Need some help with a Granberg mill

[wiersy111]

I've been lurking around here for a couple years and started milling with a Granberg MarkIII a little over a year ago. Everything has been pretty much smooth sailing until now. My milling saw is a Stihl 660 with either a 25" bar and ripping chain or a 36" bar and Granberg ripping chain. I was using a Husky 55 Rancher and Mini Mill for edge work until the third rewind and started dogs let go. So right now I am a one saw operation, the 660 will work in the Mini Mill but I don't like using it that way because it is just to big. I just got laid off last friday so there is no new saw in the future.

The problem I have run into is while milling some Basswood my mill set up wouldn't cut flat. It was either riding up or trying to dive down past my desired lumber thickness. I thought at first that I bent the bar somehow, but after throwing the regular chain back on everything is fine. I switched to the 36" bar to finish the milling that day without further problems. I didn't quite meet the amount I needed so I cut a couple more logs for milling and proceed to mill them with the 36" bar. No problems until I cut into a log with a bit of a crook to it. At this point the saw is trying to dive into the log to the point it is binding the mill and bar. I use a leveled ladder for my initial cut and all is good its just when the mill is on the log face that things go to hell. It has not been a consistent problem.

I have checked the bars to ensure they are true as well as the mill. I have done several sharpenings to include rakers to ensure my chain is not the problem. I don't have any other logs in the yard right now or I would see if it does it in another species of wood. Is it possible that it is the grain of the basswood causing my problems? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am sure I forgot to give you info.     

[Ox]

It seems that the grain in the log is causing you trouble, even though it doesn't seem it would have that effect on a chainsaw mill.  I never had that problem on mine before.  Is there any possible way to get a new chain on there and try again?

[cbla]

I have not had that problem yet but it sounds like a chain issue.

[Gasawyer]

I agree that it sounds like a chain issue. It will drive you nuts trying to figure out.  Got one chain on my DSM that just won't cut certain logs well, but cuts other logs fine. Good luck, hope you figure it out.

[terrifictimbersllc]

The bar that dives or climbs, is it new or used.  If used, a little or a lot?

[1234wood]

Yu need a different  angle  on teeth  bass wood tears yu a very sharp chain they have to be perfectly sharp  yur ripping with grain

[wiersy111]

It seems that the grain in the log is causing you trouble, even though it doesn't seem it would have that effect on a chainsaw mill.  I never had that problem on mine before.  Is there any possible way to get a new chain on there and try again?

I am going to try with a regular chain and see what happens. The bar has minimal hours on it. My chain is filed at 5* Should I try 0*? I just picked up an 044 with a 25" bar tonight so I am going to do some experimenting tomorrow. And your right this is going to drive me crazy trying to figure out.

[tnaz]

wiersy111, "And your right this is going to drive me crazy trying to figure out";  I got a filling that you'll figure it out. :D

Welcome to the Forestry Forum,

Terry

[wiersy111]

Well I didn't get back to the Basswood but I did mill a 22" Red Oak with no problems with the 36" bar. My son used the 660 / 25" bar to drop the oak and stump cut it. He didn't notice anything until he stump cut then it seemed like the saw was rising up. Looks like that bar just became the bar for general use. I'll have to still try it milling but maybe on something of lesser value that I won't mind ending up in the firewood pile.

Any thoughts on filing my chains at 0 degrees? Five degrees works good so that is where I stopped experimenting.

[Ox]

Tried both, didn't see much difference in finish but I think I remember the 5° cut slightly faster.