Chainsaw operation does not depend on weather conditions, rainfall and humidity. The tool is mobile and is not tied to an energy source, as is the case with power tools. In this regard, all chainsaws are the same, but according to their technical characteristics, it is customary to divide them into three groups, namely: household, semi-professional and.
Each category has its own advantages, knowing them, you will not go wrong with the choice! First you need to decide how much power we need a chainsaw. Household chainsaws with a power of up to 2 kW are suitable for small jobs, the manufacturer's operating period is calculated within 35 hours per month.
Semi-professional from 2-3 kW are suitable for sawing trees of medium diameter, and the operating time has been increased to 320 hours per month. Professional from 3 kW - designed for sawing trees of large diameters. You can work 500 hours or more per month with such a tool. When choosing a chainsaw for your home, keep in mind that the more the power of the chainsaw, the greater its weight.... Accordingly, it will be more difficult for you to handle such a tool. Household models most often weigh up to 4.5 kg, semi-professional ones are produced in the range from 4.5 kg to 5.5 kg, professional ones from 5.5 kg and more.
An important factor when choosing a tool is the length of the tire. It determines what diameter of the tree you can cut in one approach. Again, the length of the bus is related to the power: the more power, the longer you can put the bus. It makes no sense to put a long bar on a low-power saw - you will "ditch" the tool and you will not achieve the desired result. But on the contrary - a smaller tire for more power is possible. This will not harm the instrument at all.
There is also such a thing as the pitch of the chain - it determines the distance between two teeth. The smaller it is, the less noise and vibration the chainsaw creates in operation. But the cutting speed will also be small. Household tools have the smallest chain pitch. For a house and a summer cottage, this is an ideal option - on small volumes, the speed of work does not matter, but the absence of unnecessary vibration and noise in a small yard will become a very tangible advantage.
According to their characteristics, household tools are designed for a light load and short-term work for several hours a day. The household chainsaw is easy to use as it is small and lightweight. With such a chainsaw, it is easy to climb into hard-to-reach places: on a high ladder, on a roof or a post in order to cut an unnecessary branch when. The tool will help out both in garden work and in construction in the country. Chainsaws are small, but at the same time they consume a little fuel. You should not save on the latter - use the A-95 gasoline brand, without any additives and impurities.
Many sellers convince - it is better to buy with a margin! Manufacturers seem to be playing along with them, offering hundreds of models with a wide variety of characteristics. Do not forget that you are buying a chainsaw for rare use and a small amount of work. Why overpay for additional functions: a double air filter, an additional gas tank, an anti-vibration system, an increased number of revolutions.
All of these functions are needed for a tool that is never out of hand.
When choosing a chainsaw, you should pay attention to whether it has a safety pedal, which is triggered by the so-called reverse impact, when the saw is thrown back when it comes into contact with wood, especially with thin branches. Kickback accounts for the bulk of all chainsaw-related injuries. Mostly this happens from inexperience in handling the instrument or due to improper use. If you are a beginner, then it is worth reading the operating instructions before performing any work. For example, never cut a tree with the very end of the bar, or start sawing an object that is not securely attached. Always try to be in a comfortable position and hold the instrument with both hands.
And finally - when buying a chainsaw, save within reasonable limits. Too cheap tools cost this way, because they are made of low-quality materials, which after a few hours of work lose their properties: plastic is deformed, spark plugs become dirty, chain tightens, fuel filter gets dirty. A good tool will rarely remind you of a need for maintenance.
The chainsaw is the right tool for the summer resident and gardener. In a private house, such a tool also does not hurt. For example, for the preparation of firewood in the barbecue, pruning trees and the construction of gazebos, etc.
Previously, only hand saws and hacksaws were used, but thanks to technical progress, today it is possible to purchase an excellent chainsaw.
Amateur chainsaws
The most common class of chainsaws is amateur.
Semi-professional chainsaws
If you do not have the task of cutting thick logs, using the tool daily, then you will have enough power up to 2 kW. A chainsaw for a house with a power of up to 2.5 kW is also perfect for the construction of a wooden blockhouse.
It is important to know that the more power the chainsaw has, the heavier it is. And it will not be easy enough to manage it.
Below we will consider some of the nuances of choosing chainsaws, depending on their technical characteristics.
How to choose a tire for your chainsaw?
