20 owner (2007).  There are several of us on the Forum, always glad to help if you need it.

[thecfarm]

You will like it!!

[ladylake]

 I have a B20 with over 14000 hours, very few break downs and easy too fix. Steve

[Wallydawg]

Way to go! I also recently got a B-20 this winter and went thru it and finally cut with it last week. Quite a learning curve from a 1400 manual. I love hydraulics 8). The 1400 will cut a larger log, so I had to use it to cant the butt logs. My wife says I can't keep two saws, so I guess I'll have to pick on smaller logs :D. If you don't know already, Mike from Timberking is very helpful. Good luck and enjoy.

[DDW_OR]

Useful sawmill mods in Sawmills and Milling

[Two Trax]

Add me to the B20 owners list. Have not used it much yet as I purchased last fall, but have several projects for this spring and summer on the agenda. +1 on Mike from Timberking being a good guy!

[Bolson400]

Just getting a few bugs worked out now, but the tech support at TK has already been a huge help (Jimmy I believe). Looks like I'll be replacing the shaft on the drive side between the band wheel and belt wheel. Shaft is in the mail now. Hoping to have everything up and running soon.

[ladylake]

  

 What happened to that shaft, after 14000 hours my shaft and bearing are still original.  I give the bearings 3 pumps of grease every 40 hours or so.  Steve

[Bolson400]

Well it seems the bearings are fine. I hope so anyway because they are pretty pricey. But it looks like the set screws on the retainer collar for the belt wheel side came loose at some point. This wore a groove around the shaft and is allowing some play in the shaft. The shaft is certainly damaged and will need replacing. I'm hoping that's the only damaged component. I'm away from the mill for a few days and have everything loose. I haven't gotten the shaft out yet though. Might be a booger.

[redbeard]

Congrats on getting your B-20
The shaft change out will be a new venture I don't think I've heard of anyone having too do that.
It must have lost a key way block too spin on the shaft.

[Bolson400]

Yeah it doesn't seem like it would be a very common problem. I'm thinking I'll be able to tackle it. Eventually I hope to get some advice from you guys on the cord reel upgrade.

[DDW_OR]

use the search function, type in "cord reel" with the quotation marks, then click Show results as messages then search

you will find all kinds of messages.