Ripping Chain Speed

[Believer]

Hello, I'm planning to build a slabber and am working through the design.  I have a 2800 rpm 14hp diesel I plan to use on a 5 or 6 foot bar.  What speed should I run the chain?  If it makes any difference, I'm also putting a right angle gearbox between the motor shaft and the chain drive sprocket. 

[boscojmb]

Here is the chain saw mill that I had.
It's not exactly a dedicated slabber, but similar in concept.
Chain speed under a load was about 2150 FPM.

You can buy sprockets ranging from 7 to 14? teeth. I would start with  a sprocket somewhere in the middle so you can increase or decrease your chain speed without redesigning your whole rig.

[terrifictimbersllc]

That little guy's face tells everything you need to know about chainsaw milling.  :D

[mad murdock]

That is a pic of a Bumblebee sawmill. I have one of those. As far as a CSM goes, it does work pretty well. Operator fatigue is at a minimum.

[scsmith42]

As I recall the Lucas and Peterson dedicated slabbers run at around 3000 fps.  When I built my slabber I started off at 7500 fps, and ended up slowing it down to around 4000 because the chain's would stretch and break at the higher speeds.