OK- here it Tiz... Before

jpgreen · February 13, 2006, 10:35:07 PM

Jeff...

It looks like it's about 25lbs heavier than a Kohler 25hp, not counting the antifreez.

Jeff · February 13, 2006, 10:58:11 PM

You might want to ask some of the sawyers that have been engaging that manual clutch for years on the opinion on the auto clutch. I brought it up because of some comments by Tom and Customsawyer this weekend during some of our conversations. I have to think that all that extra weight and where or where it may not be located is going to have repercussions on you as the operator, and possibly the design and function of the machine.

Tom · February 13, 2006, 11:09:01 PM

:D I washed my sawmill one time.

jpgreen · February 13, 2006, 11:33:21 PM

THAT's the last time I wash mine by hand!.. >:( >:( >:(

Jeff,

You got me wonderin' so I did some closer checking.

The Kawasaki is only 15lbs more than the new Kohler 28, plus the weight of coolant (oil's the same).

The new LT40 HD with the Kohler 28 has no auto clutch option per the Wood-Mizer website.

I would tend to believe as easy as the Onan 24 engages, 20 or so more pounds is not going to make much of a difference, but I can always add auto clutch on later can't I?

About what did it cost you?...

Jeff · February 14, 2006, 12:20:25 AM

I dont have an auto clutch, Ive just talked with people that have spent a good deal of time without one. It will certainly be interesting how yours works out. I do know the "clutch" works on using a lever to lift the engine to tighten the belt and at the same time release the brake. As you increase the weight of the engine, you increase the amount of force it takes to pull down on that lever. Depending on where that added weight is located on the engine might also add to that additional force required. For example if you have to move the engine from its standard mounting location to a new one.

logwalker · February 14, 2006, 12:51:10 AM

Hey JP, get that thing going so we can get some realtime feedback. I am considering the same engine for my LT. Maybe if the engagement is a problem you can add a gas cylinder to the lever or the mounting plate to assist you. They are using those things in all kinds of applications of late. LW

jpgreen · February 14, 2006, 10:12:19 AM

I should be taking the Onan off to day LW, and I've got to grind off the old alternator. I'll post a pic so you ca see what I mean... :D

Prolly at least set the Kawa on her an start lining things up to see where I'm at. I don't think the weight will be a problem, but I was wrong once (1) before.. :D

GF · February 14, 2006, 10:51:00 AM

I want to see a video of it cutting, and audio to hear that saki running.

jpgreen · February 14, 2006, 10:56:38 AM

I'm wondering how to use my Digital camera for a movie?..... ???

I think I lost the instructions. It does have that mode like a motion camera...

jpgreen · February 14, 2006, 07:58:13 PM

Work progress for today...

Got the Onan off, and had to grind some of the gobs of weld off the alternator mounting bracket just to get the DanG unit off.. :D

That is actually an Allen wrench gobbed in the right hand corner of the mount.. :

........... :D

Here she sits with muffler and air cleaner, and a new Delco alt. Also I have the new debarker just sitting in place so I can decifer what's gonna work where.

I was thinking of mounting the alt on the oposit side because of the weight like on the new Lt40's, but it would be in the way of the oil filter, the debarker, to close to the muffler. If I turned it 360 then I wouldn't be able to get the belt cover on. It could be placed in there with a lot of work, but I started placing it back on the other side like the original.

It fits there nicely. There's plenty of room for this engine..

8)

Now the weight problem.

I understand that has been a real problem for WM owners, and I compared the weight of engaging the clutch with the Onan on, and then this heavier engine, with the heavier alt. It's definitely harder to engage, so I came up with a fix.

I call it the "JP Clutch".. :D

getoverit · February 14, 2006, 08:13:13 PM

Looks like ya got it figured out. If that hood spring works during operation, I have a feeling you could sell those springs at a healthy profit. Heck, ya might even make the front of the woodmizer news for that mod :D

jpgreen · February 14, 2006, 08:18:25 PM

Yes indeed Ken.. The onlyest problem is it's to simple. They would never go for that.. :D

Buzz-sawyer · February 14, 2006, 08:27:47 PM

Looks like a winner....I love when someone tells me something cantbe done......
It is not a matter of if it can.....just how simple IT CAN BE DONE 8) 8) 8)

Jeff · February 14, 2006, 09:01:11 PM

I hope y'all weren't thinking I was dissing anything here. I have been worried about how I might be able to run my mill this spring and the recent personal conversations I have had been privy to about the issue had me wondering if it had been considered. Actually its similar to what I did this last past fall with a bungee strap as an assist. The clutch mechanics is so simple that there has to be a multitude of things we can do to assist it to avoid any repetitive stress. Believe me, I don't think I can handle any.

logwalker · February 14, 2006, 11:44:18 PM

That raises a question in my ever active central processing unit. Does this spring lower the overall tension on the belt? Or does it increase the pressure? Or...does it change it at all? Good work JP.

P.S. I like the setup on the pallet behind the tractor. LW

raycon · February 15, 2006, 09:14:50 AM

JP you're the new west coast R&D center. The real test will be if the band does not slip entering cuts. That can pith you off quickly -- tension can be adjusted quickly enough from the looks of it. Just use a spring from a compact import from the 90's.

jpgreen · February 15, 2006, 10:09:37 AM

Nope.

No chance of the belts slipping, or the tension changing on the blade. The reason is the linkage is pushing to the top of it's cam action (for loss of a better term), and it locks in the upper position just like it does without the spring. That doesn't change..

But I think this is the easy fix, and unless you're in total pain and cannot push with your arm and shoulder at all, it will work great.

Even with the engine off for cryin' out loud... :

it's hard to push and engage that arm, and lift the engine mount. The design was functional, but sucks if you have to do it constantly.

I say my "JP Clutch", lightens the effort by at least 60-75%...

Jeff · February 15, 2006, 10:15:58 PM

"and unless you're in total pain and cannot push with your arm and shoulder at all"

That'd be me bob. :D

WeeksvilleWoodWorx · February 15, 2006, 10:18:53 PM

And how much is the Auto Clutch?

Pay Pal is to your left! ;D :D

Jeff · February 15, 2006, 10:25:19 PM

Not an option for my mill I'm told. Besides, keeping the forum funded and up is priority for me at this point. Mill is covered with a tarp and snow so it can wait for me.

jpgreen · February 15, 2006, 11:25:09 PM

PleaseSendCash@FeedMyWooodmizer.com... :D

GF · February 16, 2006, 09:10:53 AM

I have always said nothing is impossible with enough time and money. That motor sure is looking good on that mill, cant wait to hear how well it cuts for you.

Dana · February 16, 2006, 03:08:46 PM

JP I just got my new Surplus Center catalog today. they have a 27 HP Kawasaki for $1499.99 (item #28-1560)

jpgreen · February 16, 2006, 03:16:02 PM

That's not to bad Dana. Does it inlcude shipping?

Tulsa Engine Warehouse has them a little cheaper I think including shipping. AT least they did.

Now all ya need is a spring.. :D

It was 15 degreess here last night!..

Too cold for a Californiay boy. Still DanG near 32.

I've been slow to get back out on the mill.. ;D Send me sum more messages to keep me busy.. :D

jpgreen · February 16, 2006, 03:21:12 PM

Whatcha pop that good lookin' buck with? Hard to tell from the pics. You skin you're own yotes too? Man we got em' thick back here and no one to go after them. I got me a .223 bolt for just that, but haven't had time
to get out there. Right out my back door. That's pretty bad.. :D