lT 40 DEBARKER ISSUES

Contractor1 · December 20, 2016, 04:11:30 PM

I have been having problems with my debarker not wanting to engage the log. I can manually push it to the log but it will not stay engaged. When I flip the switch to move it out of the way it works fine. It moves freely and the belt is tight. Any suggestions. Mill has 200 hours on it.

JustinW_NZ · December 20, 2016, 04:30:16 PM

I had a debarker belt that once remembered its shape and made it hard to go in? or out? (one way) put on a new belt it was ok after that and a good tighten.
Has the mill sit around for a while?

If not then I guess make sures the debarker pivot points greased up?

Cheers
Justin

Magicman · December 20, 2016, 07:48:07 PM

Make sure that the sawmill is about ½ bubble higher on the loader side than the side support side. The debarker is heavy and the additional weight adds much to it's ability to engage the log.

Klicker · December 20, 2016, 08:49:49 PM

Shortly after I got my LT40 I found my debarker wasn't working right I had the belt so tight I thought I would break the end off the drive motor . I called the local dealer he told me to use a 9\16 wrench to remove the bolt at the bottom of the pivet pin pry up the debarker grease the top part by hand. He said the grease would travel down the shaft not up. I still do this a couple of times a year. Rod

POSTON WIDEHEAD · December 20, 2016, 09:59:03 PM

Quote from: Magicman on December 20, 2016, 07:48:07 PM
Make sure that the sawmill is about ½ bubble higher on the loader side than the side support side. The debarker is heavy and the additional weight adds much to it's ability to engage the log.

You know....sometimes you make sense. ;D

DGK · December 20, 2016, 10:08:57 PM

A very timely thread as my de-barker is doing the same. I will start with the grease and new belt option first to see how it works out. I dislike a crooked mill. :-)

barbender · December 20, 2016, 11:19:48 PM

Mine was doing this too. I had to disassemble the pivot point and clean it up. Common on mills that are out in the elements, I've read.

Peter Drouin · December 21, 2016, 06:33:36 AM

No grease for me, I use ATF with a paint brush on the top. It will run down inside.

drobertson · December 21, 2016, 08:10:45 AM

Just wondering here, have you by chance had a crash? Knocking it off a little?

Contractor1 · December 21, 2016, 01:14:34 PM

It has been outside for the last year. Mill is set up level. I will purchase a new belt and work on cleaning out the old grease from the joint. Thanks for all the help.

GDinMaine · December 22, 2016, 07:54:44 AM

Look at the belt that moves the debarker. Mine had developed a spot where it was worn almost half-way through. The debarker was not moving in properly and I could not find the problem. After multiple checks I noticed the worn spot. It was wrapped around the small pulley essentially hiding the problem in the groove. It is on the list of things to fix/replace during my slow season.

petefrom bearswamp · December 22, 2016, 08:52:35 AM

Had a problem about 2 yrs ago.
Turned out the pulley was spinning on the shaft of the in out motor.

scully · December 22, 2016, 09:18:01 AM

If it has been out side rain water will pool up on the big pulley and rust the heck out of it . the belt grooves will also rust and freeze the "V" belt to them . As stated above take it apart and clean it lube it and let er rip ! If the belt is impregnated with rust change it .

Magicman · December 22, 2016, 07:58:16 PM

I serviced my sawmill today and thought about this thread. I move the debarker throughout it's swing as I pump the grease gun.

As you can see, I get a good squirt out of the top.

And you can see a nice drop of grease out of the bottom. I use a good high pressure red grease which does not dry and harden.

My sawmill is a 1998 model, has never been stored under a shed, and still has the original debarker belt and pulley.

Peter Drouin · December 22, 2016, 08:07:50 PM

That high pressure grease Magicman is good stuff, I use a lot on the John Deere and mill.
:christmas:

Magicman · December 22, 2016, 08:16:22 PM

For several years I used a "Moly" grease and thought that I was doing good. Well I was continually taking joints apart and digging that hardened stuff out. No more.

4x4American · December 22, 2016, 08:24:29 PM

Peter, where do you put the atf? On the shaft that attaches the debarker to the mill? I have never atf'd anywhere around there, and wondering if I'm not doing it right?

I use that Schaeffer's 238 moly supreme grease, I thought it was the best, but I do like that red grease too. Supposedly you can't use moly grease on automatic slack adjusters because it's too slippery they won't self adjust. I think mankind is doing good if we're coming up with grease that is too slippery lol

Peter Drouin · December 22, 2016, 08:42:14 PM

In the cold at 10° the grease is a little stiff. ;) For the winter I use ATF. I dab some with a brush at the top of the pin.
:christmas:

barbender · December 22, 2016, 09:18:07 PM

The Schaeffer's moly is good grease, but I've heard horror stories about other brands of Moly greases. Serco log loaders have a tag on them that says "Do Not Use Moly Grease!" My boss had also forbid everyone from using it out here at one point. However, our new processors are set up with a grease system for the saw chain, instead of bar oil, and they've been using Schaeffer's for that. On the other hand, John Deere used to specify Moly grease for their harvesters, I don't know if they still do. Clear as mud? :D

drobertson · December 22, 2016, 10:21:17 PM

It all depends on the clearances and load factors, coupled with at times the operating temperatures, it can get complicated with lubrication, fact is alignments determine a lot, as to a debarker, simple shafting, small logs will make one come up short of engaging too,