How to Choose the Right Chainsaw

How to Choose the Right ChainsawChainsaws aren’t a necessity in every garden, but if you’re tree felling, taking the tops of your conifers off or cutting logs for your log burner, they are often the best garden appliance for the job. But how do you know which chainsaw is right for you and your requirements?

Before going out and purchasing a chainsaw, we recommend you carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages each model offers, especially as using such a garden appliance can be dangerous and cause serious injury.

To give you a helping hand at selecting the best chainsaw for your needs and requirements, as well as to ensure you stay safe when using one, we’ve compiled this brief guide.

Electric Chainsaws:

Most electric chainsaws come with a power of 1800 to 2000 watts and a guide bar between 35cm and 40cm, making them ideal for the majority of gardening tasks. However, despite being lighter and quieter compared to their petrol counterparts, they also come with a limit reach due to having to be plugged in.

Petrol Chainsaw:

When it comes to cutting through logs or heavy pruning, a petrol chainsaw is often the preferred choice, not least because they offer more power and are therefore deemed to be able to cut through thick wood quicker than other models.

However, they are generally heavier than their electric counterparts making them harder to handle and manoeuvre. It’s also worth noting such a model is likely to require more maintenance than its electric counterpart, including regular engine services.

Chainsaw Safety Features:

When using a chainsaw it goes without saying the right PPE (personal protective equipment) should be worn, including:

  • Safety Helmet
  • Hearing and Eye Protection
  • Chainsaw Gloves
  • Chainsaw Trousers
  • Safety Boots

But along with wearing the correct PPE, you need to make sure your chainsaw includes the right safety features. Thankfully, all modern chainsaws are required to have a number of inbuilt safety features, including:

  • Kickback Guard
  • Throttle Lock
  • Chain Catcher
  • Right-Hand Guard

top-tipTop Tip: Never use a chainsaw up a ladder. Instead, we recommend you use a telescopic chainsaw pole pruner.

Conclusion:

In summary, when it comes to selecting the right chainsaw for you, make sure you find one which is well balanced with a good power to weight ratio, which you can handle. Also double check it includes the required safety features.

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