Maintenance, Maximizing the SOFF-CUT System

MAINTENANCE

Guards

Check all guards for damage and proper function daily espe- cially the spring loaded lower and upper blade guard. Blade guards and cover should be secure to the saw and not dam- aged.

Diamond blade

Inspect diamond blades daily for damage, cracks, secure fit to the arbor, loss of segments, warping or overheating. If any blade shows any of these problems, discard the blade and never use.

Skid plate

Inspect the skid plate daily for damage, excessive wear in the blade slot, burrs on the concrete side, and twisting. Replace the skid plate with each new blade. Never re-use skid plates or spalling and ravelling may result.

Saw controls

Inspect all controls for proper function daily. Check the ON/ OFF paddle switch for proper operation. Insure that the lower guard swings open and closes freely.

Cleaning

Clean the blade housing of any excess concrete build up after each use. Keep all openings and slot on the saw clean and open so air flows freely through the motor compartment to in- sure proper cooling.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Check guarding, diamond blade,	Daily
skid plate, and controls.
Clean blade housing assembly and saw.	Daily
Clean dust and debris from ventilation openings.	Daily

WARNING

Do not modify the saw! Use only Husqvarna Construc- tion Products replacement parts. Use of unauthorized parts may create a danger or damage the engine.

MAXIMIZING THE SOFF-CUT SYSTEM

“The timing of concrete operations - especially finishing and jointing - is critical”, states a quote from the foreword of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 302.1 R-96. It goes on to say that “Failure to address this issue can contribute to unde- sirable characteristics in the wearing surface as cracking...” (It mentions other problems).

The patented Soff-Cut Ultra Early Entry system has revolutionized the method used to control random cracking. While Soff- Cut is being specified more today than ever, sometimes the ultra early-entry spec is not always followed on the job site. In order for the Soff-Cut system and an experienced Husqvarna contractor to do a satisfactory job, four components must exist to meet the “specification”:

1.A Soff-Cut Ultra Early Entry dry up-cut saw

2.A Husqvarna Excel Series dry-cutting diamond blade

3.A Husqvarna anti-ravel skid plate installed with every new diamond blade

4.An operator skilled in using the Soff-Cut Ultra Early Entry cutting system.

Without this, joints can not be cut clearly enough to control random cracking before it starts, which is what the building owner is paying for.

The ACI Spec 302.1R-96 says it best:

“Early-entry dry-cut saws use diamond-impregnated blades and a skid plate that helps prevent spalling. Timely chang- ing of skid plates is necessary to effectively control spalling. It is best to change skid plates in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations...The goal of saw-cutting is to create a weakened plane as soon as the joint can be cut...The timing of the early-entry process allows joints to be in place prior to development of significant tensile stress in the concrete...”

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) engineering bulletin, Concrete Floors on the ground, also states:

“Proper jointing can eliminate unsightly random cracks. Aspects of joining that lead to a good job are choosing the

correct type of joint for each location, establishing a good joint pattern and layout, and installing the joint at the correct time...

Timing of joint sawing is critical...Lightweight, high-speed, early-cut saws have been developed to permit the joint sawing very soon after floor finishing, sometimes within 0 to 2 hours...if the cut is sawn within a few hours after the final finishing, random cracking can be controlled...”

Husqvarna has the only Ultra Early Entry dry-cutting system (Soff-Cut) which controls random cracking through the early tim- ing of the cut. With the patented Soff-Cut method, control joints are usually cut within 0 to 2 hours after the finishing process. Joint cutting should begin as soon as the concrete will support the weight of the saw and the operator at each joint location and before final set. If the joints are not being cut within this time frame then the Soff-Cut Ultra Early Entry method is not be- ing followed and building owners are not getting what they are paying for or the finished product that they expect.

We hope this information is beneficial to building owners, general contractors, concrete finishers, saw operators and the entire industry. For additional information, contact Husqvarna Construction Products at (951) 272-2330 or (800) 776-3328, or see our website www.husqvarnacp.com.