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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 portable sawmill service prices and running 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 |