How to pick the best chainsaw for your needs

Modern chainsaws are adapted to suit specific working conditions and users. Before buying a chainsaw, you should ask yourself a few check questions about how to use it. The answers will help you select the appropriate type and size of chainsaw.

Considerations when buying a chainsaw

What type of user am I?

How experienced am I in using a chainsaw? How often will I be using the chainsaw – each day, about once a month, or a few times a year? Professional use or home use?

What kind of cutting will I be doing?

What am I going to be using the chainsaw for? What size of trees will I be felling most often? Hard or soft wood? Do I need a small or large saw? In what seasons will I be using the chainsaw?

Which chainsaw features do I need?

How important is chainsaw ergonomics? Should it have low vibration, be well-balanced? Should the saw be fitted with TrioBrake™? How important are service and maintenance features? Do I need an easy to access air filter and spark plug? Should it be easy to stretch and replace the chain? Should the chainsaw be adapted to winter use, with heating in the handles?

Your dealer can give you additional advice and information on buying a chainsaw.

OVERVIEW

Different types of chainsaws

Chainsaws can be broadly divided into the following groups:

1. Chainsaws for professional use
2. Chainsaws for part time use
3. Chainsaws for occasional use
4. Chainsaws for Tree-care and Pruning

Chainsaw size

The size of the chainsaw is determined by piston displacement (cm³) and engine power (hp and kw). The size you should choose depends on the following two factors:

1. Proficiency and experience

Choose a smaller chainsaw with a less powerful engine if you are new to chainsaw work. A small saw is more manoeuvrable than a large one. If the chainsaw is too heavy, your hands and arms will tire, which in the long run represents a safety risk.

2. Wood types and size of trees

Choose a larger chainsaw with more power if you want to fell larger trees, especially hardwood. If the model is too small, this will subject the chainsaw to great strain and unnecessary wear.

Guide bar length

The appropriate length of the guide bar is determined by tree size and to some extent by the user’s expertise level. If you are used to handling a chainsaw, you should have access to at least two different guide bar lengths, allowing you to vary the guide bar length with different tree sizes. A shorter guide bar weighs less and is easier to manoeuvre when doing climbing work. The long guide bar is used for larger tree sizes.