Rack saw

[Graham w]

what would a rack mill cost these days?

[renewablejohn]

Thanks wise wood

Have found details and it is a Stevens & son rack from Carlisle.

 

Looking to dismantle on Saturday is there any arbtalk members close to cockermouth who would be willing to help in dismantling and saving this bit of old iron.

[renewablejohn]

Sorry not cockermouth but Cumnock.

[agrimog]

john, pm me Im only a few miles from cumnock I might be able to help

[renewablejohn]

Agrimog

Thanks for the offer pm sent

[Stihlben]

Is that the old wooden belt driven one? Was on eBay twice, I was watching it looks good but was too far for me...

[renewablejohn]

Yes just collected it today with a big thanks to agrimog for giving me a lift.

 

Surprised at how good a condition it was in which led to an easy dismantle.

Will post some pics when I download to computer

[renewablejohn]

The rack saw is a flat belt with drive and idler pulleys all working from a control lever next to the rack handle. I had thought of a simple pto conversion however I am now thinking of retaining the flat belt system.

Options seem to be. Fergi pulley, electric motor, lister stationary engine.

Blade is 42 inch diameter and rack designed to cut 15 inch max.

What sort of Hp should I be looking at to power this saw.

[agg221]

This isn't scientific but Dad used to run a 24" blade on a 6hp Lister and it didn't struggle. I reckon 12hp and up would be OK on a stationary engine - more like 18-20 if you want it to cut full width flat out without struggling.

 

Also important to get your pulley ratios right on the input/output to keep the tip speed right on the saw teeth. If you haven't got the calcs for this I can dig them out.

 

Flat belt btw can be had from your local fire station when they're changing the hoses....

 

Alec

[Graham w]

we call them yankee mills, i already have one thats been in regular use for about 15 years now, it has a 42inch insert tooth blade driven by flat belt. the bench is 8 meters long and is mounted on a steel chassis measuring 11meters. the bench must weigh 6+ tons as a jcb cant quite pick one end up

 

we mounted a 6 cly130 hp perkins engine with a special fuel punp governor to keep engine speed constant under load.

when cutting 40cm+ dry larch you can hear the engine working.

 

i have recently purchased another mill (pictured) thats 18.3 meters long with a selection of blades 42" to 66" and no engine.

i will be looking for no smaller than 6cly 140hp+

 

a fellow down the road had one with a 48" blade and a 4 cly turbo lorry engine. he needed to run it flatout using loads of diesel/ same as a 7.5 tonner doing 500 miles

 

our perkins is a large engine working on over the tick over but on the torque, this means fuel economy. i spent all day friday and saturday afternoon cutting this used 4-5 gallons

 

 

run the mill with 4 v belts as flat belts are hassle

 

 

 

you may need more than 20hp to cut premium logs