LT 15 Single Phase 10 hp

[luke]

Would the LT 15, with a single phase 10 hp. motor, be good for a hobbyist to cut up some small logs?

[Kevin]

I can't answer that but I can keep you amused until someone shows up with the answer.

I have the 15HP gas engine.
My personal thoughts would be to scrap the 13HP, make the 15HP standard and make an optional 20HP.
Don't think small because sooner or later you'll have a need to cut something large.
The 10HP electric might be sufficient, I don't know.
My advice is get the best power you can for the mill of your choice.
If the 10HP electric is equal to the 15HP gas you'll be happy.

[duke401]

i always heard that elec. vs. gas was 2 to 1 so a 10 elec. would be at least 20 gas , i am sure somebody has a chart,

duke

[Tom]

I don't know much about the LT15 but I can amuse you a little too and give Kevin a break.

Sawmills are a lot like "ground contact farming implements.  
They work hard, are maintenance intensive and have a window of optimum function.  You can't baby them or you get no production and wear out parts.  Small engines don't have enough gumption to get the goody out of a blade.  'the result is that you wear out blades without getting many Board Feet of lumber on the ground.

Big  engines have plenty of gumption and can stress a blade to the point of failure.   It makes better sense to hold back a big engine and get all you can from the mill than it does to force a little engine and still not be able to get maximum production .

I think bigger is better and definitely want all the horses my wallet can stand.

I could bog the 24 horse onan on my LT40 and still have blade capability.  When the engine bogs, the blade slows and you can't keep it straight.

I have a 40 horse now and still can't tear the blade in two. :D

One of those Woodmizer guys will probably get on here after a while and straighten us all out. :P

[D._Frederick]

Luke,
A 10 hp single phase motor will provide plenty of torgue for that size mill, if you have a 50A breaker and use a 8guage wire, so you don't starve your motor.

[Bibbyman]

Welcome to the Forum Luke,

In my opinion,  the 10HP single phase would be excellent for the home bound sawyer.  If you've got a shop or outbuilding with enough single phase panelboard,  the cost of installation would be minimal.  Maintenance would be practically nothing and a lot less than a gas engine.

Also, engines that set for a couple of months between running are prone to problems when you go to use them again.  Electric motors don't really care if they set out the winter without use.

No fumes, drippy oil, lot less heat, quiet,  instant reliable power,  cheaper to run - we are sold on our LT40HDE25 mill with 25hp 3ph electric motor.

I'd call Wood-Mizer and see if they can hook you up with some place to try one.  Or,  just buy one and tell us all how you like it.  ;)

[LeeB]

how many amps would a motor that size draw? LeeB :P

[D._Frederick]

Lee,
The 10 hp single phase motor will draw 40-45 amps @ 220volts.

[LeeB]

next question. how many watts would that be. would a 6600 watt gen. handle the load? LeeB

[DouginUtah]

LeeB,

Time for a slice of PIE.

P=IE, that is.

Power (in watts) = Current (in amps) times voltage.

P = 45 * 240 = 10,800 watts.

Since it takes more watts at startup and you don't want to run a generator at maximum load continuously, I suspect you would want at least a 15,000 watt generator.

-Doug

[D._Frederick]

Lee,
To start a 10 hp motor, you should have at least a 20 KW generatorset. Doug is a little on the low side, if you would pick-out the right motor a 15KW may start it.

[luke]

Bibbyman,

thank you for the welcoming. I think I can do something with the LT 15, possibly make a "part-time" job out of sawing lumber.  Many advantages to the electric motor, I can run it at night time, in my shop, and not have the diesel or gas fumes.  It seems like woodmizer has good service, other sawyers have been satisfied with their woodmizer mills.

 

[Minnesota_boy]

I bought a Woodmizer thinking I'd have a part time job, and now it is.  I only work when it's daylight.  Once you start custom sawing, it's hard to say no to that next job.  I'm sold on the gas or diesel option, as then I can go to the logs, saw where they are, and leave the mess there.  After i had my mill a couple of years, word started to get around and now I book a couple of months in advance.