What Size Chainsaw Do I Need? The Right Size For The Job!
There are many chainsaw sizes available on the market. Whether you’re buying your first chainsaw or replacing an older model, knowing which size chainsaw to buy is important.
So, what size chainsaw do I need? A chainsaw should be 2″ longer than the diameter of the log you intend to cut. However, 16”-20” is the most common chainsaw size.
Depending on the species of wood you’re cutting, you might need a smaller or larger chainsaw than this. So let’s find out which one you need.
Table of Contents
What Size Chainsaw Do I Need?
Your needs will tell you what size will work best for you. Will you cut down or trim huge trees? Are you getting rid of the brush or cutting down trees to use as fuel? Different jobs call for different sizes of chainsaws.
A chainsaw with a 14-inch blade is great for taking care of the property, trimming, pruning, and cutting down fallen tree branches. Otherwise, a smaller bar will do. Small trees, heavy branches, and storm damage all require a 16 “-20” longer bar.
How big of a chainsaw do I need depends on several factors. In the following section, we’ll go into more detail on some of these factors.
- The Size Of Most Projects
The diameter of the wood you are cutting will help you to figure out what size chainsaw you need. Using a chainsaw that is too small or too big for the job may be harder and more dangerous.
Whether you are cutting down small trees or just cutting and trimming branches, it’ll pose a safety risk. Therefore, we recommend choosing a chainsaw bar two inches longer than the diameter of the trees you cut most often.
- Routine Tasks
While choosing the right size chainsaw for your home, think about the tasks you do most often. For light work, you need a smaller model. It’s less than 16 inches long. They are perfect for trimming and light pruning. Chainsaws that are 16 to 18 inches long can cut down big trunks and thick branches.
If you’re in a rural area, you might need an industrial chainsaw. Use a strong chainsaw to cut down trees and shrubs. You can consider a 20 “chainsaw. As you age, it gets harder to use a chainsaw. So, don’t buy a big model just because it looks strong.
It’s hard to do complicated work on big models. Again, if your chainsaw is too small, you won’t be able to do your jobs well.
- Trimming the Branches
Pruning branches in your yard is one of the easiest things on this list, so it shouldn’t take much time or strength. Most branches are less than 8 inches long, so you should use a chainsaw with a blade that is between six and ten inches long. Using smaller chainsaws is easier if you know how to prune the right way.
- Taking Trees Down
As branches are wider than limbs, you’ll need a little more length to finish the job. We suggest using a blade or bar that is 8 to 12 inches long since your 10-inch chainsaw might not be enough for the job. Since branches can sometimes be very thick, bigger blades may be easier to hold and better at cutting.
- Trees That Are Small
Again, you need to think about how thick the tree trunk is before deciding if you should go for a smaller chainsaw or a bigger one. You should always think about at least a 12-inch chainsaw. A 14-inch chainsaw might be better.
- Cutting A Lot Of Trees
Removing trees takes a lot of time and effort, so you’ll need the right tools. You need to make sure that your blade is longer and your engine is more powerful. Depending on how hard you can chop down the tree, the minimum length of the blade for this job is 20 inches or more.
- Personal Experience
No matter how big or hard the job is, you shouldn’t try to do it if you’re not sure about it. Ask for help from experts. It doesn’t matter how big or small the tree is; it will still be a tough job to do.
If you’ve never used a chainsaw before, you should not try to use a big, powerful one now. This will only make it more likely that you will hurt yourself.
On the other hand, you need to be careful with small chainsaws because they could also cause problems for you if you’re cutting big blocks of wood. The best chainsaw for your needs will strike a good balance between power and your own skills. Safety is the most important thing to think about.
Different Sizes of Chainsaws for Different Kind of Jobs
Chainsaws come in different sizes for each job. For the safest cutting, every wood-cutting job needs a chainsaw blade of a certain length. The sizes of chainsaws that are best for each job are listed below.
- Taking Off 6” to 10” Of A Branch
If you mostly want to trim small or thin branches with your chainsaw, then a 6” to 10” chainsaw is the best tool. On the other hand, if the branches are only a few inches thick or even thinner, a small handsaw might be better for the job.
- Branches That Are 8 to 12 Inches Long
When the branches are cut from bigger trees at home, they are usually 6 to 10 inches thick. To make the job easy and quick, your guide bar should be at least 8 to 12 inches long.
- 12 To 14-inch Model Tree Cutting
You can cut small trees in your yard or garden using a chainsaw that is between 12” and 14” long, depending on how thick the tree trunk is.
- 14” To 16” Splits in Wood
Unless the logs are very big, a 14” to 16” chainsaw is usually enough to split logs into firewood.
- 16” to 18” For Removing Trees
Medium-sized trees with trunks between 14 and 16 inches will need a bigger chainsaw between 16 and 18 inches to be cut down in one easy step.
- Taking Down Big Trees That Are 20 Inches Or Taller
Most of the time, it’s best to let professionals take down big trees. But if you know how to use a bigger chainsaw safely and have used one before then you’re good to go. A guide bar that is at least 20 inches long is needed for this job.
Tips For Choosing the Right Size OF Chainsaw
Consider the diameter of the wood you’ll be cutting most of the time while choosing the right size chainsaw. For example, to cut down a tree with a diameter of 10 inches, you need a chainsaw with a 12-inch bar length.
Here are some tips for choosing the right size of chainsaw:
- Types of Woods
What size chainsaw do I need to cut down a tree will depend on the type of wood that you intend to cut. Especially for hardwood, a small chainsaw won’t be enough. Because bigger trees have enormous wood and you can’t cut it down with a small chainsaw.
- Your Experience
A small-size saw is preferable for beginners as it’s easy to handle. However, choose the right size of saw for your experience level and if you’re an advanced chainsaw user then go for the bigger saw.
- The Style of Your Cut
You’ve to choose a chainsaw size that will be convenient for the style of your cut. The type of work that you would do determines the size of the chainsaw you’ll use.
In a case where you’ve to make long cuts, then a small-size saw would be better suited compared to a bigger chainsaw.
FAQs
For what kind of wood-cutting is 14 inches chainsaw better?
A chainsaw with a 14-inch bar is perfect for regular property maintenance, trimming, pruning, and cutting down broken tree limbs.
How much of a tree can a chainsaw that measures 20 inches cut?
A 36-inch tree can be cut down with a 20 inch chainsaw.
How do I pick the right size chainsaw?
To get the right size, count three rivets on the chain and measure the distance between them starting from where they meet. Cut this number in half to get your size.
Final Word
We think the confusion about what size chainsaw do I need is completely gone. Now you know what size chainsaw you need for different kinds of wood-cutting jobs.
The combination of different factors, such as the type of tree, how thick it’s, and your experience help you make the right decision. So, choose a chainsaw according to your experience and the type of work you’ll be doing.
