Chopping and trimming overgrown branches and dead trees in your lawn or driveways can be a daunting and even dangerous task. Doing it by hand, chopping wood and trimming branches using a wood ax after a storm, is an option – it also takes a lot of time and wear and tear on your part.
An occasional cleanup session with an ax is fine once in a while for the average homeowner, but what if you’re in charge of maintaining a large property, or several lawns, backyards and trees in an area? For clearing branches and entire trees, you should consider whether buying a chainsaw is right for you.
How Do Chainsaws Work?
Chainsaws are effective for cutting branches and logs – you can think of it as the workhorse of portable cutting tools. A gas or electric powered engine runs a cutting chain around a guide bar at high speeds. This cutting chain has tiny blades that are dragged across the surface, creating a rough cut. The process can be helped along by the operator by putting a bit of pressure to get the job done faster.
Chainsaws have secured a place in pop culture and in the imagination of people as a unique cutting tool – juggling chainsaws is actually a thing that people do to show off! That said, a chain saw is not a toy. It’s a dangerous tool, and one that doesn’t even have that many safety features built into it.
There are no blade guards and guides to help keep you and the others around you safe as you use the tool, and no dust ports or debris collection of any kind.
Chainsaws are high-powered tools for rough cutting logs and firewood, and they are best used by experienced users. As a power tool, they are as effective, yet as basic as you can get.
Which Type of Chainsaw Should You Get?
A chainsaw is a great investment, and some consider it a must have especially if you are working with lots of firewood, or you are involved in professional landscaping, gardening and other similar jobs where you can expect to use chainsaws every now and then.
Any chainsaw that you buy will be able to do very simple jobs; cutting logs, trees, branches and alike, the type of chainsaw that would be one of your options relies heavily on your personal preferences and budget. They are simply not multi-purpose tools, and it shows in most chainsaw models. Chainsaws are built for two things: portability and power.
Renting One Is A Good Idea: If you are having a hard time choosing what type of chainsaw is for you, there are some hardware stores that offer power tools rentals for temporary use. This would help you become more familiar chainsaws, how they perform on the job and what are the proper techniques when using them.
Chainsaws have four variants or types that are available in the market. These are gas powered chainsaws, electric chainsaws, pole chainsaws and chainsaw scissor. Chainsaws are also classified in terms of power size, guide bar length and other features
Gas Powered Chainsaws
Gas powered offers portability and power, both incredibly handy when you are cutting logs and trees in places a long way from a power outlet. Gas powered chainsaws are much more powerful and much more capable when it comes to cutting bigger and thicker logs and wet wood compared to electric chainsaw and pole chainsaws, and you can expect a gas powered chainsaws to have more horsepower in general.
Gas powered chainsaws make the most of this power with longer and wider guide bars. A typical gas powered saw has bars reaching up to 60 inches, giving them a bit more cutting capacity and cutting depth compared to other types of portable saws.
With this combination of power, portability and operating time, gas powered chainsaws are likely your best pick when you are felling trees and cutting logs in forested areas or remote places.
Features to look out for gas powered chainsaws
- Larger capacity fuel tanks let you work longer between refills.
- Secondary rear handles give you more maneuverability and leverage when cutting logs on the ground by letting you do a double overhand grip on the saw.
- Medium-sized to large guide bars and cutting chains (16-18 inches) will work for an entry level homeowner model, but longer pro models provide additional cutting depth and capacity.
- Air injection cleaning systems require less time maintaining the chainsaw and longer cutting chain life.
- Smart start features for easier startups of chainsaws such as a push start button or spring assisted pull-ups for pull-up starting system.
- Keep an eye out for anti-vibration systems to avoid hand numbness and discomfort when using the tool for a long period of time.
- Mufflers and noise dampeners reduce motor noise to protect your hearing.
- Spark arrestor screens prevent accidental forest fires.
- Keep in mind that bigger motors or engine power (preferably 30-50 cc) for easier cutting of thick and big logs and medium firewood cutting.
- Tool-less air filter and spark plug covers lets you perform quick maintenance on the tool.
- Adjustable oil pumps let you adjust the oil flow to compensate for tough conditions.
- Heated carburetors are vital if you plan to use your chainsaw in freezing temperatures.
- Stop controls allow you to cut power to the saw and stop the blade immediately
The downsides of gas powered chainsaws are the same with just about any gas powered tool – they are loud and require regular maintenance and refueling, plus they can be tough to get started as well.
Electric Powered Chainsaws
Electric powered chainsaws are generally less powerful than gas powered chainsaws, and they are often smaller. That gives them a bit of extra portability though – lighter motors and shorter bar guides can make them the best pick when it comes to simple trimming jobs needed for small to medium properties. For the occasional trim of overgrown or dead branches and similar activities, an electric chainsaw fits the bill.
Electric powered chainsaws are also the best pick for beginners because they are much easier to use. They are dead easy to start, and many of them come with just one trigger to turn the chainsaw on and regulate the speed at the same time.
