Diesel chainsaws?

boatman · January 17, 2011, 09:23:09 PM

I met a guy who had been in an Army transportation unit years ago and he said they had diesel chainsaws. Any one ever seen one of these?

Dave Shepard · January 17, 2011, 10:25:59 PM

I've heard of them. I think one brand might have been Raket. We have saw collectors here that I'm sure will know.

beenthere · January 17, 2011, 10:33:34 PM

Google to find some.
Here is a YouTube vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXR3ZOPlRys

Ianab · January 17, 2011, 11:21:29 PM

QuoteGoogle to find some.
Here is a YouTube vid

Bonus, it also kept mosquitoes away, and if you got lost, you could send up smoke signals :D

terrifictimbersllc · January 18, 2011, 06:02:53 AM

Good thinking to leave the garage door open.

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 06:49:08 AM

Interesting but evidently it wasn't a marketing success .

I once saw a chain trencher that had a 12 HP single cylinder diesel .The thing was rope started .Very unique starting system .The thing had a racheting exhaust valve that acted in a way as a decompression release .It took about 4 or 5 revolutions of the crankshaft to fully release the valve .As such the cylnder was warmed by compression and towards the last revolutions the flywheel had enough inertia built up to carry in through a full compression stroke .It did however require several attempts to get it started in colder weather . I don't think there's a man alive that could have pulled that thing over on full compression

I imagine that mosquito fogger saw was a joy to get running too .

boatman · January 18, 2011, 07:27:18 AM

The US Army only buys US made Equipment. I haven't found any info on US diesel saws.

clww · January 18, 2011, 07:34:12 AM

When I was in the Army, prior to my Navy career, we had stuff not made in the USA. Things manufactured by our 'allies'.

CX3 · January 18, 2011, 08:05:24 AM

Quote from: boatman on January 18, 2011, 07:27:18 AM
The US Army only buys US made Equipment. I haven't found any info on US diesel saws.

I can tell you right now that is not true

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 08:51:35 AM

:D---nor was it 40 years ago ---

HolmenTree · January 18, 2011, 10:35:28 AM

Quote from: Ianab on January 17, 2011, 11:21:29 PM
QuoteGoogle to find some.
Here is a YouTube vid

Bonus, it also kept mosquitoes away, and if you got lost, you could send up smoke signals :D

:D Ianab I quess you wouldn't get alot of cold weather in New Zealand where you can see your own breath let alone a chainsaw's exhaust. It looked mighty frosty out in that video. From my information the Comet could run on diesel fuel, kerosine or a gas/oil mixture.
The Comet was a real feat of engineering in 1949. Like the first McCulloch 3-25 in 1949 the Comet could run in any position, but was 6 lbs lighter then the McCulloch. 19 lbs with b/c was very light which made the Comet attractive. The inventor demonstrated by dunking the Comet in a barrel of water and then immediately started it, unthinkable for a gas saw with electric ignition.
The Comet later became Jonsereds' first chainsaw the XA Raket.
I have seen photos of Army green Comets that model being the 1954 Comet S.

Willard.

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 11:03:14 AM

Now arises a question only based on curiosity .One could assume that thing being a diesel that firstly it most likely was 4 cycle but evidently that is not the case .So one would next assume that perhaps the air could have entered the crankcase and compressed then injected fuel at the proper time period to proved a power stroke .Makes sense .Kind of a scavanging 2 cycle much like a GM but lacking a blower .Of course the crankcase would provide a small amount of boost but not much .

The question now remains ,how was the engne lubricated ? It might be possible that number 2 diesel could get the job done ,kerosine less likely .Gas and oil yes .How then did it get in the crankcase unless with some form of carboration ? Obviously I've missed something . ???

HolmenTree · January 18, 2011, 11:15:13 AM

The Norwegian and then later the Swedish Comet was a 2 cycle diesel fed by a fuel injector. What lubricates it is beyond me, like the gas the diesel fuel probably had oil added also.

Willard

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 11:25:30 AM

Well yes but it still had to get in the crankcase . I suppose it could have a misting type contraption though that could have squirted a little within on the intake .That's doable .In fact it could have worked much akin to an oil pump .Ah speculation ,ain't it wonderfull . :D

boatman · January 18, 2011, 12:15:21 PM

So... no US built diesel chainsaws?

weimedog · January 18, 2011, 12:25:56 PM

Quote from: clww on January 18, 2011, 07:34:12 AM
When I was in the Army, prior to my Navy career, we had stuff not made in the USA. Things manufactured by our 'allies'.

That has to be an interesting story..Army then a second stint in the Navy!

Are 9mm Beretta's made in the USA?

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 12:45:15 PM

Oh shucks even in 1969 a portion of the gear on that fast attack sub I was on was not made stateside . I can well imagine what it might be now .

weimedog · January 18, 2011, 12:56:59 PM

Quote from: Al_Smith on January 18, 2011, 12:45:15 PM
Oh shucks even in 1969 a portion of the gear on that fast attack sub I was on was not made stateside . I can well imagine what it might be now .

Bet u have some stories! Don't think chainsaws with long bars and submarines go together well.

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 01:21:04 PM

:D I'm sure not .

However concerning chainsaw for the US military or in fact much of the gear it would be very surprising how much is even made totally on these shores . Gov contractors seem to handle the truth very carelessly regarding that subject . Because of the politics involved a paper trail would be impossible to follow too . :(

beenthere · January 18, 2011, 03:49:36 PM

Quote from: boatman on January 18, 2011, 12:15:21 PM
So... no US built diesel chainsaws?

Why? Do you know otherwise or ??

;D

I wouldn't be surprised that the military would be interested in a diesel chainsaw to avoid having gasoline in the field. Wouldn't surprise me that they tested a variety of such saws over the years.
And wouldn't surprise me that they don't have them being used now with very few people knowing it.
It is an interesting concept, but the one in the video doesn't look like it would be much help to the military unless it was to go in under cover of a smoke screen.

Reddog · January 18, 2011, 04:04:36 PM

I question what they would even have chainsaws for, most of that type of work is farmed out to contractors.

Detcord is much fast for cutting a piece in two in a combat zone.

Al_Smith · January 18, 2011, 04:45:30 PM

On this subject of military applications of diesel engines I do know that recently the military had a small off road motorcycle .Not teeny weeny like a moped but more llke a 500c single .

My friend who owns several Harley road bikes had one at one time and it's now at Jims Harley in Mendon Ohio in Jims museum .If I'm not mistaken that thing could run on just about anything from av gas to peanut oil .

It's doubtfull though the military would own any diesel powered chainsaws .I suppose those who might know would be in the sea bees or the army engineers . Were I to guess it would likely be Stihl though, gasoline .Olive drab?????

Postscrib : I was mistaken about av gas ,it was aviation kerosine like jp 4 .The original was a Harley model HLK .The newer version are made now by a seperate division of HD .

boatman · January 18, 2011, 08:49:48 PM

I shouldn't have said "only buys US made stuff". I am working with with a government agency now that says they don't buy foreign made equipment unless there is no comparable US made product.

I was just hoping there were some old '50-'60's diesel chainsaws laying around to play with.