A chainsaw is a very handy tool for homeowners who enjoy doing some cutting or pruning in their backyards. With the right size of chainsaw, pruning or cutting wood or shrubs in your backyard becomes a lot easier. Chainsaws are not created equal, with some being specifically designed to carry out certain tasks. Size is a major factor that determines the kind of job that a chainsaw can handle. For this reason, getting the right size of chainsaw for your cutting is vital for a smooth and stress-free cutting experience. In this article, we’ll be covering some of the factors that you should consider to help you determine what size of chainsaw you need.
How to Determine the Size of a Chainsaw
The size of a chainsaw is determined mainly by the length of its guide bar. A guide bar or chainsaw blade is the metal bar that carries the chain of the chainsaw. You can always find the measurement of the blade written on the side of the guide bar. You can also find information about the size of the guide bar online or right in the product manual. For those who prefer to get the measurement on their own, you can take out the bar from the chainsaw and measure it with tape to get an accurate measurement.
Choosing the right Chainsaw for You
Before we delve deeper into choosing the rising size of chainsaw for your cutting needs, there is a general rule that seems to work right when choosing a chainsaw size. The basic rule or guide is that your chainsaw should be at least 2 inches longer than the diameter or thickness of the object you intend to cut. Just by following this rule, you stand a better chance of getting just about the right sized chainsaw for your cutting needs. However, if you want to accurately determine which size of chainsaw works best for you, you also have to put into consideration the type of jobs you’ll be doing with your chainsaw.
Chainsaws for Light Use
Light use in this case refers to the use of a chainsaw for cutting and pruning shrubs and trees as well as general maintenance in your backyard. Chainsaws used for this type of job are usually under 14 inches long. They are also regarded as the safest types of chainsaws available.
Chainsaws for Medium or Moderate Use
For those who require a chainsaw for moderate jobs, which includes cutting of wood as well as pruning trees and shrubs, a chainsaw with a guide bar length of 16 to 18 inches is appropriate for the job. Chainsaws under this category are mainly referred to as general-purpose chainsaws as they work well for almost all kinds of jobs.
Chainsaws for Heavy-duty Cutting
If you need a chainsaw that you can use frequently for heavy-duty or hard-core jobs, a chainsaw with a bar size of 20 inches will be a perfect fit. These types of chainsaws make cutting a thick tree feel like a walk in the park. However, handling such large chainsaws especially those with bar lengths exceeding 20 inches can be very dangerous in the hands of an unprofessional user. Therefore, such chainsaws are suitable only for commercial use and should be handled by professionals.