The Gas Chainsaw- All the Info You Need When Buying

Truth be told, the gas chainsaw comes with its ups and downs, but you still want to get one as the goods outweighs the bad. Even though the noise, the high risk of injury, the weight, the maintenance and the fumes don’t compliment it at all, its power, durability and incredible versatility are going to seal the deal for many.

How does it work?

The gas chainsaw is powered by 2 cycle (stroke) engines which are lightweight and give a lot of power considering their size. The engine drives the chain around the guide bar, using a high speed.

The chain is made with several links with teeth (really sharp) which are going to cut through your material (wood, most of the time) as you’re applying them. The cutting action of the teeth and the rotation of the chain are going to maintain the saw in contact with the branch/tree you’re cutting.

The gas chainsaw also comes with a reservoir for the chain oil. The reservoir gives oil onto the chain while the chain is rotating. This is going to keep the chain well lubricated. It also minimizes the wear and improves the performance, eliminating the risk for snagging.

When to use it?

The gas chainsaw is highly versatile and you should definitely get one. However, keep in mind that there are situations when you’re going to need just one, but several types of chainsaws.

Here are some common situations when the gas chainsaw makes the job a lot easier:

  • You do need to use it on a regular basis
  • You have to lot/cut down mature trees (hardwoods mostly)
  • Mixing up oil and gas to fuel your chainsaw is no problem for you
  • You have enough body power to manage the weight of a gas chainsaw. You’re also strong enough to pull the recoil starting cord
  • You do need a chainsaw for various jobs outside, where you’re away from the range of electric power
  • You couldn’t care less about the noise. If there are no noise limitations in the area where you’re working, the gas chainsaw is always a solid choice
  • You don’t mind taking care of it. The gas chainsaw needs some maintenance so you do need the time and the will for it.

How many types of gas chainsaw are there?

The diversity of this type of chainsaws is impressive, but there are three main categories to choose from:

  • Consumer-use models- have bars up to 14 in in length. Their engines range between 32cc to 35 cc displacement
  • Heavy-use models-they come with bars of 18in long, whereas the engine is about 35cc and 55 cc.
  • Professional grade models- they come with bars up to 24 in (and even longer than that). The engine is 80 cc or even higher than that.

What features count on a gas chainsaw?

Not all gas chainsaws were created equal so it’s good to know the features that make a difference. Here’s our list of features:

  • Low emission engine- even though this isn’t a mandatory feature, it’s wiser and better to get a gas chainsaw that comes with an engine with low exhaust emissions
  • Air injected engine- this is going to maintain the air filters nice and clean, which can only improve the engine’s performance
  • Automatic oiling of the chain-it’s going to maintain the chain oiled as you’re working. Doing it manually is a drag and you may also forget doing it from time to time.
  • Starting mechanisms- the higher models come with electronic ignition system. If you’re getting a high powered model, you also want a compression release system as it’s going to help you turn the engine over while pulling the cord. When you get a model without compression release, a high powered model is going to be really difficult to get going.
  • Cutting length- most chainsaws out here come with a diameter twice the length of their cutting bar. Keep in mind that when you’re going to cut on the ground, a longer bar is going to reduce the amount of bending down that you’re going to have to do.
  • Safety- they are fundamental and they should also comply with the American National Standards Institute’s B 175 Standard
  • Anti-vibration/vibration dampening technology- if the vibration is high, especially for a long time, you’re going to get tired really fast. You do want this type of feature on your gas chainsaw for more efficiency.
  • Balance- you’d think that the weight of your chainsaw is what makes it so difficult to use. You couldn’t be more wrong as it’s the weight distribution (balance) that makes all the difference. Get a gas chainsaw that present an inline-design, having the engine placed right behind the cutting bar.
  • Top handle- the new models come with a top handle, whereas the older ones come with rear handle design. This is helpful when you’re using a downward cutting motion, making the lopping tree limbs a lot easier.
  • Inertia chain break- this feature counts a lot for the safety mechanism. It’s going to stop the chain spinning when the saw kicks back or it’s hitting a knot.

Conclusion

Give a thought if the gas chainsaw suits your needs or not. Once it’s clear for you that you really need one, think about which size you’re going to need. Getting the right weight on your gas chainsaw could make the difference between a good job and a really poor one. Read online reviews to get a clear image of what you can get for your money.

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