Is my mill frame bent?

[Crusarius]

I understand Woodmizer recommends the tires stay on the ground but let me just add a little light to this idea.

When we were given instruction on properly setting up out 75' ladder truck in the fire department they were adamant that the wheels be off the ground. The reason for this is even with the outriggers extended if the tires are touching the ground there is an upward spring load trying to lift the truck off of the outriggers.

It was very obvious when up in the bucket if the tires were still touching the ground. it made for a very soft squishy scary experience. 

I do understand the woodmizer insisting on the tires on the ground because of their bed design. But for all other mills that do not share the woodmizer bed design I have very strong feelings about the tires being off the ground. 

If there is any upward thrust at all, during sawing the bed will arch up or down depending on conditions. If it is sitting solid on the jacks it should not move if proper shoring is used.

Now this is just my opinion so take it for what it is. I have experienced the different first hand on my mill as well. I found that the tires in the air made a much more stable solid experience.

[ladylake]

 I dont think it matters if the tires are off or on the ground so long as you have good pressure on all of the jacks. The EASY way to check the bed without strings or lasers is to put a long 1" wide board on the mill and take off 1/2" off the top . then turn the top on the bed and adjust the jacks untill all of the bunks touch the board.  Steve

[OlJarhead]

In telecom our tires stayed on the ground in our aerial lift trucks.  It's all about engineering I think.

In the case of the twin rail sawmill the tires touching but the weight on the outriggers there will be no movement.   If off the ground you are just adding weight to the rails which can cause the head to dip when passing over the axle.

[Brad_bb]

A string line is  your friend for seeing if the bunks are all co-planar.

[barbender]

In most situations with a mobile sawmill, not just Woodmizers, the tires are outside frame and the widest point bearing on the ground. They are effectively, the "outriggers" in this situation. 

[tacks Y]

Syruphog, Hope you have it running true. The first thing I did with mine was to remove the tires and put them away from the sun. I agree it would help stability but your mill looks like 2 equal spans so what helps the other for strength. There is nothing saying you can not block up under the rails mid span also.