Suitable Log Deck Height

[Rougespear]

Hey all, as some know I'm building my own mill and am considering the final height of the carriage off the ground in order to mount sight scales, battery boxes, fuel tanks, etc.  Of those out there who have trailerable mills (or stationary for that matter), what height is the top of the log bunks/deck from the ground?  Do you find this height a comfortable working height with regards to the lower back handling milling operations?  I'm 6'4" tall BTW.

Thanks for the input!  Brent

[bandmiller2]

Brent, I would say just above your knees. Frank C.

[Brucer]

28" on level ground. It's a good height for me, except for the hydraulic levers, which are just below the deck height. If I were taller, the bed height would still be good, and the levers would still be too low ;D.

[Joe Hillmann]

When I block it up with the wheels on mine sits at about 32-36 inches off the ground. (I don't think I have ever set it up on level ground)  For cutting small logs that was too high.  When making the first cut on a 30" or so log the top of the engine was nearly 8 feet off  the ground.

Now when I set it up I remove the tires and set it up so the axles is only a couple inches off the ground and the log bunks are about 22-26 inches off the ground.  For medium sized logs that is much better.  For large logs it would be nice to be a bit lower.   Also since my mill doesn't have built in leveling jacks I use wooden cribbing.  By removing the wheels and lowering the mill I can have a smaller stack of cribbing which makes it more stable and I need fewer blocks.

When I first build the mill I had the bed set directly on the ground and the top of the bunks was about 8 inches off the ground.  That was too low, I couldn't see where I was cutting and required constant bending over. 

[Rougespear]

Right on, thanks for the thoughts all!  It seems 24-28" is the key.  Cheers!

[drobertson]

I worked for a tall man a while back, everything he set up was to high for my comfort range, like wise my work height is a lil to low for him, so this could be tricky, I was thinking about crotch high? somewhere where your hands hang normally, this is where mine usually winds up, bout 25-26".  for you, a lil higher would reduce some of the bending over, just a thought