Chain saw Guide
Guide to chain saw operation & choosing the right chain saw from UK's largest online retailer of chain saws.
Chain saws
There are many different chain saws available that will undertake a wide variety
of tasks around gardens, estates, farms,
woods and forests. It's important you choose
the right one as chain saws are quick to start malfunctioning if the chain saw
you choose isn't up to the task at hand. Conversely, the more powerful models
of chain saw can feel unwieldy to the occasional user undertaking light chores
around the garden and for whom a less heavy duty model would suffice. Therefore
we've put together a short and simple guide to help ensure the chain saw you
choose is best suited for your needs.
There are a numerous petrol chain saw brands available in the UK which cater for the occasional domestic user who simply wishes to saw up logs for the wood burner and maybe undertake some limbing work on small trees. The 2-stroke engines on these petrol chain saws will generally be between 30-40cc, whilst the guide bar (the metal blade on which the chain sits) will be anything in length from 12" to 18". Alpina and McCulloch offer a range of popular chain saws for domestic use which are reliable and relatively inexpensive. They also have semi-professional chain saws (the McCulloch California chain saw and Alpina P460 & P510 chain saws) for the more demanding leisure user. The world's two largest chain saw manufacturers - Stihl & Husqvarna - also offer a wide number of choices for the home owner including the Stihl MS170 & MS180 petrol chain saws and the Husqvarna 136 & 141 petrol chain saws.
If you live in a residential area where noise is an issue or if you wish to undertake work in an enclosed space, electrical powered chain saws are a more practical option. Electric chain saws are low-noise and - unlike petrol chain saws - emission free. For light duty work around the yard and garden a number of inexpensive electric chain saw models are available for under £100 from brands such as Alpina, Ryobi and Alko (all with 14" guide bars). Larger sized 16" electric chain saws are also available Ryobi and Oleo-Mac. Stihl offers a range of premium quality electric chain saws with high quality electric motors, guide bars between 12-16" in size and additional features such as Chain Quick Tensioning.
Echo, Efco and Tanaka offer what are often referred to as 'hobby' or 'multi-purpose' petrol chain saws. These are aimed primarily at the domestic user seeking a high quality professional-grade chain saw for regular use around the garden and are also popular for work on farms and estates or for those with their own wood to maintain. The Husqvarna 340 and 345 petrol chain saws fall into this category of chain saw as do the Stihl MS210, MS230 and MS250 petrol chain saws. These saws are powered by 2-stroke petrol engines ranging in power from about 40-50cc. Guide bars range in size between 12-18".
Professional petrol chain saws for continuous use by foresters, local authorities and landscapers, employ high powered engines in excess of 50cc. We have a range of professional chain saws available from leading brands such as Echo, Efco & Alpina, with guide bars ranging from 18-30".
Finally, chain saws should always be used with the greatest of care and safety in mind. Always start a petrol chain saw outdoors away from other people and only accelerate the engine while cutting. Hold the chain saw firmly with two hands and keep handles dry and clean. Position the saw so your body is clear of the line of cut to avoid injury from kickback. Ensure your chain saw is in good condition before attempting to cut wood: ask your local chain saw specialist to examine your machine if it appears to be under performing in any way. As with all garden machinery, always read the manufacturers instructions in full before attempting to operate. For more information on our chain saw products visit our online chain saw sales department or call our Sales Hotline on 0845 4588 905 or email: chain_saws@mowdirect.co.uk
See also: Stihl Chainsaws: The World's No. 1 | | Chainsaws from under £100 | Husqvarna Chainsaws