alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description alt image description

Author Topic: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward  (Read 35509 times)

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« on: August 02, 2008, 12:52:09 PM »
Hey guys, need some help here, when we push the forward knob on the sawmill it doesn't go forward. We have replaced the hydro filter - still won't go forward. We can see the hydro line jerking when we put the knob forward but it doesn't actually go forward. What do you think is wrong with it, we might be going up monday so I need quick info!

Thanks a mil,

Steve
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Kirk Allen

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 3280
  • In God We Trust!
    • Vindicator Nozzles
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2008, 08:33:45 AM »
Does the drive motor use a chain link drive system?  If so, small peices of wood can get into the link and the drive gear wont push it through, thus cuasing it to not move.

Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching!

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2008, 10:32:36 AM »
I don't think it uses a chain link drive system, we can push the carriage forward if we want. So I don't think anything is in the way on the track.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Kirk Allen

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 3280
  • In God We Trust!
    • Vindicator Nozzles
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2008, 06:00:58 PM »
How old are the filters for the hydraulics?  Clogged filters can create havic on hydraulics.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching!

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2008, 11:51:11 AM »
We tried replacing the hydro filters already, didn't work. Everything else on the saw works except the carriage.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1965
    • www.TanglewoodTimber@aol.com
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2008, 01:54:33 PM »
Is there a mechanism to control the rate of movement, on the part of the carrage.  On my MD mill I have a device that can regulate the rate of speed for the movement of the carrage.  It tightens the belt system and that in turns turns the pump drive.

However, I have never viewed the saw you folks are discussing. :o

Offline Stevem

  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1103
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2008, 11:15:14 AM »
I've never seen the system but at some point something isn't getting to where it needs to be.  Maybe a sheared key in a drive shaft?  Try working backward to find the problem.  Can you loosen hydralic lines to see if there is pressure getting to where it needs to be?  Could the system be air locked and need bleeding? 
Stevem
Because you can doesn't mean you should!

Offline timhar

  • New Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2008, 08:35:37 PM »
The fact that the lines jump sounds like you are getting a response from the switch. Do you have the hydraulic flow contol valve open?
Have you checked the switch. They are prone to dirt buildup inside them and need periodic replacement. Open the remote box and short out the switch by touching the contacts with a screwdriver blade. If the saw moves, the switch is the problem.
If the hydro valve is open, if it returns (gigbacks) normally, all other switches function as they should and shorting the switch doesn't do it, then the trouble lies in the wire. Most often it is a break within the first 6 inches of cable outside of the remote box. Other areas to check would be where ever the cable is held by a clamp in the overhead wire. The constant chaffing as the lines press and expand can eat through the insulation and short the wire out.


Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2008, 08:48:26 AM »
The lines do jump when we push the knob so I know hydro is getting to the carraige... but it might be clogged or broken.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline timhar

  • New Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2008, 09:10:53 AM »
After 2 TH's and 15 years as an owner, I have never heard of a hydro line getting plugged.   :-\
If you can gigback, then the lines shouldn't be plugged. Has it worked at all since you got the machine? Sounds like some kind of issue surrounding the flow control valve. When you twist the valve, do you get any kind of reaction?
Just so I can sense whether you may have some sort of FrankenHarvester, when you say the lines jump when you push the knob, are you actually pushing some sort of knob or joystick or are you flipping a switch?
Normally, advance is accomplished by flipping a two position switch on the remote box into the up position and the feed speed is controlled by the hydraulic flow control valve, located on the arm near the turner/clamp etc. joysticks. (On older models, it may be on the head, near the engine and travels with the head.)
I don't mean to treat you like a dummy, just trying to get a feel for whether you have a stock factory mill or a hybrid of some sort.
« Last Edit: August 09, 2008, 09:21:13 AM by timhar »

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2008, 09:51:12 AM »
It worked perfectly for 2 logs then sopped working. I push a switch for it to go forward.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline timhar

  • New Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2008, 09:59:04 AM »
When you have the switch engaged to send the head forward, can you quickly raise the turner or quickly open and close the clamps? If yes, then you are not getting a hyraulic flow when the switch is flipped. If they are sluggish, you are getting a pull on the hydraulic system you are indeed getting oil flowing when the switch is engaged.
Again, do you get any reaction when the flow control valve is twisted opened and closed with the switch engaged?

