Thread: Diesel or Electric for the Lucas Mill?

G'day Wayne,
I have just finished for the day after cutting up two blackwoods and a blue gum for a mate who couldn't get them out with his truck, so we milled them on site.
This is the main advantage with the Lucas, its portability.
I run two Lucas mills, a dedicated slabber and a swing blade. I also have access to a large bandsaw capable of 1500mm but that doesn't get used much these days as it is costly getting logs delivered.
Once you get the hang of the Lucas there isn't much you can't do, particularly if you have both options.
As I see it, the main advantages the electric has is noise reduction and fumes in confined space. If these factors are important to you then that would be the way to go.
You say the mill will stay at home, but I am sure the day will come when you wish you could just chuck it in the trailer and mosey on out to some ornery
log and give it a good seeing to.
Once the tree is on the ground, that is when the hard work starts. Loading onto suitable transport etc etc. So much easier to take the mill to the log. Many are the logs I have milled on site that could not have been got out due either to their size or inaccessibility.
The other thing to keep in mind is resale value. When you stop and think about it, the main thing someone is looking for when buying a Lucas is portability and ease of set up and operation. Lucas does this in spades.

Wayne, welcome to the milling forum

I think you will find Lucas don't do a diesel 30hp, its an unleaded model and an EFI engine to boot. I'm using the 10" EFI model and the fuel saving versus the 10" carby is very very nice. I just recently finished 3 days milling in a backyard and used two tanks of fuel for the 3 days milling - very happy!!!

As has been said, you will end up moving the mill from time to time, but even if you don't, when you sell it the new owner will move it. One big thing with electric is supplying 3 phase power to it. With the EFI, you can run 3 big days milling full on and use less than $40 in fuel - how much is 3 phase power going to cost to setup? and therefore how many days milling would you get for the equivalent cost of setting up 3 phase power.

With it not being a diesel, servicing is much less of an issue too.

Personally even if you are only ever going to cut 8" as a maximum piece of timber, I'd get the 10" it will handle the 8" cuts over time much better than an 8" model - don't get me wrong an 8" model will do it just fine, but from my experience with having logs heave up due to tension - if they do this on a model 8 and you are cutting 8" deep, then you get a bit of trouble, if all the same happens and you are running a 10" then no trouble at all. Also down the track a 10" cut will be appeal to a wider range of potential buyers if/when you want to sell the mill - thus easier to recoup your initial purchase.

As you can tell from some of my posts on this forum - I love my Lucas and love chewing off anyone's ear who will stand still long enough about the mill. If ya want any specific questions answered feel free to PM me or give me a call (when you have a spare 2 hours )

Many thanks Guys.

Yes, I note that in their replies the Lucas people talk about the EFI engine, Allan, so maybe the info I had re the diesel option was old internet data? In any case you and Rusty have already convinced me that the EFI motor is the way to go. Very pertinent opinions from both you & Rusty relating to the resale value and the option to move the machine when needed - I'm sure that an electric motor would be a lot less appealing to many purchasers.

I will probably also go for the 10" model rather than the 8" for the reasons you outline - a little more outlay initially but the capacity is there if/when you need it.

I'll continue to watch this forum with with interest, and will no doubt be full of questions & queries once the machine is eventually delivered. Maybe I'll do a deal to purchase the machine from the Sydney Wood Show - thereby saving around $700 in freight costs.

Regards - Wayne

Originally Posted by Hardenfast

Many thanks Guys.

Yes, I note that in their replies that the Lucas people talk about the EFI engine, Allan, so maybe the info I had re the diesel option was old internet data? In any case you and Rusty have already convinced me that the EFI motor is the way to go. Very pertinent opinions from both you & Rusty relating to the resale value and the option to move the machine when needed - I'm sure that an electric motor would be a lot less appealing to many purchasers.

I will probably also go for the 10" model rather than the 8" for the reasons you outline - a little more outlay initially but the capacity is there if/when you need it.

I'll continue to watch this forum with with interest, and will no doubt be full of questions & queries once the machine is eventually delivered. Maybe I'll do a deal to purchase the machine from the Sydney Wood Show - thereby saving around $700 in freight costs.

Regards - Wayne

Seems very wise on all counts Wayne

When ya think about the $2k or so difference between what I recall a model 8-30 ($18k) and a 10-30 ($20k) sell for. I looked at it this way - step treads sell for at least $30lm, some places over $40, but lets use $30... You need to cut less than 30 2.4m long 250x50 in the life of the machine to negate the difference in price, potentially that is 5 nice average sized 2.4m logs!!!!!!

Good onya mate, by all means drop in here and ask q's mate - most folks know I'll talk (type) ya ear off about Lucas Mills

Originally Posted by rustynail

G'day Wayne,
I have just finished for the day after cutting up two blackwoods and a blue gum for a mate who couldn't get them out with his truck, so we milled them on site.
This is the main advantage with the Lucas, its portability.
I run two Lucas mills, a dedicated slabber and a swing blade. I also have access to a large bandsaw capable of 1500mm but that doesn't get used much these days as it is costly getting logs delivered.
Once you get the hang of the Lucas there isn't much you can't do, particularly if you have both options.
As I see it, the main advantages the electric has is noise reduction and fumes in confined space. If these factors are important to you then that would be the way to go.
You say the mill will stay at home, but I am sure the day will come when you wish you could just chuck it in the trailer and mosey on out to some ornery
log and give it a good seeing to.
Once the tree is on the ground, that is when the hard work starts. Loading onto suitable transport etc etc. So much easier to take the mill to the log. Many are the logs I have milled on site that could not have been got out due either to their size or inaccessibility.
The other thing to keep in mind is resale value. When you stop and think about it, the main thing someone is looking for when buying a Lucas is portability and ease of set up and operation. Lucas does this in spades.

RustyNail

I think you just summed it up. Nothing more to add .

Regards
Paul

I think the Lucas mill has many pluses, but in there are two fundamentals. The first is affordable milling while the second is portable milling. A diesel engine would significantly increase costs and with it's extra weight would impact the portability aspect. I suspect this is why, for the moment at least, a diesel version is not offered.

Regards
Paul

Many thanks again guys.

I've taken the plunge and ordered the 10" EFI version with all the accessories (slabber, planer, sander, weatherboard attachments etc) and paid my deposit. I'm hoping that the purchase of our new property will be finalised quick enough to organise to pickup the machine at the Sydney Wood Show, but otherwise it will have to wait until later in the year.

I have in mind to build a lean-to awning shelter at the side of the big new shed (18m x 12m) on the property to set up the Lucas and a docking saw, log-splitter, timber racks etc. Maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself - I'll scrutinise this forum for tips & advice in the interim.

Wayne

WAYNE!!!! woot woot!!! go for it mate!!! sounds like you are going to be a busy fella

Wayne,
I dont want to be an alarmist, but are you sure you can cut at Somersby? I thought it would have come under tree preservation area.