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When you are working in a tight trench with a difficult pipe cut in front of you, there is no room for mistakes and no room to spare. That is exactly where the U.S. Saws Air Powered Belly Saw earns its reputation. It is a pipe cutting saw designed specifically for cutting the underside of buried pipe in confined, subgrade conditions, and it changes what is possible on the job site.
In this blog, we explore what makes the Air Powered Belly Saw a pipe cutting saw unlike anything else on the job. You will learn how it cuts buried pipe up to 24 inches in diameter in just 9 inches of clearance, why air power makes it safe in confined spaces, how the strap-and-guide system delivers a square cut every time, and what comes in the complete kit.
By the end, you will know exactly where this pipe cutting saw belongs in a water and sewer crew’s lineup.
Cut Buried Pipe Up to 24 Inches With Only 9 Inches of Clearance
One of the most practical advantages of the Air Powered Belly Saw is how little room it needs. Cutting large-diameter pipe in a trench would traditionally require significant excavation and maneuvering space. This saw handles pipe from 8 inches to 24 inches in diameter with as little as 9 inches of clearance. That means less digging, less disruption, and faster job completion.
Air-Powered Safety for Confined-Space Pipe Cutting
The saw runs on a direct drive air motor that requires 90 CFM at 90 PSI. Why does that matter? Air-powered tools produce zero exhaust emissions, which makes the belly saw ideal for the kind of enclosed or partially enclosed work areas covered by OSHA’s confined spaces in construction standard, where gas or hydraulic fumes would create a hazard. In a pit, a vault, or a tight trench cut, the crew can work without worrying about ventilation. Air power also keeps the tool reliable in wet conditions, which is a common reality around water mains and pipe infrastructure.
Strapped to the Pipe for Straight, Square Cuts
Unlike handheld saws that rely entirely on the operator to hold a straight line, the Air Powered Belly Saw straps directly to the pipe and is guided around it. That strap-and-guide design removes a major source of human error and produces cleaner, squarer cuts, even in awkward or low-visibility positions underground. Four spring-loaded wheels reinforce that precision, helping the operator track the cut straight and square around the full circumference. The result is a consistent, professional-grade cut every time.
What I love showing customers is the strap-and-guide system. Once they see the saw tracked square around the pipe with those spring-loaded wheels, no wandering, no redo cuts, they stop comparing it to a handheld saw. It is not the same category of tool. And when I mention it is air-powered, so no exhaust in the trench, the safety managers are sold too. – Bill Glynn, President of Water & Sewer Sales, U.S. Saws
Clamshell Blade Guard: Protected Until the Moment of the Cut
Safety is built in at a fundamental level. A protective clamshell design keeps the blade fully shielded until the tool contacts the pipe. The blade is never exposed during setup, positioning, or transport, which significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury while working in close quarters underground.
The Tiger Tooth Blade: Cut Through Any Pipe Material
The included 8-inch Tiger Tooth blade is what makes the saw so versatile across materials. It cuts PVC, HDPE, ductile iron, cast iron, and more, covering the full range of pipe materials found in water distribution and wastewater systems. Running at 6,000 RPM with a maximum blade width of 0.125 inch, it moves aggressively through the pipe wall.
Where This Pipe Cutting Saw Earns Its Keep
The belly saw is purpose-built for water and sewer crews working buried mains and laterals. Anywhere a large-diameter line has to be cut in place, in a trench, a vault, or a pit, the saw removes the two biggest obstacles: the excavation needed to fit a conventional tool, and the safety concerns of running a gas or hydraulic saw in an enclosed space. For municipal water systems, utility contractors, and pipeline repair crews, that combination shortens the job and keeps the work area safer.
The first question I always get is how much clearance does it need. When I tell them just 9 inches to cut pipe up to 24 inches in diameter, that is usually the moment the conversation changes. Crews know exactly how much time and money they spend over-excavating just to make room for a cut. This saw eliminates that.
Brandon Utesch, Western Sales Manager, Water Works Division, U.S. Saws
What Comes in the Belly Saw Kit
The Air Powered Belly Saw ships as a complete kit so crews can get to work without hunting down accessories. The package includes:
- 8 inch to 24 inch Belly Saw with High-Output Motor
- 8 inch Guard
- 8 inch Tiger Tooth Blade
- 24 inch Strap Assembly
- 6 foot Whip Hose with Oiler
- Two wrenches
- One quart of ice-free oil
- Storage bag
At just 30 pounds and measuring 8.5 by 21 by 10.5 inches, the saw is compact enough to transport easily and move into tight spaces without a full crew.
Air Powered Belly Saw Specifications
Air Powered Belly Saw Specifications
| Part number | US60278 |
|---|---|
| Pipe diameter | 8 in to 24 in |
| Minimum clearance | 9 in |
| Air requirement | 90 CFM at 90 PSI |
| Blade | 8 in Tiger Tooth |
| Blade speed | 6,000 RPM |
| Maximum blade width | 0.125 in |
| Cuts | PVC, HDPE, ductile iron, cast iron, and more |
| Weight | 30 lb |
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 21 x 10.5 in |
The Bottom Line: A Pipe Cutting Saw Built for the Trench
The U.S. Saws Air Powered Belly Saw is purpose-built for one of the toughest cutting scenarios in the trades: slicing through large-diameter buried pipe in cramped, wet, hazardous conditions. With its minimal clearance requirement, exhaust-free operation, precision-guided cut, and blade protection system, it addresses every major pain point of subgrade pipe cutting in a single, well-engineered package. If your crew is still struggling with traditional cutting methods in the trench, this pipe cutting saw is worth a hard look.
Air Powered Belly Saw FAQ
How much clearance does the belly saw need?
As little as 9 inches, even when cutting pipe up to 24 inches in diameter.
What pipe sizes and materials can it cut?
Pipe from 8 to 24 inches in diameter, in PVC, HDPE, ductile iron, cast iron, and more, using the 8-inch Tiger Tooth blade.
Why is it air-powered instead of gas or hydraulic?
Air power produces zero exhaust emissions, so it is safe in confined spaces, and it stays reliable in the wet conditions common around water and sewer work. It requires 90 CFM at 90 PSI.
How does it keep the cut straight?
It straps directly to the pipe and is guided around it, with four spring-loaded wheels tracking the cut square around the circumference.
