Portable sawmill’s engine maintenance in homestead operations
Photo by Monongahela National Forest
A portable sawmill’s engine is a durable piece of machinery, yet as durable as it is, there are certain maintenance practices which can go a long way towards extending the life of the engine and providing its users with many years of satisfying and rewarding service.
Assuming that the manufacturer’s regularly scheduled maintenance is followed for your portable sawmill, here are a few essential tips which can help prolong the life of the engine and other sawmill parts.
Tip 1: Perform Routine Repairs, No Matter How Minor
The first tip may seem cumbersome at first, but it is good operating practice to keep a dedicated tool/supply kit with your portable sawmill at all times. While operating remotely, a minor malfunction could occur. The temptation may be great to continue operating or making an improvised repair which could directly or indirectly impact the engine. By staying properly equipped, operators stand a better chance of addressing minor repairs as needed, which can prevent major costly repairs to the engine.
Tip 2: Check the Oil Every Time
Check the oil before starting the engine. This acts as a cautionary safety measure which helps preserve the life of the engine. Many sawmills have a low oil shut-off switch, preventing the engine from being operated in low oil states. If your sawmill does not have this switch, make certain that you have enough oil to operate the sawmill for the intended duration and intensity of the job at hand.
Tip 3: Check Fuel Lines
Before starting the engine, make sure that the fuel lines are not loose and check them for cracks and leaks. If you find any, do not operate the sawmill. Remember also, to close the engine fuel valves whenever the sawmill is not in use.
Tip 4: Choose Quality Fuel
Use a decent quality, ethanol-free, fuel for your engine. Ethanol gasoline can be too rich and clog the carburetor, which can introduce problems that may lead to engine trouble. Also, ensure that there is an adequate fuel supply to prevent sawmill shut-down in the middle of tough jobs or cuts.
Tip 5: Check the Air Filter Every Time
Check the air filter before each use. Portable sawmills generally operate outdoors in environments filled with dirt, dust or sawdust. The debris can build up in the air filter’s housing chamber. Clean the filter by hand or by gently blowing the debris out using a compressed air hose. You may also install a clean filter and take the dirty one to be cleaned and brought back sanitized for replacement. Clean air filters prevent harmful deposits from getting into the engine. It’s a good idea to keep a clean air filter in your supply kit at all times.
Tip 6: Is the Machine Level?
An additional reminder before using the sawmill, make sure that it is level. Using a level, align it along the welded or adjustable back stops. Check the level’s reading and adjust accordingly, until the level reads precisely level and square. Doing so, ensures that the cuts or “cants” can be cut truly square.
Tip 7: Check Lubrication Points
For good overall track maintenance of your sawmill, you may want to adopt the habit of adding a little oil to each “grease zerk” before each use. The grease zerks are lubrication points fitted along the sawmill’s track, where oil is added to provide lubrication that allows smooth track operating conditions.
Tip 8: Consider Winter Operation Changes
Many operators come up with their own blade lubricant solutions, which may work for a time. However, it is not recommended to use diesel fuel or kerosene as a blade lubricant. Over time, these products increase belt wear and decrease sawing performance.
Use a mixture of windshield wiper fluid and water during winter operations for blade cutting. Do not leave or store blade lubrication in the tank, in temperatures near or below freezing – 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tip 9: Prevent Sawdust Buildup
Sawdust attracts moisture and contains potentially damaging tannins originating from the wood, so keep all areas clean where sawdust tends to accumulate on the sawmill.
Use a Teflon spray in areas requiring a cleaner, “less build-up” of lubrication, such as on the sawmill’s body surfaces and blade track.
Tip 10: Re-Tension the Blades
At the end of the day, you may wish to loosen the tension on the blades. This tension can leave an impression or indentation mark on the blade. However, if you make this adjustment, make sure that you remember to re-tension the blade at the next use.
Bonus
Make sure that the saw head lifting cables are in good condition. Inspect the cables frequently for excessive wear and kinks. The coiled part of the cable should be oiled frequently to prevent friction wear. If irregularities are observed, replace the cables immediately.
A few words from Kohler, a prominent portable sawmill engine manufacturer:
To reiterate how vital engine oil is to the life of a portable sawmill’s engine, Kohler notes that many sawmill operators in an attempt to cut costs by purchasing less expensive engine oils do more harm than good. This is not always a cost effective practice. Kohler suggests that sawmill operators strive to use a high quality engine oil with a Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate additive. Often referred to simply as ZDDP, this chemical compound of zinc and phosphorus is added to provide a highly effective protective barrier against metal-to-metal breakdown within the engine due to friction. It also controls corrosion and high internal engine temperatures. Zinc enhanced engine oils have been updated in recent years to provide increased protection of engines, while still preserving and not negatively affecting the qualities of other vital engine parts.
With time being one of our greatest commodities, you can make the best use of your maintenance time by performing regularly scheduled (or “as needed”) maintenance to your portable sawmill on a regular basis. The time that you take to spend on preventative maintenance, is likely the most cost effective investment that you can make towards the upkeep of your sawmill and its engine. Make sure that your time is not wasted by remembering to record all maintenance items in a maintenance log. A maintenance log builds a historical maintenance record, which may be referred to should any major maintenance issues arise. All upcoming maintenance items should be scheduled in either a calendar format or on a maintenance chart. As with most preventative maintenance items, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as your primary guide, adjusting as appropriate for your specific needs.
Mechanical failures are a fact of life. We can not predict when a mechanical failure will occur. Only time and the quality of preventative maintenance which we choose to provide, are two significant areas that we can control when it comes to prolonging the life of your portable sawmill’s engine. Wishing you many satisfying hours of trouble-free sawing!
Monica White is a freelance writer, member of the Georgia Air National Guard, and an avid runner and cyclist who loves the great outdoors and all things DIY. She divides her time between Tampa and her central Florida property, where she’s growing a self-sufficient homestead. Connect with Monica on her outdoor lifestyle blog, on Facebook, Twitter and
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