Buying a Chainsaw

As with every other thing you want to purchase, there are several questions you will have to ask yourself if you are shopping for a chainsaw.

•  What do I need it for?
•  What kind of trees will I be cutting?
•  How big and how tall are the trees I will be cutting?
•  Where will I be doing most of my cutting work?

The answers to these basic questions will go a long way into determining the type of chainsaw that you need. If you plan on using your chainsaw to cut hard wood, you will want one that packs more power. The diameter of the trees or wood you intend to work on will determine the length of the guide bar. If your work will take you to the woods you will need a gasoline-fed chainsaw.

There are three ways to power up a chainsaw: through gasoline, alternating current (AC), and direct current (DC). A gasoline-fed equipment is generally more powerful than either AC or DC power supplied. Thus, if you plan to use your chainsaw to cut oak, beech, or maple trees, you want this model. You will, however, have to mix gasoline and oil as their engines are usually of the two-stroke type. Note that even among the gasoline-fed versions, power output may still vary because of differences in engine displacement. The higher the displacement, the more power there is. Keep in mind, though, more power entails more difficulty in handling the chainsaw.

For softwood, such as pine, spruce, and hemlock, either AC- or DC-powered chainsaw will work fine. They also have the advantage of being more lightweight, quiet, and easier to handle. Starting the engine is a breeze as you will not need to jerk on a cord as you would in some gasoline-fed models. A disadvantage of the AC-powered chainsaw, however, is that its power cord limits your mobility.

The guide bar upon which the chain is mounted determines the maximum diameter your chainsaw can cut in a single pass. For a home-use chainsaw, a guide bar length of 14 to 20 inches will usually suffice. Professional users might want to go beyond 20 inches because they have to work with wood of large diameters. This increase in length, however, renders the machine more difficult to handle. Keep in mind that a guide bar can cut a log whose diameter is two times the bar’s length. A 14-inch bar, for instance, can cut a log with a 28-inch diameter if the cut is made around the log.

You might want to work on tree branches that are just barely beyond your reach. In this case, you will want a pole chainsaw. This tool has an extended handle that allows the user to extend his reach for up to 12 feet. A pole chainsaw may be gasoline-fed, AC- or DC-powered.

For those who will be doing most of their work in the forests where there are no electrical outlets to plug machines and battery chargers into, a gasoline-fed chainsaw is a must.

Chainsaws are very powerful tools that can accomplish a lot of work in so little time. This same power that enables them to quickly accomplish their tasks, however, also makes them dangerous to work with.  In keeping with Murphy’s Law, chainsaw accidents do happen and when they do, they are usually serious.  Either the operator, chainsaw, or environment can cause such accidents.

Operator
Operating a chainsaw requires good physical and mental condition. You must be aware of your personal limitations. Any user should not attempt to run a particular chainsaw if he has the slightest doubt that he can control it. Also, fatigue and boredom can lead to a loss of concentration which, in turn, can result to delayed reaction time to impending accidents.

Apart from good conditioning, you must wear the necessary protective gear.  These include the following:

• Hardhat – A hardhat (hard hat) protects your head from falling branches, flying pieces of wood, or other debris. If you can find a hardhat with a built-in face screen that is non-fogging, go for this one.

• Safety Goggles – If the built-in face screen mentioned above is not available, non-fogging safety goggles are a good alternative. These gears perform the same function of protecting your eyes from wood chips, splinters, and dust.

• Earmuffs - The noise from gasoline-fed chainsaws is often loud and could potentially damage your ears. If you don’t want to turn up deaf, you should use earmuffs. Ear plugs may help but earmuffs offer better protection.

• Work Gloves - Work gloves with padding protect your hands from cuts and scratches in the event that the chain slips or breaks. You will prefer heavy duty gloves made of non-slip material.

• Chaps – These are meant to protect your legs in case they ever get into contact with the chain. Chaps are made of a special kind of fabric that allows the chain to slide over it rather than tear it.

• Work Boots – You will want boots that cover and protect your ankles. This is especially true if you will be working in the forests as you will need to walk uneven and slippery ground. A steel toe will also offer added protection.

Chainsaw
Chainsaws need proper maintenance to operate properly. They should be checked for loose parts, particularly those that protect the operator, such as the chain catchpin and the chain brake. When the chain at the tip of the guide bar strikes something, the entire guide bar often bounces back to the operator. This is called a kickback and it occurs when the chain is temporarily stalled as the blade at the tip of the bar is unable to bite into the wood.

In addition, a daily operation check should be conducted, checking the sharpness of the blades, chain tension and lubrication, and keeping the air cleaner and free of debris. Engine idle should be set at a level that does not turn the chain unless the engine is revved.

Environment
The environment where the chainsaw is operated is also a factor in accidents.  The heat emanating from the muffler could potentially ignite dried leaves lying on the forest floor. Also, if there are loose branches hanging from the trees that are being cut, the vibration could loosen them further causing them to drop. Weather conditions could also affect the operator. Hot weather conditions, for instance, will likely wear you out more quickly than if you are working under cooler conditions.