Dragsaw
Adragsawordrag sawis a largereciprocating sawusing a long steelcrosscut sawto buck logs to length. Prior to the popularization of thechainsawduringWorld War II,the dragsaw was a popular means of taking the hard work out of cutting wood. They would only work for a log on the ground.[1]Dragsaws are known as the first mechanical saws to be used in thetimber industryoperation. These tools were most useful in the logging business, because they were efficient and very resilient. Not to be confused with asteam donkey.
History
[edit]Early dragsaws of the modern era were powered by levers or foot pedals,[2]steamand latergasoline-powered.The post-modern steam-powered dragsaw was most commonly used in logging industry rather than merely clearing land due to its versatility. Many of the basic design principles from early dragsaws still apply to current products in the industry today. The inventor Robert G. Moores hypothesized that early non-mechanical versions of dragsaws may have been used to cut stone inthe Fourth Dynasty, Egypt,with copper saws suspended from ropes and advancing into the stone blocks by gravity.[3]
Types
[edit]Human-powered
[edit]The human-powered dragsaw was a much more commonly used dragsaw among the general population due to their relatively low cost compared with their higher efficiency. Dragsaws powered by humans would often stem from a lever the person would use to manipulate the saw blade in a much easier manner. Other common formats included foot pedals ortreadles.[4]These allowed for greater maneuverability when clearing a tree.
Engine-powered
[edit]Gasoline orkerosenepowered drag saws were popular between the 1910s-1940s when chain saws became preferable.[5]They usually did 90 strokes of the saw per minute.[6]Most of all gasoline-engine-powered dragsaws were made inPortland, Oregon, United States.Steam-powered dragsaws utilized a piston hooked directly to the saw blade. The boiler was separate for easier portability. "They were very reliable and very rugged and were significantly more efficient than cutting (bucking) by hand." Some engine-powered dragsaws used a separate engine and were geared to a pulley.
Manufacturers:
- Ottawa
Among the first engine-powered drag saw companies. Saws used a four-cyclehit 'n missengine usually equipped with an angled water-hopper. Direct gear drive.
- Wolf Iron Works[7]
Small machine shop that made saws under their own Timber Wolf name as well as Ward Sawer forMontgomery Wards.[8]Saws were two-cycle, chain driven and had a round gas tank that contained the radiator. The factory today resides atPowerland Heritage Park.
- Vaughn
Vaughn made steam-powered drag saws. They also made drag saws of similar design to Timber Wolf between 1909-1948. After drag saws lost popularity, Vaughn made tracked tractors.[9]
- Multnomah
Named for the countyPortland, Oregonis in.
- Wee McGregor
- R.M. Wade.[10]
Preservation
[edit]Engine enthusiasts and vintage logging machinery collectors have restored many examples of engine powered dragsaws. Restored saws can be seen at somesteam fairs.
References
[edit]- ^"How to Properly Operate a Drag Saw - Tools - Gas Engine Magazine".
- ^"Human Powered Drag Saws".americanartifacts.Retrieved2018-11-27.
- ^Moores, Robert G. Jr. (1991), "Evidence for Use of a Stone-Cutting Drag Saw by the Fourth Dynasty Egyptians",Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt,28:139–48 (148),doi:10.2307/40000576,JSTOR40000576
- ^"Human Powered Drag Saws".americanartifacts.Retrieved2018-11-27.
- ^"Dragsaws - the forerunner to chainsaws in redwood logging".
- ^"Hercules engines on Log Saws - Drag Saws".Archived fromthe originalon 2001-03-04.
- ^"Wolf Iron Works".
- ^"Remembering Wolf Iron Works".
- ^"Vaughan".
- ^"R.M. Wade & Company - 150th Anniversary".rmwade150.Retrieved2018-11-27.
External links
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| Tree planting, afforestation |
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| Mensuration | ||
| Fire suppression | ||
| Axes | ||
| Saws | ||
| Logging | ||
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