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There was a time when the usage of chainsaws was restricted to people like farmers and lumberjacks.
Forty years down the road, today many homeowners own this tool to perform multiple purposes like cutting building fences, pruning trees, and so on. It shows that the graph of chainsaws’ popularity has only gone upward.
Provided the range of options in chainsaw chains, bar lengths, motors, etc., it could be difficult for non-professionals to buy the right type of electric chainsaw.
More often than not, people end up landing upon an electric chainsaw that does not fit-in in their scheme of things, and by the time they realize that, it is already too late.
If you don’t want to make the same mistake, you should consider the following five factors before purchasing this tool:
Read Also:
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- Why Using Proper Tree Removal Equipment is Essential
- How to Pick the Best Chainsaw for Your Money
- 7 Tips to Safely Operate Chainsaw
1. Determine the Purpose
Just like everything else, electrical chainsaws serve specific purposes. Unless you are absolutely sure why you are influenced to buy a chainsaw, you will stay ambiguous in your choice.
For example, if you are buying a chainsaw to cut trees, your choice will completely differ from someone who wants to trim his backyard not more than twice a year.
You will have to get into the specifications like; what kind of trees you will be cutting – birch, ash, hard maple, or dagwood?
Depending on the type of tree, the length of the bar will vary. In case you have to cut various types of trees, it is safest to keep at least two different bars of different sizes.
The place of cutting is equally important. If you don’t have much space and mobility to move around, then an electrical chainsaw will be an ideal choice for you.
Electrical chainsaws are also preferred in an environmentally sensitive areas. The reason being, they keep the noise at a minimum and don’t put any of your neighbours in a state of bother.
Be as specific as possible. The clarity of purpose will lead you to the clarity of choice.
2. Look Into Safety Features
Ignorance of safety features will make you highly vulnerable to injuries. While buying an electric chainsaw, people turn a blind eye to this step, particularly because they have gone through a chainsaw safety course. This can be prone to putting yourself in a lot of danger.
Your chainsaw must contain the following features to ensure proper protection:
Chain Brake:
The primary function of a chain brake is to stop the chain as soon as the saw bumps into sudden movement. To be on the safe side, it is better to opt for the model which offers the manual activation of the chain brake.
Anti-vibrations Features:
Anti-vibration features are very helpful to keep fatigued at bay. Without these systems, even modest cutting can be back-breaking labour. Though electric chainsaws don’t produce as many vibrations, a good model will generate even less.
Hand-guard:
The guard will save your hand if the chain accidentally breaks up.
Automatic Oil Lubricator:
Oil lubrication will keep your saw’s efficiency intact. At times, it might evade your memory to activate the oil lubrication. This feature will set you free from this hurdle and turn on the lubrication on its own.
Accessible Stop Control:
When you encounter an unwanted situation while using a chainsaw, you won’t have much time to react. However, if you are quick on your feet, you may get away with the danger by stopping the engine. Simply put, having easy access to stop control can greatly minimize the risk of injury.
It is customary to inspect your chainsaw thoroughly before bringing it into any use. You can also be more protective by subscribing to the safety equipment.
3. Engine Size
Engine or motor is also one of the deciding factors of the chainsaw. The measuring unit of electric motors is Amps. Typically, the motors range from 8 to 15 Amps. 8 Amps is the lowest power, and 15 Amps is the highest.
Depending on whether you are buying the chainsaw for moderate, light, or heavy use, you can choose the motor at your convenience.
4. Size
Electrical chainsaws come in different sizes. Again, knowing where you will use the chainsaw can give you a better idea about the size.
However, as a rule of thumb, the diameter of the tree should not be more than twice the length of the bar. To be more illustrative, a fifteen-inch bar can easily handle a thirty-inch diameter.
Another important factor is to identify your strength. A large chainsaw will require more physical power as compared to the small one.
So you should be absolutely sure about how much weight you can carry. With a switched on the chainsaw in your hands, you can’t afford to go out of control even for a split second.
According to the distinctions made by the industry experts, an average homeowner should go for a chainsaw carrying less than 10 pounds. Anything above 10 pounds is more likely to cause fatigue.
You should also be mindful of the fact that you can’t keep a chainsaw at any random place. Make sure you have proper storage space for the required size. It would be perfect for placing it at a higher spot so that it stays out of the reach of your kids and pets.
5. Experience
You can’t learn using a chainsaw just by reading a detailed manual. Your exposure counts big time. If you have been using a chainsaw for some time, you would know how to handle it, and you can take liberty with size and weight.
But if you are a first-timer, select a chainsaw with minimum bar length and minimum weight. Even if you are in a physical state to carry a heavier saw, you shouldn’t do it the first time.
The Final Verdict
Buying a chainsaw is different than other products. The room for making a mistake is ever so slight. Not only you can damage your property but also hurt yourself.
However, gliding through this guide before setting out for shopping will save you from these potential problems and give you the best return on investment.
