How to choose a good chainsaw

Gasoline chain saws can significantly speed up the process of building or landscaping a personal plot. Professional-grade equipment has long been the main tool for harvesting or erecting timber buildings. Household chainsaws are used for small jobs in the garden.

To purchase a chainsaw that meets the tasks, you need to understand what the technical characteristics of the unit mean. The advice of our experts will help you figure out how to choose a good chainsaw for your home or country, commercial or industrial activities.

Types of chainsaws

According to performance and resource, gasoline chain saws are divided into household, farm or semi-professional and professional. Contrary to misconceptions, the length of the saw blade and the size of the engine do not always determine the class of the tool, although they give a certain characteristic to the capabilities of the unit. On sale there are inexpensive household saws with a 40 cm bar or compact tools with a 30 cm bar equipped with a reliable and durable motor. Thus, when choosing a chain saw for home or professional activity, you need to pay attention not only to technical data, but also to the manufacturer and cost.

Household

Household-grade chainsaws are characterized by compact design, small dimensions and sometimes low ergonomics. This is a tool for a small amount of work, which is suitable for home use: forming the crown of fruit trees in a garden area, preparing firewood for a house or a bath, carrying out minor construction work. The resource of household saws rarely exceeds 20 hours of operation per month, which equals about 40 minutes of operation per day.

Farm

Farm chainsaws are designed for similar types of work, but in a larger volume. They are more ergonomic, can be equipped with various anti-vibration systems and safety features, but you cannot use a tool of this class full time. Semi-professional saws are suitable for harvesting firewood, building and landscaping the local area.

Professional

Professional chainsaws are always equipped with various protective functions and are designed for continuous operation even in the most demanding conditions, such as in the forestry industry. This class includes large-sized chainsaws with powerful, durable engines that work flawlessly for 10-12 hours a day. Naturally, for small jobs on a personal plot, it is not rational to acquire such a tool: its potential will be "idle", and you will experience considerable physical stress from a unit weighing 10-15 kg.

Chainsaw selection criteria

The main criteria for choosing a reliable chainsaw are its technical features:

• engine power and displacement
• bus length
• functional equipment of the saw
• design features (crankshaft, oil pump, dimensions, weight)

The class of the chainsaw, motor resource and, of course, ease of use are also taken into account.In most cases, you should choose a model with a lower weight and small dimensions, equipped with various systems that facilitate engine starting and operation:

1. decompression valve
2. Soft start
3. convenient mechanism for changing the saw headset and chain tension

Before choosing a good and inexpensive chainsaw, it is recommended to clearly define the upcoming volume and specifics of work. To solve many problems in a garden or in a private house, sometimes a simple Chinese-made model is enough.

Power

The motor power determines the cutting speed. This characteristic depends on the class of the saw and the types of work for which it was designed. The value is measured in horsepower or kilowatts (hp or kW). When choosing a saw in terms of power, you should focus on its class.

Gasoline units of a household level are inferior in parameters to chainsaws of a different class, their power rarely reaches 1.8 - 2.0 kW or 2.5 hp. However, this is sufficient for harvesting firewood, cutting branches and small trees, or for sawing construction materials.

The farm class of chainsaws is a cross between a top-end and an amateur model, the power of such a saw varies between 2-3 kW or 2.5 - 4 hp. This is due (most often) to a long tire, respectively, a higher performance.

Professional chainsaws start at 3 kW or 4 hp in power. and higher. Models with a small bar in 16-18 "have an average value, the saw power with a 20" bar can reach 6-7 kW (9.5 hp).

If in the technical passport of the device the power is indicated in only one unit of measurement (kW or hp), the value can be converted to another using the formulas:

1 h.p. = 0.74 kW
1 kW = 1.36 HP

Experts recommend choosing a saw with a small power reserve so that the tool does not work to its limit.

The main parameters for choosing a chainsaw tire

The size of the saw attachment of the machine determines the maximum cutting depth. According to the rules, the maximum tire length is indicated in the technical passport, but the user can install a blade of a shorter length.

Tire characteristics:

• length - 12 to 20 inches;
• the size of the drive and driven sprockets determine the characteristics of the chain.

