What Size Chainsaw Do I Need?

Last updated on June 4th, 2023 at 10:38 pm

Nowadays, everybody is confused about “What size chainsaw do I need?” Are you thinking about purchasing a new chainsaw? But unsure which one to choose? It’s hard to choose the right size of the chainsaw, as many top chainsaws are available.

It would be best if you went for a longer chainsaw that you can afford or buy a shorter one.

Let us give you a few tips that will help to keep you in the right direction to find the chainsaw’s size. Chainsaws are a versatile and time-saving tool and very powerful. It’s essential to match the right chainsaw with the job that you have to do.

Moreover, if you have already purchased a chainsaw and want to know the size, you can take help from how to measure the chainsaw bar. But before going forward, we must know about types of chainsaws first.

Types of Chainsaws:

While buying the right size chainsaw, the first thing is the type of chainsaw. There are three types of chainsaws. Each of them has its shortcomings and perks. These are

• Electric chainsaw
• Gas-powered Chainsaw
• Pneumatic chainsaw

Electric Chainsaw:

The guide bar is the first thing everybody should remember while buying an electric chainsaw. Choose the right size of the guide bar according to the chainsaw capacity.

If you choose the wrong guide bar size, it will affect the performance. The second point is higher the voltage; its performance will increase.

As the chainsaw’s voltage increases and the guide bar’s length increases, its performance will also increase. 1500 volt of chainsaw is suitable for home use. The most significant advantage of an electric chainsaw is that it is easy to use.

Everybody can easily handle and operate it. The biggest drawback of an electric chainsaw is that it requires electricity. You cannot use it where electricity is not available.

Gas-powered Chainsaw:

Gasoline or gas-powered chainsaw’s performance also depends on the length of the guide bar. These chainsaws come in CC. The weight of the chainsaw increases as the CC increase.

If you are buying a gas-powered chainsaw for regular work 45 to 55, the chainsaw will work perfectly. Gas-powered chainsaws are very risky because it is complicated to operate them. Not everybody can operate and manage that chainsaw.

With complete knowledge of operating the chainsaw, you can only use that.

Pneumatic Chainsaw:

These chainsaws are useful for hefty work. These are the most powerful other than the other two.

It also comes with different types of models. The pneumatic chainsaw is ideal for underground mining and also for industrial work.

Moreover, these are also very hard to handle and operate, and only experienced people can use them properly.

What Size Chainsaw Do I Need?

“What size chainsaw do I need?” The answer to this question depends mainly on the length of the guide bar.

The guide bar is the component around which the chain rotates. Guide bar comes in different sizes, such as 16 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, and longer. The length of chainsaw you require depends on the work, what type of work you do, and how you use the chainsaw?

For example, if you purchase the 18 inches guide bar, then only 18 inches of the chain will be used with it. The chain is used neither longer than the guide bar’s size nor smaller than the guide bar. A chainsaw with the 18 inches guide bar can cut the tree’s 13 to 14 inches diameter.

Different guide bars can be used with other machines. But as you know, every machine has its capacity. It could not perform better with more load. For example, you can use 18 inches of the guide bar with other machines having low capacity, it will work, but its performance will not be good as before.

How to Pick the Length of Chainsaw:

The size of the chainsaw should be 2 inches longer than the thickness of the tree. For example, if the tree is thick 6 inches, then the ideal chainsaw should be 8 inches long to cut the tree thoroughly.

Daily Use:

If you plan to buy a chainsaw for your home use, electric chainsaws are the best. Electric chain saws come in different sizes of the guide bar. For home use, the ideal size of the chainsaw should be 12 to 16 inches. These are very easy to operate.

Standard Chainsaw Size:

The standard blade sizes of the chain saw are 16 to 20 inches. For medium to heavy work, the gas-powered chainsaws are the best. This chainsaw is a little more challenging to operate than the electric chainsaw. Gas-powered chainsaws are also useful for the home. As the engine power increases, the performance also increases.

Also see:

• How To Put Chain on Chainsaw
• Top 10 Best Cordless Chainsaw 2023 | Best Battery Chainsaw Reviews

Professional Chainsaw Size :

Professional-grade saws have bar lengths greater than 20 or 24 inches. The 14 to 18 inches of the bar are suitable for medium to heavy work. Pneumatic chain saws are the best for heavy work.

Bonus Tip:

Typically a chainsaw with a shorter bar around 14” and smaller is enough for property maintenance, trimming, pruning, and cutting down broken tree limbs. On the other hand, cutting down small trees, thick branches, and cleaning up storm damage will need a longer bar around 16”-20” to make the job easier and safer.

Important Points For Choosing The Right Chainsaw Size:

As you find out the answer to the question: What size chainsaw do I need? Depends on the job. If you buy a chainsaw just for cutting the branches of the tree, then you should buy a smaller one.

Whether you need a chainsaw for a thick tree, then you should buy a larger chainsaw. 6 to 10 inches of chainsaw are good for Pruning thin branches.

Removing the larger tree branches 8-12 inches chainsaw is suitable, or cutting the garden’s tree branches by 12-14 inches of chainsaw can be used. Similarly, as your work gets harder, you need a larger chainsaw.

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FAQ’s

Q: How big of a tree can a 10 inch chainsaw cut?

Ans: A 10-inch bar chainsaw can cut through 8-inch branches. This rule means giving yourself a two-inch gap between the chainsaw’s effective cutting length and the kickback zone.