Blade lube usage?

JRWoodchuck · May 04, 2016, 05:03:27 PM

How much blade lube do you guys go through on a average day of milling? Trying to get an idea for how big my tank needs to be. Thanks in advance!

derhntr · May 04, 2016, 05:52:07 PM

My 5 gal tank lasts all day and most of 2nd with lube mizer.

jmouton · May 04, 2016, 06:02:37 PM

5 gallons is a good amount ,,,

Nomad · May 04, 2016, 06:45:35 PM

Depends on what you're cutting. In your area I have no idea. Down here, If I'm cutting Live Oak or some heart pine 5 gallons might last half a day. Sawing ERC it would last a month. A lot depends on the formula you're using too. Straight water won't go as far as with detergent included, for example.
I realize this doesn't help you much, but it's such a subjective thing that it's impossible to give a definitive answer.

JRWoodchuck · May 04, 2016, 08:07:26 PM

For now will primarily be milling dead standing Western Larch and Red Fir. I really appreciate the input. Probably go with a 5 gallon tank seems sufficient.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · May 04, 2016, 08:25:09 PM

Sawing pitchy Long Leaf Pine.....wide open on the lube. May go through 3-4 jugs in a day.

Chuck White · May 04, 2016, 09:11:58 PM

Sawing White Pine, Hemlock, Poplar, a 5-gallon tank will last me 3-4 days.

Sawing Ash, I'll probably go through the 5-gallons in a day.

YellowHammer · May 04, 2016, 09:25:23 PM

I would say a 5 gallon tank would be sufficient and easy to get.

Magicman · May 04, 2016, 09:37:11 PM

5 gallons works well for me. I very seldom have to add during the day, except when sawing pitchy pine like David said.

DDW_OR · May 04, 2016, 11:35:15 PM

5 gallons with a cup or more of CHEAP dish soap from the dolor tree.
more sap = more soap

i have heard of some using Diesel to cut the sap

mesquite buckeye · May 05, 2016, 12:36:23 AM

10-25 gallons/day on mesquite. More if it is dry.

highleadtimber16 · May 05, 2016, 01:26:25 AM

30-40 gallons a day on WRC or Doug Fir. I hate having to stop and fill my tank.

Joe Hillmann · May 05, 2016, 11:55:55 AM

I use straight diesel. And my set up rubs it onto the top and bottom of the blade. If I sawed all day in really pitchey pine I may go through two quarts. My tank is a 1 quart oil jug and I rarely fill it more than once a day.

Scott Sawdust · May 05, 2016, 12:17:12 PM

Hi, I am new here, thanks for adding me.
I have purchased a a Wood-Mizer LT40, and the blade lube system is not connected. Can you give me any tips about hose routing, and where to place the drip rate control valve? I have a screw type manual valve that goes in-line in the hose.
Is there a link to any Wood-Mizer recommendation for this?
Thanks

Chuck White · May 05, 2016, 12:51:13 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Scott.

The lube hose sort of follows the wiring into the notch in the big shield behind the operators console and out through, under the engine mounting plate.

Needs to be secured above the throat, above the blade and routed around and ends up attached to the fitting on the movable blade guide roller.

Hope this helps you a little.

Scott Sawdust · May 05, 2016, 03:49:12 PM

Thanks Chuck! Do all of you have a pump dispenser for this? Mine seems to be gravity fed?

Chuck White · May 05, 2016, 05:03:20 PM

Most (including mine) are gravity feed.

The newer ones have the option of "Lube Mizer", which is pressurized.

Mine is plumbed from the bottle valve to an electromagnetic valve which is wired to the #2 wire on the feed drum switch, then plumbed to a simple drip regulator valve, then out through to connect to the fitting on the movable blade roller guide.

When I move my forward feed drum switch to forward, the electromagnetic valve opens allowing the lube to flow, with the electromagnetic valve installed, there is no waste of the lube, it shuts off when I stop the forward feed.

Magicman · May 05, 2016, 08:26:45 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Scott Sawdust.

Scott Sawdust · May 09, 2016, 11:34:23 AM

Thanks Chuck and Magicman! I plan to add the solenoid valve to the forward switch contact as well. Seems like there is dried up diesel fuel goop in the spray nozzle at the guide. Does anyone have a diagram of this assembly? Do I need to have drip nozzles above and below the blade? There is only nozzle one above the blade at this time.

DDW_OR · May 09, 2016, 12:24:40 PM

wouldn't a drip nozzle BELOW the blade drip away from the blade ;D
Gravity

Magicman · May 09, 2016, 12:26:30 PM

Unless you have a pump, you can only utilize the above the blade drip/nozzle which is fine. Wood-Mizer does not recommend diesel and personally, I have never used anything other than soapy water. I prefer automatic dishwasher liquid because it does not make suds like Dawn, etc. Some sawyers use Murphy's Oil and some Pine Oil. Whatever works for you is fine.

DDW_OR · May 09, 2016, 12:55:48 PM

Quote from: Magicman on May 09, 2016, 12:26:30 PM
....... I prefer automatic dishwasher liquid because it does not make suds like Dawn, etc......

Thanks for the Idea

JRWoodchuck · May 09, 2016, 01:38:30 PM

On a similar note how much fuel do you guys go through on an average day? Ill be running a 19hp kubota diesel just curious how much I need to bring with me once I start milling.
Thanks!

Magicman · May 09, 2016, 02:14:14 PM

4-5 gallons of Diesel depending upon the day.

Chuck White · May 09, 2016, 05:14:32 PM

On an average day, I'll go through about 1/2 tank of gasoline, about 2½ gallons.

JRWoodchuck · May 09, 2016, 07:07:14 PM

How much better is it to have blade lube dripping/spraying on both sides of the blade? VS. one side?

Magicman · May 09, 2016, 07:18:28 PM

I did fine with the drip on the top side only, but I had no real way of controlling the flow with just a spigot. I was regularly using a gallon every 4 hours. With the pressurized system, it sprays both sides and now I generally use close to a gallon per day.

The actual cost of the system (LubeMizer) could hardly be justified by the soap/water savings, but to me it was justified by the convenience of being able to control the lube amount to match the logs that I am sawing. If/when I see a buildup of pitch I tweak the knob a bit or run it full force until the buildup disappears.

JustinW_NZ · May 09, 2016, 07:30:15 PM

I'm using a commercial sawmill lube product on a lt-40 with added on lube mizer.
the 20liter tank lasts a month or two with that product as it is very good.
it has to be given the cost but works well.

(that's clocking near full time hours on the mill currently cutting hardwood flooring)

Cheers
Justin

JRWoodchuck · May 09, 2016, 07:31:35 PM

Magicman I really appreciate all your input! This website and it's collective knowledge just continues to impress me.

Carson-saws · May 10, 2016, 10:21:03 PM

Gravity feed for sure. The less moving parts the less likely to fail. In the winter good ole windshield washer fluid. Summer (or warm) yup, soap and water

Scott Sawdust · May 13, 2016, 07:06:45 PM

My machine has one brass spray nozzle on top of the blade. But there is a provision for one below the blade too, although it currently has a pipe plug in it.

JRWoodchuck · May 13, 2016, 08:32:42 PM

Just plumbed it with one brass fitting from a weed sprayer and a shut off just above it so I can adjust flow spraying from the top. If I need to I can splice in another to spray the bottom. I have a old 5 gallon metal gas can for the reservoir with a windshield wiper pump in line to pressurize the system. Also an on off switch on my control panel. Haven't got to test it yet because all my metal is still raw and do need any extra rust to remove!