Introduction
There are many types of chainsaws on the market, each with its own specific purpose. This article will help you figure out what type of chainsaw is best for your needs.
Before we dive deeper into each type, let’s make this clear first. Chainsaws can be divided by:
- Purpose
- Consumer
- Commercial
- Type
- Battery
- Electric
- Gas
- Rescue
- Pole
- Manual
Chainsaw types by purpose
Consumer chainsaws
Homeowner chainsaws are designed for use around the house. They’re not as powerful, durable, or expensive as their commercial counterparts and usually have shorter warranties.
Most homeowner chainsaws run on gasoline or electricity. Gasoline-powered saws are more common because they’re cheaper than electric saws and offer a wider variety of uses in the home – from cutting down small trees to pruning shrubs and trimming branches from trees. Electric saws are useful for homeowners who don’t have access to a power source nearby. They also tend to be quieter than gas-powered models.
Commercial chainsaws
Commercial chainsaws are used to cut down big trees. These types of chainsaws are used in the forest industry, where they’re needed to harvest timber for various purposes and applications. There’s a wide variety of commercial chainsaws on the market today, but they all have one thing in common: they can cut through anything with ease.
You probably don’t need a commercial chainsaw
A commercial chainsaw is designed to be used for heavy-duty tasks, such as felling and bucking trees. They’re typically more expensive than consumer chainsaws and their performance is optimized for professional loggers rather than weekend homeowners.
Commercial chainsaws have longer bars and wider teeth on the chain, which allows them to cut through bigger logs at a faster rate than smaller models. They also have more powerful engines – which makes sense, since they’re designed to run nonstop all day long!
Chainsaws divided by type
Gas chainsaws
Gas chainsaws, as you might expect, run on gasoline or propane. They’re more powerful than electric saws and can cut through larger objects like tree stumps and fallen logs.
These are also the most expensive type of chainsaw, but they tend to last longer than electric models. This is because they don’t require any kind of battery or charging system – the motor runs continuously while it’s being used – which means there are fewer moving parts that could break down over time.
However, gas-powered chainsaws have several disadvantages too: they’re noisier to operate, they give off exhaust fumes that can be harmful if breathed in too much, and their motors must be regularly maintained with oil changes in order for them to function properly (unless you have an automatic oiling system).
Battery chainsaws
Battery chainsaws are a good option for those who want to use a chainsaw in an area with no gas supply or electricity. Battery-powered chainsaws have shorter run times than gas models, and they need to be charged frequently. The batteries will eventually wear out. They’re ideal for light work like cutting small branches, pruning trees, and doing yard maintenance around your home.
Battery-powered chainsaws can also be used in remote areas where there is no access to power outlets or generators, so long as you carry spare batteries with you on your trip. If you’re going camping or hunting in winter conditions, a battery-powered model will keep going even if it’s cold outside!
Electric chainsaws
Electric chainsaws aren’t as powerful as gas-powered chainsaws. If you have a lot of work to do, and you need a lot of power, an electric chainsaw might not be the best choice for you.
Electric chainsaws are cheaper to buy and maintain than gas-powered ones – but that doesn’t mean there are no running costs! You will still have to pay for electricity when using an electric saw, so keep that in mind when calculating how much it costs to use one over time.
Electric chain saws are quieter than other types of chain saws (and all machines for that matter). This makes them safer for people who want their landscaping done without waking up their neighbors or annoying other people who live near them but can’t hear very well at all times thanks to age or other factors like poor hearing aid technology etcetera…
Rescue chainsaws
Rescue chainsaws are used to cut through metal, wood, concrete, brick, rock, ice, and steel. They’re almost exclusively gas-powered.
Manual / pocket chainsaws
Manual chainsaws, also known as pocket chainsaws, are small and easy to transport. They run on a manual crankshaft and are ideal for cutting firewood or other small jobs that don’t require the power of an electric chainsaw. Manual chainsaws typically have a blade less than 8 inches in diameter, so you may find yourself using several strokes per cut depending on the size of your wood piece.
Pole chainsaws
Pole chainsaws are perfect for cutting high branches and small trees, but they’re not ideal for felling large logs. If you don’t have a stump cutter or other method of removing unwanted stumps from your property, a pole chainsaw will be invaluable in clearing out dead brush and debris. However, it’s important to use these tools with caution. Improper use may result in injury or death.
Pneumatic chainsaws
Pneumatic chainsaws are powered by an air compressor, which is usually supplied with the saw. They’re usually used for felling trees and logging because they’re more powerful than electric or battery chainsaws. The most common type of pneumatic chain saw is powered by a two-stroke engine that uses gasoline as fuel. Due to their high power, pneumatic chainsaws can cut through large trees quickly and efficiently.
In addition to being more expensive than other types of chainsaws, pneumatic ones also require maintenance such as fuel mixing before use (unless you buy pre-mixed gas).
Rear handle chainsaws
Rear handle chainsaws are what come to mind for most people when imaging a chainsaw. They’re the most versatile and can cut through thick branches and logs, as well as firewood and tree stumps. They’re perfect for clearing out brush and debris from around your property.
Rear handle models are bigger than regular top-handle models.
Top handle chainsaws
This type of saw is very popular because it provides better comfort and control when cutting wood. The reason for this is that there are no vibrations from the engine transmitted to your hands. When you use a bottom-handle saw, you may have trouble if your arms are not long enough or if you have weak wrists or hands that tire easily due to vibration.
Top handle models can be difficult for some people to use because they require more strength in order to keep them balanced while cutting through large logs or branches at high RPMs. They’re advised to be used only by professionals.
Concrete chainsaws
The concrete chainsaw is a unique type of chainsaw that is specifically designed for cutting through concrete and other hard materials. These are usually gas-powered and can be very heavy, requiring a lot of strength to operate. Concrete chainsaws can be used for commercial purposes but aren’t recommended for home use because they tend to be very expensive, loud, and dangerous due to the high speed at which they cut through materials like concrete.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you a good overview of the different types of chainsaws available and what they can be used for. If you’re still unsure where to start with your search, it may help to think about what type of work you do most often or how much time you have available. For example, if cutting small branches is all that needs doing around the property then maybe going for an electric option would make sense. Alternatively, if there’s more than just one user in your household then maybe investing in something like an electric model will save on costs for power usage bills etc.