ponytug
Super Member
And there is always having someone else move the logs...
Want to buy a sawmill - Talk me out of it!
- Thread starter HawkinsHollow
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civilian
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HH, which side is your push handle on? Do you load logs with forks on your tractor? Which side is the log dogs on? Where is the discharge of the saw dust?
On my Timbery saw mill, I load logs on the push handle side. The logs dogs are on the opposite side, which is where the saw dust discharge is. So I roll a log off the forks onto the mill, the dogs stops it from going off the other side. The tractor is then parked on the handle side with the forks at a convenient height to load slabs or boards onto as needed. When the log is cut up, I move the tractor to where I am stickering the lumber for air drying. I put slabs on another set of base stickers for fire wood cutting. Jon
On my Timbery saw mill, I load logs on the push handle side. The logs dogs are on the opposite side, which is where the saw dust discharge is. So I roll a log off the forks onto the mill, the dogs stops it from going off the other side. The tractor is then parked on the handle side with the forks at a convenient height to load slabs or boards onto as needed. When the log is cut up, I move the tractor to where I am stickering the lumber for air drying. I put slabs on another set of base stickers for fire wood cutting. Jon
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HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Yep, this mill is setup the exact same way. For now I am loading the logs with the tractor. The first thing I am going to mill are beams for a log deck. Seems like that will be better for work flow not having to get in and out of the tractor every time I need a log. I do like your idea of having the forks right there to collect the cut lumber. I will also probably build 2 racks very early on, one for the slab cutoffs and one for milled lumber. That way I don't have to fire up the tractor every time I want to mill. Thanks for your input! How do you like the Timbery?
civilian
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I have been happy with the Timbery saw mill. I have cut white and red pine, oak, white cedar, ash, and cherry for me and maple for a friend. Ordered in spring of 21, and received in the fall. Right now it is in storage inside the barn for the winter. Not sure what I will have to cut this summer. Maybe some dead ash.
I think the Timbery was one of a few that has a diagonal brace between the rails for stiffness. I don't want a log deck right next to the mill because I utilize the tractor forks to put the cut lumber and then transport to the base stickers for stacking the lumber. Then those stacks are moved away from the mill to their respective air drying areas. Some of my logs started in the 24 to 26" butt diameters. Tractor was necessary to handle them. Even had to use it for rotating 90 degrees. Myself on a pevee was not strong enough.
Right now I am using the kiln dried white pine for window, doorand baseboard trim in the unfinished new house. Some will also get built into cabinets for the laundry room and her craft room. So, the rough cut is just one phase. Now the finish sizing and milling. All enjoyable. Sorry for the thread hijack. Jon
I think the Timbery was one of a few that has a diagonal brace between the rails for stiffness. I don't want a log deck right next to the mill because I utilize the tractor forks to put the cut lumber and then transport to the base stickers for stacking the lumber. Then those stacks are moved away from the mill to their respective air drying areas. Some of my logs started in the 24 to 26" butt diameters. Tractor was necessary to handle them. Even had to use it for rotating 90 degrees. Myself on a pevee was not strong enough.
Right now I am using the kiln dried white pine for window, doorand baseboard trim in the unfinished new house. Some will also get built into cabinets for the laundry room and her craft room. So, the rough cut is just one phase. Now the finish sizing and milling. All enjoyable. Sorry for the thread hijack. Jon
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HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
No hijack at all, that is why I got the mill to make trim, flooring, faux beams, tounge and groove ceiling, shelving, etc. for our addition.
I hear you on the log deck, I plan on keeping the deck wide enough so the tractor can fit between either side of the deck. I hope that works. Time will tell.
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HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Starting to get things dialed in. I wanted to build a log deck wide enough that would allow me access to the mill with the tractor, but I am not sure its going to work well. The way it is it doesn't allow me to put shorter logs on it. I might have to go with a log deck that does not allow tractor access as I feel like it is more important to have a log deck than it is to have tractor access. I will make the deck so I can lift it out of the way with the tractor if I need to get in there. I want a deck because I think it will be easier to have the deck loaded and show up and mill, rather than getting the tractor every time. Also, I do not love loading the logs on the mill with the tractor every time. I think you increase the chances of hitting the mill that way.
ponytug
Super Member
Could you use a log deck that sloped to your mill, so your tractor only has to get to the end of it? I've seen a number mills that were set up for a "gravity feed" of logs to a set of stops, and then a log was rolled over the final stop or the stop was removed for one log to move the log onto the mill.
All the best,
Peter
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HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
It is not the rolling part, that is easy the deck is lightly higher than the mill. The main part is positioning it on the mill in the ideal position. Not easy to move these logs forward or backwards once they are set down. Also accommodating all lengths of logs from 6-16 feet.
LouNY
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Have you considered a small "gantry" type rolling crane to lift and move your logs from your stock stack to the mill table.
Menagerie-Manor
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This is from the Woodland Mills FB group and may solve your issue.
Woodland Mills Product Owners & Community | Whoever originally posted the log roller skid to help roll the larger logs, thanks, built mine today and decided to run it off of a drill battery and ... | Facebook
Whoever originally posted the log roller skid to help roll the larger logs, thanks, built mine today and decided to run it off of a drill battery and it works awesome! Harbor freight winch and a...
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