The right sawmill comes down to three questions: how big are your logs, how long do your boards need to be, and how often will you mill? Here is how the MechMaxx portable sawmill lineup at FullForce Equipment breaks down.
Video: the MechMaxx SM-32 32 inch sawmill with 20 ft track in use (MechMaxx).
1. Start with log size
A mill's rating is the widest log it takes. Measure the biggest logs you plan to cut and buy at least that size.
- 18 inch — first mill, smaller logs: SM-18 (from $1,699). 15 inch board width, 10 ft track.
- 22 inch — most woodlot logs: SM-22 DUCAR 7 HP (from $1,799), SM-22 8.1 HP (from $1,999), SM-22 Kohler 9.5 HP (from $2,299). 18 inch board width, 13 ft track.
- 26 inch — mature hardwood logs: SM-26 13 ft track (from $2,299), SM-26 20 ft track (from $2,599), SM-26 Kohler 20 ft track (from $2,799). 20 inch board width.
- 32 inch — slabs and live-edge tables: SM-32 13 ft track (from $2,599), SM-32 20 ft track (from $2,899), SM-32 Kohler 13 ft (from $2,899), SM-32 Kohler 20 ft (from $3,399), SM-32 Honda GX390 20 ft (from $3,799). 26.5 inch board width.
- 36 inch — the biggest logs: SM-36MAX 25 HP V-twin (from $3,899) and SM-36HMAX Honda GX690 (from $5,199). 36 inch board width.
2. Track length (how long your boards can be)
- 10 ft on the SM-18 and 13 ft on the SM-22, SM-26 and SM-32 base models. Both can be extended.
- 20 ft on the long-track SM-26, SM-32 and SM-36 models, so you can mill a full 16 ft beam in one pass instead of moving the log.
3. Engine
- The SM-26 and SM-32 mills have electric start.
- If you will mill every weekend or sell lumber, pick a Kohler or Honda engine. They are built for long hours.
- The 36 inch mills run V-twin engines (25 HP Zonsen or 22 HP Honda GX690) to power through wide hardwood.
4. Bandsaw blades
These are band sawmills. The thin blade takes less wood with every cut than a chainsaw mill, so you get more boards from each log. Blades dull with use, so spares matter: the 20 ft track SM-26 and SM-32 models come with 5 blades, and the SM-36 mills come with 10.
Quick picks
- First sawmill: SM-22
- Hardwood logs, long boards: SM-26 Kohler 20 ft
- Slabs and live-edge work: SM-32 20 ft
- Selling lumber: SM-32 Honda GX390 or SM-36HMAX
Not sure which one fits your job? Chat with us on the site or call (888) 990-8016.