Buyers Guide to Chainsaws

There are many choices of chainsaw on the market which cater for every need. If this is your first purchase, take a look at the guide below which will help you make an informed choice about price, size of engine, length of bar and weight. Please be aware of the potential dangers of a chainsaw if not handles correctly. We strongly advise the purchase of safety clothing, in particular a helmet, trousers, boots and gloves. We sell electric chainsaws and petrol chainsaws from well-known manufacturers such as Stihl, Husqvarna and Ryobi. It should be noted, however, that due to a change in the Stihl GB policy we can only supply Stihl products to existing customers or professional users who have working knowledge of chainsaws. If you have already purchased from Classiclawns please follow the instructions against each product. If you are in any doubt or are a contactor who has not purchased from Classiclawns before please telephone us on 01285 760799.

Is the chainsaw to be used occasionally in a domestic situation? For home use there is a choice of electric or petrol. The electric chainsaw tends to be quieter and lighter. A petrol chainsaw generally delivers more power and, of course, there is no need to worry about a cable. For occasional use, select a chainsaw that is small and light such as the Husqvarna 137e, its bigger brother the 142, Ryobi PCN range, Stihl MS170 , MS180 and MS180CQT. Consider also the size of the bar. For branch cutting and small tree felling the chain does not need to be longer than 18 inches. Both Stihl and Husqvarna produce chainsaws with varying bar length. A smaller bar chainsaw is more manouevrable and the 'nose' is less likely to get caught up. The smaller bar will also prove more beneficial if the branches to be cut are in awkward positions.

For a more multi-purpose petrol chainsaw aimed primarily at the domestic user, looking for a high quality professional grade saw, for use around the garden, on the farm or estate, the Husqvarna 345 and 350 petrol chainsaws would be a good choice as well as the Stihl MS230 and MS250 petrol chainsaws. These saws are powered by 2-stroke engines ranging in power from 40-50cc with a guide bar length of between 12 and 18 inches.

For professional petrol chainsaw users, foresters, and landscapers we would recommend a chainsaw with an engine in excess of 50cc such as the Stihl MS240 and MS260 which have excellent power-to-weight ratio as well as the Husqvarna 362XP.

A final word in the section...

Chainsaws can be potentially dangerous if not handled correctly and demand your utmost respect at all times. We sell a range of safety clothing from both Stihl and Husqvarna and a more detailed guide can be found in the section Safety Clothing. As with all machinery it is very important to read the manufacturers instructions in full before commencing any operation with your chainsaw. Please also ensure that you use the recommended petrol and oil, mixing to the correct strengths as shown in the manufacturers' handbook, NOT the oil bottle, as using inferior quality products can irrevocably damage the machine.

As always, if you have questions on the chainsaws and their use, please contact us before purchase so that we can advise you correctly.