Exist three main types of saw bars:
- Flat narrow... They are put on amateur chainsaws. A narrow tire is usually paired with a low profile chain and has no kickback. This is necessary to reduce injuries when working with this chainsaw.
- Lightweight tires... They are made of steel, they are two special plates with polyamide packed between them. This design significantly reduces the overall weight of the chainsaw. And it becomes much easier to work with such a tool.
- Replaceable Head Bus... Installed on professional chainsaws, with high power, which work continuously for ten hours a day.
In addition to the type of tires, you should pay attention to their length.
Long tires make it convenient to cut thick wood as the cut is deeper. But if such a tire comes with a low power mechanism, then its power will not be enough for fast sawing. You will start sawing more slowly, and the chainsaw motor will wear out instantly.
All chainsaw instructions indicate the recommended tire length. This indicator cannot be exceeded... You can reduce the size.
And if you have a choice between models of the same power, then for a small volume of wood it is better to choose a chainsaw with a smaller tire, since its cutting speed will be much higher.
Chainsaw chain
The cutting speed also determines the chain pitch. All chainsaws have three basic chain pitches. Therefore, which chain to choose for a chainsaw is up to you.
Chain pitch 0.325 dm have amateur low profile chains. This is the standard size for fast cuts. Such a chain will not withstand prolonged load and will instantly become dull.
High power have chain pitch up to 0.404 dm... They work for a long time and are able to cut large volumes of wood. But even such chainsaws will not cope with frozen and dirty wood. For these purposes, special carbide-tipped chains are produced.
Choosing a chainsaw for a summer residence, you automatically become a consumer of only this brand, since the accessories of the saw headset from different manufacturers will not fit each other.
Thus, all the components of the unit must be produced by one plant, and if they break down, you will need to look for a part of the same brand.
Kickback protection
Kick back- this is the rebound of the saw when working towards a person. Kickback occurs when the end of the tire hits the tree. When choosing and buying a saw, be sure to check if the selected model has protection against this phenomenon.
Protection in chainsaws from kickback goes two types:
- using a special brake;
- with an additional shield.
Brake in chainsaws it is much more common. It looks like a lever - a shield. When the tool is operating, the lever is set to the closest position to the hand, and when hitting back, the hand will automatically press on the lever, and it will be transferred to the stop position of the chain movement.
Additional shield prevents the operator's hands from touching dangerous machinery when the saw is in operation. It is installed at the end of the saw headset. This protection is not available on Swedish chainsaws.
Anti-vibration protection
When choosing and buying a chainsaw for your home, ask the seller to check it and hold it in your hands.
Light amateur saws should not vibrate too much. To reduce vibration in such chainsaws, rubber gaskets are installed. They are located between the handles and the saw body.
In professional heavy duty saws, the engine and fuel tank are spaced apart to distribute the total weight evenly throughout the structure. Chainsaws without special anti-vibration protection are suitable for those who work for a limited time.
The longer you work, the more the vibration will affect your hands, and this will lead to inevitable joint disease.
Chainsaws for women
Some of the gardening work is done by women. Low-power chainsaws are suitable for women's hands, since they are lightweight and have little vibration. More powerful models will not work for women.
If there are no problems with your area, then get a better electric saw. It is easy to operate and much easier to maintain. You don't have to change oil or refill gasoline. Any woman can handle this unit without any problems.
The chainsaw is one of the indispensable tools for giving and private home. It can be used for storing firewood, cutting down tree knots, building a house, and maintaining hedges. In order for the tool to work well and for a long time, when buying, you need to pay attention to a number of characteristics. There is a wide variety of such equipment on the construction market, which causes a choice problem. The final decision on the purchase will help to study the rating of chainsaws and customer reviews.
Types and main indicators of chainsaws
All saws are conventionally divided into household, semi-professional and professional.
- Household tools are used in the construction of outbuildings, for cutting boards, preparing firewood and much more. Most often, a household saw has a low power and weight, and is designed for 20-25 hours of work per month.
- Semi-professional chainsaws are designed for longer use. With their help, houses are built, trees fall, branches are cut at sawmills. The duration of their work can be whiter than 2-3 hours a day.
- A professional tool has a power that exceeds 2.5 kW and can work without interruption for 8 hours. It is designed for a load of about 10 hours a day and is used in the industry for cutting wood. The resource of such chainsaws is three times higher than the resource of household models.
