Wood-Mizer is the world’s leader in producing quality wood sawmills. The company started its operations in 1982 and has never looked back. Today, they are known for producing quality wood sawmills to meet the needs of hobbyists and professionals. The Wood-Mizer LT40 is a popular woodcutting tool used by many businesses. This article reviews the features of different variants and weighs their pros and cons against each other.
Wood-Mizer LT40 Stationary and Manual Sawmill
The Wood-Mizer LT40 series is the people’s choice for many woodcutting businesses worldwide. It comes in three powering configurations to meet your business needs and affordability. You can check out the Wood-Mizer LT40 price on their official website. This version comes with a clamp, toeboard and manual side supports. Besides, you will also get a winch turner and a loading arm for manual-hydraulic conversion. However, both of them are totally optional. The operation is simple. All you need to do is to select the board thickness. It will position the head height automatically. You can get the Wood-Mizer LT40 series in diesel, petrol and electric options.
Features and Specs
- Maximum cutting thickness is 90 cm in diameter
- The length of a log can be between 5 m to 8.6 m
- Power usage of 40A
- Automatic lubrication system available
Pros and Cons
Here are some pros of this variant:
- Simple levelling of the track of the sawmill because of manual controls
- Suitable for large volumes of production
On the other hand, the cons are:
- Extra equipment can make it challenging to manage
- Required extra effort and care by the worker
- Lacks the innovative technology of Wood-Mizer used in portable sawmills
Wood-Mizer LT40 Hydraulic Portable Sawmill
Wood-Mizer LT40 Hydraulic Sawmill is a perfect choice if you want to move the tool around. It is a portable option with electric brakes, powered head controls and complete hydraulic log handling. The LT40 Hydraulic Sawmill price starts at $34,895. You can also ask for the quotation on the official website if you are looking for a Wood-Mizer LT40 for sale. Because of the monorail cantilever design, the hydraulic LT40 sawmill ensures a balance of speed and accuracy. It’s easier to use and comes fully assembled. Not only that, you can get one-on-one sawmill training from the company.
Features and Specs
- Maximum cutting thickness of 36 inches in diameter
- The log weight allowed is 4,400 lb
- Blade length is 158 inches
- Available in 26.5 HP and 38 HP gas, and 35 HP diesel power selections
- 2 manual and 2 hydraulic side supports are available
- SimpleSet Setworks allow for two pre-set blade heights for easier operations.
- Automatic lubrication system available
- Attachments and replacements available to upgrade sawmill
- Production capability of 550 bf/hr
Pros and Cons
The pros of having a Wood-Mizer LT40 hydraulic sawmill are:
- Hydraulic systems take care of most of your work
- Powerful engine and high productivity due to petrol and gas powering options
- Highly portable
- Precise cuts due to the monorail cantilever system
However, you may face the following cons:
- Lacks the sturdiness of stationery sawmills
- Low production capabilities as compared to other hydraulic sawmills
Wood-Mizer LT40 Super Hydraulic Portable Sawmill
If you are looking for more power and productivity, then a super hydraulic sawmill is your best bet. Such a sawmill can easily reach productivity levels of 675 bf/hr. The super hydraulic Wood-Mizer LT40 is available for sale, starting at $43,895. What makes this sawmill unique is the Accuset 2 Setworks. Thus, you can switch between electric, gas and diesel power options. Also, the patented monorail design ensures it can work on uneven surfaces.
Features and Specs
- Super hydraulic sawmill with a productivity of 675 bf/hr
- 4 hydraulic side supports for enhanced automation
- Maximum cutting thickness of 36 inches in diameter
- 4,400 lb is the maximum weight it can handle
- Blade length is 158 inches
- 38 HP gas, 35 HP diesel and 25HP electric power options available
- Automatic lubrication system for easier cutting
- Attachments and extensions available
Pros and Cons
Some pros of the super hydraulic Wood-Mizer LT40 are:
- Minimum human effort is required due to all four hydraulic side support
- Higher productivity of 675 bf/hr
- Powered by petrol, diesel or electric source
- Portable and accurate
Meanwhile, you should also consider the following downside:
- Needs to be near the three-phase electric power source if running on electricity
Comparison of Different Variants of Wood-Mizer LT40 Sawmills
Now you know about the features and specs of different versions of the machine, let’s compare them side by side.
| LT40 Manual | LT40 Hydraulic | LT40 Super Hydraulic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content | Manual | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Power Options | Petrol and Diesel | Petrol and Diesel | Electric, Petrol and Diesel |
| Portability | No | Yes | Yes |
| Side Supports | Manual | 2 Manual and 2 Hydraulic | All Hydraulic |
| Maximum Cutting Thickness | 36 inches | 36 inches | |
| Productivity | Low (<550 bf/hr) | Medium (<550 bf/hr) | High (675 bf/hr) |
The manual Wood-Mizer LT40 model is best for people who use it occasionally and do not want to move the tool often. It runs on petrol or diesel and can cut logs as thick as 36 inches in diameter. Whereas the Wood-Mizer LT40 hydraulic model is built on a patented cantilever design. It offers the same cutting prowess, but the tool is portable. Furthermore, it has two hydraulic side supports for convenience.
Similarly, the LT40 Super Hydraulic model has the same patented design but has higher productivity. You can power it by connecting to a three-phase electric source, petrol or diesel. The super hydraulic sawmill is perfect for professionals that need high production capacity and ease of operations.
End Note
Choosing the best type of wood sawmill can be a daunting task. Luckily, Wood-Mizer has both stationary and portable sawmills with manual and hydraulic systems to suit your needs. This Wood-Mizer LT40 review discusses three variants, their features, advantages and disadvantages. A comparison table is also included to help you find the best match for your needs.