And we feel that the price of replacements is excessive. The Stihl MSA200C is one of the market’s best battery chainsaws, thanks to a combination of neat cuts, power, ease of use and a solid battery life. This means that potential repair costs could be quite high in the long run. The southern boundary is a drystone wall although that does have a substantial monkey puzzle tree at one end which needs its lower branches shortening periodically as they can remove the skin from unwary heads that stray beneath. The chainsaw has long been an essential tool for agricultural and forestry workers, but it is becoming increasingly popular for home use too. HP10 9TY | 01676637 | Registered in England & Wales. Thanks to sufficient cutting performance the saw makes light work of cutting firewood, light felling or limbing. As it stands, you're paying for power alone, and you can find cheaper chainsaws that perform sufficiently well for homeowners with wooded plots. When you choose a chainsaw, make sure it's easy to tension the chain as this is something you'll be doing a lot. Otherwise it works evenly. And the “On” button is small and well-integrated into the machine. However, the battery indicator is underneath so you can’t see it while you’re using the chainsaw. If you want to be extra well prepared for awkward situations such as sick or leaning trees, there are also aids such as felling wedges, winches, tree pushers and breaking bars. What's lacking is more advanced safety functions. There are lots of accessories that make sawing simpler and contribute to a safer sawing environment. Features X-Torq® engine technology for low emissions and Air Injection that keeps the filter clean. The Solo by AL-KO CS 4235 is a bit of an odd bird in the chainsaw market. It's easy to remove the battery for charging. The battery-powered version has the advantage that you don't have to struggle with extension cables when you want to use it. For example, you want to put a knee against the housing to provide resistance, but there’s a bump from the spark plug in the way. One advantage with this chainsaw is that it comes with battery status readers, so you know how much battery is left. It would be practical to have one battery on charge while the one fitted on the saw is utilised. It has a 12” / 30 cm bar equipped with a 3/8” mini pixel chain that cuts a very narrow kerf. For example, we can use the chainsaw’s battery in a Husqvarna hedge trimmer with the same voltage, but the hedge trimmer’s battery doesn’t fit the chainsaw. The 120i is ideal for this job; it is in its element. It’s the wooden fence at the front where I’ve found the most use for it though. Maintaining the MSA200C is simple. If you need a power tool for large trees, a petrol-operated chainsaw is best. This means you don't have any problems reaching it with your thumb. However, the plastic handles are lacking rubberised grips. They've been drawn up for a reason. It’s the wooden fence at the front where I’ve found the most use for it though. It’s convenience, which is something we all crave in these modern times where instant gratification is not an aspiration but an expectation. Included in this new multi-rail regimen is a two-rail boundary fence that splits their garden from our yard and so we decided to board the whole length to give us a little privacy and keep our animals separate from theirs. For example, it's neat and sufficiently powerful to demolish a wall indoors, or for lighter tree lopping. Here we go through the points you should take into account when choosing a chainsaw. Apparently they have sold one to a Christmas tree specialist who spends much of his time pruning and shaping high-quality, high-value trees. I took ownership of a STIHL electric chain saw about three months ago. Exactly how this works varies from one chainsaw to another. The balance in the saw is perfect despite its rather narrow design, and it does have very good vibration reduction. Simultaneously, the advantages of having a battery chainsaw that can cope with felling and cutting up a smaller tree, cut timber and prune trees become clear after a couple of months’ use. If you’d told my father all this 40 years ago while we were sat watching a black-and-white television that had two channels in a house that didn’t have a phone he would have thought someone was away with the fairies. It’s easy to tighten the chain, even if the knob could have been a bit bigger. The on/off button is hidden under the primer bulb and is the same colour as the chainsaw itself. I’ve already mentioned cutting firewood, which is one of the toughest tests of even a medium-sized petrol saw. It has a clear battery indicator, rubberised grip, is clearly well built and produces few vibrations to enhance user comfort. For corded chainsaws, there are the MSE 141 C-Q and the MSE 170 C-BQ. Bosch AKE 30 Li Cordless Chainsaw – 30cm Bar, Bosch AKE30LI Cordless Chainsaw 36v / 2.6Ah / 30cm 0.600.837.170, Powerful