Transporting a Mill

LrryFrrw · September 16, 2012, 06:12:17 PM

Hi,
I am looking at an LT28 Wood Mizer to buy but would have to tow it 800 plus miles across nothern New England to New Brunswick, Canada. Would that be too hard on the unit and does anyone know how to register it for highway transport?
Thanks
Larry F :-\

Mark Wentzell · September 16, 2012, 06:20:34 PM

Where in New Brunswick are you from?

Magicman · September 16, 2012, 06:23:57 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, LrryFrrw.

I would think that any new purchase would have enough temporary registration to be able to tow it home. But then, what do I know, especially since there will be a border crossing. You will have a Bill of Sale/Certificate of Origin in you possession. How about a quick trip to your tag/registration office?

Delawhere Jack · September 16, 2012, 06:25:50 PM

They are designed to be towed, it shouldn't bother it one bit. Same as anything else, avoid potholes, easy over speedbumps..... Check to make sure that the brakes are working properly on the mill.

Oh, and Welcome!

John_Haylow · September 16, 2012, 06:33:07 PM

I would have the bearings repacked and have a spare tire. As jack suggested have the brakes looked at. Those mills are built to be towed. Be sure to have it well secured when you stop over along the way.

John

WoodenHead · September 16, 2012, 06:41:55 PM

I would suggest talking with Woodmizer. I believe they have an office out east. They may know what the registration requirements are. Going across the border would be a bigger concern to me (i.e. make sure you have Bill of Sale and whatever else they require at the border).

LrryFrrw · September 16, 2012, 08:13:09 PM

Thanks all for responding. I will check with Wood Mizer in the AM. Real happy to hear that it can be towed long distances - I am concerned about the cantilever head and rail design. Should it be imobilized in some way? From what I have been reading on here that exact tolerances are required in order that it saw true and square. Wouldn't be a bad idea to check the brakes for sure. Also a good idea to check with my motor vehicle branch to get the scoop; as far as customs go, no trouble bringing stuff across if you have an invoice and can prove where it was manufactured. If it is manufactured in the US there is only sales tax (HST) overseas presents a duty charge, especially Chinese. The gentelman from Fredericton asked where in NB i'm from - that would be Woodstock - for those that don't know NB that well, Woodstock is right at the end of the ME I95 north.

Thanks again
Larry F

bill m · September 16, 2012, 08:32:58 PM

Massachusetts does not recognize temp plates from other states as legal and you will be ticketed.

LrryFrrw · September 16, 2012, 08:45:33 PM

Thanks Bil, so how would I deal with that?

SILVERTOOTH · September 16, 2012, 08:56:48 PM

Lrry...Just got done hauling a lt40 1200 miles. Everything went well. Hauled with 3/4 ton truck. Be sure lights are working in high traffic areas. Owners manual will tell you how to prepare for travel. One thing the owners manual states is to engage engine while trailering to keep engine from rocking. Good luck.

Magicman · September 16, 2012, 08:57:36 PM

Quote from: LrryFrrw on September 16, 2012, 08:13:09 PM
I am concerned about the cantilever head and rail design. Should it be imobilized in some way?

Do not have any concerns about the towability of the WM. Everything has a proper "travel" position.

MartyParsons · September 16, 2012, 09:10:02 PM

Hello,
No issues with transport. There are no brakes on a LT28 trailer axle. I would think the wheel bearings would be ok unless it was sitting in a real wet area and not moved. The tires , if weather cracked then might be an issue. Tire and Wheel is a Goodyear ST215/75R14 The rim is 5 bolt and not sure on the bolt spacing. The saw head sits on a pin ( rest pin) and supports the saw head this also puts weight on the axle and not on your vehicle. 2 " ball and 18" to 22" on ball heigth from the ground. The light wiring will be a flat four, Brown tail lights, Green Right turn' Yellow Left turn and white is ground. Standard trailer wiring.
I can not help answer with the licence for the trailer.
Marty

Delawhere Jack · September 16, 2012, 09:12:40 PM

Quote from: Magicman on September 16, 2012, 08:57:36 PM
Quote from: LrryFrrw on September 16, 2012, 08:13:09 PM
I am concerned about the cantilever head and rail design. Should it be imobilized in some way?

Do not have any concerns about the towability of the WM. Everything has a proper "travel" position.

You summed that up quite succinctly Mr. Magic! ;D

LrryFrrw, the saw head has a post on the outboard side which it rests on in transit, takes the load off of the rollers which support it while sawing. So long as everything is safe for travel; lights, brakes, safetly chains etc, I don't see you having a problem. Most jurisdictions in the US allow some leeway on getting a recent purchase tagged, so long as it doesn't present a safety hazard.

Delawhere Jack · September 16, 2012, 09:18:56 PM

Marty's 1,000th post!!!! 8) 8) 8)

Pretty soon you'll have more posts than you have mills sold! ;D ;D

BTW, I called the guy Bill in Townsend DE who bought the LT35. I offered to come by and give him some tips when he throws his first big log on the mill......

