When you’re shopping for chainsaws, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is if you want a battery-powered or a gasoline-powered chainsaw. Battery-powered saws can be a great option, particularly if you’ll use them infrequently or for short periods of time, if you need something that will cut quietly, or if you live in a location that restricts gasoline-powered equipment.
- Further reading: Buying Guide: Choosing The Best Battery-Powered Chainsaw
Gasoline-powered saws are still very popular for a variety of reasons. For one, they can be more powerful and durable than battery-powered saws (though they require more maintenance). They’re also much easier to refuel on the go since you just need to carry a gas can instead of a bunch of backup batteries.
If you’ve decided that a gasoline-powered chainsaw is the best fit for you, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll walk through some tips for choosing the best gasoline-powered chainsaw for your wood-cutting needs.
Understanding Bars and Chain Types
A good rule to keep in mind is that the chainsaw bar should be 2 inches longer than the wood you’re cutting. When purchasing a saw, it will come with a guide bar that’s a specific length. Be sure to also check if the saw can use other guide bar lengths. This may be listed on the saw’s specifications, or you can look it up on the manufacturer’s website.
There are three main types of chainsaw chains. Low-profile chains are designed to reduce kickback for less experienced chainsaw users. The cutting corners are rounded.
Semi-chisel chains are good for all-purpose cutting. They work well for both hardwoods and softwoods. The cutting corners are rounded, but not as much as low-profile chains and there’s a greater risk of kickback. The slightly rounded cutting corners mean the chains don’t go dull as quickly as full-chisel chains.
Full-chisel chains cut more quickly through hardwoods. However, they also go dull more quickly and the increased risk of kickback makes them less safe to use, especially if you’re not very experienced with chainsaws. Typically, only professionals will use full-chisel chains.
Chain Saw Power
In addition to bar length, you can also measure chainsaws based on engine displacement. This has to do with how powerful the saw will be. You’ll see engine power listed in cc (cubic centimeters). The higher the number, the more powerful the saw and the longer the guide bars it can handle.
- A 30-cc to 40-cc engine will be good for light cleanup and cutting small tree limbs (comparable power level to most battery-powered saws).
- A 40-cc to 60-cc engine will be a good choice for cutting firewood or felling small trees, (comparable to 60 V or 80 V battery saws).
- A 60-cc to 120-cc engine can handle more demanding professional use (no comparable battery-powered saws in this power range).
How You’ll Use the Saw
What you want to do with the chainsaw determines what type of saw you’ll need. If you just want to trim some limbs around the house, you won’t need a very powerful saw. If you’re a professional logger, though, you’ll want a heavy-duty chainsaw that can work with you all day.
- Light trimming is easy to do with a lightweight homeowner saw with a cutting bar length of around 6 to 12 inches and a 25-cc to 45-cc engine.
- Firewood cutting and storm cleanup depend on how large the trees you’re cutting are, but a mid-range homeowner saw or a farm and ranch saw with a 14- to 18-inch bar and 40-cc to 60-cc should do the trick.
- Heavy-duty cutting requires powerful, professional saws, often with cutting bars over 20 inches in length and 50-cc to 120+-cc engines.
- In-tree cutting is best done with a top-handle arborist saw (note: these saws are not recommended for homeowner use).
Keep in mind that many chainsaws let you change the cutting bar length. If you start by purchasing a saw for light trimming and find out that you need a longer cutting bar to take down a few trees, you won’t necessarily need to buy a new saw if the engine is powerful enough. If you frequently use saws for very different tasks (e.g. light trimming of small branches and felling large trees), then you’ll probably want to get at least two different chainsaws.
Features to Look For
As you narrow down your chainsaw selections based on how you’ll use the saw, keep an eye out for other useful features as well.
- Chain brake—a safety feature that stops the chain if the saw moves abruptly, as in the case of kickback.
- Anti-vibration—a comfort feature that makes it easier to use the chainsaw and reduces operator fatigue.
- Easy start—this feature can go by different names (e.g. spring-assisted start), and it’s designed to make gasoline-powered saws easier to start.
- Toolless chain adjust—a feature that lets you adjust the tension on the chain without needing an extra tool.
Keep in mind that even with safety features like a chain braking system, you’ll still need to wear protective gear when operating a chainsaw. Recommended safety gear includes gloves, sturdy boots, chainsaw chaps or protective pants, eye protection, and hearing protection.
Picking the Right Brand
Here at Richardson Saw, we carry top-quality chainsaws from STIHL and Echo. It’s no coincidence that those are the two brands we carry. Consistently, these brands receive top ratings for both their professional and homeowner chainsaws. For example, in Pro Tool Review’s article “Best Chainsaw Reviews 2023” all the top-performing gasoline chainsaws are either STIHL or Echo models.
You can click here to start browsing our chainsaws online or come visit us to see the saws in person and chat with an expert about your options. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of saws for homeowner and professional use with guide bar lengths ranging from 12-inches to over 36-inches. We also have a full service department for chainsaw maintenance and repair.
