In the forestry industry, a hotsaw is any type of head that continually runs the blade when the equipment is in operation. The blade for these types of attachments is often known as a hotsaw disc, and there are several different styles, options and designs on the market.
The Demands on the Disc
The typical hotsaw disc operates in excess of 1000 rpm, which is an incredibly high speed. This combination of excessive speed and the use of specialized arms that both gather and hold the stems in place allowing for highly efficient cutting of stems of a wide range of different sizes with one pass.
There is another option to the hotsaw which is known as an intermittent saw. In this type of attachment, the blade can be retracted by the operator into the actual head, and it stops rotating while in the retracted position. Once the blade is extended, it begins to spin again, allowing for immediate cutting of the stems.
Different companies are now developing new types of hotsaw disc models to enhance performance, increase the life of the disc, holder and teeth, and to even operate in the roughest of terrain where impact is a very real consideration.
Durability
Replacing a hotsaw disc adds to the cost of any operation, and if there is the need to constantly replace the blades it is not just the cost, it is the loss of time in harvesting the timber that also needs to be considered.
For areas where there is a high risk of impact or where there are extreme working conditions, consider a high torque rating on a blade. This high rating ensures that the blade can stand up to the demands of the job without breaking, limiting downtime.
Additionally, some of the best hotsaw disc models now offer holders that can mount teeth from either side. This literally doubles the use of the holder and also helps to protect the blade.
Selecting the Right Teeth for the Job
In these high impact and challenging conditions, the use of carbide teeth is often recommended with any hotsaw disc. These teeth are highly resistant to damage, and if you select teeth from a specialized company, you can definitely save money over buying the manufacturer’s teeth.
To extend the life of the teeth when carbide teeth aren’t required, consider steel-heated hardened teeth. These will protect the hotsaw disc, maintain their cutting edge, and help to reduce the cost of replacing the discs due to harsh working environments.