Machinery buying guideLast updated October 2026

Quarry Chain Saw

Blind cuts in soft stone, no drill holes needed.

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Price level
Premium
Best to buy
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
Top sources
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Chain saw cutting machine working a sandstone quarry face

Photo: A. Rohatsch, Public domain

Overview

What it is

A stone chain saw looks like an oversized timber chainsaw: a long arm carrying a chain tipped with tungsten-carbide or diamond inserts, mounted on a carriage that runs along a rail. It cuts "blind", without pilot holes, which makes it ideal for undercuts and for opening new benches.

It works best in soft to medium stones such as marble, limestone, travertine, tuff and sandstone, and is widely used in underground (gallery) quarries, where it saves drilling and water.

Stage
Quarry extraction (soft and medium stone)
Cutting depth
Arms of several metres
Tools
Tungsten-carbide or diamond-tipped chain
Advantage
No pilot holes; undercuts and back cuts
Not for
Hard granite and quartzite

Applications

Best used for

  • Marble, limestone and travertine quarriesFast, precise bench cuts.
  • Underground quarryingCutting galleries and pillars.
  • UndercutsFreeing blocks from below without drilling.
  • Soft stone blocksTuff and soft limestone.

Think twice for

  • Hard, abrasive stone. Wear on the chain becomes uneconomic; use a wire saw.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for quarry chain saw, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Buy around the big fairs: Xiamen and Marmomac Brazil in March, Coverings in April and Marmomac Verona in late September. Makers launch models and offer show pricing.

  1. Jan: normal
  2. Feb: normal
  3. Mar: best time to buy
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: normal
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: normal
  8. Aug: slower or pricier
  9. Sep: best time to buy
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: normal
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Italian makers close for about three weeks in August; orders placed in July often slip to September.
  • Chinese makers close for Lunar New Year; order by early December for spring delivery.
  • Large lines are built to order: expect three to nine months from deposit to commissioning.
  • Plan installation for your own slow season so the changeover doesn't cost production.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 8464.10Sawing machines for stone

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United StatesFreeHTS 8464.10, sawing machines.
  • European Union2.2%
  • United Kingdom2%

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • Italy flagItaly10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • China flagChina+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
  • Turkey flagTurkey+12.5%Section 301 (2026) adds 12.5% on top of the MFN rate.
  • For US imports, Section 301 origin surcharges apply for many countries including Italy, Turkey, India, and China in addition to the legacy China Section 301 duty.
  • Steel-heavy equipment may fall under US Section 232 derivative tariffs; if applicable, the 2026 Section 301 surcharge does not apply.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1Match arm length to your bench height.
  2. 2Choose carbide for soft stone and diamond for harder or abrasive stone.
  3. 3Compare chain and insert cost per square metre cut.
  4. 4Check water use and dust control.
  5. 5Hydraulic or electric drive: check what your site power supports.

Price level: Comparable to a wire saw; tooling cost depends on the stone.

Vendor Network

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