Chainsaws

Chainsaws

Power source is the first decision and it maps closely to how much cutting you actually do. Cordless chainsaws on 18V, 20V, 36V and 40V platforms start instantly, need no fuel mixing and are quiet enough to use near neighbours, which makes them the right choice for pruning, firewood and storm clean-up around a house. Battery capacity in amp hours decides run time, and if you already own tools on the same battery platform a bare unit costs far less. Electric mains chainsaws at 1800W and 2000W give unlimited run time for as long as the cable reaches, and suit a fixed spot such as a log pile. Petrol at 50cc has no cord and no battery to flatten, so it remains the option for felling, land clearance and anywhere with no power, at the cost of fuel mixing, weight and noise. Bar length is the second decision: 12cm to 20cm mini and one-handed saws handle branches and hedging one-handed, 25cm to 30cm covers general garden work and firewood, and 40cm to 51cm handles thicker trunks. A pole saw puts a short bar on an extending shaft so high branches can be cut from the ground rather than up a ladder.

Worx is the widest range, spanning 20V Power Share saws at 12cm, 25cm and 30cm, a 20V cordless pole saw and the Nitro 40V brushless. Bosch covers the UniversalChain 35 electric at 1800W, UniversalChain 18V, Garden EasyChain 18V and an 18V telescopic pole saw. Black & Decker supplies the BECS2040 40cm 2000W mains saw, an 18V cordless, a corded pole saw and the GK1000 Alligator powered lopper. DeWalt covers XR brushless 30cm, pole saw and pruning saw bare units, Husqvarna the 225i 36V battery saw and Aspire pole pruner kit, and ProPlus and Victor the 20 inch 50cc petrol saws. Einhell, JML and Faithfull add compact saws and an electric chain sharpener. For chains and bars see Garden Power Tool Accessories, and for protection Protective Wear.