Chainsaws: Part-Time Use Chainsaw

There are many things to consider when choosing which chainsaw to buy, but one of the first things to get straight is the type of work you will be using the chainsaw for, as this will guide you to the correct size for your needs. Some of the most common tasks are:

• cross cutting logs for firewood
• cutting back or felling trees
• pruning and maintenance to trees and shrubs

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to chainsaws. We strongly advise not choosing a saw that’s bigger than the tasks you’re working on, as large chainsaws are heavy and can be difficult to manoeuvre over extended periods.

Start by identifying the largest diameter of wood that you will need to cut, then use this to decide the size of chainsaw to buy.

It’s not possible to cover every consideration here, such as brands, power sources and additional features. If you’re at all unsure, our highly trained sales team are here to help. They’ll work with you to find the chainsaw that’s just right for you and for the work you do.

Here are some of the most important features to consider when choosing a chainsaw.

Many saws come with a choice of guide bar length. Often, shorter bars make for a better balanced saw meaning they're easier to handle. Plus, a shorter chain typically makes for a more efficient tool. If you do need a longer bar, we’d suggest going up a model for the extra power.

All the weights you’ll see on our website, in our branches or on printed material are dry weights – meaning they’re quoted without fuel or chain oil, or the guide bar and chain. If you’re unsure, the best way to get a proper idea of weight is to visit one of our branches and handle some different options before making a final decision.

Nowadays, your choice of power is petrol or cordless battery powered.

When it comes to chainsaws, there is a great choice of cordless models now available, which can be even lighter and easier to handle than equivalent petrol models. Read our short guide on things you should consider when deciding whether to go cordless.

Some of the most desired features on a chainsaw are quick chain tensioning, easy-start features and tool free tank caps.

It is essential to wear suitable protective equipment when operating a chainsaw. Husqvarna provide a helpful guide covering the basics of chainsaw safety requirements which is a good resource if there’s anything you’re not sure of. Our range of protective clothing can be found in our Workwear and PPE category.

The size of chainsaw required entirely depends on the type of work it will be used for. For typical garden maintenance tasks such as pruning, felling small trees or larger shrubs and cutting logs for firewood, a saw with a 12-14” guide bar will be a good option.

For a lighter, quieter option with less vibration, consider a cordless battery chainsaw. If you’re comfortable with mixing fuel and oil for 2-stroke engines, there are many petrol chainsaws for you to choose from.

Top handle chainsaws are designed to be used by professional arborists working in trees. Before you can purchase a top handle chainsaw, you must have successfully completed a tree climbing course and be able to show valid certification to verify this.

You could consider a pole pruner. A pole pruner has a power unit and a chainsaw cutting head connected by a long pole. Pole pruners typically have either a 10” or 12” guide bar.

Pole pruners allow you to safely cut higher branches whilst keeping your feet firmly on the ground. Some pole pruner saws have telescopic shafts that can be extended to reach even higher heights.

Some of the best chainsaws on the market are from brands such as STIHL, Husqvarna and ECHO. All three manufacturers provide a range of chainsaws for entry level homeowner tasks, right through to professional arborist and forestry work.

Definitely. In recent years we’ve seen more and more cordless chainsaws hit the market for both homeowner and professional applications. Some key benefits are:

• They are typically lighter, quieter and produce less vibration which makes them easier and more enjoyable to operate
• Without a petrol engine, there’s no oil and fuel to mix for 2 stroke
• Starting issues have been removed
• Overall the saw produces noise for less time, due to the saw operating only when the trigger is being pressed