Gas-powered chainsaws are generally heavy machines, and are often the chainsaw of choice by workers in the industry.
Are you an industrial forester, arborist, or lumberjack? Have you got some heavy-duty yardwork to take care of around the home? If you’re ready to pack the power, gas chainsaws are for you. These motorized machines are beasts in the workplace, offering ways to fell trees, cut through thick logs, and clear areas like wildfire.
Best uses
- chopping down trees
- felling medium-sized trees
- chopping firewood
- trimming thick branches
Professionals can also use gas saws to clean up after storms as well as any rigorous, long-term activity. If you’re looking for something more lightweight you should consider a corded electric or battery-powered saw. These saws are suited to trimming, pruning, and firewood cutting.
There are plenty of benefits to wielding this gas-guzzling machine. However the way a gas powered chainsaw works is definitely not for everyone. There are a few drawbacks, so check out our pros and cons. We’ve listed our top 3 gas-powered chainsaws to give you a taste of how much power they can provide.
Pros and Cons
With jobs that require a lot of energy, gas powered chainsaws beat any others on the market. However, if you’re looking for something small, with less of a learning curve, gas-powered chainsaws may not be the best for you.
Advantages to owning a consumer or industrial-grade gas saw:
- Bigger horsepower, more torque. Gas chainsaws are simply equipped with the best cutting technologies. The other types can’t match up. For raw torque and cutting ability, gas saws are king
- Most powerful. For tree felling and large log cutting, gas-powered chainsaws are the way to go
- There’s no cord or necessary power source. Usually the complaints that people have about the more easily accessible electric models is that they come with a long and cumbersome cord, making it difficult or restrictive to carry around. Gas saws are not attached to anything, making them easier to use in elevated situations or when trying to cut tough corners.
While it’s difficult to see why anyone wouldn’t take a liking to the sheer power provided by gas-powered chainsaws, there are reasons why this type of saw won’t be for everyone. If you’re an average homeowner with a residential yard, you may not have use for these gas-guzzling machines. Here’s 3 reasons why gas saws may be a downfall:
Cons
- A gas powered saw is very large. They can be too big for the average yard worker. They tend to get quite heavy which can be cumbersome and tiring if you aren’t working on heavy-duty jobs
- Gas chainsaws are hard to turn off and on. They require a pull cord to trigger the motor, and often take a few pulls before the engine starts going. If you have a job where you need to turn the saw off and on constantly, you might find it challenging
- Regular maintenance is required. With gas saws you get what you pay for. You’ll have to spend time cleaning, adjusting, tightening, and maintaining every part of your saw to have it work smoothly each time you operate it
Gas chainsaws aren’t for everyone. However, if you’re in the business of really packing a punch, no other saw can fell trees like gas-powered saws can.
Ready to pull the trigger and get this machine revving? Continue reading to learn about the power that can be put into your hand.
Gas powered chainsaw reviews
We’ve reviewed 3 of our favorites to give you a firsthand experience at the wide range of equipment and abilities these have to offer. We’ve based it on power, affordability, and functionality.
This powerful chainsaw by Tanaka, a reliable chainsaw brand, is one of the top-selling consumer-grade chainsaws on the market. It comes with 40cc of engine power and an 18” Oregon bar and chain for raw cutting ability. This long bar is one of the best commercial-grade bars in the industry, and is compliant with all CARB policies and specifications. This is a great gas-powered saw for beginners, using an S-Start mechanism to reduce the amount of pulling required to start the engine. Priced under $250, this is a great midrange gas saw for consumers who are just starting out.
Possibly one of the best chainsaws on the market today, the Husqvarna 445 can’t be beaten in terms of power, ergonomics, and longevity. This is one of the more lightweight gas saws, coming in at under 11 pounds. This, combined with the centrifugal air filtering system that makes it easier to breathe, makes for an ergonomic and environmentally friendly machine. But it doesn’t sacrifice any of its power to become that way. It has a 45.7cc engine with commercial-grade fuel to keep it running for a long time. The quick-releasing air filter and the chain tensioner, which is side mounted, helps the chainsaw maintain itself so you don’t have to worry about doing any work. This chainsaw is priced well, making it a bargain for the raw power and ergonomic ability it provides.
Another powerful product by Husqvarna, this consumer-grade saw helps bring gas-powered abilities to the average homeowner. It weighs 10 pounds, making it one of the smallest on the market as well. This product was made for tree pruning, ground cutting, or other types of smaller tree care. This gas saw makes it possible for smaller jobs to be accomplished by a gas saw. Users can operate it with one hand, making it a portable and flexible machine. Priced at $329, it is a great price for a machine that brings mighty power to the smaller, everyday tasks.
Final Thoughts
Gas-powered chainsaws are often the top of the line when it comes to chainsaw models. The fact that they are powered by oil and gasoline make them unmatched in terms of power, torque, and massive cutting ability. They typically come with longer bars and chains, making it easy to fell trees or cut large pieces of firewood. But, they aren’t for everyone.
If you’re in the industry of forestry or woodcutting you’ll likely want to invest in a gas-powered saw. If you are an average homeowner with some smaller, more menial tasks that need to get done, a gas-powered saw may be too heavy and difficult to maintain for those daily jobs. Consider what a gas chainsaw can bring to the table to decide whether this gas-guzzling machine is right for your needs.
Gas-Powered Chainsaw Specs
Gas-powered chainsaws are powered by petrol or gasoline, much like a miniature car engine. They’re the most traditional type of chainsaws on the market, and typically pack the most power. While they are more heavy-duty than the electric or battery chainsaw, they can definitely get any type of forestry job done.
Gas powered chainsaws are almost exclusively the type of chainsaws sold by industrial companies. These professional level power tools are the best at felling trees, cutting firewood, and sawing stumps. The more power you have, the easier it is to perform large jobs.
These chainsaws use a combination of oil and gasoline to start a powerful engine, helping the massive guide bars to slice into any type of wood like butter.
Gas-powered chainsaws are often the top of the line when it comes to chainsaw models. The fact that they are powered by oil and gasoline make them unmatched in terms of power, torque, and massive cutting ability. They typically come with longer bars and chains, making it easy to fell trees or cut large pieces of firewood. But, they aren’t for everyone.
If you’re in the industry of forestry or woodcutting you’ll likely want to invest in a gas-powered saw. If you are an average homeowner with some smaller, more menial tasks that need to get done, a gas-powered saw may be too heavy and difficult to maintain for those daily jobs. Consider what a gas chainsaw can bring to the table to decide whether this gas-guzzling machine is right for your needs.