The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: D6c on May 17, 2017, 09:04:26 AM

Title: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: D6c on May 17, 2017, 09:04:26 AM
I take it some WM models came with one hydraulic pump and some use two.  I'm in the process of adding hydraulics to an older LT40 and am trying to decide if it's worth putting two pumps on it.
Other than making the hydraulics move faster there shouldn't be any difference.

I'm adding a hyd. log clamp, log turner, side stops, and probably a pair of toe boards....no log loader for now.  I'm not trying to make a living with this saw so that's a consideration.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Ga Mtn Man on May 17, 2017, 09:17:26 AM
You will need a 90 Amp alternator for 1 pump plus a good marine starter battery.  Two pumps require a 140 Amp alternator, larger wiring in the charge circuit, a larger commercial-grade battery, and larger hydraulic hoses on most of the circuits.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: ladylake on May 17, 2017, 10:13:55 AM

It would be a lot easier and more reliable to use a 6 hp gas motor to drive a hyd pump like on my TK mill.  Steve
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Mt406 on May 17, 2017, 10:29:45 AM
Go with gas motor You will not have to rewire and have more options down the road and more speed.
And when you get half way down the log and see your back stop is to high you can unclamp and lower it.
(Don't ask how I know this would be a nice option)
Look at some of the wood spliter supply outfits you can get all your parts reasonable pump valve bank, remember relief valve.

My 2 cents

Scott
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: D6c on May 17, 2017, 07:26:02 PM
So you don't think I can keep the battery up with intermittent use of the hydraulics?....Might be right.  I'd rather not have to run a separate engine for the hyd. if I don't have to.....one more thing to maintain.
I bought a power strip to put on the mill to run the hydraulics but haven't put it on yet.  I've been concentrating on making the mods to mount the clamp and turner.  Pretty much done with that today.


Quote from: Mt406 on May 17, 2017, 10:29:45 AM
.........And when you get half way down the log and see your back stop is to high you can unclamp and lower it.
(Don't ask how I know this would be a nice option).......

I thought about that....can sometimes be difficult to back out half way through a cut with it pinching closed.  Maybe a reason to install terminals so you can temporarily snap on a set of jumper cables to power the hyd. for that situation.

Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: ladylake on May 17, 2017, 07:38:38 PM

After 13000 hours I can tell you those 6 hp gas motors are low maintenance, way less than electric over hydraulic and you not be robbing power from the main engine when cutting. Steve
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: naturaledge1 on May 18, 2017, 09:13:48 PM
I run a 1989 lt40hd with one pump and a 60 amp alternator and all works well . Put the strip on it's well worth it . brian
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Dave Shepard on May 18, 2017, 09:21:14 PM
How are you robbing power when cutting with the hydraulics? A standard 40 has, i think,  a 1/2 horse feed motor, and a super has a 3/4 horse. Not enough, even if it were at full load, too make a difference.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Magicman on May 18, 2017, 09:36:17 PM
D6c, Ga Mtn Man answered your questions in Reply #1.  For your use as you described, one hydraulic pump should be sufficient.

I use a battery "jump box" whenever I need to operate the hydraulics and am off of the contact strip.  Very simple.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Dave Shepard on May 18, 2017, 09:38:56 PM
I dropped a couple of heavy leads out of my hydraulic box and i hook up a spare battery when i want "hydraulics anywhere". Normally i am only opening three clamp for dragback.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: ladylake on May 19, 2017, 04:09:26 AM
Quote from: Dave Shepard on May 18, 2017, 09:21:14 PM
How are you robbing power when cutting with the hydraulics? A standard 40 has, i think,  a 1/2 horse feed motor, and a super has a 3/4 horse. Not enough, even if it were at full load, too make a difference.

The battery's are constantly recharging from using all of the electric, hyd pumps, up down, head drive. I'd guess 1 to 3 hp to run the high amp alternator .  Not much on a 50hp diesel but quite a bit on smaller gas motors' As mentioned 6 hp gas engines work great to drive the hydraulics and are not complicated, plus really reliable.  Steve   
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: terrifictimbersllc on May 19, 2017, 06:31:47 AM
Quote from: Dave Shepard on May 18, 2017, 09:38:56 PM
.....Nikon .....
There are now 43 posts on FF containing this word.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Dave Shepard on May 19, 2017, 08:36:41 AM
 And I spell checked that post, too. >:(
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: D6c on May 19, 2017, 08:59:42 AM
Might be a bit of a challenge to mount an alternator on the 20 hp Onan that my mill has.  There is a little room on the crankshaft between the drive pulley and the crank case where I might be able to slip in another pulley for an alternator. 
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: Dave Shepard on May 19, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I converted an LT40 electric to gas and the WM step pulley wouldn't  fit the new shaft. I ended up using a triple B groove and ran the band at the same rpm as the alternator.
Title: Re: LT40 hydraulic pumps
Post by: nativewolf on May 19, 2017, 02:07:36 PM
Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on May 19, 2017, 06:31:47 AM
Quote from: Dave Shepard on May 18, 2017, 09:38:56 PM
.....Nikon .....
There are now 43 posts on FF containing this word.
The things one learns on FF :D