battery chainsaw with patchy design choices. STIHL MSA 120 C-B Cordless Chainsaw Set £249.00 £218.00. It is a relatively compact chainsaw, which at the same time has a lot of power and top build quality. The chain is also of a durable hard metal variety. The disadvantage of the Husqvarna 135 is that it’s really reluctant to start. Unfortunately, the kickback protection is placed so close to the front handle that a large gloved hand can't really fit. Chain speed is around 12 m/s on full power or 8 m/s on the eco setting. Well, the Husqvarna 120i … If you're pruning trees it will last half a day, because you cut the odd branch and do lots of other things in between. What it wasn’t so good at was sawing of high stumps on main extraction routes. * More and more people are buying chainsaws on the internet. Stihl vs Husqvarna Chainsaws — when it comes to chainsaws, this is a classic debate with plenty of passion on both sides of the fence. This is partly because the throttle control and the safety throttle are rather far apart, and partly because the kickback protection is narrow and the distance to the front handle is relatively large. Green light for go. One disadvantage is that you have to use a key to open the fuel cap, once you’ve tightened it up properly. I can withdraw my consent at any time. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners, who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them. Sometimes chainsaws get stuck and can be thrown back towards you. This is partly because they can keep their costs down as they don't have to pay for physical shops, with staff costs, maintenance, heating, rent etc. The bar is quite long, but despite this, the chainsaw can chew through most things without struggling. The advantage is of course that it's constantly well lubricated. The motor has really good torque and a fast response. It has everything a conventional saw has, except a fuel tank. Then you calculate 16.5/2 = 8.25 mm. Compared to the newer 2019 version of the Husqvarna 120, this 1 st generation model features a smaller engine (35cc vs 38.2cc). Looking for the perfect small chainsaw? Unloaded it lasts for quite a long time. The air filter, on the other hand, requires no tools and is easily detached via its snap filter. The primary reason for this is probably that it's easier to compare prices and find a model with a cheaper price. It’s easy to tension but awkwardly positioned because the screws aren't next to each other. This fence runs to around 40 metres, which required several hundred 4” boards and a handful of extra rails. The Bosch AKE 30 Li is a battery-powered chainsaw suitable for smaller tasks, such as clearing small trees and cross-cutting smaller trunks. Oddly, the charger refused to charge at temperatures below zero. The battery life is OK. Make sure you're clearly visible while you're felling trees, so that any passers-by can hear you and see what's going on. The first thing I noticed when I used the saw to shorten some lengths of firewood was the noise from the chain. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The Husqvarna 440 E-series X-Torq delivers both power and a high level of safety. Battery saws are the future, or so I’ve been told, and so, at the risk of adding pedant to the accusation that I’m a Luddite, I handed over my bank card to the nice man at our local Husqvarna dealer and took delivery of a shiny new battery-powered chainsaw. On the other hand, it's very useful for anyone who is climbing up a tree to cut off branches, or for anyone climbing up a ladder. The battery included with the saw is a 2 Ah / 36 V unit that gives a run time of around 40 minutes, which is entirely dependent on how much cutting the saw does and what kind of wood you are cutting. The Husqvarna 120i is a lightweight, easy-to-use battery saw that’s ideal for pruning branches and felling small trees. This is probably partly because there are now a wide range of easy-to-use and affordable chainsaws for simpler tasks, such as pruning or for carving. Stick to the topic and maintain a respectful attitude toward others. In other words it's not really suitable for either target group. The chain tensioner is a flip-and-turn, toolless type and the oil tank filler is also an easy-to-use version. But as soon as we face the OCS1830 with even simple tasks, the operating time drops to just less than a minute per ampere hour. I get a PDF back for comment and suggested edits within a few hours and then I can see a page layout before the end of the day. The button is in a protected yet easily accessible place, and its red colour makes it clearly visible. The SC 48 feels quite heavy. The intuitive keypad makes getting starting a breeze, while an inertia chain brake promises problem-free handling. On a chainsaw in this price class, we expect top quality in all aspects. Husqvarna 135 II Petrol Chainsaw – 35cm Bar, Handy smaller chainsaw that has a lot of power, Power source: Battery