Turning problem

[jph]

I had the afternoon free so I got the LT40 out of the barn, sorry no photo as it was really foggy all afternoon. I had cut all my small logs up so I was left with a big ugly piece of oak. I got it on the mill fine and took a couple of cuts  but I just could not get it turned, it would just lift and then want to roll back  clockwise. Was I doing something wrong?
Also when you are cutting do you run the blade right through or do you slow the feed down and stop so the back of the blade is still in contact with the wood?

[Cedarman]

I have always attempted to stop the mill  (WM) before the back of the blade clears the log or cant.  Too often the blade will drop just enough to catch and get knocked off the wheels  (Blue Air Moment) when you bring the head back. Also watch for splinters that can catch the blade.

Some logs are just flat out hard to turn.

[Bibbyman]

Turning...

With the claw turner,  it's difficult to turn a log when it's smaller than say 8" dia.   It tends to push up the back supports rather than roll up and flop over. 

For sure,  chack to see if you have your toe board up or down.  Down is better when turning.

If you have a newer mill with the two-plane clamp,  then you can turn a small cant quicker with it than with the claw turner - with a little practace.

Logs with a lot of crook to them are also hard to turn.  The claw tends to hit too far under the log or even on the off side. 

[Minnesota_boy]

When I turn a crooked log and the claw wants to flip in under it too far and wants to turn the log backward, I stuff an edging between the claw and the log.  This forces the claw to follow the edging up and away from the log until the claw can finally reach the log and grip.  Then I remove the edging and turn the log.

[Gilman]

If there are two people we do the same as minesota boy, but use a hookaroon to keep the claws from engaging on the way up.  Once fully up, we back it down some and try from there.  Did you try swearing at it?  Sometimes that helps.

By myself I've had to use a peavy in combination with the claw turner.  The safe way is to be on the loading arm side with the loading arms up to stop the log if it gets away.  I also have the 2 axis clamp all the way up to stop the log too.  Sometimes the log needs just a little more persuasion that you can get with a peavy.

[iain]

Yip the last two replys is spot on

i have the trouble with BIG logs on the mill

as long as you can get the turner teeth out toward the loading arms your in control

when im on my own i use a length of 6mm poly rope once around the loader to pull the arm out and away from the log

catch the log around the 5 o'clock position and push up

use a combo of up and down on the turner along with the clamp to hold it while you reposition the turner arm, the arm is quite flexy and when you get the log just right you can push from the saw dust side and she   "slides"   down onto the bed some times quite loudly :D

hope this helps

ps welcome and where are you?


  iain