15 best household and farm chainsaws

The chainsaw as the main tool of the lumberjack was invented a long time ago. The rapidly developing logging industry pushed a person to create a simple mechanism, which demanded the replacement of axes with a more productive instrument of labor. In our time, the edge of the industry has blurred, and chainsaws have literally flooded the construction tools market. Manufacturers picked up this trend and began to produce goods that correspond to a certain classification, which includes a number of key characteristics:

Chainsaw class

In terms of power and performance, modern chainsaws are conventionally divided into household, semi-professional, professional and felling tools.

The most common class is household. Such chainsaws are the cheapest because they have low power, light weight and a short service life. On average, a household saw will last you up to 500 hours of work. The time of continuous work does not exceed 1 hour. The main element of household chainsaws is garden maintenance, filing knots and old trees.

Semi-professional or farm saws are used for more serious tasks, such as logging and construction work. Their engines are somewhat more powerful than domestic ones, and the service life is doubled - up to 1000 hours. Such tools can work without interruption for up to 4 hours.

The class of professional saws has the widest range in both power and price. Their resource is designed for more than 2000 hours, and the time of continuous operation is at least 8 hours. The least powerful saws are used for logging and construction work, and the more powerful options are used for felling wood.

Engine

The performance of the saw depends on the power of the engine. So, household chainsaws are available with engines up to 2.5 liters. sec., semi-professional - up to 3.5 liters. with., and professional: from 2.5 to 6 liters. with. For logging, saws with a 5.0 liter engine are used. with.

Tire and chain

The cutting length of the saw directly depends on the length of the bar. The bar is the main working part of the tool on which the chain is pulled. Household saws are equipped with a short bar up to 40 cm.For felling the same forest, where you need to saw thick tree trunks, saws with a bar from 50 cm are required.

As a rule, a bar and chain that is suitable for this particular model is included with a new saw. However, if you wish, you can buy a longer or shorter tire. It is important to remember that the length of the busbar must be matched to the power of the engine. It is better not to put long tires on low-power household saws, since the engine will have an increased load, which will lead to a reduction in its resource.

Saw weight

The mass of the tool is an equally important indicator that you should pay attention to when buying a saw for long-term work. If you look closely at each class of chainsaws, you can see a fairly serious variation in the weight of the tool, even with the same power. In many ways, it depends on the design features of the saw, the type of parts used and the volume of the fuel tank. Chainsaws of the Stihl brand traditionally have the lowest weight. Saws from the Swedish brand Husqvarna are somewhat inferior to them. Chinese models are usually the heaviest.

Chain brake

Having an additional function such as a chain brake can be very useful when working with wood surfaces. Anyone who is forced to work with a saw often is likely to face such a problem as chain kickback. This is not only unpleasant, but also unsafe. Therefore, today there are models in the design of which a special flap is provided, against which the user's hand rests in case of recoil.

Anti-vibration

If the saw is bought not for one-time purposes, but for large works, then you should definitely pay attention to the presence of an anti-vibration system.The presence of special elements in the saw design to reduce vibration can greatly facilitate the use of tools and keep the user's joints healthy. Deforming elements are used to reduce vibration. Thus, the engine block can be secured with rubber inserts or steel springs.

Our review will help you understand the range of chainsaws on the market. When compiling the rating, we took into account the most important criteria for choosing each type of tool - amateur, farm and professional.

Best amateur chain chainsaws

Unlike a professional tool, the choice of which is not so great, in the amateur segment just a huge number of chain chainsaws are sold, of various characteristics and cost. We have collected in this category only the most successful of them with the best price-quality ratio. All of them are from reliable manufacturers, have excellent power and safety characteristics, and are convenient to use and easy to maintain.

5 Interskol PCB-18 / 45L

Almost farm-to-farm power (2.5 hp) and an extra 45 cm bar are two of the main advantages of this saw. If we add to this the price, which is almost two times lower than that of the nearest competitor, then the popularity of this tool is easy to explain. Often, even professional teams for pruning trees purchase saws of this model. Of course, there are also disadvantages - firstly, the saw is heavy - 7 kg without a bar and chain, and secondly, the build quality is worse than the models of famous brands.

