New LT15 gets “cranked up”

[Bibbyman]

At the Wood-Mizer open house in Mt. Vernon last spring,  Dave Mann told me they were about to make available a new LT15 design change that was going to take a lot of effort and time out of cranking the head up and down.  He wanted to have one for the open house but a unit wasn't quite ready.

I've just been out on the WM web site and they have a press release about it.  

Link to - Wood-Mizer Introduces New Design On LT15 Sawmill

Has anybody got one of these new LT15s yet?

[Plowboy]

Bibby,
I'm hoping to see the new mill at the open house in WI in a couple of weeks.  We just did a big couple of days with our LT15 and a easier and faster head adjustment would be nice.  I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

[beenthere]

Plowboy
Is that Mosinee on the 14th?

[D._Frederick]

I am surpriced that it took WM this long to make improvements to the LT15. The cranking system used for the up-down of the saw head did take a lot of cranks to go full range and like wise on the carriage feed. Not the most user friendly design. Using a differential type system that is self locking for the up-down was well engineered. Changing the gear ratio and adding the counter balance system would be a great improvement.

[sparks]

Bibby, do you have Power Point on your computer? If so I can sent you some pictures of all the changes to the LT15. You can then post them. Your better at it than I am.   Thanks :

[slowzuki]

My only concern is the gas cylinder, they never hold their charge for over 10 years it seems.
Ken

[Bibbyman]

Here is a picture of the new setworks wheel plate.  Each turn of the handle is 4 inchs.  Each notch in 1/16".



More later.

[Bibbyman]

LOT more changes than I thought.  Looks like   a complete redesign.


The crank handle has a lever to release locking pin.


A gas charged cylinder has been added to assist in the raising and lowering of the head. It allows for less effort to raise or lower the head.


When the lever is squeezed, the wheel is pulled toward the handle and makes contact with the roll pin allowing the handle to turn the pulley and feed the head. It is designed this way so that when the lever is released, the handle will not spin when the head is pulled forward or backward.

The feed pulley is redesigned for less rope slippage and smoother feed operation.

The nerf  bar is used to pull the head manually back and forth


New clamp system


Better chain adjuster allows for easier adjustment and a more stable hold.


New blade guide arm adjustment. Allows for easier movement because the handle is closer to the operator.


New leg design. Bracket welded to frame. Plate now welded to the leg. No spanner wrench. Leg must be held while adjusting the nut.


Head travels on rollers


New bed rail design. All rails are welded to the frame. No bed rails to be installed


New head tilt adjustment. Allows for faster and easier adjusting.


 

[Plowboy]

Beenthere, yes, the open house is in Mosinee.  They are having a owners day on the 13th and a open house on the 14th.  If you need directions let me know and I can post them.  
The new LT15 has some major changes made to it.   I am really looking forward to seeing and maybe test running the new mill.