log turner for manuel mill

[Gary_B]

 I have a TK1220 mill and I know you cannot beat a cant hook for turning logs, but its the larger ones that are getting alittle more difficult, with my two sons off to college, and not getting any younger. I was wondering if anyone has come up with a better idea.....Such as using a 12v winch of some kind, or other set ups. I know the best answer is a bigger mill....but I dont see that happening anytime soon...lucky just to have a job.
          Gary

[Toolman]

When I had my TK1220 I custom made a 6 1/2 ft. handle for my cant hook. That extra leverage made a big difference. I also attached a large eye bolt on side of frame to attach a strap and come-along for those really large ones. I have since sold it and went hydraulic. Don't miss those days!! ;D  I did have a hook with an 8 ft. handle also until it snapped while putting my shoulder into it one day. That was a short and painful trip into the dirt. :D

[pineywoods]

I have a TK1220 mill and I know you cannot beat a cant hook for turning logs, but its the larger ones that are getting alittle more difficult, with my two sons off to college, and not getting any younger. I was wondering if anyone has come up with a better idea.....Such as using a 12v winch of some kind, or other set ups. I know the best answer is a bigger mill....but I dont see that happening anytime soon...lucky just to have a job.
          Gary

Home-built hydraulics, it ain't rocket sience, and it sure saves the old bod. My homemade turner will roll the mill if the log don't turn. I have way less than $1k invested in everything but a loader, didn't need that, I use a for lift to load the logs on the mill.

[Brian_Rhoad]

I have a winch on a post that I use to turn the big logs. It is a piece of 2x2 tubing about 4 feet long with the winch mounted at the top. It slips into a tube on a log bunk. I run the cable under the log and over the top. I use a hook from a cant hook to hook onto the log. As the winch cable pulls on the log, it lifts up allowing the log to slide out and turn easier. A heavy duty hand crank winch works faster and is easier to work with. It isn't as heavy as an electric winch and you don't have the battery and cables to deal with.

[Radar67]

Don K has a cable turner rigged up on his manual mill. He has several pictures in his gallery.

[Gary_B]

I knew Id get some suggestions to my log turner situation, some really good idea's, now Ive got something to work with. Thanks to everyone for the information, if anyone has any close up pictures of their setups, please send or post.



            Thanks
        Gary

[kelLOGg]

Turning/loading  via winches is slow but it works well. Check my photo gallery.
Bob

[moonhill]

Gary, do you have a forklift or a tractor?  I use my fork lift and 2 nylon straps.  The straps can only go one way for them to bind onto the log and turn it while lifting, they sinch on the side of the log/cant and end up on top when done.  For the last turn I just use the forks to move it away from the up right stops and give it a flip.  I saw mostly by myself and often large, long timbers.  54' is my longest, I am waiting for the 60' job.  I have 74' of track, with the extention it runs right out the building.  I turn all these with the straps. 

Tim

[robnrob2]

Back on January 5th there was a thread about this, right now its on page 5 or 5 pages back, the thread is called log turners, there you'll see a picture or 2 of a claw stule log tuners  that I built that has a HF 2000lb winch with the cable routed just so and it has turned my largest log which was a 35" oak.
If your mill is up off the ground its easily done, just need some enginuity. This one picture is a lil blury but you can see I am using the claws to hold the log against the fence for the next cut. the other picture turners in action, the winch doing the pulling of the turners is not in the photo, and it would be at the bottom of the photo if it were in there, the winches you do see are for the roller toe boards. 

[thecfarm]

robnrob2,is this the thread?

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,35356.0.html

[Gary_B]

Ive got some ideas to work with now 8) incredible designs fellow sawyers have come up with.

[robnrob2]

Yep thats it,
Thanks,
I'd add more photos but I havent been able to get my link workin right yet,

[bandmiller2]

Gary one of the easiest and best setups is a two plain clamp like the newer woodmizers use . In and out, up and down You can not only turn but clamp also.What I did was take two short pieces of heavy angle iron ran two heavy square tubes between them,that unit fits between the ways of the mill.A hyd.cyl.with a heavy rod slides on the two tubes moved in and out with a long small diameter cyl from the rear.A two spool valve and turning is a hands off affair.When turning a round log you must turn part way ,chalk and get anouther grip on it, cants flip easily.If you have 115v its easy run a small pump with a motor on when you need it off when you don't.Sorry no pictures yet.Frank C.

[moonhill]

My mill sits 4" off the floor, leaving not much room for stuff.  It would be nice some day to make something up.  I look at other setups and think a lot.  That link is informative.

Tim

[Ironwood]

I have not done this, BUT a pair (or more) of retractable roller "toe board" type mechanisms would be of great assistance in rolling, you could even have some w/ roller oriented perpendicular to the mill (to help push cants off the end)  and others teamed the other way to help rolling (envision skate conveyors in small 1' x 2' sections on cams).


Also, dont forget about an overhead beam trolley and chain fall, this would be VERY easy to roll even big logs. You could always power the hoist electrically as well.

Ironwood