TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Discussion Forum

Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Truck

11-04-2000 06:16:36

Report to Moderator

I have a front mount cordwood saw of unknown lineage that came with my Case VAC. It is belt driven, and has two real sharp blades that came with it, one real large one and one about two thirds the size.
I have a pile of 4 foot lengths of wood about 6 -8 inch diameter to saw up, and was considering setting the saw up to do the work instead of using the chain saw.
Anyone out there who has experienced one of these dangerous looking beasts want to give me some hints as to use? I do know one is not supposed to reach around or over the blade to move wood!
Thanks for any advise!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Garnet

11-21-2000 08:02:20

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

Well they may be dangerous by some standards but served well for many, many years BEFORE chainsaws. The sound is great compared to a chainsaw. The big drawback and reason they fell into disuse was and is manpower. You should have three men (or two men and a boy) for four foot wood and an extra man for 8 foot or longer wood. The boss is the sawyer. He operates the table and determines the cut length. One man (or the boy) throws away. He grasps the stick and follows through the cut pulling the piece away and throwing it to a pile when cut. The other man (and the sawyer) pick up the uncut stick and place it on the table. The one man tails the stick (supports it while cutting). This involves both holding the end up and following the table movement through the cut so the saw does not bind. Then he helps advance the stick for the next cut. It's simple and easily learned. I started "throwing away" at ten years of age. Run that old Case wide open when sawing. You need to keep that circular saw really turning. Ease off on the cut if the saw slows appreciably. I have a front mount (of unknown manufacture) that I have ran on my Farmall Super H once in a while for nostalgia. Problem is to get helpers. My brother and I sometimes use it to cut up slab wood behind a Portable Bandsaw Mill.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Thanks for a great post.. Truck.NT

11-22-2000 07:12:55

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Garnet, 11-21-2000 08:02:20

:-)

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

B.C.

11-06-2000 10:48:32

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

I've seen several styles of rear mounted circular saws that people used with Farmall A's or Fords. They were usually belt driven.

I've yet to see one that I'd risk my own well-being or anybody else's in bucking wood.

Most chain saws these days have chain brakes and vibration isolation. There are certainly lots of bloody chain saw stories but I would still take my chances that way than with a circular saw that had 10 times the horsepower and many times the inertia behind it.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

paul

11-06-2000 12:36:14

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to B.C., 11-06-2000 10:48:32

Don't want to argue with you, but:

The circle saw is stationary. Don't care how big it is or how much inertia it has - it's staying put.

That chainsaw can be moved, or move itself anywhere it wants a LOT faster than I can move! And I'm holding it - while walking, tripping over wood, etc.

I'd say those are about the 2 most dangerous items I use on a regular basis, but I don't want to rank one as more dangerous than the other. Chainsaws, being so light & portable, are very unpredictable. The buzz saw has it's area of extreme danger that doesn't change.

--->Paul

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

B.C.

11-06-2000 12:57:15

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to paul, 11-06-2000 12:36:14

When you're bucking wood with a chain saw that has a chain brake on it, should it kick back or if you stumble there is at least the chance that the brake flapper deal will set the brake and stop the chain before it gets to you.

If the chain saw has bucking spikes that will go a long way towards keeping it under control while bucking wood.

Safety chaps are a real good idea anytime you get out the chain saw.

Tell me how many companies would ask any employee to use something like one of those circular saws these days. How much is going to be left if an operator stumbles in front of that blade?

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Robert

11-06-2000 19:33:26

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to B.C., 11-06-2000 12:57:15

I have a saw mill. I saw all my slab wood and edgeing with a buzz saw!! I use to use a chain saw, what a pain in the a**! The buzz rig is faster, and has much less maintance and noise! YES, you have to be carefull, but the number one killer is a vechile! Do you drive????? ????? ????? ????? ? Robert

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

paul

11-05-2000 19:45:07

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

This might not be so obvious - make sure the blade is on good & tight, & that any locking device is locked right.

A neighbor had one where the threads on the shaft didn't go the right way. As it torqued, it loosened the big nut, the blade came off, buzzed through his leg and he bled to death.

Be kinda careful slowing the blade down too, if it's a bigg blade with a lot of flywheel power, so that nut doesn't loosen up on you.

--->Paul

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

john d

11-05-2000 16:50:54

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

You've gotten lots of good advice. Now scroll up a ways and read about the corn picker accident. Somewhat similar dangers here.....

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Salmoneye

11-05-2000 07:32:39

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

Good advice so far, and I have nothing specific to add, but I will say one thing that may be obvious, but I think is worth mentioning:

Rule #1 of cutting with any saw (be it a chainsaw, buzz saw or even a hand saw) is never cut when you are tired. If you start getting tired, quit or take a break at least.
Most accidents happen when people start getting tuckered out and careless...

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dick Davis

11-05-2000 04:02:21

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

You are smart to approach these things with caution and others have given you good advice especially the good footing and an adult helper. Other things to consider: no loose or baggy clothing, and don't over feed the saw. These saws worked best because of the momentum the heavy blade carried, so avoid lugging it down. Some of the hazards of the buzz saw can be diminished by the construction of safety shields. Even a heavy wire screen fashioned around the non cutting portion of the whirling blade offers some protection. The same material can screen the belt and both pulleys. When I was a kid a neighbor had one on the front of an Oliver that actually had a tilting feed table that the operator would place the wood in the v and then move the table into the blade with a relatively long handle so the fingers were never closer than a foot from the blade. Looked like a better deal than my Dad's. Be careful and good luck.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ray

11-04-2000 18:02:53

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

You can be assured that those saws are not very high on OSHA's list of safest macines! There are lots of old farmers with real short fingers due to them. They'll do the job all right, but use EXTREME CAUTION> they're maimers!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ray

11-04-2000 18:01:58

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

You can be assured that those saws are not very high on OSHA's list of safest macines! There are lots of ond farmers with real short fingers due to them. They'll do the job all right, but use EXTREME CAUTION> they're maimers!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bob

11-04-2000 08:23:04

Report to Moderator

Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Truck, 11-04-2000 06:16:36

Truck, I have used a free standing buzz saw which amounts to about the same thing. Don't set the belt too tight, you want something to be able to slip if for some reason the saw binds on a log. Always keep both hands on the same side of the blade and keep both feet well planted to avoid getting off balance while sawing. Take your time, this will still be faster and easier than a chain saw, but you can't beat having at least one careful helper. don't let the pile of cut-offs build up near the blade. Enjoy this old time method that is still efficient. Bob

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Rodger

11-05-2000 14:21:35

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Bob, 11-04-2000 08:23:04

I have a VA with the same set up and have had fun using it for the last 5 years.Keep it sharp;if it starts getting dull;dont just bring the revs up stop.At the right rpm the saw should "whistle".Work safe;Have fun

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dick Davis

11-06-2000 04:24:36

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Front mount cordwood saw.. Any use hints? in reply to Rodger, 11-05-2000 14:21:35

Roger, Thank You. I had forgotten that a buzz saw will in fact whistle.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy