The question of buying a chain saw sooner or later arises from any owner of a private farm, and usually this means an electric saw. Electric chain saws are inferior to gasoline-powered ones in performance and autonomy, but significantly benefit from ease of maintenance and use.

However, builders also often take an electric saw in addition to a gasoline saw - with small amounts of work, it is more convenient, and the working conditions sometimes do not allow using a power saw.

In stores today, the buyer is offered an extensive range of models of electric saws in a wide range of prices and characteristics. To get the right tool for your money, you need to understand how each of these characteristics affects the convenience, performance and safety of the saw.

Electric chain saw device

Despite the external variety, all electric chain saws are arranged in the same type. The housing (1) houses an electric motor (2) that rotates the drive sprocket (3). The sprocket drives the toothed saw chain (4) along the guide bar (5). On the rear handle (6) of the saw there is a power button (7), in front of the front handle (8) there is a protective shield (9), which is also an emergency brake. On the front of the body there is a row of stop teeth (10) to make sawing easier.

Fields of application of electric chain saws

The chain saw is used wherever there is a large amount of sawing work:

Preparation of firewood;

Carpentry;

Construction works;

Dismantling of wooden buildings and structures.

Some people use a chainsaw for delimbing, although a reciprocating saw is better for this task - it is both more convenient and safer.

Characteristics of electric chain saws

The more power saws, the higher its productivity and the faster it will cut the same bar. But this does not mean that you should choose a saw that is as powerful as possible. Power saws are heavier and significantly more expensive, so choose the saw for the future.

If you intend to saw thick logs (30 cm or more in diameter), then you need a saw with a long bar and a power of 2 kW or more.

If such tasks are not expected, the power of 1500 - 2000 W will be quite enough.

Saws with power less than 1500 W are only suitable for sawing small pieces and delimbing.

Engine location can be longitudinal and transverse. With the transverse arrangement, the drive sprocket is directly on the engine axis - the design is simpler, more reliable and cheaper. But with such an arrangement, the engine protrudes strongly to the side, which can lead to certain inconveniences - such a saw is more difficult to operate in cramped conditions. In addition, due to the uneven distribution of weight, it can be pulled sideways during operation.

Saws with a longitudinal arrangement are devoid of these disadvantages, but they are more expensive.

Bus length determines the maximum cutting depth. The longer the bar is, the thicker the log or bar can be cut. Of course, if the length of the bus is supported by the appropriate power.

When buying a saw from a well-known manufacturer, you don't have to think about it - a company that values ​​its reputation will not equip a low-power saw with a long tire. But if there are doubts about the correspondence between the length of the bus and the power, then you should be guided by the fact that the optimal power for a 40 cm bus is 2 kW, 35 cm is 1800 W. Saws with lower power are usually equipped with a 30 cm bar.

Bus groove width determines the thickness of the saw chain guide and characterizes the strength and durability of the chain. For household saws that are not designed for heavy loads, saw chains with thin guides are used.

Heavy-duty chains have thicker guide elements.

Chain step is called half the distance between any three rivets. The chain pitch determines the length of the chain teeth and affects the performance of the saw and the cleanliness of the cut.

The chain pitch must match the power of the motor: a large pitch provides more performance, but requires more power. In addition, the larger the teeth (the larger the pitch), the rougher the cut, the stronger the vibration of the tool, and the greater the adhesion of the chain to the material being cut - when wedging, such a chain will more likely cause the tool to slip out of hand.

Step into 1/4 "(6.3mm) provides maximum accuracy and cleanliness of the cut and is used only in miniature saws.

Step 3/8 "(9.3mm) provides acceptable performance and is used in most household saws.

Step 0.375 "(9.5 mm) It is used on powerful electric saws from which maximum performance is required.

Maximum chain speed affects the performance of the saw - the higher the speed, the faster it will cut. Of course, only if the engine power allows you to maintain a high speed under load - choosing among saws with different speeds and power, the choice should be made according to power. The high speed of a low-power saw under load will be greatly reduced and the advantage will be canceled out.

Chain tensioning mechanism. Saw chain in the process of work, it is stretched so that at the same time it does not start flying off the tire, it must be tightened. On models with instrumental chain tensioning mechanism, this must be done using a separate tool, most often a screwdriver.

Toolless the mechanism allows you to manually tighten the chain by turning the tension adjuster on the body.

Powering the device. There are also cordless chain saws. They combine the simplicity, convenience and safety of using chain saws with the autonomy of gasoline-powered ones. Unfortunately, cordless saws are much more expensive, have less power and a short operating time from one battery (20-40 minutes). In addition, the cordless saw will be heavier at the same power.

When deciding to purchase a cordless saw, pay attention to the characteristics of the batteries: their voltage indirectly speaks of the saw's power (the higher the voltage, the more powerful), and the capacity - about the duration of work without charging.

Also note that most cordless saws are sold without a battery or charger, which can be close to the price of the saw itself.

Electric chain saw safety

The chain saw is a dangerous tool. Careless handling can result in serious injury or even death. Therefore, it is imperative that the saw is equipped with all the options to ensure the operator's safety while working.

All electric saws are equipped with a chain brake lever that stops the chain when struck by hand. But the workmanship of this element may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Before buying, check the operation of the chain brake - the lever should snap off with little force on it. Before starting work, be sure to check that the lever releases the chain immediately. The author of the guide personally observed a Chinese chainsaw, the release of the brake lever on which did not affect its performance in any way.

Lock against accidental activation allows you to block the power button and ensures that the instrument will not turn on if you accidentally press the button.

Inertial brake stops the chain when the tool is turned off. If the saw does not have this option, after turning off the tool, the chain continues to move by inertia for some time - this may be enough to cause injury.

Anti-vibration reduces vibration stress on hands and increases tool safety

Don't skimp on chain saw safety. Buying a cheap screwdriver of dubious quality, in the worst case scenario, you will lose the money you paid for it. And in the case of a chain saw, excessive savings can lead to loss of health or life.

Choice options

For pruning branches and cutting them for firewood trees fit lightweight low-power chain saw.

For confident handling of medium trees and for most construction work the best choice there will be a saw of medium power with a tire of 30-35 cm.

For cutting thick logs, you need a powerful saw with a bar from 40 cm.

Any owner country house you definitely have to deal with the need to carry out operations for sawing wood. This is especially in demand when carrying out construction or renovation works, which are usually always in private households. If the house has stoves, then it is constantly required to replenish the fuel supply. Plus to everything - caring for the local area: regular pruning of trees or a complete cut of old, unnecessary, trimming shrubs and hedges, etc. Even organizing leisure activities often requires turning to a saw - when it is necessary to prepare fuel for a barbecue or a summer grill oven.

It is quite possible to use the "old-fashioned" approach with the use of ordinary and two-handed saws, an ax, a pruner, but it takes a lot of time, which is usually not enough, and requires considerable physical effort. It is good that nowadays there is an opportunity to purchase a modern power tool, greatly simplifying the implementation of time-consuming operations. So, chainsaws are in great demand, due to the convenience of working with them and full autonomy - independence from the availability of a power source. But in order for the tool to really meet the expectations of its owner, you should definitely understand how to choose the right chainsaw, what you should pay special attention to when buying.

Experienced users who have been using chainsaws for a long time in their daily work probably know the basic selection criteria. But for those who are just going to acquire this useful "assistant" for the first time, for a start it is worth at least a little to understand the structure of the chainsaw - in order to understand what will be discussed when assessing the characteristics of the tool.

How does a chainsaw work?

The range of chainsaws is very wide, as they are used in a wide variety of areas.

• This is an indispensable tool both in companies engaged in industrial timber harvesting and in forestry enterprises that regularly clean up the massifs from dead wood or unnecessary overgrowth.

• In chainsaws they are used in the preparation of wooden parts of erected structures, cutting window and door openings in log cabins from logs or timber, sampling the necessary grooves or spikes and for many other operations.

• The variety of domestic, economic uses of the chainsaw has already been mentioned above - it is an indispensable assistant to a good homeowner.
• Moreover, in skillful hands Chainsaw craftsmen become a tool for creating works of art - logs or logs are transformed into unique garden wooden sculptures.

But, despite such a wide range of uses, all chainsaws have approximately the same design and work according to the same principle.

First, consider the outside of the chainsaw:

The entire main structure of the saw is covered with a plastic or metal case (pos. 1). Inside there is a power unit (engine) and components and mechanisms that ensure its start and operation. In the upper part, the housing has a removable cover (pos. 2), which, when removed, opens access to the power supply and ignition systems.

