LT15 Needs New Engine

[kantuckid]

Is the OE battery box on my saw occupying the space where the bar would go?

 I picked up on the push bar in pictures of newer LT15 mills a long time ago but never researched any further. 

[firefighter ontheside]

I can take a picture and post it for you in a bit.  I just got home from mandatory OT yesterday.  I can see how if I didn't have the bar that i could put my hand on the battery instead.

[kantuckid]

The tool tray works but less than ideal as if you get too exuberant then the reality that the battery box top is holding on via the plastic tabs shows up. 
I just spread 2-3 tons of rock I had on hand in front of my mill and it sort of disappeared? Got more coming next day. Suns out so I'll find me a non-mud job this afternoon. 

[firefighter ontheside]

Heres what mine looks like.  The bar is on the same bolts that hold the crank arm.


 

 

[kantuckid]

My mill lacks the large sprocket wheel and doesn't have the black painted steel bar that has the crank on it for the orange feed rope-or whatever that is? Mine has the dual function crank- pushed in it engages the mast head and pulled out it ruins the capstan style rope that moves the saw through the cut. 
I suppose the two bar mount holes are not there on mine but holes are cheap and fast  as are threads. 
That push area appears to be about waist high?
My style cranks in one direction -same as your sprocket. I'll be down there to meet my rock guy after the frost burns off and check it out. 
That large sprocket has a chain behind it to raise the blade-same place as mine. What seems strange there's not a chain on the teeth of the larger diameter? 

[Lostinmn]

So your LT15 doesn't have a push bar?  Mine is from 2004 and it has one and the crank.  If I buy the power feed later this year, I will have to remove that bar.  If it works for you you can have it.

The push bar remounts with the power feed.  I put one on this fall, although I've only used it once or twice to help the power feed as the rope was loose. 

[firefighter ontheside]

The large sprocket is not really a sprocket.  It is the index for raising and lowering the blade.  Squeeze the handle to retract the catch and then turn the handle.  Each tooth on the sprocket is 1/16".  The handle turns the chain which raises the saw.  Once you reach the desired height you stop squeezing the handle and the little stop protrudes out and catches in the sprocket.  The sprocket doesn't actually turn.  Newer LT15 have a sprocket with far fewer notches.  That means the handle needs to be turned a lot more for each inch of travel up and down.  I suspect that means there is more mechanical advantage in the system and is therefore easier to raise and lower.

Well, I guess I'll be keeping the bar after all, if it goes back on with the power feed.

[mudfarmer]

Did not put the push bar back on with my power feed and haven't needed it, can still push the mill around when off and not milling. One annoying thing is that where the power feed mounts it makes it impossible to get a straight sight line anywhere near the 1" mark on my scale Poor design there for sure.

[booman]

Firefighter, the newer LT15 sawmills have a similar index wheel where each notch is 1/16" of movement up or down.  But the newer ones are twice as fast where one revolution raises or lowers the head 2 inches.  One revolution on your mill moves it 1".   I had one like that.   Also, you can get a new decal for the index wheel from Woodmizer.

[firefighter ontheside]

One revolution of my handle raises my saw 4".  I just went out and checked.  That must mean there are 64 notches on the wheel.

[booman]

Wow, what year is your sawmill?   I didn't realize they made one like that.

[firefighter ontheside]

My saw was made in 2004.

[booman]

According to Wood Mizer, the 4" up/down per revolution was made only in 2004.  So, you have a rare mill as far as that control goes.

[firefighter ontheside]

Rare.....that means its worth more. 

[booman]

Right.  So sell it.

[mudfarmer]

Put the push handle back on, it is only two bolts and maybe I will need it some day? Also have a tendency to lose stuff in a pile somewhere... You are really going to like the power feed, it is a game changer. But now that the game has changed am scheming up a pineywoods turner and clamp, yellowhammer linked back stops, trailer frame, the snowball is getting pretty big 

 Teaching wife to run mill so I can be doing other things (cutting trees) but she does not have the benefit of having read and learned so much from all of you on here. The hydraulics would make it a lot easier for her for sure. Yes, I know, buy a hydraulic mill. Only if you are paying!

[firefighter ontheside]

Woodmizer called  me this morning.  My engine kit is supposed to ship out tomorrow.  Hopefully this time next week I'll be back in business.  I was gonna say, what should I choose for my first thing to mill with the new engine, but then I realized it will have to be the elm that is still sitting on the mill.

[GAB]

Woodmizer called  me this morning.  My engine kit is supposed to ship out tomorrow.  Hopefully this time next week I'll be back in business.  I was gonna say, what should I choose for my first thing to mill with the new engine, but then I realized it will have to be the elm that is still sitting on the mill.

In your haste to saw make sure the engine fluid levels are correct prior to starting.
GAB

[firefighter ontheside]

Good point.  I've known a few folks who brought home brand new lawn mowers from the store and started them up and cut about one stripe of grass before lock up.

[firefighter ontheside]

Tracking my engine as it makes its way here.  It looks like it left Cincinatti, 6 hours east of me, yesterday morning.  Now its in Columbia MO, 2 hours west of me.  I would be half tempted to drive there to get it today myself.  As it is, it looks like I will have it delivered to me on Wednesday next week.