A carcass splitting saw is a vital piece of equipment in any abattoir or slaughterhouse, ensuring clean, efficient, and precise splitting of carcasses. Whether processing cattle or pigs, selecting the correct saw is essential for maintaining workflow efficiency, hygiene, and safety.
At AES Food Equipment, we supply high performance carcass splitting saws from leading brands such as Jarvis, Kentmaster, and Freund. Choosing the right model depends on several key factors, which we’ll cover below.
What Species of Animal Are You Splitting?
Different animals require different splitting saw specifications:
- Cattle Splitting Saws – Require high-power bandsaws capable of cutting through large, dense bones efficiently.
- Pig Splitting Saws – Typically use bandsaws or circular saws to ensure a clean, precise cut while minimising bone dust and contamination.
- Sheep and Other Small Animals – Generally, these are not split in an abattoir and are dispatched as whole carcasses.
For high throughput slaughterhouses, bandsaws are preferred due to their speed and precision. Reciprocating saws offer a more cost-effective solution for low-volume operations across all species.
If height restrictions are an issue, a reciprocating splitting saw may be required instead of a bandsaw.
What Space and Height Do You Have Available?
Before selecting a saw, consider your abattoir’s space and layout:
- Overhead Clearance – Bandsaws require sufficient space to operate without obstruction.
- Operator Movement – In smaller spaces, a compact saw or counterbalance system may be necessary.
- Steelwork for Support – Many abattoirs install overhead steelwork to support counterbalance systems, improving saw handling.
Do You Need a Counter balance System?
Larger carcass splitting saws often require a counterbalance system to:
- Reduce operator fatigue, improving handling and safety.
- Enhance cutting precision, ensuring a consistent and controlled split.
- Support heavy-duty saws, reducing strain on operators during extended use.
Spring operated counter balancers from manufacturers such as AeroMotive and Tecna are commonly used in abattoirs. These systems are typically mounted to overhead steelwork to ensure smooth and controlled saw movement.
What Power Supply Do You Have?
All carcass splitting saws are electrically powered, so it’s crucial to ensure your facility has the correct electrical setup:
- 400V three-phase power is standard for most industrial abattoirs.
- Some smaller facilities may require alternative power solutions, but three phase remains the industry standard.
While some models feature pneumatic switches, this is rare, virtually all carcass splitting saws are fully electrically driven.
Will You Be Cutting Through a Gambrel?
If your process involves splitting carcasses while they are suspended on a gambrel, consider:
- Whether the saw can accommodate the space between the gambrel and the animal.
- The blade length and cutting power, ensuring a smooth, continuous cut.
- Minimising wear on the saw blade to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
Selecting the right saw for gambrel splitting ensures an efficient and hygienic process without excessive strain on equipment.
Would You Prefer a Bandsaw or a Reciprocating Saw?
The choice between a bandsaw and a reciprocating saw depends on processing volume and budget:
Bandsaws
✔ High-speed, continuous cutting
✔ Clean, precise cuts with minimal bone dust
✔ Ideal for high-throughput abattoirs processing cattle and pigs
Reciprocating Saws
✔ Forward and backward blade motion, similar to a hand saw
✔ Generate less heat and friction, reducing the risk of bone marrow contamination
✔ More cost-effective for smaller abattoirs
For large-scale slaughterhouses, bandsaws are the preferred option. However, for smaller or mixed-species facilities, reciprocating saws provide a lower-cost alternative.
Industry Leading Carcass Splitting Saws – Jarvis, Kentmaster & Freund
At AES Food Equipment, we supply high-performance carcass splitting saws from trusted industry brands:
- Jarvis – Precision-engineered splitting saws designed for efficient and hygienic carcass processing.
- Kentmaster – A leader in high-powered bandsaws, offering heavy-duty solutions for cattle and pigs.
- Freund – Renowned for ergonomic and efficient saws, delivering clean cuts with minimal bone dust.
Each manufacturer offers specialised solutions tailored to different abattoir setups, ensuring maximum efficiency, durability, and compliance with hygiene regulations.
Find the Right Carcass Splitting Saw for Your Abattoir
Selecting the right carcass splitting saw is essential for efficiency, safety, and meat quality. At AES Food Equipment, we provide expert guidance to help you choose the best saw for your species, space, and operational needs.
Contact us today for personalised advice or browse our full range of carcass splitting saws to find the perfect solution for your abattoir.
A well equipped abattoir is essential for ensuring efficient, hygienic, and compliant meat processing. From stunning and bleeding to dressing, evisceration, and by-product processing, every stage of slaughter requires specialist abattoir equipment that meets industry regulations and maximises efficiency.
At AES Food Equipment, we supply a comprehensive range of abattoir equipment for the slaughter of beef, sheep, pigs, venison, poultry, and rabbit.
