How To Shop for a Portable Sawmill

Buying a portable sawmill is an important decision. First and foremost, you should buy from a company that you can trust. Next, look at the performance functions. A sawmill's performance can be narrowed down to FOUR key areas: power, design, operation, and log handling.

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1. Power

When you need portability, gas or diesel is your answer. Wood-Mizer offers the world's best engines with a proven track record of performing in climates found in North America.

NEW! Tier 4 - Ultra low emission and 12.5% average lower fuel consumption diesel engines now available.

For stationary applications, electric motor sawmills provide the best results. Compared to gas or diesel, they are generally less expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain. Electric mills are also quieter, cleaner, and have a longer life.

2. Design

Now, Wood-Mizer is the only sawmill manufacturer that gives you the choice between a monorail or twin rail sawmill design.

Monorail Sawmills (LT Series)

Wood-Mizer has long been the only sawmill manufacturer of the monorail cantilever design, holding several patents on this technology and trusted by 70,000 sawyers throughout the world. Wood-Mizer's open side of the cantilever sawhead allows for minimal leveling during set-up, easy off-bearing with the trapezoid bed, and sawing of odd shaped logs.

Twin Rail Sawmills (LX Series)

LX sawmills feature a rigid LXFrame sawhead tower that travels on twin parallel hardened steel bars and holds the saw head, engine, and operator control console. LX sawmills saw wider and deeper than standard model monorail sawmills, but leveling is not as simple. Features such as tubular bubble levels and fine adjustment outriggers help reduce set-up time.

3. Operation

There are two main things to look for when you are determining the sawmill operation: Feed System and Operator Control Location.

Feed System is how you move the sawmill head through the cut.

With the push feed system you easily move the head through the cut, keeping a steady pace.

The crank feed system features a hand crank that you turn, allowing the head to travel smoothly down the track.

The advanced electronic feed system uses an electronic motor to automatically power the head down the log.

Operator Control Location is where you are positioned when you operate the sawmill.

Walk-along
This operating position gives you a watchful eye over the quality of your cut, any possible obstacles, the cutting speeds, and blade performance. Walk-along controls are standard on all portable sawmill models.

Ride-along
The ride-along seat travels with the sawmill head controls, giving you the same visibility but without the steps. This option can be added to any LT40-LT70 sawmill built with the standard walk-along controls.

Command Control or Wireless Remote Head Controls
These two options allow more flexibility on operator position for the LT40 Hydraulic - LT70 sawmill.

4. Log Handling

Manual Log Handling (LT10 - LT35)
If you aren't afraid of physical labor and have the time to put into handling logs, the Wood-Mizer manual mills are a practical choice. Logs can be turned by using a basic cant hook or the manual assist Log Deck Package.

Cant Hook
This simple accessory enables a single operator to rotate even larger diameter logs. Available from 28" to over 6' long.

Log Deck Package
(LT28 & LT35 Manual)

Manual Winch
The manual winch allows a single operator to load logs weighing several thousand pounds onto the bed and is used in conjunction with the manual log turner to rotate logs.

Log Turner
This simple accessory, when used in conjunction with the manual winch, enables a single operator to rotate larger diameter logs.

Toeboards
Mounted on the sawmill bed's front and rear cross members, the toeboards enable you to lift either end of a tapered log by hand crank.

Hydraulic Log Handling (LT35 Hydraulic - LT40 Hydraulic)
Hydraulic Log Handling PLUS (LT40 Super Hydraulic - LT70 Super Hydraulic & LX450)
Wood-Mizer hydraulic sawmills take charge when productivity and efficiency are your top priority. With these mills, you not only get precise cuts but you also get the added ability to load, level, clamp and turn the logs with ease. Hydraulic Log Handling PLUS means faster hydraulics for maximum productivity.

Hydraulic Log Turner
Turning a log or cant for the next cut is easy. Just move the lever on the control box.

  1.   Claw turner (LT35HD, LT40HD & LT40 Super)
  2.   Bi-Directional chain turner (LT50, LT70 & LX450)
    • Moves twice as fast as claw turner
    • Moves in either direction

Hydraulic Log Side Supports
Raise and lower remotely through the control box.

  1. Side support (LT35HD, LT40HD & LT40 Super)
  2. Vertical side support (LT50, LT70 & LX450)
    • 15" high, massive 2" diameter
    • Hardened chrome for superior durability

Hydraulic Log Clamp
Special two-plane clamping system simplifies sawing of stressed logs. Cuts as close as 1" from the bed are possible. (LT35HD-LT70 & LX450)

Hydraulic Loading Arms
Logs can be loaded in seconds with the throw of a lever. Each arm features a self-leveling, heavy-duty cylinder. (Lift up to 4,400 lb logs.) (LT35HD-LT70 & LX450)

Hydraulic Roller Toeboards
Two extra-wide roller toeboards compensate for log taper and allow easy log positioning. (LT35HD-LT70 & LX450)

Wood-Mizer Sawmill Quick Selection Chart