Chainsaw Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right chainsaw?

A few simple questions that we normally ask will should help you come to a decision:

• What sort of work will you be doing? - From garden maintenance to firewood to tree climbing, once you know what the saw will usually be used for, we can recommend what style of chainsaw is best suited.

• How large a cutting bar do you need? - To reach the ground easier, or cut through the diameter of logs or tree you are tackling.

• How much work do you have to do? - The build of the chainsaw will need to suit the requirements of work load that you will be conducting.  Husqvarna have three categories: Homeowner - For use in domestic situations - garden maintenance, tree trimming, fencing, small limb firewood collecting. Landowner - Larger acreage property - all domestic use plus tree falling and firewood collecting. Commercial - Everything of the previous range plus all day use built to the highest performance and quality possible.

• What is your budget? - We all would like to purchase the best a company can offer, but sometimes budget may restrict this from being achievable.  As long as you can afford the right machine to do your task safely and it doesn't wear out prematurely because it was a Homeowner quality saw doing commercial work, then you should be ok.

 

Are chainsaws dangerous?

Potentially.  A chain designed to cut wood at 100kph certainly could inflict some damage to flesh.  If you are stable on your feet and strong enough to hold and control the chainsaw you should be ok.  All modern chainsaws have chain brakes which make them safer against kickback. Wearing the correct protective equipment will all but eliminate your risk, and being aware of loads and stresses on logs when cutting through them will make you a safe operator. When we ask if you need any protective equipment, it is not a sales pitch, it is a genuine concern for your own safety and we feel buying a chainsaw without personal protective equipment is like buying a motorbike without a helmet.  A small financial initial outlay could eliminate a bigger financial cost let alone a physical cost. Using the chain brake when starting and in between cutting will also reduce the risk.

 

What is kickback?

Forces are exaggerated on a chainsaw when you use the top quarter of a chainsaws cutting bar nose.  

At full revs, if you where to contact this part of the bar on some solid wood the chain bites in and wants

to throw the chainsaw up and back towards you.  If this occurs, your chain brake will engage (if working correctly - should be tested before and during use constantly) and although you may get hit you wont get cut.  This force is minimal in smaller saws that run smaller chains, and some can even have anti-kickback links in them to virtually eliminate kickback.  Again common sense and protective gear will reduce your chance of injury.