Tool power and weight
When choosing a chainsaw for your home, first of all, you should pay attention to its power, which will depend on cutting speed and depth:
- for work on the garden plot, there will be enough power of 1.5-2 kW;
- if heavy loads are expected on the tool, then it is better to choose a model with a power of 2-6 kW.
When choosing a saw, you should also pay attention to the ratio of power and weight. This is very important for the comfortable and high-quality operation of the instrument.
Saw motor and chain
All chainsaws are equipped with a carburetor two-stroke engine with two tanks. One tank for fuel has a volume of 0.3-1 liter, the other for oil - half as much. Due to this ratio, gasoline and oil in the engine run out at the same time.
For tools from foreign manufacturers, high quality gasoline and branded oils are required. Domestic chainsaws can run on ordinary motorcycle oil and seventy-sixth gasoline.
Chain pitch determines the distance between the saw teeth, so they pay special attention to it when buying.
- Home models have a minimum pitch of 0.325 inches.
- More powerful saws are equipped with 0.404 inch chains. They are distinguished by their great performance, but at the same time, they also have great vibration. They are used for bucking and felling trees.
- Only powerful devices with high torque are equipped with wider pitch chains.
Tires and tool safety
The depth of cut of the chainsaw depends on the length of this indicator. Household saws for home and summer cottages are equipped with tires up to 40 cm long, professional tools - up to 75 cm.
In addition, attention should be paid to the ratio of power and length of the bus. Insufficient tool power can lead to rapid engine wear and damage, as well as high fuel consumption.
When the end of the tire touches the material being processed, the tool is thrown back sharply, and a kickback is obtained, which is one of the dangerous moments in work. To avoid injury, you should stop the chain quickly... This can be done using a lever in front of the operator's left hand.
The inertial brake, the drive of which is located in the shield, stops the saw. The lever responsible for its activation takes two positions. During operation, the hand rests on the lever, and, if necessary, activates the inertial brake. Therefore, when choosing a saw, special attention should be paid to the quality of its work.
Chainsaws rating
When choosing a tool for the home, special attention should be paid to its technical characteristics and additional options.
Powerful KRÜGER chainsaw (Germany) 4.5 hp
Demonstrate the best quality / price ratio. Despite their impeccable functionality, they are available to most consumers. Basic options include a soft start system and a tire cover for maximum operator safety.
The manufacturer also pleases with a complete set of chainsaws KRÜGER ... It has everything for maintenance, two chains, a filling case. The increased power allows for a wide range of jobs over a long period of time. The Kruger chainsaw is used in construction, logging, and site clearing. Saws of the German brand Kruger meet the highest requirements for reliability and safety.
Husqvarna - chainsaws from a swedish manufacturer
A professional tool from a well-known manufacturer always tops the rating of the best chainsaws. The equipment produced under this brand has an economical engine and is adapted for operation in Russian conditions.
Models are manufactured using the latest technology, which significantly reduces emissions and saves up to 20% of fuel... The powerful engine of the Husqvarna chainsaw is equipped with an air cleaning system that does not require maintenance for a long time.
Household chainsaws Oleo - Mac
Due to the reasonable price and excellent characteristics, the tool from the Italian manufacturer occupies high places in the rating. Manufactured for more than forty years, the equipment is small in size and light in weight. It is very convenient to use as a lopper. When developing models of this company, technologies were used that are used to produce tools of a higher class.
Popular Stihl chainsaws
The equipment produced by German manufacturers is suitable for work both on the site and at small logging sites. The tool is considered a model of reliability and occupies one of the first places in the rating. Lightweight and optimally balanced chainsaws equipped with 14-16 inch tires... With their help, you can cope with any work in the garden. Maximum comfort when working with the tool is provided by a well-thought-out control system with only one lever.
Hyundai chainsaws - reliability and ease of use
The tool of the popular South Korean manufacturer is in demand all over the world. It is easy to operate, reliable, efficient and affordable.
The EASY - START starting system and the powerful engine of the unit will allow you to easily cope with work in a garden or a farm, on a personal plot or when building a house. And the light weight of the chainsaw will allow its owner to work with it tirelessly for quite a long time.
Makita chainsaws - optimal price-performance ratio
The equipment of this manufacturer has proven itself in many areas of activity, therefore it always has a high rating. Equipped inertial brake the units have reduced vibration and are capable of operating for a long time. The special electronic ignition system and the latest modification of the fuel pump allow the tool to start the engine even after a long idle period in the cold season.
