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Peterson Sawmill Running Costs

To give you an idea of the costs involved in running a Peterson sawmill, below are the general costs involved in an average day milling, both in NZ and US prices. These are the approximate running and service costs, based on working an 8-hour day, five days a week, on an 27hp Kohler-powered Winch Production Frame using an 8″ blade (tables updated 2020, excl. vehicle expenses, overheads and any loan interest).

New Zealand

Cost Daily
Running costs
Fuel usage 7.5 litres petrol p/hour NZ$2.30/l NZ$69.00
Blade teeth, retip per 50 cube NZ$65 NZ$5.20
Blade tension per 200 hours NZ$60 NZ$1.20
Springs, screws, rubber, oil etc per week NZ$10 NZ$2.50
V-Belts – one set per 100 cube NZ$60 NZ$2.40
Maintenance
Rollers – set per 600 hours NZ$128 NZ$0.85
Motor oil service/filters etc @ 100 hours NZ$140 NZ$5.60
Gearbox oil changes, repair kits per 100 hours NZ$160 NZ$6.40
Replacement
Gearbox replacement est. per 1,000 hours NZ$1,200 NZ$4.80
Misc handles, bolts, guards etc. per 400 hrs NZ$60 NZ$0.60
Motor est. per 4,000 hours (5-6 years) NZ$4,700 NZ$4.70
New blades est. 1 every 2 years NZ$440 NZ$1.38
TOTAL DAILY RUNNING COSTS NZ$104.63
DAILY INCOME: (based on average charge-out rate sawn timber: NZ$220/cube) NZ$880

United States

Cost Daily
Running costs
Fuel usage 2 gallons gasoline p/hr US$3.00/g US$24.00
Blade teeth, retip per 21,200bft US$45 US$3.60
Blade tension per 200 hours US$40 US$0.80
Springs, screws, rubber, oil etc per week US$10 US$2.50
V-Belts – one set per 42,400bft US$45 US$1.80
Maintenance
Rollers – set per 600 hours US$105 US$0.70
Motor oil service/filters etc @ 100 hours US$120 US$4.80
Gearbox oil changes, repair kits per 100 hours US$140 US$5.60
Replacement
Gearbox replacement est. per 1,000 hours US$950 US$3.80
Misc handles, bolts, guards etc. per 400 hrs US$50 US$0.50
Motor est. per 4,000 hours (5-6 years) US$4,000 US$4.00
New blades est. 1 every 2 years US$350 US$1.09
TOTAL DAILY RUNNING COSTS US$53.19
DAILY INCOME: (based on average charge-out rate sawn timber: US$0.25/bft) US$424
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Looking for our sawmill prices?

Peterson Portable Sawmills manufacture and export worldwide from our factory in Rotorua, New Zealand. Encountering fluctuating freight, raw materials, currencies and export costs, therefore we have tailored pricelists pertaining to each country.
We also have over 40 different mill configurations to suit all applications, so it often helps to call and speak to us about your particular needs.

If you would like to recieve a copy of our digital Info Pack and Price List, please click here.