When you’re searching for professional recommendations for chainsaws, saws from STIHL and ECHO consistently make the top-recommended lists. These well-known brands have a long history of reliable performance and consistently dominate the professional chainsaw market. They’re also popular among homeowners with large properties and high expectations for power equipment performance.
With the rise of battery-powered lawn equipment, EGO is another brand to watch. EGO is the #1 brand in cordless power equipment, and they offer several chainsaws. STIHL and ECHO also offer battery-powered saws in addition to their top-quality gasoline models. The batteries used in the chainsaws are also compatible with other battery-powered tools from the same brand, making recharging and using different tools more convenient.
Narrowing down your options for which saw to purchase for tree work depends on exactly what you need the saw to do. Cutting firewood and felling large trees demands different things from a chainsaw than trimming trees or pruning branches high off the ground. You’ll need to choose between battery-powered and gasoline-powered saws, as well as know what type of cutting you plan to do with the saw.
Professional Chainsaw Features To Look For
One of the big things that professionals look for in a chainsaw is the power-to-weight ratio. Ideally, you want powerful performance in a lightweight body. Higher engine displacement (for gasoline saws) or higher voltage (for battery saws) typically translates to more powerful cutting performance. The weight goes up when the power increases, but professional saws are designed to be as lightweight as possible. And if you’re doing a lot of tree work, lower weights reduce fatigue when cutting.
Other things to look for are features that make the saw reliable and easy to use. Easy starting mechanisms, anti-vibration technology, toolless chain adjustment, and automatic oilers are all features to consider that can help make working with the chainsaw a little simpler.
Battery Chainsaws for Tree Work
For limbing up trees, cutting down small trees, and cutting firewood around the house, a 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good fit. As a general rule, your chainsaw bar should be two inches longer than the diameter of the wood you’re cutting. That means to cut a 12-inch tree, you’d need a 14-inch guide bar. Most battery-powered saws offer 12-16 inch cutting bars. The longest cutting bar available from EGO is 20 inches.
Most leading brands now use brushless motors for their battery saws. If you purchase a battery-powered chainsaw, choosing a brushless motor provides superior power, performance, and battery regulation. ECHO, STIHL, and EGO saws all rank well on power, speed, and run time tests. They’ll be a good fit for most homeowners and lighter professional work as well.
Gasoline Chainsaws for Tree Work
For smaller-scale tree work and firewood cutting, gasoline and battery-powered saws have comparable capabilities. Gasoline-powered saws are typically less expensive up-front, but you may save money on battery-powered saws in the long run. Still, it is easier to refuel a gasoline saw than to recharge a battery saw when you’re out working in the field. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons for your individual needs.
Gasoline-powered saws are essential for heavy-duty tree work and firewood cutting. If you’re cutting a lot of firewood and taking down trees, you are going to want powerful engine performance and longer bar lengths. The longer cutting bars and higher power simply aren’t available from battery-powered saws yet.
Saws for In-Tree Cutting
Top-handle chainsaws are designed specifically for professionals who have to use a chainsaw when doing off-ground, in-tree cutting. They are also called arborist saws. These saws are not recommended for homeowner use. Typically, they’re used for tree service and surgery, landscaping, and public maintenance projects.
STIHL and ECHO both offer top-handle chainsaws designed for professional arborists. These saws are lightweight, balanced, maneuverable, and compact–all things you need when working up in a tree. Here at Richardson Saw, we carry lots of tools and gear for professional tree care, making us a one-stop shop for your arborist needs.
Pole Saws for Cutting from the Ground
For homeowners who need to cut branches high off the ground, pole saws are a safer option than in-tree saws or climbing a ladder while carrying a saw. Pole saws are also a valuable tool for professional tree care to make cutting and pruning more convenient. They’re especially helpful when you’re maintaining large properties with many trees to prune.
Just like with other chainsaws, STIHL and ECHO are top brand options for pole saws. You can purchase pole saws as dedicated tools or as attachments for multi-tool powerheads. A multi-tool can save storage space and money if you plan to buy several tools like a trimmer, blower, pole saw, and/or small cultivator. Pole saws are also available as gasoline-powered or battery-powered models.
Where To Buy STIHL, ECHO, and EGO
Whether you’re a professional looking for a new saw or a homeowner who needs commercial-grade performance for tree cutting work, you can’t go wrong with a STIHL or ECHO gasoline-powered saw. And if you’re in the market for a battery-powered chainsaw, STIHL, ECHO, or EGO will be good options.
Richardson Saw is your local STIHL and ECHO dealer here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. STIHL is a dealer-exclusive brand, so you can’t buy it in big-box stores. ECHO and EGO aren’t dealer-exclusive, but there are still advantages to buying these brands from a dealership. Dealers offer competitive pricing, top-quality products, personalized service, and expert knowledge. Plus, many, like Richardson Saw, are locally owned and operated, so you’re supporting community businesses when you buy from a dealer. We also service what we sell, and you can get local after-sales support if needed.
