reversing a Mobile Dimension Sawmill

cgstubbs · August 18, 2013, 04:19:22 PM

I am working on my Dad's MD model 12 ( 1976) sawmill, it now works well....except it will not reverse. The lever goes into reverse, the reverse pulley is against the main belts but it does not engage.. New belts, I think the tensions are right.... Any suggestions?

Magicman · August 18, 2013, 04:26:49 PM

I am of no help with your MD problem, but Welcome to the Forestry Forum, cgstubbs

drobertson · August 18, 2013, 04:37:15 PM

could there be a key in the reverse pulley sheared? hope you find it, david

mobile demensia · August 18, 2013, 10:27:53 PM

Quote from: drobertson on August 18, 2013, 04:37:15 PM
could there be a key in the reverse pulley sheared? hope you find it, david

I just looked in my manual and it looks like there is a key on the shaft that the little reverse roller is attached to. I will try to have a look at my mill tonight to see if there are any other obvious potential problems.

mobile demensia · August 19, 2013, 12:04:39 AM

The belt that is run by the reverse pulley may be loose. It looks like that is the first thing to check out.

slider · August 19, 2013, 12:21:00 AM

Where is Dang when you need him,

DanG · August 19, 2013, 12:38:37 AM

I'm here, but no help I'm afraid. My MD is hydrostatic and I have no clue how those older ones work. Paul_H?

mobile demensia · August 19, 2013, 02:00:52 AM

If you are able to hold the reverse roller in one hand and the reverse pulley in the other and spin them opposite to each other then something is wrong with the shaft or the key. DanG I would rather have hydrostatic any day.

farmer mark · August 21, 2013, 10:15:24 AM

Try calling mobile dimension. They have always been very helpful to me, even though I bought my mill used not from them.

grweldon · August 21, 2013, 12:45:43 PM

Welcome to the Forum! I can't help with your problem, but it's always good to have another resident of Alabama here! You are located just a handful of miles north of me. I'd love to see your mill sometime. Never seen a mobile dimension mill except for on "Mountain Men"!

thecfarm · August 21, 2013, 01:10:56 PM

cgstubbs,welcome to the forum. Helping dad out? I would give the company a call. That's what they are there for. I saw one of them run at a show here in Maine. Quite the mill.

cgstubbs · August 25, 2013, 09:45:08 PM

Ok guys, I found it! the reverse pulley/belt could be turned by hand but when i ran it just a very short time, I stopped it to look again and when i felt the reverse pulley it was HOTTT. I took it off and the bearing was stiff, freezing up but had not completely not frozen. replaced, readjusted and it works perfectly! I am excited and looking forward to learning more. Thank you all for your insight. I am sure I will be back. By the way, I am a forester, have been in that business for 25+ years and as my dad is aging am looking forward to him seeing this back in action.

cgstubbs · August 25, 2013, 10:04:17 PM

thecfarm
no, not helping out Dad. He is not able to work the mill any longer, I am a forester and am adding this to the things I that I do. What a great machine! we have many buildings made of the board and battens this mill has sawn, not to mention the lumber we have sawn and had treated.