Echo chainsaws - reliability and unpretentiousness
This Japanese brand has received a well-deserved high rating and recognition in the Russian market. The reliable and unpretentious tool has a weight of only about four kilograms, which allows you to work with it even with one hand. Its engine start is facilitated by a special pulley design. In addition, the unit is equipped with a quick cleaning system for the air filter, which makes it much easier to service.
The Partner chainsaw is a great companion in the garden
The tools of the Swedish manufacturer always have a high rating and positive customer reviews. Units of this brand equipped with an engine of 1.96 liters. with, automatic lubrication system and chain brake. They are convenient for work in the garden, at home and on the personal plot.
This rating of worthy chainsaw models will help potential owners make the right choice of tool. Indeed, there is often a huge range of chainsaws on the market, which confuses buyers.
Anyone knows what a chainsaw is, but very few know how to choose the right one. Chainsaws are divided into 3 types - household, semi-professional and professional. Of course, there are also electric saws, but for the reason that they do not run on gasoline, we will not consider them. Each type is only suitable for specific tasks, so it is especially important to know which chainsaw is best for you and why. How to choose a good and inexpensive chainsaw for your home? You will find the answer to this question in our article.
First of all, you need to decide what you need a chainsaw for, how and for what purposes you will use it. If you plan to use your chosen chainsaw often and create a large load on the tool, it makes sense to purchase a device that is better and more reliable than typical budget Chinese. And if you need a chainsaw only because it is usually long and hard to work with, and on the site several branches or small trees block the sun, the household option is also suitable for you. What is the difference between professional and non-professional units? First of all, the operating power, which is less, the lower the class of equipment. An amateur tool is best suited for a small summer cottage, and a good professional saw can cut wood, which is what lumberjacks do. 
Any chainsaw has a certain wear life. For a regular household saw, the average is 500 hours, but for more serious devices, a better degree of protection is provided. Low-profile chains are installed on cheap household chainsaws - the low-profile axle has lower performance and is more susceptible to wear, but it is much easier and safer to work with it than with a bulky structure. You can work with an amateur saw for no more than 50-60 minutes without interruption, while long-term operation is fraught with breakage of the tool or even an open circuit, which is unsafe in any case. The power of a simple chainsaw usually varies between 1-2 kW. 
At the same time, such a design has a number of objective advantages - a manual non-professional chainsaw weighs a little, hands do not get tired of it as much as from a more powerful brother, but, of course, you will not go to the forest with a household option. In addition, if you operate a light chainsaw in extreme mode, you will spend more on consumables than if you immediately bought a professional unit. You can look at a good model for yourself in our. But for a summer cottage or a small garden, an amateur chainsaw is best suited. It is ideal to carry out cosmetic repairs with it, it is also well suited for small construction work. What's more, the low profile chain tends to reduce vibration feedback during operation, which will only make things easier for you. In general, with such a chainsaw, you can not only take care of the site, but also allow your imagination to play out, you will be limited only by the power of the structure. The next class of chainsaws - semi-professional - is very different from the basic one. It cannot be said that the prefix "semi" makes such models something in between, between beginners and professional ones. A semi-professional saw is closer to a professional one, with one exception - such chainsaws are not designed for long, daily loads. The overwhelming majority of semi-professional models are designed for 1000 operating hours, and the power of such a chainsaw is, on average, 2-3 kW, and the weight is from 5 to 7 kilograms.
A semi-professional tool is well suited for construction work - it can cut trees with a trunk diameter of up to 40 centimeters, but when working with a saw, hands get tired much faster than in the case of an amateur saw, not least because it weighs one and a half to two times more than usual. With a semi-professional unit, you can cut wood, on a moderate scale - with daily use, a low-profile chain will quickly wear out, but it will definitely withstand 4-5 hours of not the most difficult sawing per day. Sharpening chains is also important for work, so we recommend that you read our recommendations on how. The top option for such a saw would be for a person who already has his own plot, but does not yet have a house on it - a semi-professional tool perfectly copes with all types of woodwork, with its help you can raise a bathhouse or another building from scratch. 
