To help you find the best chainsaw for your budget, I’ll help you figure out how to select the right chainsaw size for your needs. “If most of your chainsaw needs involve pruning small branches or trees with relatively thin branches, a 6″ to 10″ chainsaw is the tool for the job. Cutting down medium size trees with a trunk of about 14″ to 16″ will require a larger chainsaw of about 16″ to 18” to fell the tree in one easy pass.
Having a huge beast of a chainsaw might be good for your ego, but the best advice is to resist the urge to buy one that is too big and to choose one that is more suited to the work you need it for instead. How to determine the right length of chainsaw for you. You should also think about whether you need a gas-powered chainsaw or perhaps an electric chainsaw or battery powered chainsaw. “Consider carefully the work you need your chainsaw for and choose one that is appropriate. Calculate the diameter of the wood you need to cut and add 2” to work out the best length of bar – and try to avoid buying a chainsaw that is much bigger than you need.
The second step to figuring out the perfect chainsaw size for your property is to think about the work you typically do. If you want a general, all-purpose chainsaw that you can use to cut through thick branches and tree logs, you should chainsaw sizes between 16 and 18 inches. Not only does your chainsaw bar’s size determine the extent of wood you can cut, but it also relates to control.
Chainsaw shopping for the first time can seem like a bit of an overwhelming task, and once you have your electric versus gas chainsaw picks all lined out, you’ll need to decide on the size of the saw you need for your job. As a general rule of thumb, you want to choose a saw that has a length of approximately 23 inches longer than the diameter of the tree or limb you need to cut. You can most definitely cut a larger tree in more than one pass, and there is no need to purchase a separate, larger saw simply because you are faced with a 16-inch tree every now and then.
The size of jobs will determine what size chainsaw and bar length you require. To get experience using a chainsaw under safe conditions, I recommend taking classes on chainsaw use and safety through a local extension office. You will want to reduce your working time and lessen your chances of fatigue by getting a chainsaw with a larger bar size to make your cuts in a single pass.
which size chainsaw do i need Related Question:
What is a good size chainsaw for home use?
A saw with a longer bar can cut larger-diameter wood in a single pass. The best chainsaws for home use typically have bar lengths that range from 6 inches on smaller, electric saws to 20 inches on larger, gasoline-powered models. Professional-grade saws have bar lengths greater than 20 inches.
How do you determine what size chainsaw to use for a job?
The general guideline that most operators agree on is that a chainsaw should have a bar length 2 to 3 inches longer than the diameter of the tree or limb you wish to cut. To cut a 10-inch tree in one pass, you will need to use a 12-inch bar.
How big of a tree can a 20 inch chainsaw cut?
A good rule of thumb is that the diameter of the trees you cut regularly should be no more than twice the length of the bar on a chainsaw. That means a 20-inch chainsaw can handle a 36-inch tree (remember, effective cutting length is roughly -2 inches of the bar length).
Do I want a 16 or 18 inch chainsaw?
Why would you choose a 16 inch rather than an 18 inch? Well, that 2 inches can actually make quite a lot of difference in terms of ease of handling. Not only does it add weight to the bar but the extra weight to the chain and other components, and may need a more powerful motor to get it up to speed.
How big of a tree can a 16 chainsaw cut?
16 chainsaw would cut through a 14″ tree diameter. 10 inch chainsaw for 8″ in diameter. 6 inch chainsaw can cut a 4″ diameter.
How do I choose a chainsaw?
Check for safety features like an inertia chain brake, side chain tensioning and a chain catcher. A saw that is comfortable to use is safer to use. Find a well-balanced machine with a good power-to-weight ratio: light enough to handle with the power to do the job. Ease of use is another deciding factor.
What size chainsaw do I need to cut firewood?
Many homeowners find that a 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good length for them. That’s long enough to limb-up trees, cut down small trees, and cut most firewood, but it’s also short enough that it’s easy to control the saw.
Is Poulan Pro a good chainsaw?
The Poulan Pro is a good budget chainsaw for the newbie who wants a good introduction to gas-powered saws. It might also be useful to note that Poulan is owned by Husqvarna. It offers a simple, reliable starting set up and good power for most small to medium suburban jobs. It’s easy to clean too.
Can I change the bar size on my chainsaw?
Replacing your chainsaw bar will require a few measurements. Most chainsaws can operate up to three different bar sizes. Guide bars are measured in length, from the tip of the bar to the heel, and range in size from 14 to over 40 inches.
Can electric chainsaw cut trees?
Although electric chainsaws are smaller and easier to carry, most lack the power and stamina to cut down large trees. If you have big trees on your property that you want to remove or cut into firewood, a gas model is your best bet. Electric chainsaws come in two types: corded and battery-powered.
What chainsaws do loggers use?
The most popular brands known to fit this description are the Stihl, Husqvarna, and Oregon chainsaws, which are the most ideal for professional loggers. Bigger chainsaws are better for professional loggers, but they are not always the most ideal. The fact that these chainsaws are big also means that they are heavier.
What size tree can you cut with 18 inch chainsaw?
How Big of a Tree Can an 18 inch Chainsaw Cut? An 18 inch chainsaw can cut a 16 inch diameter tree in a single pass. This is because your chainsaw bar should be 2 inches longer than the tree’s diameter if you are cutting it in a single pass. But if you cut from both sides, an 18″ chainsaw can cut a 32 inch tree.
What is a 16 inch chainsaw good for?
In general, you should choose a chainsaw bar length that is about two inches longer than the diameter of whatever it is you need to cut. Therefore, a 16-inch chainsaw will make quick work of trees with trunk diameters up to 14 inches. This kind of chainsaw will make quick work of any kind of wood you have lying around.
IS 16 in chainsaw big enough?
If you plan to use a chainsaw for jobs more moderate than occasional light cutting, then consider a chainsaw with a 16- or 18-inch-long cutting bar. Sometimes such a model is considered a general-purpose chainsaw, ideal for homeowners who will use the tool to cut through thick tree branches and logs.
What size bars does STIHL make?
STIHL guide bars range from 10″ (found on our tree-trimming pole pruners) to an incredible 59″ (used in extreme felling operations).