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The Peterson Automated Swingblade Mill (ASM) has revolutionised the portable sawmill market, delivering increased and consistent commercial sawmill production with little effort. The ASM makes horizontal and vertical cuts, changes the size or depth of the cut, and removes the previously cut board, all at the touch of a button by the operator. Designed with high production in mind, this commercial sawmill maintains fast and consistent production throughout the entire day.
The ASM is operated with an automatic board remover which returns boards to either end of the mill. This is ideal for single person milling as it allows high production. The board remover also acts as a great stabilizer, which means it increases the rigidity and stability of the blade, making for a smoother cut with less deviation.
Hi/Lo Track System
Petersons Hi/Lo track set up comes standard on the ASM model. The Hi/Lo tracks allow the operator to either load logs over the track on the low side, or roll logs under the high track, giving the utmost in versatility for mobile or fixed site applications.
Electric Winch
Standard with the ASM model, the electric winch allows touch button control of the track height. Not only does it make for faster resetting, but sizing is more accurate due to raising and lowering the tracks at the same time.
Single Point Sizing
On all ASM and WPF and JP frames, the system allows the operator to lower all four corners of the mill equally from one position meaning more accurate boards. The automated single point winch system, may be upgraded to electric on the WPF.
Cyclonic Air Filter
These state-of-the-art filters separate clean air from debris and liquids by the design and rotation of the air intake. Petersons have many unskilled operators in remote areas that often forget to clean/change their air filters regularly, but their Kohler or Vanguard Briggs & Stratton motors with cyclonic filters just keep going anyway! Heavy duty cyclonic filters can give up to three times the life of standard duty air filters.
Rigid Track System – Unlimited Extensions Available
The Peterson JP, WPF, ASM and DWS have all been designed with a track system which allows for unlimited track extensions (extensions available as optional extras). Perfect for when Jeff Sincell milled a 40′ log on his WPF.
Durable, Low Maintenance Blades
Peterson blades last for 2-6 years with normal use and maintenance. However, some swing blade sawmill owners have been using the same blades for over 10 years! To decrease downtime, the Peterson blade can be sharpened while it is still on the mill; in less than 10 minutes, and without having to remove any guards. For your convenience the sharpener is pre-set to fit your blade size which makes for much more productive sawmilling.
Cut Wide Boards with Ease
A unique feature of all Peterson Portable Sawmills, is the ease of double cutting timber slabs by a single operator. A double cut is the joining of two horizontal cuts together to obtain a wider board or slab using both sides of the blade, doubling your maximum width cut with ease!
Positive Lock for Left/Right Sizing
Peterson’s left/right sizing system is run by chain and sprocket, with a turning handle and lock. So that means it will only move when you unlock it, and you can position the sizing very accurately to within 1mm. No slippage, and top accuracy for every board.
Power Options
Petersons are proud to offer 25-37hp gasoline options, and a 3-phase 15kw electric motor. More horse power makes it easier on the engine when you’re cutting hard wood, and also allows you to cut through a log more quickly. When you speak with our sales team, make sure you ask about these high end motor options for a more powerful portable sawmill.
Quality and Warranty
We manufacture the Peterson Portable Sawmill range using quality materials such as hand polished stainless steel and aluminum that make them virtually rust free. This also means the mills are robust in performance, and most importantly – have long-term durability in even the harshest conditions. Because we have faith in our manufacture, and we want you to as well, we offer a 2-year frame warranty on stainless and alloy frames manufactured by Peterson.
Elevated Engine Position
Petersons mount their sawmill engines higher than other manufacturers for two reasons: firstly, to ensure the air filter intake is further away from the sawdust output. This prevents sawdust build up and overheating of the motor. And secondly, to allow the ability of double-cutting to full depth, without the motor and gearbox restricting the opposite side of the blade.
| Blade Size (Radius) | 10″ |
|---|---|
Blade Quantity | 2 |
Motor Options | Honda 25hp |
Kohler 27hp | |
Vanguard 35hp | |
Vanguard 37hp | |
Electric 3 Phase Brushless 15kw | |
Maximum Standard Cut | 10″ x 10″ (254mm x 254mm) |
Maximum Double Cut | 9.5″ x 20″ (241mm x 508mm) |
Log diameter (Standard)* | 5′ (1.5m) |
Log length (Standard)* | 20′ (6m) |
Supplied Track Length | 18' + 9′ (5.7m + 2.85m) |
Maximum Track Length | Must be upgraded at time of purchase |
Hi/Lo Tracks | Standard |
Electric Winch | Standard |
Planer Blade | Optional |
Sander Disk Kit | Optional |
Clip on-slabber | Optional |
Tapered Board Attachment | Optional |
Tachometer | Optional |
Microkerf Blade Kit | Optional |
Giant Frame Upgrade | Optional |
Weight | 772lbs (350kg approx.) |
Materials | Aluminium & Stainless Steel |
Average production** | 2,500-4,200bft per day (6-10m3 per day) |
Petersons have a range of portable sawmill accessories that are available for purchase at any time (model dependent). Our range of accessories have been designed to help increase production and add value to the lumber that comes off your mill.
Clip On Slabber Chainsaw Mill
The ultimate in portable sawmill accessories. Petersons’ Clip On Slabber chainsaw mill is a popular accessory for millers who want dimensional lumber AND a slab or two from the same log. When milling down to a suitable slab, simply swap the swing blade for the Clip On Slabber to get your slab then swap back and finish milling dimensional lumber!
Micro-Kerf Blade
With the development of the MicroKerf blade, Petersons are now able to offer a thinner kerf blade that still has all the benefits of circular saw technology. This ultra thin blade can reduce the kerf to a tiny 4mm, and is the first of its kind in the portable sawmilling market. It minimizes the wastage of valuable wood and maximizes the amount of quality, useable timber produced from each log.
Planer Blade and Sanding Disc Kit
A Peterson Wood Planer Blade is an integral tool for dressing wide beams and slabs cut with your ASM and/or Clip On Slabber. The Wood Planer Blade is mounted in place of your standard mill blade to skim over the surface of your timber for planed results. Purchase with the Peterson sander disc for a complete finish to bring your timber to the finish you desire, saving hours of hand sanding or extra machinery.
Setting up the ASM can be done in four simple steps. With two people this takes between 30-60 minutes. Breakdown can take less than 30 minutes. Click here to see how easy it is to load the mill on to the back of your ute/pick-up truck.
1. Set up your skids and uprights at each end of the log, relative to the length of track.
2. Place the Lo track and then the Hi track onto the skids/uprights.
3. Install the Center supports/track levelers, electrical control box and cable link. Ensure the tracks are parallel.
4. Wheel in the carriage and place onto the tracks. Remove the jockey wheels. The sawing process can now begin.
Click the ‘Playlist’ link 
in the top right corner to select a ASM video:
Like so many millers, Earl loves working with wood and is fascinated by its amazing colors and grains. He loves operating his Peterson sawmill, as do his son and grandson. They all received personal sawmill training from Peterson back in 2017, when Earl purchased his ASM.
Will Koski reached retirement age several years ago, however he is not showing any signs of slowing down. Will grew up in a region surrounded by Redwoods and spent his working life as a bushman. His extended family has been sawmilling, logging and doing construction work for a long time.
“There was just something awkward about the other mills, there was a lot of goofing around and stuff that was not cutting time. The Peterson is similar, but it’s much better.” Glenn needs to cut large beams, so he loved the ability to double cut without having to turn the mill around.
Petersons 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 options 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.
