Exhibit 23
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                   Consent of Independent Public Accountants
                   -----------------------------------------


          As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the inclusion
of our report dated February 12, 2001 (except for the matters discussed in Note
18, as to which the date is July 12, 2001), and to all references to our Firm
included in Kadant Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2001, and
the incorporation by reference of said report into the Company's previously
filed Registration Statements as follows:  Registration Statement No. 333-67190
on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-67192 on Form S-8, Registration
Statement No. 333-67194 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-67196 on
Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-83718 on Form S-8, Registration
Statement No. 333-80751 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-80509 on
Form S-8 and Registration Statement 333-48498 on Form S-8.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
August 3, 2001