Cordless Versus Corded Electric Chain Saws
Cordless electric chainsaws are much better when it comes to mobility and portability out of the two. Corded electric chain saws will keep you limited to a range of your electric cord, and plugging them in is not that simple either – you can’t just use any extension cord you have lying around to run an electric saw.
Electric chain saws need heavy 14-gauge or 12-gauge extension cords to safely handle the amperage they run at.
On the flipside, having a corded electric chainsaws means you do not have to worry about operating time or how many batteries you have charged and ready to go.
Electric chainsaws run cleaner and much more quietly than gas powered models as well. This alone can make them the only choice for indoor use or in a neighborhood where noise might be an issue.
Features to look out for electric chainsaws:
- For cordless electric chainsaws, bigger battery and power capacity is always a plus for longer operating time. Lithium-ion batteries that support fast-charge features are even better.
- Extra rear handles for easier handling of the tool.
- Brushless motors offer more efficient operation, bigger torque and longer motor life.
- Automatic oiling system for hands-free chain maintenance and easier cutting.
- Tool-less chain adjustment lends to easy chain tension adjustments or even chain and guide bar replacement without the need for a separate tool.
- Maintenance free features for less frequent maintenance. Ideal for homeowners that use chainsaws occasionally.
Pole Chainsaws
Pole chainsaws cannot compete against both electric and gas-powered chainsaws in terms of power and cutting depth due to its shorter bar guide and smaller cutting chains but are really a more specialty type of chainsaw, anyways.
What they lack in cutting power, however, they more than make up for in range. Pole chainsaws are the best pick when it comes to tree branches and pruning hedges and other plants from the ground due to its long pole and light body.
Pole chainsaws are a "must have" when reaching is a requirement that a standard chainsaw may not be able to cut.
Features to look out for pole chainsaws
- Shoulder straps help to provide comfort especially after extensive use.
- Some models come with telescoping handles that typically start at 7 feet, which can be extended to 20 feet or more.
- Easy start features for much easier engine startups.
- Pole attachment features compatible with other trimming peripherals such as string cutter head and other accessories are a nice feature.
- Small bar guide and cutting chain for maneuverability when being used to trim tree branches and alike. Expect 8-10 inches for a typical pole chainsaw.
- Auto chain lubrication system for longer chain life and to avoid kickbacks.
- Easy to attach and collapse features for the pole for much easier portability and space size.
- Lighter weight to avoid discomfort for the user.
Scissor Chainsaws
Scissor chainsaws are also known as alligator saws or loppers because of their jaws. Scissor chainsaws are designed to cut smaller branches and logs, and they work by clamping on to the log or branch with its jaws, securing it against the cutting chain.
Scissor chainsaws can cut branches up to 4 inches. Unlike bar chainsaws, scissor chainsaws have covered chain blades which make them much safer to use. Scissor chainsaws is a great tool when it comes to gardening and landscaping, and this type of chainsaw is also one of the most beginner-friendly types.
The majority of scissor chainsaws are electric powered as well and operates quietly and with no smoke emissions that can disturb your neighbors. Like most electric tools, scissor chainsaws has two variants as well that are available to the market: cordless and corded.
The light duty scissor chainsaw or lopper trades off power for portability, and this makes them useful especially when operating a tool in unstable platforms like ladders.
Features to look out for scissor chainsaws
- For cordless scissor chainsaws, bigger battery capacity (4.0 Ah minimum) and longer running times are always a plus.
- Easy startup features such as a push start button for much easier use.
- Comfortable grips and wide handles to help with two-handed operation.
- Extra wide clamping jaws to ensure a secure grip on the branch.
- Retractable blades make these tools safe for storage.
A Few Tips and Notes on Using Chainsaws
Chainsaws, especially the larger bar types, are dangerous tools that are best operated by an experienced user. They are powerful, prone to kickbacks, and come with no blade guards for the most part.
- Always read the manual before operating a chainsaw.
- Always make sure you have a clear working area, make sure that there are no people, animals or vehicles around while you are using a chainsaw.
- Always wear protection such as long pants, a hardhat, protective eyewear and similar clothing to avoid injuries.
- Before turning on the chainsaw, always make sure that the oil lubrication is working to avoid kickbacks and seizing.
- Always keep the cutting chain oiled, clean and sharp to minimize kickback and chatter.
- If possible, always work with a partner especially when felling trees.
- Never use a chainsaw using one hand.
- When felling a tree, always follow proper procedure to avoid potential property damage.
- If you are using an electric chainsaw, always plug into a wall socket with appropriate power wattage to avoid fire risk – the same goes for any extensions you use.
- Never start a cut using the tip of the bar guide. The tip of the bar guide is known as the kickback zone, and a hard kickback can knock the tool out of your control.
- If chainsaw has not been used for a long time, always keep in mind to inspect and clean its chain and check its fuel tank and oiling system before starting it up.
- Never refuel a hot gas-powered chainsaw – always wait for it to cool down first. Chainsaws tend to heat up a lot, especially if they have been running for some time.
