Old Woodmizer LT40 - any good?

[kimtree]

It's not quite as bad as that, particularly with the exchange rate being very favourable at the moment.

 

The Lumbermates do get good reviews, but the few weeks I used one I wasn't impressed. It's mainly the track and chassis - it's so flimsy. Fine I suppose if you are running it static, but no use as a mobile mill. It requires so much support to keep the rails flat (and it's so light) that one slightly heavily loaded log means having to resetup all the jacks.

 

In that price range (and £8k including vat is very good), there are dozens of mills to consider in the US. Trawl the web, read the reviews and compare and contrast. I'd recommend Logmaster (LM1), but then I'm biased.

 

Jonathan

 

bad news for logmaster i'am afraid,seems they went into voluntry liquidation on the 19th of december .There is a thread about it on the forestry forum

[difflock]

Oops??

Any chance of some keenly priced "fire-sale" stock then "J"?

jat

m

[Big J]

bad news for logmaster i'am afraid,seems they went into voluntry liquidation on the 19th of december .There is a thread about it on the forestry forum

 

Well that is a damned shame. Made bloody solid sawmills - just glad that it's such a simple machine with no custom parts. The consensus on the Forestry Forum is that they were too cheap - even with the poor exchange rate I had, I'd be inclined to agree with that.

 

Oh well - I'll just keep cutting with it and enjoy it for what it is. A damned solid mill.

 

Jonathan

[Copford sawmill sussex]

In hindsight prob a good job you didn't get a container load! Should put your one back in the box in case they become rare lol

[Big J]

In hindsight prob a good job you didn't get a container load! Should put your one back in the box in case they become rare lol

 

I know! Thing is, you never have any idea really what financial state a company is in when you order from it. They'd been making mills for the best part of 20 years, and had sold hundreds of them. All my dealings with them when I bought mine were smooth and professional, and the mill has lived up the reputation.

 

I wish there was a British manufacturer of equivalent mills. I realise that there is the Autotrek, but at £50,000, it's not in the same price range.

 

Jonathan

[Copford sawmill sussex]

That's a lot for a small mill!

[youcallthatbig]

Autotrek ...small,lol.... maybe in your eyes, but side by side , I know which I think would cut more in a day compared to any woodmizer,or any other American originated machine, cutting logs up to 40" dia, but that's just my opinion, all millers will have their own, but Big J, how on earth did you live with those repair bills quoted with the 'mizer???

And if 50k is deemed a lot for a "small" Autotrek, how about the costs for any of the Serra or Wimmer saws of comparable size? From what I can see, 64K 2nd hand seems to be going rate so everything is relative.

[Big J]

Autotrek ...small,lol.... maybe in your eyes, but side by side , I know which I think would cut more in a day compared to any woodmizer,or any other American originated machine, cutting logs up to 40" dia, but that's just my opinion, all millers will have their own, but Big J, how on earth did you live with those repair bills quoted with the 'mizer???

And if 50k is deemed a lot for a "small" Autotrek, how about the costs for any of the Serra or Wimmer saws of comparable size? From what I can see, 64K 2nd hand seems to be going rate so everything is relative.

 

I don't have any doubt about the productivity of the Autotrek - the wider band certainly affords a quicker cut rate. The issues (like any mill, they all have their issues) come with very heavy tow weight, limited cut length (16ft if I recall) and high price. That said, for what I do, it would be very good. Saying that, I don't need rapid production speed, I need accuracy and ease of maintenance.

 

The repairs on the LT40 were pretty nasty. It was pretty basic stuff too, just the kind of things that wear out or break on used machines. If I recall, it was things like new guide bearing blocks, complete new Lube (mizer) system, new raise/lower chain, replacement drive shaft when the original one sheared. Part of the problem is that they are damned complicated machines if you don't have a mechanical background, and Woodmizer decided that all maintenance/repair work done by their reps would be chargeable at £50/hr plus VAT. Too much - I'd expect a courtesy mill for that price!

 

Wimmer is the pinnacle of mobile sawmilling as far as I'm concerned. I just need to win that pesky lottery....

[Copford sawmill sussex]

Those winner mills were up at the big forestry show in Germany they were impressive but bit to heavy for England