Battery: Type: Lithium ion | Voltage: 36 V | Capacity: 3.2 Ah Motor type: Brushless Bar length: 30 cm Maximum chain speed: 15 m/s Chain pitch: 1/4"P Chain thickness: 1 mm Number of chain links: 45 Noise level:91.4 db Weight: 0.8 kg Accessories included: Scabbard. It is so fine that it only takes a smidgeon of mud and the edge is gone and the 120i is one saw that doesn’t cope well with a blunt chain. But in general, the chainsaw feels like a well-built power tool. Thanks to its quieter running and easier operation, the Stihl MSA 120C makes light work for those with big gardens, or for those wanting to cut up logs to use as fuel in a wood fire. This makes it effective for felling and cross-cutting smaller trees. The battery life on the cordless Husqvarna 120i is good under load, and it also has an eco-mode that adds a few minutes. A chainsaw should also be well-balanced. I had about half a week carrying the 120i on the forwarder and for nipping off tyre-stabbing re-gen it was excellent. Some chainsaws have tool-free chain tensioners which are preferable - if they function well. It's easy to start in that you don't have to pull more than two or three times. Extra batteries are £95 for the 2.0 Ah or £160 for the larger-capacity 4Ah version. We also go discuss the concept of pitch and explain how to measure the pitch on your chain... One of the first questions you're faced with when buying a chainsaw is whether it should be powered by a battery, mains electric or petrol. Stiga doesn't yet sell a package with a chainsaw, charger and battery all together, which is a bit odd as their selection of compatible batteries is so small. This can also happen when the tip touches something before the rest of the bar. But it’s still well balanced, so this is only a disadvantage in terms of size. Copyright 1999-2020 PriceRunner International AB, Charger only works at positive temperatures, Intelligent solution for reducing resistance when starting, Protective boots or shoes (with steel toecaps), Protective trousers (which stop the chain on contact. The Husqvarna 120i is categorized as a “casual chainsaw” by Husqvarna, which basically means it’s intended for light-duty usage and targeted for homeowners who want a high-quality chainsaw in a compact, easy-to-use package. The 436 Li is an excellent choice for arborists or private individuals looking for a chainsaw for simpler tasks such as felling, limbing and cross-cutting smaller trees. This isn't a major problem overall, but it gives the impression that it could have been more lively. For example, you can clean the oil filter without tools. But the motor is quite strong so you’re quickly up and running again. Electric and battery-powered chainsaws also have the advantage that they don't release exhaust gases and that they are quieter, so they can be used indoors and in urban areas without causing too much disruption. It’s best suited to homeowners with both small and large trees to maintain. For example, good balance is important for working ergonomics, and there are a number of functions that the chainsaw should include in order to be safe. ... Stihl MSA 200C-BQ VS Husqvarna 455 Rancher . The MTD GCS 4600/45 is a chunky looking budget chainsaw. We found a few negative points. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you're only going to chop up a very small tree or a little heap of wood, this is perhaps enough. It has a light and relatively narrow in design. It does need the battery swapping over periodically for a fully charged one, but that is a lot quicker than filling with fuel, although you do still have to top the oil up occasionally. It also has a transport mode where the battery is in place but the saw and battery contacts aren't touching each other. The chainsaw is well balanced and easy to control while simultaneously being powerful for a battery chainsaw, particularly in relation to its size. The grip on the GCS 4600 is good, but unfortunately there’s a lot of vibration in the machine, which means that the user experience still isn’t top notch when it comes to the ergonomics. The chain catcher has distinct positions and the oil cap is quite high up, which makes it easy to fill up. You can often find manuals on the manufacturer's website if you have lost the paper version. The problem with this saw is that it weighs – and vibrates – far too much for a low-performance machine, while it doesn’t perform well enough for serious tree felling and the like. Chainsaws are therefore equipped with a chain brake or kickback protection. Anyhow, just what can you do with a battery-powered chainsaw? He bought the saw with a spare battery and he can get a full day out of it although he pointed out he is only doing the bits he can’t do with secateurs. Instead, we've tested it as a chainsaw intended for private individuals with a lot of woodland and chunky trees. So it has no real target audience. Low kickback cutting equipment for increased safety. And when it's faced with a large heap of brushwood - which means a lot of jerking in the chain - it throws the chain pretty much straight away. Cost-free home delivery. While some version of the chainsaw has existed since 1830 (being either steam-powered or kinetic in nature), Andreas Stihl built the first gas-powered chainsaw in 1929, and then in 1950 built the first single-operator chainsaw. It is essentially a hobby saw, aimed at homeowners, gardeners and people who need a saw that won’t be making hundreds of cuts over a short time period. But the combination of that loose cable, a weight of over seven kilos and the movements you perform when using a chainsaw constitute an excessive physical load. Smaller battery-powered chainsaw for lighter tasks, Battery: Type: Lithium ion | Voltage: 36 V | Capacity: 2.6 Ah Motor type: Brushless Bar length: 30 cm Chain speed: 8 m/s Chain pitch: 3/8 inch Noise level: 96 dB Dimensions (LxWxH): 423x268x228 mm Weight: 7.4 kg (inc. bar, battery and chain) Guarantee: 1 year (2 years if registered on Bosch's website) Accessories included: 80 ml chain oil User manual: PDF. De Husqvarna bladblazer 120iB is het instapmodel voor accu aangedreven bladblazers. We like the fact that you can choose a shorter bar when limbing felled trees. Winch: Helps to encourage awkward trees to fall where you want them. Once going, the 440 E-series is a chainsaw with a great deal of cutting power. Now I write on a laptop, include the pictures as attachments and email it off in an editable format. The chain rotates quite slowly, which means it takes a fair time to cut through thicker trunks and branches. Which means it’s lit all the time you’re using the saw. HUSQVARNA 120 Mark II . There are no legal requirements for protective equipment, but it can be sensible to comply with the same rules applying to professional tree-surgeons. it's important not only to handle the chainsaw correctly but also to wear suitable protective clothing. STIHL MSA 120 C-BQ 1/4in P Cordless Chain Saw (body only) 1254 011 5870, STIHL MSA 120 C-BQ 1/4in P SET Cordless Chainsaw Kit 1254 011 5883, Stihl MSA120C-BQ (12") AK System Cordless Chainsaw c/w AK20 Battery and AL101 Charger, Powerful and versatile with good build quality, Power source: Battery Battery: Type: Lithium ion | Voltage: 36 V | Capacity: 6 Ah Battery life: 33 min (unloaded), 19 min (loaded) Noise level: 75.1 dB Weight: 5.1 kg (of which 1.7 kg battery) Bar length: 25.5 cm Chain pitch: 1/4"P Accessories included: Scabbard. The third thing is the lack of fumes. The chainsaw sits comfortably in the hand and produces very little vibration. And if it happens to be splashed with oil that’s had time to harden, the problem only gets worse. How the chainsaw is constructed determines which type of bar and chain you need to use. We have tested the best chainsaws available and after hours of sawing, cutting and detailed discussions, we consider the Stihl MSA 120 C-BQ as the best all around chainsaw of 2020. The chainsaw produces a vibration – not so much that it’s really bothersome, but given that the MS 170 isn’t hugely powerful these vibrations are still a bit excessive. These have relatively small ridges, which means otherwise they would quite easily lock up. It is a pain having to put up with all the little inconveniences of carrying a saw in the cab just for those odd occasions when it might just be needed. Black & Decker 18V Li-Ion 25cm Chainsaw GKC1825L20-XE 5.0 (1) Stihl MSA 120 5.0 (3) Makita DUC254Z 5.0 (1) Stihl … If you purchase a package with a battery included, this does last for quite a long time, but there are more economical batteries on the market. A battery-powered chainsaw is rarely suitable for large trees or trees with harder woods such as oak. Low prices. Its 3.75 min/Ah makes it the best in its class just now, but that’s assuming you don’t load it too hard. Handy for ending off a few fencing boards in the sawmill. For a battery chainsaw, the CS 4235 is extremely heavy. The Husqvarna 436 Li battery-powered chainsaw is as convenient as it is reliable. Above all, it's most suitable for limbing. Lots of people probably appreciate this, but from a safety viewpoint it's not entirely a positive thing. The thorn hedge is kept tidy, as are the conifers, by yours truly. Remember that you should always erect warning signs before felling a tree, and that you should contact road and utility owners if roads or cables/pipelines are within the area where the tree may fall. I say 'we', as I convinced a mate to buy one, a few weeks after I did. However, it can be a good idea to go on a chainsaw course to improve your knowledge and reduce the risk of accidents. I had a bash at running the machine with the battery Husky as my tidying-up saw and other than the biggest wood it coped fine. Powerful workhorse for homeowners with smaller amounts of woodland, Power source: Petrol Cylinder volume: 40.9 cm³ Power: 2.01 hp Tank volume: 0.25 l Noise level: 89.7 dB (measured) Weight: 4.4 kg (excluding cutting equipment) Bar length: 31.5 cm Accessories included: Scabbard. Even though chainsaws on the market may be very similar at first glance, many aspects can distinguish them from one another. I’ve got battery grease guns, I’ve got battery drills and battery impact guns so why not a battery saw? Sitting this next to my 572 there’s quite a lot you can compare when simply considering the components, but really they are two completely different things. The chain is thin and really flexible. In addition to close contact with the chainsaw, many accidents are related to flying wood chips, branches or even tree trunks. The choke is easily accessible. