Predator Eats Through Logs In A Second

Predator Eats Through Logs In A Second WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous Powered by a Buick V-8 engine the giant Predator chainsaw once cut through a 30-in log in 088 seconds So far that’s a record says Robert Andrews owner and builder of the 509-lb 300-plus hp 200-mph cutting monster The Enumclaw Wash resident built the saw after his wife asked him why he didn’t have an engine-powered saw to use at lumberjack competitions “About $20 000 later she wondered why she said it ” Andrews laughs Employed as a machinist Andrews was up to the task He chose a 1963 Buick V-8 215 cubic inch engine because it was the lightest weight V-8 “It was a short block all in pieces It all had to be machined so I custom-built it like a full-blown race engine ” The driving mechanism is a jackshaft off a tractor Pulleys from a dragster’s super charger drive the chain He purchased the biggest chainsaw chain he could – an Oregon 11H Harvester chain used in mechanized logging – and custom-built the 4-ft bar Running at 8 000 to 9 000 rpm’s the biggest concern is breaking a chain during a cut “When they break they act like a bullwhip ” Andrews says “At a Canadian competition a 12-in piece of chain flew 1 1/2 miles ” Fascination with the Predator led to a four-page spread in Hot Rod magazine As far as Andrews knows it’s the only time a chainsaw has ever been featured in the magazine At 48 Andrews admits the saw seems to be getting heavier but he has four or five lift partners to take turns with him at shows And he has a plan for the future “I’m going to keep it forever and get young strong kids to run it ” he laughs Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Robert Andrews P O Box 648 Enumclaw Wash 98022 ph 360 333-3539; predatorhotsaw@hotmail com

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