There are a number of manufacturers of portable sawmills. Anyone in the market looking to purchase a mill has a number of suppliers to choose from, and most suppliers offer several models.

            In the accompanying tables, we provide information about our advertisers and their portable sawmills.

            There are a lot of mills to choose from. They range from small, simple models for a hobbyist to heavy-duty, industrial mills for high-speed, high-volume professional lumber production.

            There are mills that run circular saw blades or utilize a chainsaw, but most portable sawmills on the market run thin-kerf bandsaw blades.

            Some sawmills are set up to operate essentially at ground level; they feature a bed or frame that sits directly on the ground or is blocked so it is set up level. Other sawmills are elevated; they feature a structural frame well up off the ground, and the log is positioned on the frame.

            For sawmills that operate at ground level, the operator can roll the log onto the bed or frame with a peavey or similar tool; some manufacturers supply ramps and-or a winch to make the process easier.

            Mills that are elevated require some means to load a log onto the mill. Some manufacturers offer a hydraulic log lift that can pick up the log and load it into place. Other manufacturers may offer a log deck that can feed logs onto the mill, but logs still must be loaded onto the deck with a knuckleboom loader, skidsteer with fork tines or other equipment.

            One advantage of a mill that is set up at ground level is that manufacturers offer additional bed sections or extensions to accommodate virtually any log length.

            As many manufacturers as there are, there are also many choices for engines to power a mill. Many manufacturers offer a standard power plant but also offer several other optional engines. They range from a Kohler 6 hp gasoline engine to a John Deere 115 hp diesel and three-phase electric; other engine manufacturers include Briggs & Stratton, Caterpillar, Honda, Kubota, Perkins, Yanmar and others.

            A manually-operated mill requires the operator to push the sawhead through the cut; a sawmill with power feed automatically advances the sawhead through the cut.

            The more automated the mill, the more automated standard or optional features, such as setworks, board return and other hydraulic-powered features.

            Trailer packages also are widely available as standard or optional equipment so the sawmill can be towed, although some sawmills break down so that components can be put in the bed of a pick-up truck.

            Most manufacturers offer services to customize a mill, enabling you to purchase a mill that closely matches your specifications or requirements.

            Depending on the sawmill manufacturer, they also can supply ancillary equipment and related machinery and equipment, such as conveyors, edgers, blades, sharpeners and more.

            Manufacturers maintain Web sites with product information, and they offer demonstration videos that show their sawmills in actual operation. Trade shows offer an opportunity to see and compare sawmills, and manufacturers frequently demonstrate their sawmills at trade shows.