Milled my first Oak on the LT15.....and I'll never do it again!

[Magicman]

No matter what size sawmill that you have, given enough time, you will try to saw a "too large" log.  I guess that is just our nature.  The sawhead on my WM will only raise 36".  Any log larger that 36" is going to be a pain and require extra work to get-r-done. 

Too large logs generally require support equipment such as a tractor with a FEL.  With it, they are easier, but without they are no fun.  But I still do it.   

[Todd]

no matter how big the mill you need bigger, and you will bite off more than you can chew.  my first couple of logs yeilded some 28" wide soft maple boards that are still laying in the shop.  I have no idea what i'll use them for, but getting a couple giant boards is too cool at first! I think you did a great job on that log..and you got alot of experience outta one log too! (funny how at the time it's a "pain in the ---!  It's only after the fact that it becomes valuable experience  )

[DR_Buck]

There's no such thing a a log thats too big. 

 

[beenthere]

Only a mill that is too small.

Or a bar that is too short.

[jwoods]

Piston,

Funny thing, my wife has the same posture whenever she's watching me run the mill.

I've got decent support equipment around the mill but am running a manual like you are.  Whenever I have big logs (like always) my method to turn them is still manual:

Get yourself a "handyman" jack -don't know the correct name but they're an overgrown bumper jack on steroids.....about 4 feet tall.  Place it on one side of the log, and wrap a chain underneath the log, and attach to a grab hook driven into the log(long forgotten but handy logging widget)on the other side near the top.  If you don't have one they can be made very easily from plate steel.

-chain attached to the grab hook, runs underneath the log, and hooked to the jack on the other side.  Start jacking up, and it rolls the log away from the jack and when it contacts the bunks the log turns....a whole lot easier than a peavy, and easier on the mill than a backhoe.  It's also a one-man show, you don't need any help. 

I'll try to get some photo's sometime.

Joe.

[Piston]

Joe,
That is a good idea, I've seen those 'Hi Lift' jacks used on jeeps before and never thought of it for the mill.  Thanks for the suggestion. 

... (funny how at the time it's a "pain in the ---!  It's only after the fact that it becomes valuable experience  )

That is absolutely true! 

[zopi]

The other thing a hi lift is great for is straightening out heavy logs on the ramps as they are winched up to the mill...particularly with the GO kit or a 28/40 manual...

[never finished]

  Piston, I turned a 29" oak on my manual mill last week using the high - lift jack method. There's a post started by maple flats 0n 7/05/09 where moonhill has pictures of this method. Thats where I got the idea,

[swampbuggy]

I ran into the same issue this summer. As my mill is small I had to cut it down a little at a time. But I got 2 of the most beautiful Mantel pieces ever. I figured my log to weigh 3K, and I blew out the tire on the skidsteer, but it was worth it and I hope I can do it again!!

  

 

[Paper Maker]

 

   Been there done that but I'll never do it again. It was way to dangerous and time consuming for me. This was a 18' long 34" diameter white oak log. This thing was way to heavy for my TK B-20. I almost done as much cutting with a chainsaw as I did with the mill. I think it ended up being about 15 true 2x8 boards and allot of work. The sad thing is that it had to be cut in the first place. I counted at least 175 rings but some of the rings where so close they where hard to count, so there were probably more than that.

[Dan_Shade]

i added a boom for the track I made for my old Hudson mill to turn over cants, it worked well.

 

This is the best way I found to load logs while parbuckling: take a chain and hook it to each end of the mill/trailer, then hook your cable to the middle of the chain, this keeps the log somewhat parallel to the mill/trailer.  Otherwise, a log can slip sideways about the time it hits the top.

 

[red]

a morbark stacktrac for big timbers

[red]

There was a posting by member BitrrtrBill  from Oct 31,2010  titled Another Newbie   and he has a picture of a Gantry Style Lift-Hoist   looks like a Big Swing set