The Ultimate Retrofit: Installing Computer Setworks on a Fully Hydraulic Mill
- info2102760
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Let’s face it: we’ve all been there. You’re standing at the mill, the sun is shining, the sawdust is flying, and you’re squinting at a magnetic ruler trying to figure out if you’re at 14 3/8" or 14 1/2".
Math is hard enough on a good day, let alone when you’re running a piece of heavy machinery.
Our friend Sandy from the Sawing with Sandy YouTube channel just solved this problem in the best way possible. He recently picked up his dream machine—the Clarke Portable Sawmill 350-38, a fully hydraulic sawmill built in Ontario, Canada. It’s powerful, it’s shiny, and it’s ready to eat logs for breakfast.
Serious Precision for a Serious Machine
Sure, you can use the magnetic scale and squint at the ruler all day, but when you're running a serious machine, you want serious precision and productivity. You want to push a button and know that the saw head is exactly where it needs to be every time.
That is why Sandy’s new mill came equipped with the Mikron computer setworks.
Now, Sandy didn't install this kit himself—he ordered his new Clarke sawmill directly from Melvin at Shamrock Welding and Repair with the system already installed (which you can do too!). But in his video, he describes exactly how everything is working so that anyone can upgrade their existing rig.
Why You Need This Upgrade
Adding computer setworks changes the sawing experience completely:
Increases Productivity: You cut more logs within the same amount of time. Instead of constantly looking at the scale for positioning, you can relax a little while the computer setworks positions the sawing head for you.
Increases Accuracy: No more "close enough" cuts.
Boosts Yield: Less waste in the slab pile means more lumber in the stack.
Makes Work Enjoyable: When you aren't doing mental math with every pass, sawing becomes a lot more fun.
Some people might hesitate, thinking that electronics on a sawmill are unreliable or require constant attention. We get it—sawmills are rough environments. And we in Mikron LT company know how to build electronics and automation for sawmills. We have been doing this for more than 15 years, and we have implemented lots of features that make our devices rugged and reliable to work in real sawmill conditions.
The "Impossible" Hydraulic Setup
A lot of folks assume computers only work on electric mills. Sandy's Clarke is a direct-action, fully hydraulic machine. So, how do you get a computer to control hydraulic fluid?
Melvin (the genius behind Clarke Sawmills) explained the secret, and it’s brilliant in its simplicity.
Keep the Levers: You keep your manual levers exactly as they are (so you always have a backup).
Tee It In: You simply "tee in" two standard electric hydraulic valves into the existing lines.
The "Slow" Valve: The system uses a specialized valve setup that moves the head fast for the big adjustments, then switches to a slow flow for the final 1/4 inch (you can adjust this 1/4 inch in settings).
The result? The head lands gently and precisely on the exact millimeter, every single time.
Universal Brain Power
The best part about this setup is that the Mikron computer setworks can be installed on any band sawmill. Whether you have a manual crank mill, an electric winch system, a DC or AC lifting motor or a hydraulic rig like Sandy’s.
If you want to stop guessing and start sawing with professional precision, check out Mikron computer setworks for your mill.
See It in Action
Want to see exactly how Melvin wired up the hydraulics? You can check the video yourself to see the full tour and explanation. (Do not forget to like and subscribe to Sandy's channel!)
The Schematics
Here is the diagram Melvin used to explain how the electric valves tee into the manual hydraulic lines:
Happy sawing!