Why on Earth would you want to use a loud, hazardous, chainsaw when you could just cut a tree down with a regular saw?
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You’re probably yelling at your screen right now. “Because it’s more powerful!”
Chainsaws are able to cut down trees, turn trees into logs, and then turn logs into boards much more quickly than regular saws can. This is because they have a motor.
Whilst there are some saws which run on battery power, the majority of the more powerful chainsaws use either petrol or a fuel made specially for chainsaws.
If you need the job done quickly, you’ll need a chainsaw.
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When you want power
Whilst there are some jobs where more power isn’t necessarily better, there are plenty where the more power, the more efficiently you can work.
For example, if you want to cut down a large tree, using a chainsaw with low power might get the job done, but it will be slow.
For trees such as oak and pine, the best kind of chainsaw is one which has at least a 50cc motor.
Also, when you want to buck the tree (turn it into logs), it will be better to use the same chainsaw.
When you don’t want power
On the flip side, there are some circumstances where a powerful chainsaw will not be the best one to use.
For example, if you don’t want to cut a trunk, but rather just want to prune or trim branches, you won’t need a chainsaw more powerful than 30cc.
Equally, if the tree you’re cutting down is very thin, so thin that you can almost wrap your hand around it, the chainsaw should be between 30cc and 40cc.
Whilst a powerful chainsaw will work on such tasks, it can be difficult to control, and potentially constitute a hazard.
What is cc?
CC stands for cubic centimetres, and tells you how powerful an engine is. This measurement only applies to gas-powered chainsaws, not electric ones.
Whilst you should know the cc of a chainsaw before you buy it, here’s how the manufacturer figures it out.
0.7854 x bore2 x stroke x number of cylinders
The bore is the width of one cylinder, and the stroke is cylinder length.
0.7854 is related to the area of the circle, as the area divided by the diameter squared is always 0.7854.
The most powerful saw
The world’s most powerful production chainsaw is the STIHL MS880 121.66cc Professional Petrol Chainsaw. It costs $1300-$1400, depending on the bar length. It weighs 9.8kg, and its power to weight ratio is 1.5kg per kW.
Unless you’re using it in a professional capacity, it probably isn’t for you!
To keep dust out, this saw uses the highly-advanced HD2 filter, which repels both water and making, and has a quick release lock so it is no struggle at all to clean. The fibres in the filter are 70% finer than fleece.
If a chainsaw vibrates too much, it can have long-term effects on the user’s blood vessels, which is why this saw has a built-in anti-vibration system that dampens the vibrations it produces.
It also has inbuilt technology which reduces the shock of the engine when you start it. It uses a rubber element in the starter handle, which ensures that you don’t get a strong jolt when you first turn it on. This feature is extremely useful when you consider the power of this saw.
The tool-free filler cap makes it easy to refuel the chainsaw. On some chainsaws, you need tools such as screwdrivers to open the fuel cap when you want to put more fuel in. But not this saw! All you need to do is unscrew the cap, add the fuel, and screw the cap back on.
Another aspect of the easy-starting system is the decompression valve, a semi-automatic feature in this saw. Whilst you need to press the valve before starting, in order to reduce the effort needed on the starter rope, it turns off automatically.
If you haven’t cleaned the filter in a while, and you don’t have time to when you need to use the saw, the compensator will aid with this. Located in the carburetor, it prevents the air in the chainsaw from becoming over-saturated with fuel. But still, clean the filter as soon, and as regularly, as you can.
Another aspect of chainsaw maintenance that can be rather time-consuming is lubrication, a vital process that ensures your chainsaw is running smoothly. You don’t need to worry about that with this particular chainsaw, however, as it has an Ematic™ bar lubrication system.
The tensioning of the chains, which ensures they stay on the bar, can be adjusted on the side of the chain through the sprocket cover. This eliminates any need for contacting the sharp chains, which can cause cuts and other minor injuries. Whilst such injuries won’t be fatal, they are best avoided.
How do all these functions work?
It’s all operated through a single-level master control. This control is a highly advanced piece of technology that ensures all the functions of the chainsaw are in perfect condition, making it easier for the user to operate it. So, even with 121.66cc, this chainsaw is user-friendly.
Husqvarna also has a 42 Inch Chainsaw, you can check it out here
Conclusion
Whilst there isn’t such a thing as a powerless chainsaw (that would be a manual chainsaw), the exact power of a chainsaw varies depending on which one you use.
For small jobs, such as pruning or cutting down smaller trees, this chainsaw will not be the best.
However, if you want to cut down a large tree, or buck the trunk into boards, in the shortest time possible, then the best chainsaw to use is without a doubt the STIHL MS880 121.66cc Professional Petrol Chainsaw.
It’s the most powerful production chainsaw in the world!, from what PowerOfTool.com knows
Look at the last chainsaw in this clip (Don’t try them):
A motor is not the same thing as an engine