Author Topic: Brand new WM LT40 super wide having issues (Read 1906 times)

Jwswan · « **on:** October 13, 2020, 06:05:37 PM »

Hello all;
I'm now on my second Woodmizer, an LT 40 super wide with the 38 hp Kohler. It's got just shy of 10 hrs on it, and I'm having issues with some really loud squeaking from the main drive pulley/shaft on the back of the engine, and the pulley itself is getting really hot after an 1-2 hrs of running. It's hot enough to where the belt is smoking quite a bit, even when it's off. After it completely cools down, it won't do it again until it gets hot. I checked the belt tension on the alternator, drive belt, and the brake strap. I then called WM today, got a really helpful tech guy who had me go through them again. Since it was after hours when I got deduced where the smoking/squeaking was coming from, I called and left a VM. In the meantime, I figured I'd come to the FF oracle and get ideas/advice. I love, WM and the new mill, it's a big step up from my LT 35 manual, but I want to make sure it's running right. Thanks in advance. -Josh

Chuck White · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2020, 08:00:32 PM »

Check oil level in the main drive bearing!

YellowHammer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2020, 08:28:18 PM »

Yes, very important. There is a clear plastic tube that serves as a sight glass for the main bearing.

Jwswan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2020, 08:30:01 PM »

Chuck and Yellow Hammer;
Thanks! yep, I checked that and it's showing it full. Is there also one on the kohler itself? could it be giving me a "false" full? I sure appreciate the help. -Josh

Southside · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2020, 11:43:42 PM »

Do you have an IR gun you can use to trace back the source of the heat? I would think you would see a difference happening pretty quickly.

Jwswan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2020, 05:40:28 AM »

Southside;

I don't, but that's a good idea. I'll also see what the folks at WM command central say. Being it's so new, I don't really want to tear into too much myself. -Josh

randy d · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2020, 06:39:23 AM »

Josh did you try giving Steve down in Mosinee a call he did a great job of helping me out when I had a problem with my mill. Randy

47sawdust · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2020, 06:41:54 AM »

I would be on the phone to WM immediately.

customsawyer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2020, 06:54:15 AM »

Check if the engine is a little to far forward or back. Belt might be rubbing on the pulley. Look for wear on one side of the belt or the other. Check for wear on the drive pulley.

Jwswan · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2020, 07:20:26 AM »

Randy;

Yep, I'm gonna call Steve this morning. He's been super to work with when I've picked up both mills. CustomSawyer, you might be right. I didn't see any big wear on the belts, but I'm also not sure how much wear is too much. This seems like it is definitely a job for a pro to evaluate. Thanks again for all the input. -Josh

Peter Drouin · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2020, 07:27:00 AM »

What customsawyer said pulleys not lined up.
I don't think they build a mill then try it out on a log before it gets sent out anymore like they did years before.
Good luck

Klicker · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2020, 12:05:10 PM »

The good thing about living on the east coast is the the west coast is still open for a couple of hours latter if you have a problem. The phone numbers for all the dealers is in the Woodmizer Way

alan gage · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2020, 12:09:37 PM »

Spray/pour some water on the belt. If the noise changes/goes away the noise is coming from the belt. If it's a bearing problem the water will have no effect.

Alan

Bandmill Bandit · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2020, 02:26:34 PM »

The problem is likely the belt it self. I have posted quite a bit re Woodmizer alternator problems. The most significant is what I believe to be manufacturing over site that it seems has yet to be corrected.

The "factory" belt is your standard Hardware store variety that is designed for a lawn mower or furnace etc and other small HP applications referred to as a nominal HP belt applications. These belts are not even the correct profile for the standard Delco CS135 alternator pulley, hence the short life and serious over heating issues.

The belt you want is your mills version/length of the NAPA PREMIUM XL series (or equivalent) in the correct length ASSUMING you have a V groove drive. These are not cheap belts and the go about 1200 to 1500 hours before I change em out. In reality at 1200 they shoulda been changed about 200 hours ago but they go the distance and they don't run hot. Dont have to run em so fiddle string tight either.

This one is for LT40 HD28G mill.
>

donbj · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2020, 02:40:28 PM »

It would be interesting to hear how this turned out. Could be helpful to others.

Bandmill Bandit · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2020, 03:16:47 PM »

Quote from: donbj on December 09, 2020, 02:40:28 PM

It would be interesting to hear how this turned out. Could be helpful to others.

I did my first post on this about 12 years ago when I had the same issue. It is what motivated me to research the alternator replacement issues that seemed way too common.
Hence my extensive knowledge and expertise on the subject of alternators on wood mizer that use the CS135 Delco alternators.

Heres a link to one of my earlier posts;
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=35868.msg975610#msg975610

mike_belben · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2020, 03:32:00 PM »

Im gonna shoot from the hip and say its too much HP for the belt in its present layout. Could be profile, tension, belt angle, condition etc. But 38hp is a good bit for 2 uncogged belts.

Sheave alignment needs to be spot on. They could be trying to climb a shoulder.

Bandmill Bandit · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2020, 03:52:51 PM »

Quote from: mike_belben on December 09, 2020, 03:32:00 PM

Im gonna shoot from the hip and say its too much HP for the belt in its present layout. Could be profile, tension, belt angle, condition etc. But 38hp is a good bit for 2 uncogged belts.

Sheave alignment needs to be spot on. They could be trying to climb a shoulder.

Thats not a shot from the hip belben. Pretty much nailed it. BUT the problem is likely 99% incorrect belt for application. That alternator requires 5 to 7HP to turn it under full load so you need a belt that will pull 10 to 12 HP. That is NOT a furnace fan belt.
Everything else mention can be a contributing factor BUT a new mill should NOT have those issues yet. IF this was a first for Woodmizer then it could be a puzzle BUT I know that all the people I have helped with thi issue, put on a proper belt and the BELT issues disappear.

I HIGHLY recommend reducing alternator's driven pulley by at least a 1/4" as well. Drops the operating temp about 60° +. I reduced my pulley by 3/8".

HEAT in alternator operation is the single most critical factor in alternator life span. You want them running under 200° and preferably around 160° on a hot hard working day.

Mine was running at 300° and higher as delivered from factory. Just putting the right belt on dropped it to 240/250° ish which is still too hot. Reducing the pulley size by 3/8ths dropped temp to 190/200° which the high end of acceptable. The added heat sinks took me to 160/180 range. Prefect range for long life and max output on demand.

jeepcj779 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 09, 2020, 08:00:27 PM »

Is this an issue that is isolated to the gas motors, or is it an issue with the diesel motors as well? Seems like a better belt would be a pretty simple and low cost upgrade for the factory to do. Same goes for pulley size. I have to think at this point that these machines have been engineered to do what the factory needs them to do, and that the pulleys and belts would all be correctly sized for the application. I have to wonder why that may not be the case. Would be nice to hear from Wood-Mizer on the subject.

stavebuyer · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2020, 03:25:11 AM »

Alternators were a consumable item on my LT70DCS 55HP Yanmar.

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Author Topic: Brand new WM LT40 super wide having issues (Read 1906 times)

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