In addition, the tool has a two-stroke engine, which forces the user to fiddle with the preparation of the fuel mixture. But on the other hand, buyers praise vibration damping and quick start. The choice of this saw will be especially successful if it is necessary to work with fairly large timber on the site from time to time, and the budget is limited.

4 Makita EA3202S-40

This lightweight and easy-to-use saw convincingly proves that with the right approach to design, you can produce tools that anyone, even a beginner, can work with. Buyers note that even with a complete lack of experience, from unpacking the saw to starting work, it takes no more than 15 minutes - thanks to intuitive adjustments and well-written instructions. As for the overall construction of the saw, the build quality is excellent, with 1.8 hp. it is enough to use a standard 40-cm tire, and there is practically no vibration.

According to the owners, the saw always starts the first time and demonstrates decent performance, as well as unpretentiousness in harsh operating conditions. Of the minuses, a too sensitive stop button is mentioned. If you hit it, the saw is immediately jammed. But this small drawback is fully compensated by the low weight and ease of use. For home and summer cottages - a great option.

3 Husqvarna 236

No less popular household model of a gasoline saw. Calm's main competitor. Husqvarna 236 is appreciated by users for two distinct benefits: fuel economy and low vibration. The first indicator is due to the use of a low-power gasoline engine (only 1.9 hp). Vibration reduction is achieved due to the use of special damping elements in the saw structure. It is not uncommon for the choice between calm and husqvarna to end in favor of the latter and at the expense of a lower price.

Almost all users note such advantages of Husqvarna 236 as light weight, compactness, efficiency, construction quality, tire and saw quality, trouble-free operation of the oil pump. This is one of the best models in terms of price and quality.

But the main complaints are related to the difficulty of starting (the quality of the starter is lame), lack of power (due to the engine), short tire length and expensive consumables.

There are two versions of the Husqvarna 236 on sale - with an automatic and manual tensioner.Experienced users recommend refraining from buying the version with an automatic tensioner. Firstly, the price for such a saw is higher. Secondly, the automatic tensioner often breaks (the spring pops out).

2 Stihl MS 180-14

One of the most, if not the most, popular household chainsaw, which is found in every second user. Despite its far from low price, it is in high demand due to such qualities as: light weight, ease of operation and repair, availability of spare parts. Among the competitors, this is one of the lightest chainsaws, weighing 3.9 kg. There is no better option for cutting knots.

A lot of useful videos have been filmed about Calm 180, including how to start the saw correctly:

Calm really lies in the hands of a native, it is a lightweight and fairly reliable chainsaw. Of course, it is not without its drawbacks.
The most common complaints about Calm are related to poor start-up. It is far from always possible to start it the first time. Not infrequently, the reason is the banal pouring of a candle. Another drawback is, well, a very small fuel and oil tank. As soon as it started to work, it was necessary to go "refuel" again. The manufacturer apparently went for it in order to reduce the overall weight of the saw.

In addition to chainsaws, the construction tool market offers a wide range of mains powered electric chain saws. What are the advantages and disadvantages of two conceptually different types of sawing tools - we learn from the comparison table.

1 Champion 55-18

With a limited budget, the purchase of the Chinese Champion 55-18 chainsaw can be considered a good option. You will not find the best price among household models. Their obvious advantages in performance are the tire length, which is 45 cm and the engine volume of 54.5 m3. This will allow you to cut not only the twigs near the tree, but even old poplars in the yard. Most of the more expensive competitors, such as Stihl, Husqvarna, have a much shorter tire length (35 cm).

The chain pitch is 0.325 inches, so the saw will have low vibration (so you won't find an anti-vibration system in its performance).

Among the shortcomings, we can note the weight of the saw, which is almost 5 kg. To justify this disadvantage, it should be said that the saw has a very capacious tank of 0.52 liters, which increases the mass, but at the same time allows you to work longer without refueling.

The best semi-professional (farm) chainsaws

They differ from household, semi-professional or farm chainsaws in an increased engine power (from 2.5 hp), an increased tire length and a long service life (about 1000 hours). At the same time, farm saws are 1.5 - 2 times more expensive than household saws and are heavier. Scope of their application: construction work, procurement of firewood, household tasks. Some models (such as the Stihl MS 250) are successfully used even when logging.

