Revolutionary Log Handling System Installed in Our New Woodland Mills Sawmill Shed!

Our journey in constructing the sawmill shed takes an exciting turn as we introduce a groundbreaking center trolley system. This innovation enables us to attach a hoist or electric winch directly above the sawmill bed, serving as a versatile log lift and log turner.
This will really help us when using our Woodland Mills HM 130 MAX sawmill. It will take much of the back-breaking work out of the operation.
#hm126 #hm122
Here are links to the stuff that i used:
2 Pcs 8 Wheel Trolley Assembly for Use with Electric Hoist Installation PA200-PA1000, Roller Trolley
amzn.to/3sBm7UV
TYPUZO Heavy-Duty strut Channel Trolley Track Hanger for 1-5/8“ Strut Channel
amzn.to/40HL4uu
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something through these links I may get a small share of the sale which helps us to keep making content.
This video does not serve as an instructional guide; it simply documents my personal project with the sawmill. The content is not professionally engineered. Please refrain from attempting similar projects without seeking professional design assistance.

[@timscartoys9321]

I plan on putting the same system up in my saw shed, so it's nice to see the little problems you are having to learn how to do or not do with Uni-Strut!! I can't wait to see what kind of capacities you find as to just how heavy of a log you can safely lift without damaging the track!! As well as you have it supported, I'm confident that it will safely pick up a pretty large log!!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

I am going to get a scale and do some testing. I think it will support a lot. I have already lifted an 8 foot log that is about 1,100 pounds with ease. I think that 2,000 lbs will work, maybe more.

[@uglyapple]

I look forward to seeing it in action

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

I will put up a video soon.

[@KuzweKanfarms]

This is such a great idea!!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions about the install!

[@ellayoung5293]

Here is my plan for similar system: use old pallet racking beams back to back to build long i-beam, then hang trolley on it. Pallet racking beams i have are 4 inch c-channel, so quite strong.

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

I originally thought about using a I or H steel beam and using a manufactureed trolley, but heavens that is a lot of $? Let us know how your set up works.

[@BigelowWoodcraft]

I just found your channel and subscribed. I'm really intrigued by this set up. I was thinking H beam but now i like this better if it's stout enough. I'm only thinking of using the hoist for rolling and turning logs. I like your entire set up. Jerry

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks for watching. I really think that this is a great way to maneuver logs, especially turning them on the bed. If i had a really heavy log i would be extra cautious, but still, I think that this is stout enough for pretty big logs. Thanks again!

[@larrypahl5756]

thanx

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

You're welcome!

[@GilbertGardens]

VERY COOL - New Sub. Love the channel !

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks for watching. The trolley deal was fun to set up. Had it in my mind for a while. Now happy its done!

[@GilbertGardens]

@@a_farm_west_of_boring onto the next !!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

YES!

[@johnwoody4905]

good video and job looks good what is the weight limit on the trolley? i like the way you made the hoist mounting. take care, be safe and well.

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

I'd have to look. There are 2 trolleys with 4 double wheel each. I am going to be testing them soon. I will see what the limit is.

[@danmooney7192]

Just out of curiosity, because I have no expertise in using uni-struts, do you have to use the mounting brackets or could you have bolted the uni-strut directly to the beam? I'm also just a little West of Boring, over in Clackamas!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

dan, Thanks for commenting. My original plan was to put the screws/bolts up through the slots in in the unistrut, but as shown in the video, when I did that, there was not enough head room for the trolley wheels. So I had to go to the hangers. That added to the cost, but there was no other way. In Clackamas? Do you have a mill? Where? We are actually just north of there in the "Valley".

[@steveauer413]

I never considered using stacked 2x10s to build the travel beam. Every lift apparatus i found online only had oversized trolleys with steel i beams. Way outta my price range. Great ingenuity, looks beefy enough to manuver any log fitting your max cut width,but im no engineer. Does Home depot have any specs available on working load limits for track and trolly? Im subscribed so well see how it evolves. Best wishes!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

The Amazon page for the trolleys say capacity is 2769 lbs. Not sure if this for each one or both together. amzn.to/3TfwyrX As far as the super strut not sure on that. At this point I have not seen any strain on the system. I plan on loading a large 25 foot Doug fir log onto the mill soon to make some 4x12 beams. That should put it to the test. We'll see. Thanks for watching!

[@user-vn6hi2bi3g]

It appears that the wooden beam that supports unistrut is attached to roof rafters only about 1" from bottom of rafters with out through bolting this means all weight is supported by only the wood below the screws and the splitting strenght of the rafter. If you can these straps would be strongest if they were longer and wraped around rafters and through bolted, if that is not possible I would install a metal u channel the size to slide over and deep enough to completly cover my rafter at least 12" long through bolted at top of rafter and then attach your beam hold down straps to u channel also through bolted, Other wise I do not believe that any loads greater than 200lbs would have much of a safety factor. Ray Stormont new sub.

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks for the heads up. In reality I used the hurricane ties as more to support the rafters than to hold the beam. The beam rests on a 6x8 cross beam at both ends of the shed. So that is the main support. If the Simpson screws show evidence of splitting the beam apart, I will rethink and probably use a threaded rod through the hanger and up to the top of the beam. Thank you for your great suggestions!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

I have a 600 # log on the mill now that I lifted completely off the bunks with little effort and no sign of deflection or other issue. I am going to get a scale and do some testing to see what my limit is.

[@user-vn6hi2bi3g]

Good idea you might even get a load cell and leave it permanently mounted and you will always know how much you are lifting might be kind of cool.@@a_farm_west_of_boring

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks!

[@robertvancina3934]

I would rather put I beam and suitable trolley - I am in crane industry all my life and this is not how you make lifting structure. Take the guessing game out of the formula, Build it with safety factor of at least double of your anticipated load, that is the rule in crane industry! Don't forget to load test it with proper load ( with safety margin) and load cell. Wishing you best of luck.

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. Valuable information! Of course I am not looking to create a catastrophe, so any heavy loading will be done with great care. My primary use for this now is to turn the log which does not involve loading the hoist with the full weight of the log. Having the chain hoist on the trolley allows me to easily move it out of the way by simply rolling it to the end of the track. Thanks again!

[@ellayoung5293]

For heavy logs, you may need 2000 lb to 4000 lb capacity, I would not trust those screws, unistruct track, and rollers for such load.

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Thanks for the heads up. I guess that I will find out. In the meantime I will not stand under a heavy log! Thanks for watching.