A gas-powered chainsaw with a bar length of 20 inches or more is most effective for felling large hardwood trees such as oak, spruce, birch, beech and hemlock, many of which can be 30 – 36 inches in diameter. If you happen to be cutting small – diameter trees such as poplars or small spruces, then an electric or battery – operated chainsaw is fine. After reading this article, you should have a greater understanding of how the diameter of the trees you need to cut will determine the guide bar length of the chainsaw you ultimately purchase.
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.
If you’re thinking about buying a chainsaw, then you’re probably wondering what size chainsaw do I need? Should you just go for the longest chainsaw length you can afford or is a shorter chainsaw really a better buy? 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. The answer to the question, “What size chainsaw do I need?” depends mostly on the length of the guide bar. “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. For simpler, detailed work, it’s important that your chosen chainsaw be a manageable size to allow you to cut or prune just what needs to be removed and nothing else.
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.
chainsaw bar length vs tree diameter Related Question:
How big of a tree can a 16 inch chainsaw cut?
In general, most professionals recommend sizing up by two inches when choosing a bar length. This means when considering how big of a tree can a 16 chainsaw cut, you can cut a trunk with a width of up to 14 inches.
How big of a tree can you cut with an 18 inch bar?
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.
How do I choose a chainsaw bar length?
To find the called length of your chainsaw bar, measure it from its front tip all the way back to the cutter closest to the body of the saw. Round this measurement up to the nearest even number in inches. For example, a bar that measures 18 3/4″ will actually have a called length of 20″.
What size tree can a 12 inch chainsaw cut?
Felling small trees – 12” to 14” Cutting down small trees in a yard or garden will require a chainsaw of about 12″ to 14” depending on the thickness of the tree trunk.
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 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.
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.
Can I put an 18 inch bar on a 20-inch chainsaw?
Changing the bar and chain on your 18-inch chain saw to a 20-inch size will enable easier cutting of larger trees and branches. Larger chain saws cut through thicker trees and limbs. Put work gloves on to protect your hands and fingers.
Do I need a bigger chainsaw?
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”.
What size chainsaw do I need for a 36 inch bar?
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).
What are chainsaw bar sizes?
To preface, the standard bar lengths for chainsaws are 16, 18, and 20 inches. However, longer bars do exist and can exceed 24 inches. When taking a measurement, you should round to the nearest even whole number.
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 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).
How many cc do I need in a chainsaw?
The larger the displacement, the more power generated by the explosion of the compressed fuel/air mixture that drives the piston. If you’re harvesting and working up several cords of firewood a year, you’ll want a saw with between 45 and 55 cubic centimeters (cc) of displacement.
How thick of a tree can an electric chainsaw cut?
WEN 4017 Electric Chainsaw, 16″ With 12 amps of power, this corded chainsaw from WEN features a 16-inch bar capable of cutting through small trees and branches up to 14 inches in diameter.