LT40 Harbor Freight Predator install?

EZ · March 28, 2016, 10:13:41 AM

Been trying to find how to set the valves on the predator 22 and can't find anything. It has about 30 hours on it and there tapping pretty good. I change the oil but it didn't help much. Anyone have any idea.
EZ

KirkD · March 28, 2016, 10:36:06 AM

Intake should be .005 to .007", exhaust .007 to .009" They should be set on a cold engine at top dead center on a compression stroke.

EZ · March 28, 2016, 11:14:18 AM

Is there some marks on the flywheel for tdc.

KirkD · March 28, 2016, 12:12:22 PM

I have not set mine yet but it is not to hard on most engines if you take the valve cover off and the spark plug out. You want to turn it over by hand until you see the intake valve go down and back up the next time the piston comes up should be top dead center on a compression stroke. Repeat for the other side.

EZ · March 28, 2016, 01:09:35 PM

OK Kirk. Sounds easy enough. Thanks.

KirkD · April 14, 2016, 08:32:27 PM

So getting ready to setup a lube system and notice that there is a tube fitting on the drive side blade guide bearing assembly but nothing on the other side. Is this where I want it to go? For some reason I had it in my head it should be applying lube to the blade before in enters the log?

Magicman · April 14, 2016, 08:41:26 PM

QuoteI had it in my head it should be applying lube to the blade before in enters the log?

That is where I would want it.

47sawdust · April 15, 2016, 07:34:56 AM

Kirk,
Perhaps the previous owner swapped things around but on my mill the lube is on the entry side.

Darrel · April 15, 2016, 10:41:51 PM

I think that I read somewhere that the early Wood-Mizers had the lube on the drive side, could it be that your mill originally had the lube tubing where you now find it? I think that I'd be switching it around, there has to be a good reason that saw's now come with the lube system attached to other side.

KirkD · July 25, 2017, 10:12:08 PM

Getting really close to being able to make some first cuts. Got logs and checked all the alignment this spring.
I have a question on the blade tension gauge and my original Woodmizer manual does not talk about what pressure on the gauge it should be set at. The gauge is old like the mill but it looks like 10,000 is at 12 o'clock and then you get into yellow or orange and then red. I doubt I want it in red but where should I start and how do I know where it should run?

And is that set in the cut or sitting?

paul case · July 25, 2017, 10:36:20 PM

I set mine as tight as I can get it without using a cheater. That gets it to 3 O'clock. The different colors are for different bands I think. I run 1.25x.042x7/8.

PC

KirkD · July 25, 2017, 10:41:30 PM

Really wow if I went to 3'clock on this gauge I would be past the red. Yellow starts about 1:30 and red ends about 2:30

paul case · July 25, 2017, 10:43:05 PM

I like to run mine real tight. Never gave any trouble.

PC

Darrel · July 25, 2017, 10:53:42 PM

My gauge is old and can't be read, but I have found if I run it between 2 and 2:30 it runs best.

Crossroads · July 26, 2017, 05:18:25 PM

Out of curiosity, what year was your mill built Kirkd

KirkD · July 26, 2017, 05:52:35 PM

Quote from: Crossroads on July 26, 2017, 05:18:25 PM
Out of curiosity, what year was your mill built Kirkd

It is a LT40HD-G24 1989

KirkD · July 26, 2017, 06:09:24 PM

Crossroads, Where in Oregon are you at?

Chuck White · July 26, 2017, 07:02:59 PM

Quote from: KirkD on July 25, 2017, 10:41:30 PM
Really wow if I went to 3'clock on this gauge I would be past the red. Yellow starts about 1:30 and red ends about 2:30

Right, wrong, or indifferent, I don't agree with maxing out the tension on the band wheels and blade!

I have said it before and I'll say it again, IMHO, maxing out the tension will accelerate belt wear and will also accelerate wear on the band wheel bearings!

When I put the blade on my mill, I always run the tension up to the top of the orange indicator on the gage and after it turns for a few minutes, the needle on the gage will usually be on the line between the yellow and the orange!

I have no trouble making straight cuts as long as I keep a sharp blade on the mill!

LeeB · July 26, 2017, 11:28:39 PM

I tend to run mine at close to maxed out. I used to just run it midway in the orange but seem to have better results running it higher than that.

petefrom bearswamp · July 27, 2017, 08:00:40 AM

I ran some .055 blades at max a few years ago at the suggestion of Dave Scott at WM
After about 20 hrs or so of sawing I heard a bang and the blade came off.
The v belt on the drive wheel was crushed down to the metal.

Magicman · July 27, 2017, 08:14:46 AM

I run my blade tension at 6:00 as per the WM technician. No problems whatsoever, but mine is a '98 model, not an '89.

John S · July 27, 2017, 08:38:24 AM

Yellow, orange, red all gone, I replaced my gauge last year, no more colors, just white!

petefrom bearswamp · July 27, 2017, 05:57:03 PM

6 oclock on my gauge is way past the orange.
Are U back home Lynn?

Magicman · July 27, 2017, 08:46:41 PM

Yup Pete, past mine too.

Yup again. I am home and will be sawing tomorrow.

KirkD · July 27, 2017, 10:36:51 PM

Sounds like it is all over the board and maybe different gauges in different years mounted differently. I am going to start with Chuck I agree with you so will start there. Lets move on to a new question.