Let me try this again!!! I've owned a 228 since May, 2007 and have been well pleased with it. I built a 6ft. track extension for it about a month after I got it. With 18 ft. of track, max length of log you can saw is 15 ft, 4 inches. Am currently making a 20 ft, one pc. track , with provisions to add current track.
Properly set up & leveled ,the 2 x 2 x 1/4 inch angle iron track is plenty sturdy. Set it up with " crossties" under each bunk for maximum support. Concrete foundation is best for this mill, unless you plan to mount it on a trailer for portability.
I've sawed thousands of BF of Yellow Poplar, ERC, Black Walnut, Red Oak, White Oak, and Pine with mine. Biggest I have sawed was a 28inch diameter x 15 ft, long White Oak for a hay truck floor .Cut it 6/4 thick & had no trouble at all . Could have used a bigger motor for that one, but with a new blade it cut quite well.
I use a forklift to load logs onto my mill & it works really well for the bigger logs. Turning the big ones is not an easy job with 2 cant hooks, but can be done. I use a leaf blower to keep the sawdust cleaned from under the tracks. My only problem is finding somewhere to store & dry the lumber I saw. Got to get a drying shed built.