Whether you're upgrading an existing kill line or setting up a new facility, our high-quality machinery ensures safe, reliable, and high performance operations.
Stunning Abattoir Equipment – Humane and Effective Stunning Solutions
Proper stunning is a critical first step in the slaughter process, ensuring humane handling and compliance with welfare regulations. We supply:
- Stunning boxes & restrainers – Designed for secure animal positioning before stunning.
- Electric stunning systems – Effective for pigs and sheep, offering controlled stunning with EU complaint systems.
- Captive bolt stunners – Ideal for cattle and smalls, these units provide an instant and effective stun.
Our stunning equipment is sourced from leading manufacturers including Accles & Shelvoke, Jarvis and Hubert Haas, ensuring precision, reliability, and compliance with industry standards.
Bleeding Equipment – Secure Handling for Efficient Processing
Efficient bleeding is crucial for ensuring high-quality meat and proper carcass handling. Our bleeding equipment includes:
- Bleed shackles – Securely hold animals during the bleeding process.
- Bleed hoists – Designed for lifting carcasses quickly during exsanguination.
- Transfer platforms – Safe and ergonomic solutions for slaughterhouse staff working on kill lines.
Our bleeding solutions are built to support both high throughput abattoirs and small scale slaughterhouses alike.
Dressing Abattoir Equipment – Efficient Carcass Preparation
Once bleeding is complete, dressing equipment is used for removing hides, hair, pelts, or feathers, ensuring carcasses are clean and ready for processing. We supply:
- Hide pullers – For efficient removal of cattle hides.
- Dehairing machines – Essential for pig processing, ensuring thorough cleaning.
- Pelt pullers & punching arms – Designed for safe and effective pelt removal.
- Plucking machines – Essential for poultry processing, ensuring efficient feather removal.
Our dressing equipment is designed for speed, hygiene, and precision, helping abattoirs increase throughput while maintaining quality.
Evisceration Equipment – Precision for Hygienic Processing
Evisceration is a key stage in carcass processing, requiring specialist equipment to ensure hygiene and efficiency. We supply:
- Leg spreaders – Ensuring easy access to the internal cavity for gut removal.
- Gut conveyors – Streamlining the transport of offal and reducing manual handling.
- Rise & fall platforms – Providing operators with safe and adjustable access during evisceration.
Designed for ease of use and hygiene, our evisceration equipment meets the highest industry standards.
Saws & Tools – Leading Brands for Precision Cutting
High quality saws and cutting tools are essential for efficient and accurate carcass processing. We supply a full range of saws and hydraulic tools from leading brands, including:
- Jarvis, Freund, and Kentmaster saws – Renowned for durability and performance.
- Breaking saws & carcass splitting saws – Precision tools for portioning and cutting.
- Hydraulic cutting tools – Improving efficiency and reducing operator fatigue.
These industry leading tools ensure smooth operation and precise cuts, meeting the demands of small and large scale abattoirs.
By-Product Processing – Maximising Efficiency
Efficient by-product processing ensures better resource utilisation and hygiene compliance. We supply:
- Stomach washing machines – Ensuring clean and efficient processing.
- Feet dehairers – Perfect for processing sheep and cattle feet for additional revenue streams for your abattoir.
- Refiner machines & gut blowers – Streamlining offal and by-product handling.
These systems help abattoirs maximise yield and efficiency, reducing waste and improving productivity. They also ensure your abattoir is utilising every revenue stream possible.
Meat Rail & Dispatch Machinery – Seamless Carcass Handling
Efficient meat rail systems are crucial for smooth carcass transport and storage. We supply:
- Twin track meat rail systems – Designed for high-capacity abattoirs and meat processing plants.
- Tubular round bar rails – Offering versatile carcass movement solutions.
- Meat loading arms – Improving carcass handling efficiency.
Our custom-designed rail systems ensure seamless processing and cold storage integration.
Consumables – Essential Supplies for Daily Operations
In addition to abattoir equipment, we stock a full range of abattoir consumables, including:
- Knives & blades – Precision tools for cutting and processing.
- Protective aprons – Ensuring safety and hygiene compliance.
These consumables are essential for maintaining hygienic and efficient operations in any slaughter facility.
Your Trusted Supplier for Abattoir Equipment
At AES Food Equipment, we provide a complete range of abattoir equipment for beef, sheep, pig, poultry, rabbit, and venison slaughter. Our solutions are designed to maximise efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve safety across all areas of meat processing.
Whether you need stunning equipment, carcass dressing tools, saws, meat rails, or consumables, we have the right products for your abattoir or slaughterhouse.
Browse our full range of abattoir equipment today or contact us for expert advice on the best solutions for your facility.