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. For some reason, the scabbard is longer than the bar so it falls off readily. The Stiga 48 AE is poorly designed in parts, but at the same time it gives a lot of power for your money. The MTD GCS 4600/45 has a really large tank volume and it’s quite easy to maintain. The chain doesn't jump off at the first chance, not even when working freely in a large, messy heap of brushwood. The cable doesn’t roll in automatically, or anything like that, so it just hangs loose by your side all the time. A chainsaw essentially consists of a body, a bar and a chain. You don't need to use too much force, which makes it even more user-friendly. These are significantly more powerful. The primer bulb is also well positioned. I didn’t really choose the saw I bought, it was the only one they had in the shop. The build quality is high. I think it wouldn’t be possible to charge a spare battery in the time it takes to discharge the one in the saw. The disadvantage is that it becomes a bit more expensive to operate. Get involved with the news in your community, This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. STIHL MSA 120 C, MSA 140 C Instruction Manual Manual de instrucciones WARNING To reduce the risk of kickback injury use STIHL reduced kickback bar and STIHL low kickback chain as specified in this manual or other available low kickback components. Functions for simple start and stop commands are common and have an array of names depending on the manufacturer. The disadvantage with this is how it performs under load. Yes, I want to receive news and offers related to PriceRunner's product range, competitions and recommendations via email. This consists of chainsaw boots or shoes, gloves, a chainsaw jacket, chainsaw trousers and a helmet with a visor and hearing protection. It's the battery-powered MSA 120 C. Over those ninety days, I've used the saw extensively on all sorts of different jobs around my home. A Gannett Company. The long bar means it's suitable for larger trees. It is a relatively compact chainsaw, which at the same time has a lot of power and top build quality. I have logged up small amounts of roundwood and cut up the bits we call scabs left by a cone splitter that came off oversized beech. The oil and petrol caps are easiest to open with the included tool. The MSA 120 C-B delivers a real-world cutting experience. Another disadvantage of the MSA 120 C-BQ is that it has to be cleaned often. Together with agriculture, forestry is one of the most dangerous professions today. The Stihl MSA200C is therefore most suitable for arborists and people owning larger areas of woodland looking for a versatile chainsaw that can cope with both finer and heavier tasks, such as for cutting trees. The saw is also well-balanced. It makes the entire chainsaw effortless to use. 10:32. The easiest is to check the model and manufacturer of your chainsaw and find the chain pitch in the manual for your machine. It's ideal for beginners because it's well balanced and has double kickback protection. If you watch Formula One take a look at the E series racing where all the cars are purely battery powered and you’ll be shocked at how quick the cars are that were a bit of a joke just a few seasons ago. An expert can usually see which model it is and knows which chain and bar will fit. I don’t speak much Swedish but I did get the impression the guy using the saw was trying his best to be enthusiastic and he was getting a good amount of timber on the floor although he would have to be on better rates than we are here in the UK for it to pay a decent wage. Well-known brands often have these, either in the shop or via a mail-order service. Our overall experience is that the 440 E-series is a good chainsaw for individuals who regularly saw trees of varying sizes; people looking for both high levels of safety and a user-friendly chainsaw will be happy with this machine. As an individual, you have the right to fell trees on your own property without documented training. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, and to analyse our traffic. But if you use a chainsaw often and want the sharpening process to be as quick as possible, a chain grinder is a worthwhile investment.