Getting started with your new portable bandsaw mill is always an enjoyable process, especially if you bought your sawmill from an industry leader at a justifiable price point. Is this your first portable bandsaw mill? If so, there are some important things you should take into account before you haul it off into the woods to mill that choice timber.

Portable bandsaw mills offer several remarkable advantages over their stationary counterparts. Chief among these, of course, is the ability to mill at the source, even if you need to cross rugged terrain to get there. Exciting as that may be, it pays to take care when relocating your portable bandsaw.

This article will cover four important points you should be aware of before transporting your portable bandsaw mill from one place to another. With this knowledge, you can safely move your sawmill and avoid complications.

Always Lock Your Sawmill Head to the Trailer

You can’t have your sawmill head flopping around during transport, so be sure it’s secure before you head out.

The accompanying trailer for each model is by far the best way to move any of the best-valued portable bandsaw sawmills on the market. Use the four locking pins and the lock-down brackets, then run the ratchet strap around your mill and trailer to keep the sawmill head in place.

You’ll need to lower the saw head to its lowest position before you start. As you finish, make sure you don’t leave any slack in the strap.

Ensure a Safe Work Area Before Setting Up

Before you start setting up bunks and leveling your track, it’s vital that you examine your intended work area and assess whether it’s a safe place to mill. That means checking for any utility lines and mechanical hazards as well as keeping your work area well-lit.

Whether you’re milling out behind your shop or deep within the woods on your forested acreage, keep an eye on your surroundings. Don’t let family members—including pets—get too close while you’re running the mill.

Consider Investing in a Trailer for Your Bandsaw Mill

Sure, you could lug your portable bandsaw mill around in your truck bed, but you’ll find it much more efficient—and much easier—to purchase a trailer designed for your particular model of sawmill.

It’s an additional expense; no getting around that fact. But the value is immediately evident. A trailer makes setup, transport, and storage incredibly easy. Plus, a trailer with rugged, multi-ply tires lets you tackle rugged terrain to reach prime timber that would be otherwise inaccessible. One of the best things about owning a sawmill bandsaw is milling at the source, and a trailer is exactly what you need to do just that.

Keep Your Maintenance Current

This point applies to your mill, your vehicle, and, if you’re using one, your trailer.

Of course, a vehicle malfunction or breakdown will immediately derail your milling plans, so if something about your rig is questionable, see about borrowing a friend’s vehicle. If you haven’t kept up with preventative maintenance on your mill, those issues will become evident when you pack it or set it up in the new location, which will also slow you down.

If you’re using an off-road trailer, you should check the tires before every trip to ensure they’re correctly inflated and in good condition. Grease your axle bearings regularly, usually every three months or 1,000 miles. Also, ensure your lights are working properly and that your wheel lug nuts are correctly torqued.

About Woodland Mills

All over the world, sawyers, landowners, and hobbyist woodworkers alike turn to Woodland Mills for the best-valued forestry products in the industry. From the flagship HM126 portable bandsaw mill to capable PTO wood chippers and the new Loglander log arches, Woodland Mills carefully designs practical solutions for a variety of applications. Whether you’re milling at the source with one of their portable bandsaw sawmills or turning troublesome brush into wood chip mulch with a 3 point wood chipper, you’ll be glad to have Woodland Mills in your corner. No matter which project you tackle next, you can always count on quality forestry equipment at an affordable price point and simply peerless customer service from the fine folks at Woodland Mills.

Discover the family of portable bandsaw sawmills from Woodland Mills at https://www.woodlandmills.com/

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