3 Husqvarna 450e

It would be wrong not to include the Husqvarna 450e model from a well-known manufacturer from Sweden in the list of the best semi-professional chainsaws. Almost all Husqvarna saws are renowned for their low consumption and reliability. The same can be said for the Husqvarna 450e. When buying a chainsaw, you get a 3.2 liter engine, powerful enough for this class. with. with a relatively low total weight of the saw (5.1 kg). Among the pleasant additional functions, it is possible to note the presence of an anti-vibration system, a chain brake and an easy start system (Smart Start). In general, the Husqvarna 450e has done everything in order to work as long as possible without feeling too tired.

The Husqvarna 450e is one of the best selling semi-professional chainsaws. The best in terms of economy and reliability in our review!

2 Stihl MS 250

The most convenient and lightweight among semi-professional chainsaws is the Stihl MS 250 chainsaw. The model is extremely popular, despite the high price tag. The weight of the saw is only 4.6, which with a power of 3.1 liters. with. is considered a very worthy indicator.Of the pleasant special stages, it is worth noting the presence of a chain brake. This function can help with the kickback of the chain during the first contact with the wood.

This is one of the best options for home and construction.

Advantages:

• Light weight and easy to cut, this is noted by 99% of users.
• Availability of specialized services and spare parts in full
• Excellent build quality

Disadvantages:

• A characteristic minus for all calmness is that it does not always start up the first time
• Strong vibration
• Standard tire is too short
• High price

1 PATRIOT 5220

One of the most affordable farm chainsaws from a well-known American manufacturer of garden equipment. You can find offers for 9-10 thousand rubles. What do you get for this money:

• Engine volume 52 m3 (power 3.4 HP)
• Bus length 50 cm
• A solid set of delivery - a tire (OREGON - an asterisk on 4 rivets), a chain (OREGON), a file for sharpening a chain, a metal comb, a container for preparing a mixture, rem. starter kit
• Fuel tank with a volume of 0.55 liters.

Real users of PATRIOT 5220 note good power and length of the tire. Unlike "husqvarns" and "calmness" it actually starts "on the fly". The disadvantages are high oil consumption, paper air filter, noise and heavy weight.

The best professional chainsaws

The most important difference between a professional tool is the possibility of long-term continuous operation and a large resource of the main components and mechanisms. Added to this is increased power, allowing you to work with hard wood species and a particularly attentive attitude of the consumer to the user's comfort: an improved vibration damping system, competent weight distribution, easy adjustment and ease of maintenance. Indeed, ergonomics becomes especially important when the operator has to work a full shift - even a not very comfortable grip can significantly reduce productivity. In this category, there are only the most popular chainsaw models among professionals, which have been produced for more than one year and have an excellent reputation.

4 Makita DCS7901-70

Already in the starting configuration, the Makita chain saw has a 70 cm tire, and the 5.8 hp engine allows you to increase the size of the cutting part to 81 cm. Considering the considerable power, an excellent solution is to use a special Makita anti-vibration system with stiff springs in the tool design. The metal crankcase of the engine provides extended service life, and easy maintenance and convenient adjustments provide user comfort.

In principle, there is only one thing that causes complaints from buyers - the high cost. But many users note that the saw has been in operation for ten or more years, and no repair work was needed. Excellent reviews go to low fuel consumption and good power-to-weight ratio. For home use, this tool, of course, is redundant, but for forestry it is the best option.

3 Daewoo Power Products DACS 5820XT

Is it possible to buy a professional tool of good quality for half the average price on the market? The owners of a powerful Daewoo chainsaw with a half-meter tire unanimously believe - you can! An extremely successful design allows this model to meet the wishes of users in all three main parameters - power, tire length and weight. On top of that, the chainsaw has been produced for several years and has been tested for reliability - many construction crews are equipped with just such a tool.

Owners praise the saw's budget value, adding that the model has no competitors in this price segment. A surprisingly good vibration damping system and high-quality body assembly complete the list of advantages of the tool. The disadvantages include a fairly soft chain included in the kit, the high demands of the engine on the quality of the fuel mixture and the need for frequent cleaning of the air filter cavity.