Any saw has two working handles. Front - in the form of an arc encircling the top of the body (pos. 3), and the rear (pos. 4), with the controls located on it.

In the front of the chainsaw there is a tire (pos. 5), with the saw chain stretched on it (pos. 6).

To start the power unit, a recoil starter is used, the handle of which is located on the left side of the body (pos. 7). Most models have a dedicated button for pre-pumping fuel into the carburetor. hand pump(item 8). Most often it is indicated by the "Primer" sign.

Directly near the rear handle, so that you can easily reach with your finger, there is a toggle switch for turning the engine ignition system on and off (pos. 9).

There are always two filler openings on the left side of the body - for refueling the saw with fuel (key 10) and for filling the chain and bar lubrication system reservoir (key 11). The necks are closed with sealed plugs. The location of the necks may differ from the example shown in the figure, but there are always inscriptions or pictograms that unambiguously indicate the purpose of the filling container.

Prices and model line of chainsaws CALIBER

chainsaw caliber

The engine speed is controlled by the throttle key (key 12) located on the rear saw handle. On top of the handle there is always one more key - the lock (pos. 13), without pressing which it is impossible to transfer the control action to the throttle. This is one of the frontiers of ensuring safety at work.

In front of the front handle there is always a special safety guard (pos. 14), which is kinematically connected to the emergency chain brake.

On the opposite side of the chainsaw, there is a metal or plastic cover (pos. 15) that covers the unit for transferring rotation from the engine to the drive sprocket of the saw chain. There is also a mechanism for adjusting the chain tension, its lubrication, as well as two fastening nuts (pos. 16) fixing the installed position of the bar.

The internal combustion engine used in chainsaws is a single-cylinder, two-stroke. Its dimensions, respectively - the diameter of the cylinder and its volume, directly depend on the power and predetermine the purpose of the tool.

Two-stroke engines do not have a dedicated lubrication system. For normal operation of the mechanisms, it is enough to use a correctly selected gasoline-oil mixture as a fuel. The gasoline component burns out in the cylinder, and the oil component provides lubrication of the friction units.

The engine cooling system is air. For greater efficiency of heat transfer, the ribbing of the outer cylinder body (item 1) is provided, and the engine flywheel has a peculiar configuration of a turbine with blades (item 5), which provide a forced powerful air flow.

Ignition of the working fuel mixture in the cylinder is carried out by a candle (item 2). Fuel supply from the carburetor to the cylinder is through a special connecting pipe (pos. 3). There is always a muffler (item 4), which reduces the noise of the unit and directs the exhaust to the side.

There is no gearbox with a change in the number of revolutions from the engine to the drive sprocket - the speed is controlled only by the throttle valve. But there is a clutch system (pos. 5) - the transmission of torque is carried out only when a certain level of revolutions is reached.

This mechanism works on a centrifugal principle. The clutch pads (their number may differ in different models) are pulled to the center by a spring (pos. 2). The tightening force is calculated so that when idling, the pads do not contact the inner surface of the drum (pos. 3), which is rigidly connected to the drive chain sprocket (pos. 4), and the rotation of the engine shaft (pos. 1) is not transmitted further.

With an increase in the number of revolutions, massive pads, overcoming the resistance of the springs under the action of centrifugal force, are pressed against inner surface drum, and the torque is transmitted to the saw chain.

The bar with the chain has a slot for insertion on the saw pins (pos. 6) and centering holes for a stopper (pin), the position of which can be changed with a special screw (pos. 5) - this is how the chain tension is adjusted.

On many chainsaw models, a toothed chain catcher (pos. 7) is located in the same area. If the chain breaks or falls off, it must prevent injury to the worker's hands.

Here through screw pump the oil supply channel is also removed from the tank for lubricating the chain and tire gears. Many models are equipped with an adjusting screw with which you can change the flow rate.

The outer surface of the drum (pos. 3) also plays another function - it is part of the chain emergency braking mechanism.

When assembling the assembly, the drum is surrounded by a spring-loaded steel strip ring (pos. 1). When the saw is inoperative, this belt is pressed against the drum by a spring. Before starting to use the tool, the master presses the shield (pos. 2) back. In this position, the belt is loosened and the drum can rotate freely.