Be sure that with proper operation, such a tool will serve you faithfully for a long time even after the end of construction. As for professional equipment - most likely, if you come to the store for a heavy chainsaw, then you know in advance all the characteristics and safety rules. But, if you are a beginner in the difficult field of lumberjack, we will help you choose the right chainsaw. A professional chainsaw can be very dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced user. In films and videos, this view is most often observed, as it has an impressive size and makes a lot of noise. It is unlikely that you will be able to use the capabilities of a heavy chainsaw to the maximum, even when you are building a bathhouse or a house from scratch. Professional units have the highest performance of all chainsaws - These are purchased by construction and forestry enterprises for industrial needs. 
The power of a heavy chainsaw ranges from 2.5 to 6 kW, its mandatory attribute is a high-profile saw chain. A professional chainsaw is, as a rule, several times more expensive than a household one. Do not assume that the highest power here is a guarantee of high-quality and correctly performed work. When operating a chainsaw with a high-profile chain, safety precautions must be followed carefully. The chain teeth in such saws are reinforced with carbide inserts, which greatly increases their wear resistance. However, if you have never held a chainsaw in your hands, you will not be able to cope with this monster. Professional chainsaws consume a lot of fuel, and consumption increases in direct proportion to the power of the equipment. 
Heavy chainsaws are often used for felling trees, because their power allows you to cut trees even in the most difficult areas, and their high wear resistance and a resource of up to 2000 hours allow you to operate the unit daily in extreme mode and for 10-12 hours. Protective uniforms are required when working with the forest - at least a protective helmet and gloves. If you don’t have enough strength to keep your animal, the chainsaw can bounce off the log straight into you, and the sawdust flying in all directions has not been canceled, not to mention the “accidental” chain rupture due to overheating. A heavy saw weighs from 5 kg, so only an experienced lumberjack can work with it - a beginner will not have enough strength and skills for this.
Extra options
Like any motorized device, the chainsaw requires a run-in before starting work. In the vast majority of cases, a chainsaw is based on a two-stroke engine, careful care of which will prolong the life of the device and keep you healthy. How to choose a chainsaw for price and quality? In addition to the power and resource of the stroke, any chainsaw has several secondary characteristics, each of which must be taken into account when buying. For example, a set of works depends on the type of tire and its length, which will be within the power of your chainsaw. 
There are three types of tires: narrow, lightweight and with replaceable heads. Most often, the type of tire corresponds to the class of the chainsaw. The narrow and flat tire guarantees minimal injury during operation and is usually installed on amateur chainsaws complete with a low-profile chain, the likelihood of kickback (chainsaw rebound) is also minimized. Lightweight steel bars are made up of two steel plates held together by a polymer core. The weight of a saw with a narrow tire will be lighter than with any other, respectively, and it will be easier to work with this one - an excellent choice for a summer resident. But tires with replaceable heads are large, have the highest performance and, as you probably already guessed, are installed on professional units. On a tire of short length, the chain develops the highest speed, little fuel is spent, but it will not work to cut a thick tree trunk with this. The length of the bus must necessarily correspond to the power of the engine, otherwise the output you may get is not at all what you expect. 
The accompanying instructions indicate the maximum possible length of the bus, exceeding which threatens a significant drop in the efficiency of the device. With a long tire, productivity will be higher, thicker trees can be cut and the sawing furrows will be deeper. In addition to the size and composition of the tire, an important attribute is the chain that is attached to this tire. All chains have a single standard for cutting speed and ability to handle tough material, more specifically with link spacing of 0.325, 3/8 and 0.404 inches. The very first version, 0.325 inches, is found in low profile chains. We have already covered the features of low-profile chains, there is nothing new here. Powerful semi-professional and prof. units have a chain pitch of 3/8 and 0.404 inches. Such a chain will last a long time and is not afraid of harsh conditions. Of course, even such chains are not universal, and just like any part of the structure, they are subject to wear.
To work with the most complex material, there are chains, the teeth of which are made of hard alloys, or coated with a special high-strength spraying. Most modern chainsaws are equipped with rebound protection, carried out using a brake lever or a protective shield. It is important to understand that a chainsaw is a tool that carries health risks and therefore requires extra care. It doesn't matter which brand of chainsaw you choose. The main thing is, do not neglect the rules, follow the instructions in the instructions and do not buy a chainsaw that does not fit your physical parameters and tasks, and if you have already reached the point of purchase, use the tips from our article