Maybe you grew up with the legend of Paul Bunyan, or you heard stories of real-life lumberjacks, and you always imagined yourself crossing the great American wilderness to tame even the tallest treetops.
Maybe you simply need to clear away some tree branches that got damaged in a storm.
No matter why you need a new chainsaw, it's important that you choose the right chainsaw for the work you plan to do.
There's a saw that's perfect for everyone, whether for residential use or commercial use. At their core, chainsaws can be divided into three different types:
Take a look at the chart below, then read on to learn more about each type!
| CHAINSAWS | Gas | Electric | Pole Saws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting Capacity: | Large Trees | Young to Mature Trees | Saplings, Branches |
| Weight: | 6 - 20 lbs. | 5 - 17 lbs. | 6 - 17 lbs. |
| Bar Length: | 12 - 36" | 10 - 18" | 8 - 20" |
But don't think that gas chainsaws are all about brute strength. There's a range of variety within the gas-powered chainsaw category, which is why you'll find three styles of gas saws on this site:
You'll see chainsaws with engine capacities as low as 32cc and as high as 60cc. You'll also find that your gas saw might work with a bar as short as 12" or as long as 24", depending on the model.
All that variety means is that you're bound to find a gas chainsaw to help you with any project.
They might be less powerful than gas-powered chainsaws, but that doesn't mean that electric chainsaws lack any benefits. In fact, buying an electric chainsaw offers several pros that tend to be especially appealing to homeowners:
Electric chainsaws are available as cordless or battery-powered saws, which offer more portability, and corded saws, which provide continuous power without the need to replace or recharge a battery.
And don't count on electric saws always being less powerful than gas saws. As technology continues to advance, you can count on seeing more electric saws made to handle tough work.
Like handheld chainsaws, pole chain saws are available with three different power sources:
Because pole saws are held overhead, they're much smaller and lighter than handheld chainsaws. Even their bars are smaller, typically falling in the 8" to 12" range. Due to their size, they're not recommended for use on thick, heavy limbs, but for pruning tall branches, they're the safest option.