“Using the wrong size bar or chain can damage the chainsaw and injure the chainsaw operator,” says Vince Christofora of Woodstock Hardware. Read on to learn how to measure your chainsaw’s bar and chain. Sometimes called a chainsaw blade, the chainsaw bar is the metal “Arm” that holds and supports the chain during cutting.
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.
how to chainsaw size Related Question:
How do I know my chainsaw chain size?
To get the correct size, simply count 3 rivets on the chain and measure the distance between them from the centre points. Now divide this by half to get your size. As an example, three rivets that measure ½ an inch across divided by two gives you a pitch of a ¼ inch.
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).
How big 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.
Is a 14 inch chainsaw big enough?
The Proper Size for a Chainsaw A basic guide is that the chainsaw should be at least 2 inches longer than the thickness of whatever branch or tree is being cut. For example, if the branch is 8 inches thick, the guide bar (or blade) of the ideal chainsaw should be at least 10 inches long.
Are all 14 inch chainsaw chains the same?
The size of a chain saw’s chain does not always correspond to the size of the guide bar. Determining the correct size of chain for a chain saw with a 14-inch guide bar involves several factors, including the size of the drive lugs and their distance from each other along the chain.
What size chainsaw do I need to cut down a large tree?
The usual guideline is to choose a chainsaw with a bar that is two inches longer than the diameter of what you need to cut. For example, if you need to cut a tree that is 10” across, you will need a chainsaw of 12”.
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.
How many cc chainsaw do I need?
Your work will determine the type of chainsaw you purchase. Heavy work: If the task requires long hours felling trees, consider a professional chainsaw powered with a 65 to 110 cc engine and a guide bar of 16 to 20 inches. Moderate work: Cutting logs for firewood only needs a 55 cc engine with a 16 inch guide bar.
What size tree can a 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.
Why does a chainsaw cut crooked?
One major reason a chainsaw curves to either the right or left during a cut is that it was unevenly sharpened. The unequal teeth of the chain cause it to take a different-sized bite into the wood. What is this? The uneven sharpness of the chain is mainly due to manual sharpening, especially with the use of a file.
Can I put a 16 inch bar on a 14 inch chainsaw?
Different Bar Sizes This length differs from the overall length, which manufacturers use less than the cutting length. A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate with a bar that’s 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches length. However, a larger bar may not always give the best cutting performance.
What is a 14 inch chainsaw good for?
In chainsaw descriptions, the term “light use” covers pruning trees and shrubs, and general maintenance. Light-use chainsaws’ cutting bar typically is under 14 inches long. Pruning ornamental trees and shrubs that don’t have thick branches is simple with these novice-friendly models.
What’s the difference between 404 and 3/8 chain?
Secondly, the numbers 3/8″ and . 404″ refer to the pitch (distance) between the drive links – these are the bits on the chain that stick down and engage with the drive sprocket on the saw, and the sprocket on the roller-nose end of the bar.
What is the difference between a R56 and a S56 chainsaw chain?
The difference is the width of the chain track. S56 is . 050″ and R56 is . 043″.
What do Stihl chain numbers mean?
Find the gauge of the chain by locating the number stamped on the drive link. A 1 equals a 0.043-inch gauge, 3 equals a 0.050-inch gauge, 5 corresponds to a 0.058-inch gauge, 6 means the chain has a 0.063-inch gauge. A 0 means the chain has a 0.080-inch gauge, but this gauge size is found only on the Harvester chain.