Exhibit 32


                  CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

           Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned, William A. Rainville, chief
executive officer, and Thomas M. O'Brien, chief financial officer, of Kadant
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), do hereby certify that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 3, 2004 of
the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in this
Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company.



Dated: May 12, 2004          /s/    William A. Rainville
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    William A. Rainville
                                    Chief Executive Officer



                             /s/    Thomas M. O'Brien
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Thomas M. O'Brien
                                    Chief Financial Officer



The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of a separate disclosure document.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Kadant Inc. and will be retained by Kadant Inc. and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.