Why is this done? A chainsaw is a dangerous tool and the chain running on the bar can cause serious injury. Kickback phenomenon is especially dangerous - when the tire is thrown up or to the side. When the saw is in working order, the safety guard in the rear position is very close to the worker's hand holding the tool by the front handle. In the event of a sudden kickback of the saw up or to the side, the back of the hand will involuntarily move the guard to the forward position, the spring-loaded belt will squeeze the drum, and its rotation for 0.5 - 1 second will be stopped, which means that the chain movement will also be interrupted. The engine remains running.

The diagram under # 3 shows a screw that changes the position of the pin when adjusting the chain tension.

True, the work of such a brake also requires special care of the master. If you increase the engine speed without moving the flap to the rear operating position, then it is easy to overheat the mechanism and even cause the polymer parts of the structure to melt, causing the entire mechanism to fail. And to work without a valid chain brake is strictly prohibited.

To start the engine - to transfer the starting torque to it, which will ensure the supply of the combustible mixture from the carburetor to the cylinder and create an impulse for sparking on the spark plug, a manual starter is used.

The starter design is simple. This is a drum with a rope (cord) wound around it, which ends with a handle located outside. The drum itself is located on a frame with a return spring - it provides winding of the cable and the return of the starter to its original position. The starter motor is located on most models on the left, coaxial with the engine crankshaft.

With a sharp pull on the cord, the drum is given a slight forward movement, so that its slots fall into the counter protrusions of the engine flywheel, and a rotational movement is transmitted to the flywheel and then to the crankshaft.

Access for servicing the carburetor and spark plug is by opening the top cover of the chainsaw.

There are also filter elements that are required to clean the air entering the carburetor. They require regular monitoring and cleaning - clogged filters often cause unstable engine operation or even inability to start it.

Many models have another external control element - adjusting the air damper of the carburetor (among motorists, the name "suction" usually appears). Such adjustment is sometimes necessary to facilitate cold starting of the engine, before it warms up, especially in low winter temperatures.

Choke control lever ("suction")

A filter is located in the fuel tank to clean the mixture from suspended matter. There is no gas pump as such, except for the "primer" for preliminary manual pumping. Equalization of pressure in the tank and outside (so that no vacuum is created during fuel production) is provided by a special breather on the tank lid. His condition also requires a regular "lookout", since with a clogged breather, the chainsaw engine will constantly stall.

The layout of specific models of chainsaws, especially from different manufacturers, may have certain differences. However, the basic scheme for everyone remains roughly the same.

For greater clarity of information about the chainsaw device - a demo video:

Video: device and principle of operation of the chainsaw

What is evaluated when choosing a chainsaw?

What criteria for evaluating the tool should be paid special attention to when buying a chainsaw?

Planned purpose of the tool

To begin with, you should really imagine how much work will fall on the chainsaw, and with what regularity. The choice of the required model primarily depends on this.

• If there is a need to perform small work with a low frequency, for example, a one-time preparation of firewood for a fireplace or barbecue, pruning trees, performing simple operations when processing wooden blanks, then you can limit yourself to purchasing inexpensive model belonging to the class of household chainsaws.

The smallest and lightest - household-grade chainsaws (garden)

These tools are usually designed for a very short continuous operation - within 20-30 minutes, and in total no more than 1.5-2 hours a day. But even in this mode, it is not recommended to exceed the threshold of 20 hours of its use within a month. The engine resource of the unit is small, usually within 400 hours of operation, and in order for the chainsaw to remain a "helper" as long as possible, it requires appropriate, very rational use.

The power of the power unit of a household chainsaw usually does not exceed 1.5 kW, and the cylinder volume is about 40 cm³. Household-grade saws, as a rule, have a very effective silencer, which reduces the noise effect from their operation to the minimum possible.

With all these shortcomings, these chainsaws have and undeniable advantages... It is compact and lightweight. Such qualities allow almost everyone to use the instrument of a household class, regardless of the level of physical fitness of a person.

• The second class of chainsaws is semi-professional, or, as they are often called, "farm".

An example of a semi-professional class ("farm") chainsaw

This is already a fairly serious tool that can withstand several hours of continuous operation (about 4 hours a day). The power of the power unit reaches 2 ÷ 2.5 kW, the volume of the cylinder is up to 60 cm³.

