My Tractor Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Rescued an Old Ottawa Buzz Master Buzz Saw

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 43 Posts

tracktortag

· Super Moderator
Joined
·
15,698 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
While I have known that this beast has been sitting outside at my neighbor's longer than the 30 years he's lived there, I decided that I needed to rescue it since he has sold the house. I didn't want to see it sit for another 25 years, or worse, see it hauled away for scrap. So today, with the help of my Gravelys, and little Warn winch, I moved it from his back yard, down, and back up a gully, and finally to my driveway. It was a little involved. I had to remove an 8 ft. section of his fence. The first pull was from 80ft. away, across the gulley, and into the neighbor's yard. Then there was some repositioning of the Gravely so that I could change winching angles as needed in order to get it through the gulley, and up to where I could tow it. It lost it's rotted tires along the way, but it's wheels still turn!

I had no idea of what it might be until I got it home. It turned out to be an old Ottawa Buzz Master buzz saw, and it is beastly looking! It is also self propelled, and even has 2 speeds, low, and high. Pretty neat for a buzz saw. It has a Wisconsin AEH engine, but I couldn't find anything about a HP rating. I measured 14 inches from the blade shaft to the guard, so it may take a 28 inch blade.
2451093
2451094
2451095
2451096
2451097
2451098
2451112
 
#3 ·
Yeah...those things were manufactured before OSHA was around 😁...And I don't think you really wanted the Buzz Saw as much as a project for your Gravely equipment because there was no plow duty for them this year...that thing looks pretty good for sitting around that long...good luck with it..I am glad that you got it before the new owner did clean up and haul it away...I did notice that it could use some new tires I hope you get the Wisconsin running...those engines sounded like a Typhoon
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
No saw blade, Tim. Now that I know the make, Im going to go on youtube to see if I can find any vids too.

Definitely pre-OSHA, Mark. You would need to be very careful around this thing. My plan is to bring it out to the Long Island Antique Power Assn. I think that they would like having it. My hope is that they get it running, and working again. It would go well with the late 1800's commercial saw mill that they brought down from upstate in pieces, and restored to running condition. They do demonstrations during tractor shows, etc. This is the link to their website: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjatJ7A6c_oAhXCmHIEHfnJAlsQFjAAegQIARAC&url=http://liapa.com/&usg=AOvVaw30faxm1iqLkvWsxwbaw88R

Here is a pic of another one, this one with a tree feller blade as well, plus a couple more pics.
2451129
 
#6 ·
Dave, I hope the LIAPA will take it. It would have been a shame to let sit and rot in the weeds. Have you beena ble to ascertain what year it was made?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#7 ·
Nice save, Dave, neat old piece of machinery! Donating it to the L.I. A.P.A. is a great idea, hope they get it running and working again!
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
No, at least not yet, Al. The engine's serial number is visible on the plate, but nothing else. Worst case, I should be able to approximate it's age via the engine number.

Now that I know what it is I'm going to do some digging around. Knowing the name certainly helps. I did a quick google, and it was like the floodgates opened, so there is information about them (threads on Smokstak, etc.) Up until now I had been doing my searches entering descriptions, which got me nowhere. I'll do some looking around tomorrow.
 
#10 ·
I do not think you would have any problems with keeping social distancing whilst running that bad boy.
What a really great piece of equipment to rescue. Huzzah to you.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
Nice find. Just look at the skimpy looking blade guard on the one you posted. I wouldn't want to be within 25 feet of that thing when it is up to speed. The howl from that blade is like a banshee when it's running wide open. I get the chills just thinking about when I saw one at the Voluntown CT 4th July bash some 20 yrs ago. Guy that was running it said he also had the horizontal blade attachment until it got pinch in piece of wood and basically tore the machine out of his arms. Sort of like a ginormous string trimmer... for trees. Said it scared him so much took it off and it was still in an old barn. Said he didn't feel right trying to sell it to someone. Dave it's a good save and you're making the right move to give to the association. There's no telling what Ellis would have talked you into making with that thing.
Besides with the value of that RARE piece of equipment you'll get a nice little write off.:sneaky:
MikeC
 
Discussion starter · #15 · (Edited)
Thanks, Mike. lol, I'm sure that he would have come up with something. This is not a machine that you would want spinning around on you. You need to be mindful of this using Gravely 2 wheelers as well when cutting brush, and saplings. And you want to keep the handlebar ends in front of you, so you don't risk a kidney punch from a handlebar.

Gravely offered some pre OSHA attachments as well.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
APinNY said:
Have you been able to ascertain what year it was made?
Click to expand...
Al, I just came up with some information. While I still cannot come up with a specific year of manufacture, I found that these Wisconsin AEH model engines were built from 1941-1949 and were rated at 5.9 HP at ~2,200 rpm. So the newest that this monster would be is a 1949.
 
#17 ·
Nice old piece of equipment, glad you pulled it though the gulley! Those associations enjoy restoring old items like those and running demonstration with them. Portersville, PA has a nice steam engine and antique equipment show every August. This is where my brother and sister live so I get down to there every once in a while.
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
Dave, so it's at least 70 years old! I would think those guys would love to have it. If they take it, I'm sure you will follow along on its progress.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
About this Discussion
42 Replies
14 Participants
Last post:
tracktortag
My Tractor Forum
posts
4.4M
members
246K
Since
2005
A family friendly forum community dedicated to all Tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about specifications, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
John Deere Forum Craftsman/Sears Forum Backyard Round Table: L & G Tractor Related Topics Introductions Walk Behind Mowers