hydraulic log deck Vs log loader

[Vest]

So i run a stationary lt15 alone with out helpers. 

I made the mill full hydraulic and i load it with the log loading arms and my bobcat. it works fine at the moment but soon i will pick up a fork lift that will enable me to handle bigger logs an put  them on a log deck... the bobcat will move them but not lift the heavy stuff all high enough...

the thing is i edge and recut on the mill and i just push it on to the arms so i dont have to lift it more than one time...

adding a logdeck would speed up some of the progress and allow me to handle bigger stuff. i will admit i think it  would be fun to build and that is part of it

but i dont know if the loss of the  loading arms will be a problem and slow me down in the other end:/
so i need some input if someone have been through the same  dilemma?

-Vest

[woodman52]

There is a number of options and some depend on your setup. For example, do you have access to the opposite side of the mill with your equipment? If not; having a log deck will hinder your ability to remove beams or manipulate larger logs that you turner is having trouble with etc. If you do have access to the opposite side of the mill you could still have your loading arms and a log deck. I have seen this on a number of mills. This way you don't have to move ramps, between the deck and the mill, into place when loading the mill. You just pick the log off the deck with your loading arms at height of the ramp saving time not having to come up from the ground. This still give you a place to put boards that you still want to work on. Something to think about anyway. 
Some photos of your setup would help people come up with suggestions. 

[stavebuyer]

Log deck will be a huge upgrade over loader arms. I'd fashion some rollers to get the flitches off the mill and put in an edger. Even the WM EG50 single blade edger is a big upgrade over edging on the mill.

[SawyerTed]

Any kind of deck loading logs directly to the mill will be quicker than the loader arms. Even a "dead " deck where several logs can be loaded and rolled by hand.  

I'm with stavebuyer, down stream processing and material handling, like an edger and rollers for slabs, will be a big productivity improvement.

[Vest]

 

 



So this is my set up at the moment. the building is not done so there  is a lot of junk in the middel of the building.. i might add a  drag bag to the mill in the  future. as you can see i can get to the mill form both sides but i dont think it will work building  the loders on the walking side..

- Vest  



edit - my photos seems to have been rescaled is it possible to upload in better resolution?

[PAmizerman]

I'm getting ready to install my log deck.
The price for everything needed is way more than I had realized.
You will need the deck,hoses,pump, solenoids,valves. It all ads up quickly 

[moodnacreek]

First we need a log deck that will hold a dozen or so logs to saw. Next we need a deck to flip the slab on easily. Next another deck to accumulate boards to be edged and then one for finished boards. The last [?] deck is for edged boards and their sticks where you can easily transfer the edged boards on the finished board green chain. If you can do all this you will find you are sawing too slow.