Such a chainsaw is quite suitable for any household needs, including for regular harvesting of firewood, dumping small trees and cutting them into logs, for performing a variety of construction operations. Most often, it is these saws that carpenters use when erecting log or. Such saws are also used in felling, but only for cleaning the trunks from knots and branches.

Prices and model line of ECHO chainsaws

chainsaw echo

The service life of such a chainsaw is usually about 1000 hours. For the "arsenal" of the owner of a country house who permanently resides in it, this is, most likely, the best option.

Of course, both the dimensions and the weight of the chainsaw are already much higher than that of household-class tools, and working with it will require some preparation.

• Finally, professional grade chainsaws. Their very name speaks for itself - they are designed for continuous work during the work shift - up to eight, or even more hours, under heavy loads.

Purchasing a professional-grade saw for household looks completely superfluous - for her there simply will not be loads adequate to her capabilities

These chainsaws always have a powerful power unit (3 kW) and above, with a cylinder volume of 60 to 90 cm³), a pronounced long tire that allows you to work with thick trunks, an "aggressive" shape and sharpening of the chain teeth, capable of sawing dense wood even on severe frost... The laid down motor resource is measured in thousands of hours.

A similar tool is used, as a rule, in felling. To use it for household needs is both unprofitable and inconvenient. Chainsaws of this class are always massive and dimensional, so they will not be good helpers in construction either. The operation of the saw is always accompanied by a fairly high level of noise: in a forest it is not essential, but for home use it is hardly suitable. In addition, working with a professional tool requires a very high physical fitness and appropriate qualifications of operators.

All other parameters for choosing a tool directly or indirectly depend on the belonging of the chainsaw to a particular class.

Types and parameters of bars and saw chains

Chainsaws are always equipped with standard tires. Their size (length) corresponds to the capabilities of the engine, and exceeding it is extremely dangerous - you can easily "kill" a drive that is not designed for excessively heavy loads.

The range of tire lengths - usually from 10 inches for a household tool to 18 - for a “farm” one (and a professional one is much longer). For each specific model, the manufacturer indicates the permissible dimensions. The use of shorter tires is, in principle, possible, although not strongly encouraged. Installation of longer ones that go beyond the upper limit of the range is strictly prohibited.

Some models of exactly the same horsepower and design may be sold with different tire lengths. Here you can focus on the nature of the proposed work - for cutting trees and shrubs, it is better to have a shorter tire, since it will be more convenient to work, and for cutting firewood it will be longer, taking into account the diameter of the logs.

Tires may also differ in design.

• In household and "farm" chainsaws, flat tires with low-profile chains are usually installed - they are more convenient to use with unloaded cuts and are least susceptible to the effect of kickback. True, all this is due to the reduced productivity of work.
• For work at height, it will be more convenient to use a lightweight tire. These are two metal plates with a polyamide spacer in the middle.
• Tires of professional chainsaws usually provide for the possibility of replacing the head with an end sprocket, since this unit, with constant use, the tool wears out the fastest. For domestic use, such a tire is not needed.

The main parameters of the bus are shown in the figure:

1 - the dimensions and position of the holes for the fasteners and the guide adjusting cotter pin must correspond to the model of the chainsaw.

2 - the width of the guide groove, which provides wedding movement, but at the same time - and reliable retention of the chain on the bar. The size must match the thickness of the chain shank.

3 - the pitch of the teeth of the end sprocket must correspond to those of the drive sprocket and the parameters of the chain.

4 - the length of the tire (L), which has already been mentioned above.

As a rule, the main parameters of the tire are not only indicated by the manufacturer in the passport, but also printed on the product itself:

The saw chain consists of the following elements:

1 and 2 - cutting links of the chain, alternately - left and right, having a certain angle of sharpening of the edges. Each of their cutting links has a protrusion - cut depth limiter (pos. 3)

4 - driving links, through which rotation is transmitted from the sprocket, and the shanks of which keep the chain on the tire from lateral displacement.

5 - connecting links.

6 - rivets that collect all the links into a single structure.

The main parameters of the circuit are shown in the diagram:

a is the value that determines the chain pitch, the distance between the first and third rivets, divided in half.

This value is standardized. In saws of small and medium power, that is, belonging to the household and "farm" class, chains are used with a pitch of 0.325 and 3/8 inches (this corresponds in metric terms to 8.255 and 9.525 millimeters). Such a strange at first glance gradation, using decimal and simple fractions, was chosen only to prevent confusion: 3/8 inch is equal to 0.375, which is easy to confuse with 0.325, and so random discrepancies are excluded.