2 Husqvarna 365SP

This powerful chain saw is one of the most popular tools among professionals. Many power users consider the 365 model to be the most successful brand tool. It is versatile, its design allows the use of a tire with a length of 38 to 70 cm. Light weight - only 6 kg with an engine of 4.6 hp. - a very important advantage, as it reduces fatigue during prolonged work. The professional status of the saw is confirmed by the fact that its crankcase is made of durable aluminum-magnesium alloy and ensures a long service life during intensive use.

The owners of the saw praise, first of all, the ergonomics: excellent weight distribution, a successful vibration damping system and ease of adjustments. The reliability and durability of the tool also earned excellent marks - many users claim that five to ten years of trouble-free service is an absolute norm for this model, and only then minor repairs may be required.

1 STIHL MS 440-20

This chainsaw is suitable for very heavy loads and extreme operating conditions. The 5.4 hp engine easily copes with the included 50 cm tire, but it is possible to install a longer one - up to 80 cm.Automatic chain lubrication and a soft start system make working with the tool very comfortable for the user. The weight of the saw is relatively light, considering the engine power of 6.3 kg.

For winter conditions, the chainsaw design provides several successful options: firstly, preheating the carburetor, and, secondly, electric heating of the handle. Experienced users especially recommend this tool for forestry applications such as thinning and cutting medium-sized trunks. The cost of the saw, of course, is considerable, but, given the reliability and durability of the model, it pays off for professional everyday use.

The best chainsaws for felling wood

In this category are the most powerful, reliable tools for professional logging. Prices for them, of course, differ in a big way and greatly exceed the cost of even professional models of the universal type. And besides the price, with the increase in the effective length of the tire and the power of the engine, the weight of the saw inevitably increases. Of course, manufacturers of such a tool are trying to ensure a good weight distribution, dampen vibration and maximize ergonomics. But still, not everyone can handle the full weight of such a saw - the equipped tool has a mass of about 10 kg. But even one and a half meter barrels is not a problem for any of these models, and their service life is ten or more years.

3 Oleo-Mac GS 820-30

In order for the tool, equipped with a 6 HP engine and a 76 cm long tire, to serve for a long time and work in any, even the most difficult conditions, many successful engineering solutions have been applied in the design of this chainsaw. Firstly, all important units and parts are made of high strength materials: the crankcase is made of magnesium alloy, the crankshaft is made of forged steel, and a special coating of the cylinder increases its resource. Secondly, the decompression valve and special filtration system make starting easier and reduce the load on the engine.

Experts recommend using this chainsaw specifically for heavy, voluminous work: felling large trees and their crosscutting. The electronic control and engine speed control system allows you to steadily cope with even the hardest wood, and competent weight distribution does not allow the operator to get tired. Users praise the successful automatic chain lubrication system and the convenient air filter change.

2 Stihl MS 660

Having deprived the semi-professional class with elongated tires, the developers from Shtil decided to make up for lost time in the segment of professional chainsaws - in the MS 660 model, the length is as much as 90 centimeters. But, the positive dynamics in this component sharply worsened other indicators - the saw became heavier and, more importantly, more expensive than competitors.In this situation, models from other manufacturers would be preferable ... if not for a good resource. Users who have managed to purchase and "test" Stihl MS 660 for a long time unanimously declare the high quality of the product.

Advantages:

• copes well with cutting hard trees;
• ergonomics at the level (if you do not take into account the weight);
• high quality of basic elements.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• some inconvenience in use - weight affects (7.3 kilograms without chain and tire).

1 Husqvarna 395XP

Based on the later semi-pro models, the Husqvarna 395XP is a worthy (and affordable) representative of its company. This "monster", equipped with a 7.1 liter engine. with. and a 90 cm tire, it is able to cut the hardest types of wood without visible effort. The system of preliminary centrifugal air purification, which has migrated from the "farm" chainsaws, does not look like a beautiful function here, but really protects the filter from fast clogging. The anti-vibration function is also in place - on heavy models (and the weight of this "crumb" is 8.1 kilograms without the sawing device) vibrations are felt much stronger. And, even if the Swedes didn’t think of reducing the noise level (fortunately, it didn’t increase), users consider the 395XP as a priority model in its class.

Advantages:

• the price is lower than that of competitors (with the same technical parameters);
• high performance and rated engine power;
• impeccable vibration protection.

Disadvantages:

• high noise level (115 dB);
• great weight.