Thread: advice for loading long logs into lucas mill

dj you are spot on with the crane idea.and yes mine is too small do what i need

Originally Posted by rustynail

Two sets of underslung snigging wheels should do the trick, provided there is access at both ends to pull.

Good sugestion above, however they have to get over the bottom end pipe.
Can you lift the logs at one end then slide a few round fence posts under to act as rollers? if so you could then place a couple of 6" x 1" planks over the Lucas's bottom end pipe, then push or pull the logs into the cutting bunk

cheers

I have the extensions on my lucas for longer logs. I just measure the longest log and allow a bit extra between the frames. Mill the log then lower mill onto wheels and remove the rail that is on the side of the wheels. Bring in new log and replace rail.

mucking around with driving over frames or rolling logs in from the end is a bit of concern because sooner or later a rail will get dameged or frame bent. Not saying it cant be done but I have found the extensions to be the fastest and safest way.

I find that if I cant lift a log into the mill with my Bobcat most of the time I can crab walk a log in by lifting one end at a time using the method I stated above.

Mr lucas should read this thread. They are such great guys at lucas. 6.1m is long but should be accommodated by the mill. The mill frame should be long enough and strong enough to allow easy side loading. Dragging logs in from the end will end in tears and all this rail and post removal sounds like something they will just slow you down.
cheers
Steve

Originally Posted by spray-tech

Good sugestion above, however they have to get over the bottom end pipe.
Can you lift the logs at one end then slide a few round fence posts under to act as rollers? if so you could then place a couple of 6" x 1" planks over the Lucas's bottom end pipe, then push or pull the logs into the cutting bunk

cheers

End pipes arent a problem, it will run over with ease. If worried about bending them, trench them in.

a couple of good sugestions,so when the weather lets up,i'll have a go

You could get a pair of 8 meter rails and it would work of cheaper the wasting time dismantling the mill for ever log.

does anybody have a pic of the 8 metre extentions set up for the lucas? from memory they only cost $800 so that might be the way to go.

The way I have done this in the past: (works for logs up to almost 6.5 m)

Have the end frames as far appart as possible, bring the powerhead all the way back to one side. Everything is pretty balanced then so that you can just loosen the rail from the end frame on the other end, swing it out as far as you need, roll or lift the log in and attach the rail where it was. takes 5 minutes.

The only thing to keep an eye on is that you don't let the sawdust build up too much around the endframe you swing out now and then so it goes back to it's original position easy.

that makes sense.the sawdust build up is a pain.that's what would hamper using rollers.lucky for me the kids bag the sawdust and get $2 a bag.i've gone from spending $100 a truck load to get rid of the stuff to making $30 a cube selling it out the front sometimes the kids earn more than me on the weekends

Stopper, the mills can do any length you like, the standard version comes with 6.2m long rails, at the end of the day they have to draw a limit somewhere. you can add unlimited amount of rails end to end.

I bought the 2m extension kit quite a while ago, that then gives my standard rails a total length of 8.2m.

But Charlsie it doesn't take much to 'slide' and endframe off to one side so you can fit a log in then slide it back. dont need to take the mill carriage off,dont need to drop a rail out etc. should be bout 10 mins from endframe out, log rolled in, endframeback into original position.

allan,it sounds like that's the way to go.where the mill is at the moment it's on flat ground,so should be easy to swing the end frame out,put the log in and frame back

If the bar on the ground of the end frame is an issue, why not do away with it? Cut 2 pieces of box section that the vertical poles fit into, weld or bash a point on them so they can be hammered into the ground like stakes, and drill a series of holes in them so you can adjust for uneven ground by sticking a bolt through. With that much timber, you won't be likely to move your mill in a while.
I have seen an older 6" Lucas set up as a sort of semi-permanent thing, where they used the above idea for mounting. They ran 2 lengths of small gauge tram line through the mill and out a further 8 or 10 metres. They built a pair of small 4 wheeled platforms out of heavy timber and made a sort of V on top of each out of replaceable 4x4 wood, to stop the logs rolling while being milled. At the far end of the rails, away from the mill, they made a low ramp out of dirt so they could roll the logs up and onto the wheeled platforms, to be trundled into the mill. With the "sleepers" buried partly in the ground and the gaps between filled with compacted sawdust, the only thing to trip over would be the tram line, and after the first few cuts that will be buried anyway. I wish I could get a pic that would explain it better, but the property I used to cross to access the plantation with the mill changed hands and the new owner doesn't like plantation-style forestry.

ravvin that's a great idea, but i mill almost as much timber on site as i do at home so it's not semi permanent