Trouble with the LT40

[mmartone]

We loaded a 20"+ 18' pine this afternoon with a little help from the tractor. Started up the mill and began to cut, got close to the end of the log and the band popped under the outer roller and made some sparks, not good. Pulled the covers off and found that the teeth were riding on the steel part of the wheel, adjusted to get the teeth off and also found the outer roller not touching the band. Put another band on as that last one felt a little dull probably from riding on the wheel. The band did the same thing part of the way through the next cut and I just shut it down, tomorrows another day. I ran the mill the other day and it ran fine, finished the log in a 6x6 cant and shut her down. I did tune it up one day last week but had cut a log after that.

[barbender]

Check the bearings on your idle side band wheel, I had those go out on mine this spring. It was causing some wacky tracking problems, and breaking bands. Even the new bearings have some play, but the bad ones really let the wheel slop around.

[customsawyer]

Sounds like a alignment problem. Might be that a bolt worked loose after you worked on the mill last week. The first thing I would do is take the blade off and try moving your rollers by hand and see if there is any play in one or the other.

[drobertson]

Yea man, this is a problem for sure, I would start from scratch on the rollers, guides, and the alignment of them.  I'm thinking the support shaft that is set screwed in position has worked loose some how. ??  Not a biggy, get your tool kit handy and it will come back in.   david

[WH_Conley]

When checking alignment make sure the blade is under full tension just like you are sawing. Even as tough as those saw heads are built, a few hundred pounds pressure one way or other will change things.

[Magicman]

Making adjustment just to correct a problem often throws something else out of whack.  Kinda like throwing parts at a problem until you fix it. 

Some components of a properly adjusted sawmill will gradually get out of adjustment due to normal wear, but other than that, it should stay in tune.  It sounds like you need to take the book and do a complete alignment.

This brings up another subject which is the WM Service Route.  Each year this service is available to most parts of the US.  I personally take care of the minor wear adjustments, but I also schedule a Service Technician every three years.  They have the replacement parts necessary to put the sawmill in tip top shape.  I do "hourly rate" and it is only a few hundred dollars.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I can't add anything but there is some very good help offered in the replies. Just slowly take your time and don't get in a hurry like I do sometimes.

[isawlogs]

 You mentioned the the band is running on the steel part of the wheel.. you may be in need of replacing the V belts that the band runs on.....  Just saying , if those are worn out and let the blade contact the steel of the wheel , it makes for interesting sawing... and much agravation. Let alone blade disposal.  ;)

[drobertson]

I took it that MMartone meant the band teeth were hitting the blade roller, hard to tell without a picture, never ran the v-belts that close to the band pulleys themselves, but think this could be an issue for sure if this is the case.  Trouble shooting without seeing is often times very hard,    david

[isawlogs]

 Yes a picture would be great, different interpretation of what we saw in our respective minds, we will get him sawing again even if it comes down to him buying a new mill  ;D

[drobertson]

I'm quite sure a new mill is not required, but some get down and dirty is on the menu ;D  has to be a lil simple, he has been sawing right along for a spell.  An alignment is due, and maybe a good check up with the mobile wmz group is in store,  I have to say, this is fixable without the expense with a good jar of tea and a tool kit, and patience.  Manual would not hurt a thing, but sounding off and getting feed back is good too.   david, this said, some pics would be in order for some sound observations,  mmartone ;D

[petefrom bearswamp]

Sorry to hear of your problem.
Like Lynn I do my own minor adjustments and have WM do the heavy lifting.
I have the advantage that WM Northeast is only 50 miles away.
Took my mill there  last spring and 1-1/2 hrs later and not too much dinero was on my way home with a properly adjusted mill.
Kudos to Wood Mizer.
Pete

[mmartone]

Thanks for everyones responses and always willing to help. I spent a little time on the mill this afternoon working around the big log that was on there. The guides were all fouled up, got it decent and flattened out the top of the wavy log, flipped it and cut it down to 12". It was a little short of 12" on both ends, my rails have some wear in the middle and my old mill doesnt cut perfect. Flipped the log again and was working it down to cleaned up on the short end and after I took this pic of the 12x14 I backed up the mill to make another cut as I had been doing all night and bang DOH, I broke the band.



 

[drobertson]

Sounds like you are fighting Murphy's Law! Be calm, it will work out, if it happens again, call a time out, and review the alignment.  I have to say, alignment is crucial, but there are bad batches of blades as well, 
david

[mmartone]

I have to get this log cut and off the mill, then I can get her done properly, thanks again to all.

[mmartone]

Stopped and picked up some new b57 belts at motion this morning. Got a customers generator back together and running, put a fuel pump on an ISC in a motor home, went to open house at the boys school, then to boy scouts court of honor. Came home at 745 and put the new belts and a band on and made 1 cut, I know its late and dark but I had to. Might flip the cant in the morning and make a pass or three before I have to work! The saw cut well, thanks again everybody. Once I get this log off, what do you guys use as a 8'+ straight edge to do your tune ups?

[Magicman]

I realize that many others are used quite successfully, but I only use the B57 belts from WM.  They are flat on top and especially manufactured for sawmill use.

[sawmillhand]

I had the same problem when I done the alignment on the mill and installed new rollers and started to cut and the blade would dive. Backed up woooosood it and started over on the alignment come to notice a bolt had got loose on the guides.

[pineywoods]

I'm with the Magicman on the B57's. The wm belts will outlast others by a wide margin. I've had trouble getting the crowned belts to track properly.