Chains with a pitch of 0.325 are distinguished by the lowest vibration indicators during operation, but their performance is also low. The "golden mean" is 3/8 ", these are the chains found on most models of the middle class. Professional chainsaws are equipped with chains with a pitch of 0.404, and sometimes even ¾ ”with a high profile of teeth, often with special carbide attachments.

The second parameter of the chain is the thickness of the shank of the driving link (marked "b" in the diagram) - this value has already been mentioned above.

Finally, the length of the chain, if purchased separately, must match the size of the bar you have.

The shape of the cutting sections and their sharpening may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. So, there are two main types of tooth shape - chisel and chipper. However, there are many intermediate options.

However, such subtle knowledge is interesting only experienced craftsmen- at the household level, the user will not feel much difference.

Another important note about the saw headset. It is common for chains and tires from the same manufacturer to be exclusively designed for the same brand. There are exceptions - but they are isolated and do not "make the weather." Thus, when choosing a saw, you should immediately assess the availability of service or the availability in the region of the possibility of purchasing spare parts for this model.

Evaluation of the convenience of working with a chainsaw

It would be completely pointless to study technical and performance characteristics chainsaws, if you do not "touch" it with your hands. This tool belongs to a group of increased danger, so it is extremely important that the chainsaw fits perfectly into the hand of the master. And the owner himself should easily, without the use of excessive efforts, direct the movement of the working saw bar.

For this, when choosing, the ergonomics of a particular model must be assessed.

• The chainsaw must be balanced - when fully assembled, its center of gravity must be positioned so that it is balanced when the tool is lifted by the front handle. This is very important - you do not have to spend additional efforts to keep the tool in a horizontal position, which means that work fatigue will not come so quickly.
• The weight of the chainsaw is also evaluated - the physical capabilities of people are different, and what seems easy to one for another can become an unbearable burden.

• Be sure to evaluate the location of the safety guard in front of the front handle. It happens that in some household models the distance between the working position of the flap and the handle is very small. It will not be easy for a person with a highly developed hand, and even wearing a working mitten, to hold the tool while cutting - any movement can cause emergency brake operation. Naturally, there will be no effective work in such conditions - it will turn into continuous torment, and may end up with overheating of the brake drum. This means that you will have to choose a larger model.
• The comfort of the hand on the rear control handle is assessed. Pressing the accelerator key, after triggering the safety key, should be comfortable for the fingers, without jamming. The switch for interrupting the ignition circuit must be available for instantaneous shutdown of the engine if the need arises.

• Even the smallest saw gives a considerable vibration load on the user's hands during operation - this causes quick fatigue, and with frequent use of the tool, it can even lead to chronic diseases joints. Therefore, manufacturers try to minimize vibration effects by using special elastic or spring dampers between the body and power unit and especially between the body and the front handle of the chainsaw. This point is also worth focusing on.
• When choosing a chainsaw, you should definitely ask the seller to refuel and start it. It is necessary to make sure that the engine starts easily, without problems, and runs smoothly, without interruptions, at idle speed. You should try the "throttle response" of the motor, that is, its adequate response to pressing the throttle control key. At the same time, it is possible to make sure that the clutch unit is working properly (rotation on the chain at idle speed should not be transmitted), and the emergency brake (pushing the flap forward should almost instantly stop the chain).

When buying a saw, be sure to ask for its refueling and starting - to check the correct operation of all units

• When the chainsaw is running, it is possible to assess the degree of its noise, as well as the direction of the exhaust of the exhaust combustion products - this will subsequently be important for the choice of the workplace and the position of the tool, taking into account the direction of the wind or the location of the doors (gates, windows, ventilation hoods) in the workshop.

Which brand should you choose?

And, finally, an important selection criterion becomes warranty obligations manufacturer, the possibility of service, the purchase of replaceable headset elements and spare parts.

The undisputed leaders in the production of chainsaws are STIHL and HUSQVARNA. The STIHL tool is more preferable from the point of view that in our area it is much easier to purchase a headset for it, expendable materials and spare parts. The products of MAKITA, JONSERED, OLEO MAC, HITACHI, ZENOAH, PARTNER, ECHO and a number of others enjoy unconditional authority. Chainsaws of the brands "Taiga", "Ural", "Interskol", "Zubr", "Energomash" are quite popular among Russian buyers.

