Dening 'Somerset' PTO saw bench

[Roberts41]

Purchased the above some weeks ago needed a good clean up, blade removed for sharpening/set up, fitting new wooden blocks hence modifying bolts. The lever in the foreground (see photo), in that position (up) the blade turns as soon as the PTO is engaged now in the down position the spring tensions but nothing happens. I haven't taken all the mechanism shielding off to get a better view but is this lever meant to be for tensioning the belts in the down position?
Also cannot seem to find any manual online, any information appreciated.

 

[Exfarmer]

Fairly certain lever should be up to be in tension. It knocks down to disengage drive.
Those hexagon head bolts are no good need countersunk hex cap bolts!.
Good saw but take great care!
Well worth offsetting the saw bench by extending the right hand lower link position by a few inches , very simple job.
I saw one locally a while back and assumed it was the ome I had done but looking closer, with the owners permission realised some one else had had the same idea

 

[sahara]

I think that the lever you are talking about is effectively a clutch, so in your 2nd position you have disengaged the drive. .........I think!

 

[Roberts41]

Fairly certain lever should be up to be in tension. It knocks down to disengage drive.
Those hexagon head bolts are no good need countersunk hex cap bolts!.
Good saw but take great care!
Well worth offsetting the saw bench by extending the right hand lower link position by a few inches , very simple job.
I saw one locally a while back and assumed it was the ome I had done but looking closer, with the owners permission realised some one else had had the same idea

Many thanks for the response, the hex bolts were just holding the wooden blocks in place awaiting for hex countersunk bolts to arrive, all points taken onboard.

 

[Roberts41]

I think that the lever you are talking about is effectively a clutch, so in your 2nd position you have disengaged the drive. .........I think!

Thanks for responding I like your thoughts about a clutch never thought of that. After have I have cut logs for next year I will have a closer look at it you know what they if it's working leave it alone. Would be nice to find a manual.

 

[Robosaw]

yes it is the clutch for safety,
Does anyone know what size bolt holds the blade on a Somerset denning of chard saw, I’ve been left a really nice example but the blade was taken off to store and the bolt and collar are missing,I would love to get the old saw going Any help will be appreciated. Robosaw

 

[David.]

Got a Dening Of Chard sawbench just the same here, if you want another.

 

[mark72]

I have one of these benches in service. I had to make a replacement collar with peg and can provide dimensions. The bolt may be more difficult it's 1/2-inch Whitworth, but left-hand thread. (most blades have one clamp bolt which turns in the direction of the saw to undo).

 

[Oliveau]

I think that the lever you are talking about is effectively a clutch, so in your 2nd position you have disengaged the drive. .........I think!

Yes, the lever tensions the drive belt/s when up but when down the blade should not be turning - Safety measure from the 50’s.

 

[B R C]

I also gave one in my scrap pile, decided it isn’t safe enough for me to use and therefore won’t sell it to anyone else either…