There's a BIG learning curve when you go from 10" to 30" logs on the mill.. ;D

LrryFrrw · September 16, 2012, 09:22:29 PM

Wow!
Thanks again guys for all the info - just a wealth of pertinent information. I feel much better now knowing I can tow without doing damage - lo0ng distance and know what to take for a spare tire - my truck has a flat socket as well as the round one, but I will be taking my tools and wire in case something won't jive.

drobertson · September 16, 2012, 09:25:01 PM

two spares! never can be too prepared. God Speed!

Weezer · September 17, 2012, 12:03:52 PM

If you're paranoid like myself, A set of bearings with a tub of grease, a chisel and EDITED BY ADMIN (LARGE hammer) on board always eases my mind........ and they have come to the rescue! :-\

Jim

Tom L · September 17, 2012, 07:10:48 PM

my main concern would be getting that machine over the border,
I have had a bad time trying to get a boat across the boarder that was built in nova scotia and imported to NJ

the transporter needed to hire a broker to properly fill out the paperwork for customs,

they almost left the boat at the border and went home it was such a hassel

and also I would think about taxes that need to be paid at the border, and the mill paperwork that will be required

good luck

sigidi · September 18, 2012, 03:54:26 AM

Hang on??? do you blokes over there have to have vehicle registration for each state? ie you cant travel from one state to the other with another states registration plates on? here if you live in the state you get a certain amount of time to register your vehicle with that states authority, but you can drive around the country from one end to the other with registration from the one state and it's all good. Same with our driving license, my license is recognised in all the other states of the country, once I live in another state then I will have to transfer over my license as required

Magicman · September 18, 2012, 07:59:45 AM

Quote from: sigidi on September 18, 2012, 03:54:26 AM
Hang on??? do you blokes over there have to have vehicle registration for each state? ie you cant travel from one state to the other with another states registration plates on?

No, that was not said at all. Tags, registration, and license are recognized from all states in all states.

A mention was made that a "temporary" license might not be recognized in one state, so this would have to be investigated. The other question was about the border crossing.

MAI · September 18, 2012, 11:42:04 AM

If protecting your mill is of concern should it be involved in a collision, if you haven't already done so, I would suggest checking with your insurance agent to make sure you have coverage and the coverage is applicable in the states?
Have a safe trip.

sigidi · September 18, 2012, 04:29:19 PM

Quote from: Magicman on September 18, 2012, 07:59:45 AM
Quote from: sigidi on September 18, 2012, 03:54:26 AM
Hang on??? do you blokes over there have to have vehicle registration for each state? ie you cant travel from one state to the other with another states registration plates on?

No, that was not said at all. Tags, registration, and license are recognized from all states in all states.

A mention was made that a "temporary" license might not be recognized in one state, so this would have to be investigated. The other question was about the border crossing.

Aha, no I understand ;D

LrryFrrw · September 19, 2012, 06:33:05 AM

With anything coming to Canada is not usually a problem if it is personal. Just show up with a receipt and pay your 13% and away you go - about 15 minutes does it. Now if it is a used auto, you have to park it somewhere on the Us side till customs checks to see if any leans pertain to it. Then you bring it. The insurance topic is a good idea. I also am considering a 1600 TimberKing in Wisconsin. It is 1450 miles or so, but a couple states and I am in Canada. I would be crossing at Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. We haven't had a vacation for awhile so this may be another option. Free delivery is a promo from TimberKing ending this month. Only problem here, I would have to drop back to a 1400 for the same money. Then I would not have the full hydraulic package or almost full hyd.
Decisions, decisions. :-\
Larry F

Magicman · September 19, 2012, 07:46:30 AM

I would hesitate to let details compromise my decision regarding hydraulics.

rmack · September 19, 2012, 08:03:55 AM

Quote from: LrryFrrw on September 19, 2012, 06:33:05 AM
With anything coming to Canada is not usually a problem if it is personal. Just show up with a receipt and pay your 13% and away you go - about 15 minutes does it. Now if it is a used auto, you have to park it somewhere on the Us side till customs checks to see if any leans pertain to it. Then you bring it. The insurance topic is a good idea. I also am considering a 1600 TimberKing in Wisconsin. It is 1450 miles or so, but a couple states and I am in Canada. I would be crossing at Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. We haven't had a vacation for awhile so this may be another option. Free delivery is a promo from TimberKing ending this month. Only problem here, I would have to drop back to a 1400 for the same money. Then I would not have the full hydraulic package or almost full hyd.
Decisions, decisions. :-\
Larry F

I have run into this problem a few times before.

Firstly, you will not likely get a temporary permit where you buy it because you have no local/state drivers license or address.

Second, anything with a serial number leaving the U.S. has to go through specific ports of entry/exit on the way out of the country. not any border crossing will do.

Third, the bill of sale and vehicle title (including trailers) has to be sent to that port a minimum of 3 business days before you show up with the vehicle.

that time frame is used to check for liens against the vehicle... far as I know, if you don't jump through all of these hoops, you don't get the vehicle across the border.

I purchased a small motorhome in Seattle, had to bring it up on a trailer, could not get travel permits on the U.S. side.