It is not difficult to calculate the required length of the saw bar; it is enough to evaluate the upcoming types of work that will be performed. However, it is worth paying attention to its characteristics so as not to face the problem of choosing a circuit in the future.

Most chainsaws up to 16 ”have standard parameters: 3/8” chain pitch and 1.3 mm groove width. It is very easy to choose a chain for such a headset, they are produced by all brands. Some Makita saws have a 1.1 mm groove. Standard for longer bar is 0.325 ”chain pitch. The purchase of a unit with other indicators is justified only if the consumables are always available and presented in a good range.

Modern saws are often equipped with chain tension adjustments. Such tools are more convenient to use, since the tooling is set up without the use of additional tools.

Good chainsaws are distinguished by a competent combination of technical characteristics: the longer the tire, the more powerful the engine. Using a long saw blade on a low-powered model leads to rapid wear of the entire mechanism.

What you need to know about chainsaw chains

The saw chain is an accessory for all types of devices. There are three types of chains:

• for rip sawing;
• for cross cutting;
• for cutting frozen wood or concrete structures.

Chainsaw chains for cross or longitudinal sawing differ in the sharpening angle of the link: 20, 30 and 35 degrees. The average value is considered universal, such equipment is suitable for any type of sawing, links from 20^about angle is used for longitudinal cuts, and with 35^about, respectively for the transverse.

Saw chains for sawing frozen wood are often used for work on concrete. Such equipment costs an order of magnitude more expensive and is distinguished by the presence of carbide taps on the links.

Chains for chainsaws are chosen not only for price and quality or purpose, but also for technical characteristics. The parameters of the suitable equipment are indicated in the passport for the tool. To choose the right chain, it is enough to know the number of links, chain pitch and groove width.

Engine capacity

The power of the tool depends on the volume of the engine of the chainsaw, the parameter is measured in cm³. Users rarely pay attention to this characteristic, because it is largely predetermined by the manufacturer. However, there are models of equal power and different engine sizes. This happens for the reason that some manufacturers overestimate the actual performance of the equipment or indicate the values ​​obtained when testing the chainsaw in ideal production conditions. However, a slight deviation of 0.1 - 0.2 kW is considered normal.

The ratio of engine volume and saw power:

• 23.6 cm³ - 1.0 kW;
• 31.8 cm³ - 1.5 kW;
• 40.2 cm³ - 2.0 kW;
• 59.0 cm³ - 3.5 kW;
• 70.7 cm³ - 4.0 kW.

The values ​​are taken from the Stihl gasoline saws datasheet.

Crankshaft

The main part of the engine piston system is forged or stamped. A forged crankshaft, in contrast to a stamped one, has a large working resource, it is this type of part that is installed on most high-quality chainsaws. However, among inexpensive household models, there are saws with stamped ones, while a smaller resource is due to the class and purpose of the tool.

Oil pump

The oil pump is responsible for supplying lubricants to the chain. As a rule, the lubrication system in modern models of chainsaws is automatic, that is, oil is supplied to the chain only during operation.

Distinguish between adjustable and non-adjustable types of pumps, the first type is the prerogative of professional technology. The operator can set the optimal oil flow settings according to the job specification. In addition, oil pumps are distinguished by the type of material used: plastic or metal. The metal has high strength and durability, but increases the final cost of the unit by an order of magnitude.

Before buying, it is better to clarify what material the oil pump is made of, since its service life depends on this.

Weight

The weight of the chainsaw determines the maneuverability of the tool. For some types of work, this indicator is key when choosing a chainsaw, for example, when sawing the upper branches of trees, when forming a crown, or when cutting grooves in wood at a height, during construction.

Saw dry weight is the weight of the engine and housing with handles; add the weight of the chain, bar and fuel mixture to this value.

Household models have the smallest weight from 2 to 5 kg. Semi-professional ones weigh from 5 to 8 kg, the heaviest are professional units, the weight of which sometimes reaches 12-14 kg.

