Mill buying advise

[Stonybrookwoodw]

I'm looks at two used Mills a 2001 timber harvester 24 hp gas 30 in cut chain turner log lift log clamp remote control so don't have to walk with the saw head but no toe boards and no set works or debarker and only 30in log also looking at a 2002 woodmizer lt30 38 horse gas fully hydraulic lift roller toe boards clamp has debarker  from what I under same head as the lt 40 so I'm thinking 36 in log but 28 in cut no set works but fell it could be easily added but only 16 ft cut witch I wouldn't mind staying 12 and under but never know what people want first time owning my own saw trying to get insite on what's important and what's not thanks 

[SawyerTed]

Wood-Mizer would be my choice between the two brands you mention.  You will get support and repair parts if you register the mill with Wood-Mizer.  The debarker, toe boards and other hydraulics plus the 38 hp make the Wood-Mizer a more capable mill and potential for higher production. 

[Southside]

Only asking, but are you sure that WM is a 2002?  If it's a '92 then you want to check with WM on being able to add the setworks as there were some significant changes around '97 IIFC.  

[Brad_bb]

What is your intended use?  Answering that will guide you.  Mobile or mill at home only?  Milling just for your self and if so what kind of stuff will you do?  Do you intend to do for others and do you NEED to make money?  Even if so, better to ease into it as hobby for quite awhile before depending on it for income.  There is a learning curve.  Just making lumber, or beams or slabs, and in what proportion?

Will you mill alone always, or will you have a tail gunner and a machine to move material?
How will you get rid of your waste? Dust, bark, slabs, trimmings.
Will you mill inside or outside?

[Stonybrookwoodw]

Alright so I do alot of woodworking so initially most will be for my own use I have sourced my own logs lately and have had someone else saw I want to do my own sawing cuz I have had problems with having pif in my boards and and wanting stuff quarter sawn or stuff being sawn in general I have had sold some of my lumber in the past but never advertised so I could take off it could not sometimes I'll have help sometimes I won't I would like hydraulics just cuz I always have stuff in the wood shop to work on as well so time savings would help but what are the bigger time savers and the woodmizer is a 2002 I would really like set works I get frustrated with different thickness when starting to plane a bunch of boards and bark and slab trimmings will probaly be burnt in outdoor wood burner and will be ssawing outside I have a tractor with forks to help out as well

[A-z farmer]

Welcome to the forestry forum 
Stonybrookwoodw
For many years we sent all our logs to be processed by local mills .But when we wanted some thing special cut we had a local man with a 1989 woodmizer come to the farm.He wanted me to buy it as he could not do the sawing anymore because of health reasons.He had stored it outside it's whole life with just a cover on the engine.And also with this being New York with our salt and calcium plastered on the roads from fall until spring I ordered a new one from woodmizer.
I saw alone a there is not a day that goes by when using the mill that I regret getting the hydraulics or debarker.
If you fill out your location it will be easier for the great members here to help.
Zeke

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'd check with WM about adding the setworks. I love mine and use it religiously. Same with the hydraulics and debarker. Having used them I would never buy a mill without all 3 of these.

[DDW_OR]

my 2 cents
Manual = Ok when you are young
Hydraulucs = GREAT anytime
Computer = OK. but can cut without it.

Cutting boards is only 20% of the work and time
where and how are you going to dry the lumber.

[47sawdust]

That 2002 WM is a dandy.Yes you can add setworks,I added setworks to my '97 LT30 with no problem.As long as you are happy sawing less than 16'6'' the LT30 is great.The shorter bed is very nice to work around,the set works is a joy to have.
Not a knock on TH at all but the support going forward from WM makes me sleep better.
Good luck