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.
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.
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.
The biggest thing that will determine the size of the chainsaw you need is the kind of work you’re doing. If you need a chainsaw for pruning limbs or cutting down saplings or small trees of the softest wood, you’ll want to get a small chainsaw. Figuring out the size of chainsaw you need starts with knowing a little about how chainsaw sizes are determined.
Although a chainsaw’s size is important because it relates directly to the thickness of wood it can cut, other factors come into play when choosing the right saw. Weight is important because holding a heavy saw can become tiresome. Chainsaws with long cutting bars are often heavy, as are chainsaws with a high engine displacement, which indicates a gasoline engine’s size.
is a bigger chainsaw better Related Question:
Do bigger chainsaws cut faster?
About any saw will cut about anything if given enough time and patience, the larger the saw the faster it’ll cut big wood and with less effort and not having to make multiple cuts all the time, cutting from both sides to make it through the log.
Are longer chainsaws better?
Large saws are best for cutting larger limbs, bucking medium tree trunks for removal, and working on storm damage. Chainsaws with longer blades (18 to 20 inches) are workhorses best reserved for felling larger trees or cutting firewood.
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”.
Does the size of a chainsaw matter?
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the most common chainsaw size?
Most residentially used chainsaws fall between 16 and 24 inches of bar and chain length, and are supported by 32 to 62cc engine displacements (although 62cc is on the high end for most property management purposes).
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
Can you put an 18-inch bar on a Stihl ms180?
Stihl recommends that its MS 170, MS 171, MS 180, MS 181, MS 192 and MS 211 homeowner models be equipped with guide bars between 12 and 16 inches. The MS 250 and MS 251 models are equipped with larger 45 cc engines and are capable of driving an 18-inch bar.
Can I put a 20 inch bar on my 18-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.