Walk behind concrete saws, flat saws, and road saws are heavy duty equipment used every day to cut through concrete, brick, asphalt, slab and other materials. Used both in commercial and private projects, walk behind concrete saws are used for short run cutting jobs like trenching, utility installation, and patch repair. There are many factors to consider before purchasing a walk behind concrete saw such as depth of the cut, water sources, general safety, and actual the engine used.
Depth of the cut is one of the most important factors to know before choosing the right saw. Different projects will require a different level of cut and therefore more than one blade may need to be purchased in order to ensure a completed job on time. Blade sizes can range from 8 inches up to 30 inches on most walk behind saws, so picking a saw that can actually use the correct blade size for the job is important. The Tomahawk PMF18 and MFS14 can connect to any blade 12’’-18’’, allowing for the Tomahawk Saws to carry out a wide range of jobs. The best way to cut a deep depth in concrete is called step cutting. Step cutting puts less strain on the blade and machine by having the user go over the same cut at a smaller depth several times until the depth of the cut is reached to minimize wear and tear on the blade.
Before choosing a concrete saw, always check whether the saw is a dry or wet cutting saw. Dry cutting saws use carbide or diamond tipped blades to cut through material without creating a dangerous level of dust in the air. Wet cutting requires a constant flow of water onto the blade in order to safely reduce dust and provide a clean and precise cut. If you are dealing with a wet cut saw, make sure that there is a source of water to use or that the saw carries its own water source. Tomahawk Saws come standard with an overhead water tank, getting rid of the need for a hose connection wherever you cut. Furthermore, all Tomahawk Saws come with a hose connection adapter so you can choose whether you want to use a gravity driven water tank or hose for your concrete saw water source. This makes the Tomahawk Saws the most versatile in the industry.
Safety is one of the most important factors when choosing a walk behind saw. Before starting the saw, raise the blade above ground level to make sure it is not touching the ground. This is to allow the blade to start up smoothly without interference. The Tomahawk PMF14 concrete saw has a lower blade system unlike other brands where it does not affect the torque of the engine. So instead of tilting the engine and blade at the same time, the PMF14 allows for simply lowering the blade and keep engine torque at the optimum level. If you are wet cutting, check to make sure you have a proper water source, whether that is a hose or water tank. Always make sure that the blade is properly attached and the guard is firmly placed over the top of the blade. Remember to always check the blades before a project, never use a dull blade. The down cut force of the saw pushes it forward, allowing minimal force to be used, it is recommended to not force any cut but rather let the machine work. Make sure the job site is clear and the person using the machine is confident and capable before operating the walk behind saw.
Lastly, remember to always check the make and engine of the walk behind saw before purchasing one. The most reliable engines offered on the market are made by Honda. All Tomahawk saws are powered by Honda. Honda engines are the industry standard and are backed by a 3 year warranty with 1000’s of service centers nationwide.