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2008, 10:28:46 AM »
I'm not sure about the valve - I'm 2 hours away from the mill now and I can't go and see it now. I know every other hydro part on the mill works perfectly fine - we can even move the carriage back.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline timhar

  • New Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2008, 11:05:37 AM »
That helps.
You can gigback, so the lines are not plugged, the drive wheel key is not sheared and the fins in the hydro motor sound fine. The lines jump when you toggle on so it sounds like you have hydro flowing and it is not an electrical issue.
Not much more I can suggest until you can turn that flow valve and tell me the results or give me feedback on how responsive the hydraulics are when the head is engaged.

Offline Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1965
    • www.TanglewoodTimber@aol.com
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2008, 09:29:02 PM »
Isn't puter stuff great?  Here we have a member with a mill issue and someone miles away, can do some trouble-shooting and perhaps solve the problem.  Thanks "Timber", for your stepping up and helping to pinpoint some of the possible problem (s). 

Oh, by the way, what is "gigback"?

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2008, 02:27:09 PM »
Yes thanks alot, I thought gigback was a different way of saying kickback but maybe i'm confused ???
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Stevem

  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1103
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2008, 11:02:30 PM »
I think it's the return trip.  When a Mobile Dimension hits the return block at the end of the track the saw, Gigs Back,  I think. 
Stevem
Because you can doesn't mean you should!

Offline Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1965
    • www.TanglewoodTimber@aol.com
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #17 on: August 17, 2008, 06:35:19 PM »
You are correct Steve M. ;D

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #18 on: September 07, 2008, 02:56:53 PM »
Well, no more worries about this 10 year old machine, we now have access to a brand new WM Lt40 for 5 cents per board foot. Does this sound like a good deal?
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Kirk Allen

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 3280
  • In God We Trust!
    • Vindicator Nozzles
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #19 on: September 07, 2008, 05:30:53 PM »
Sounds to good to be true.  Must be a real freind to let you use it for that considering it costs more per BF to maintain it. 
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching!

Offline mike p

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 939
  • adicted to the aroma of oak
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #20 on: September 07, 2008, 09:37:09 PM »
when i bought my mill in 04 the dealer said it cost .15 cents a BF to operate
that was for gas  (thats whent up)
blades & wear & tear
at that time the omish sawed for .18 a BF
last summer they were at .28 but hard to get in line cause there so bussey
Eagle's Nest Tree farm & Sawmill
BSA Scoutmaster Retired
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from
 too much government.
   Thomas Jefferson 1802
 No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.

   Thomas Jefferson

Offline Kirk Allen

  • Administrator
  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 3280
  • In God We Trust!
    • Vindicator Nozzles
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #21 on: September 07, 2008, 09:44:16 PM »
I recall the WMLT40 numbers to be in the .17 cent range to operate but that was at least 5 years ago. 
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching!

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #22 on: September 08, 2008, 11:20:07 AM »
I guess I didn't tell you that's with us taking care of all the blades, gas, operation and responsibility to fix it if it breaks... and btw it is a good friend of a great friend we have :)
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Offline Stevem

  • Old Timers Club
  • *****
  • Posts: 1103
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #23 on: September 08, 2008, 09:25:53 PM »
but did you figure out what was wrong with the Timber Harvester?
Stevem
Because you can doesn't mean you should!

Offline Steve G.

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 213
    • Way of the Master
Re: Timber harvester 30HT25 won't go forward
« Reply #24 on: September 10, 2008, 03:11:47 PM »
but did you figure out what was wrong with the Timber Harvester?

Nope, it's too far for it to be worth it.
Do you think your a good person - find out!
http://www.wayofthemaster.com/