Resource

Depending on the class of the chainsaw, its mechanism has a certain resource - the operating time, after which the engine will need major repairs. In general, the concept of "resource" has no definite dimension, but it is customary to focus on the number of engine hours. To a certain extent, the saw's resource depends on the power, but this does not apply to “noname” brands and the entire household class, where medium-power models are often found. Naturally, the resource is lower for household appliances, and higher for professional equipment.

However, a number of factors affect this parameter of the chainsaw:

1. operating mode;
2. timely maintenance;
3. the quality of the fuels and lubricants used - when choosing an oil for a chain and fuel, the manufacturer's recommendations should be followed.

Thus, a negligent attitude to the rules for operating chainsaws will significantly reduce the resource even of a professional unit, and a household model can be completely out of order in a couple of days.

Working hours

The operating mode includes various features of the operation of a gasoline tool. For example, continuous operating time defined by the class of chainsaws. Neglecting the recommendations of specialists leads to overheating, premature wear of all major engine components.

They also distinguish between the seasons: summer and winter. Professional saws often have special settings for setting the mode corresponding to the outside air temperature. Household and semi-professional models cannot boast of such equipment. The use of such a technique at different times of the year implies proper maintenance and measures to prepare the tool for work.

Equally important functions

Domestic versions rarely differ in special functional equipment, in contrast to professional or farm models, in which various technologies or additional options are often implemented.

• Anti-vibration system... Vibration damping technology is very useful for tools of any class, but is most often implemented in professional models. The simplest system is the presence of rubber shock-absorbing pads between the handles and the body of the chainsaw. More sophisticated technologies are superior to others in terms of reliability and are achieved due to a precisely calibrated ratio of unit weight and engine power. A similar technology is a damper located between the motor and the handlebars.
• Kickback protection... When the chain jams at the chainsaw or the rig “hits” a high strength surface during operation, the operator can receive a strong inertial shock. To protect users, manufacturers are implementing a special system that stops the rotation of the engine and saw chain in a split second. For maximum safety, the operator is protected against kickback by the saw in two versions: an additional button on the top of the handle and a front brake. Thus, if the tool is suddenly pulled out of the hands or is pushed forward, both safety systems are triggered.
• Filter design... For stable and correct operation of the chainsaw engine, you must regularly clean the air filter. The specificity of operation implies the constant formation of dust and small sawn products, which increases the intensity of contamination of the filter element. First of all, when buying, you should pay attention to the design of the filter itself, how difficult access will be, what additional tools will be needed for disassembly. Also, a number of professional gasoline saws are equipped with a carburetor with a compensator, which reacts to the volume of air supply and independently regulates the composition of the fuel mixture. Thus, even a clogged filter will not cause quick breakdown. Household models are not equipped with such technologies.
• "Soft start"... Smooth and lightweight starting of the chainsaw engine is a fuel mixture pump (also called a primer). The system allows you to reduce the force when starting by 50-70%.
• Fuel tank volume... This is a rather important design feature that determines the maximum continuous operation time. For household models, value rarely plays a big role, because low productivity always means short continuous operation time and frequent pauses. In professional saws, powerful and durable large-volume engines are almost always installed, respectively, the volume of the fuel tank is impressive - up to 1 liter.

Chainsaw of which company to buy

When choosing a saw in terms of price and quality ratio, attention should be focused on one of the best manufacturing companies.Well-known and large enterprises have solid experience and their own patented developments, providing their customers with high-quality and reliable tools. Most of the Russian market is occupied by European brands, whose products are distinguished by high reliability and price. When the choice on the principle of "good and expensive" is not justified, you can choose an inexpensive chainsaw from Asian manufacturers, among which there is a range of brands with a good reputation.
The most reliable manufacturers of chainsaws, according to customer reviews, are:

1. Stihl
2. Husqvarna
3. Echo
4. Makita
5. Huter

We also offer you to get acquainted with the rating of the best chainsaws for home and summer cottages by clicking on link.

Conclusion

Now you know which characteristics will be a priority when buying a good saw model, which is influenced by technical data and design features. When deciding which chainsaw to choose for home use, you can read user reviews on the forums. Experienced owners often provide useful tips and tricks, as well as reveal some of the pros and cons of certain models.