Prices for popular chainsaws

Of course, you should buy a chainsaw only in a specialized store, where the originality of the product will be guaranteed and all the obligations of the manufacturer are confirmed. Alas, we have to admit that in this area there is a huge number of fakes, outwardly practically indistinguishable from real models and posing themselves only with individual "strokes". But in their work they have nothing to do with the original, neither in terms of their efficiency, nor in terms of the assigned resource, nor in ensuring proper safety.

Video - How to choose the right chainsaw

And finally, a few popular models from leading chainsaw manufacturers:

Model	Illustration	Short description	Power, mass	average price
HUSQVARNA 236		Small, lightweight but powerful utility-grade saw. 14ʺ bar with 3 / 8ʺ chain pitch and 1.3 mm groove width. The volume of the tank is 0.3 liters. Optional centrifugal air cleaning system for carburetor	1400 Wt 4.6 kg	11,500 RUB
Stihl MS 180 14		One of the most popular models for personal use. Bar length 14ʺ, chain pitch 3/8, groove width 1.3 mm. Automatic chain lubrication system. The volume of the tank is 0.25 liters.	1500 watts 3.9 kg	RUB 13,000
MAKITA EA3502S40B		Chainsaw for household needs. Bar length - 16ʺ, chain pitch and thickness - 3/8 - 1.3 mm. Fuel tank volume - 0.4 l	1700 Wt 4.4 kg	RUB 16,700
ECHO CS-510-15		Powerful saw of semi-professional, "farm" class of Japanese assembly. Bar length 15ʺ, chain 0.325 pitch and 1.5 mm wide. Enhanced safety system, economical fuel and oil consumption for light design features. Enhanced anti-vibration protection.	2600 Wt 4.9 kg	RUB 28,100
ZUBR PBC-450 40P		Reliable and relatively inexpensive domestic-made chainsaw, semi-professional class. Bar 16ʺ, chain parameters - 0.325 - 1.5 mm. The volume of the tank is 0.55 liters. Electronic ignition system, air pre-cleaning system, self-developed saw headset, designed for durability without sharpening.	1800 watts 6.4 kg	RUB 12,700
Hyundai X 560		Chainsaw of a semi-professional class, with an elongated tire, which allows to cut down sufficiently thick trees and use it in construction work with log cabins. Bar length - 20ʺ, chain 0.325 - 1.5 mm. Engine decompressor system to make starting the unit easier. Relatively low price against the background of high performance	3000 watts 5.2 kg	RUB 16,500

Video - Guide to choosing a chainsaw

The chainsaw has long been a faithful assistant to man. Wherever it is required to knock down a tree, cut it into pieces, saw off branches, prepare logs or beams for construction works- there you can hear the characteristic sound of the engine and the squeal of the saw. A rare household does not find this simple and reliable tool. The chainsaw even became the heroine of a whole series of horror films. There are hundreds of devices on the market from dozens of companies - how to choose the right chainsaw for your home?

Types and main indicators (parameters and functions) of chainsaws

There are several types of chainsaws

• Households are used during the construction of small wooden buildings- sheds or gazebos, pruning of garden trees, sawing trunks for firewood and other things. Such a low-power device is made of inexpensive materials, has the simplest design, and can withstand an hour or two of use per day. The price of such devices is low.
• Semi-professional chainsaws are a more serious unit. They can be used in building houses, felling thin trees, and pruning branches in logging. These models are more powerful and can work continuously for several hours. They cost much more than household ones.
• Professional devices have a powerful, more than 5 liters. with. engine, made of the finest materials and designed to run continuously for at least eight hours. They also have a longer tire and a larger fuel tank. They are used in felling. Their resource is several times greater than the resource household appliances.

The chain pitch is the distance between adjacent teeth of the chain; the performance of the device depends on it. A larger step is used in professional powerful devices, they have a high cutting speed, but also a large vibration. Performance is also related to chain width. It varies from 1 mm for the lightest household devices to 5 mm for professional powerful units. When buying a spare chain, in addition to its length, it is imperative to check the width.

Tires and tool safety

The length of the bar determines the maximum cutting depth. Usually, household models are equipped with tires of 25-40 cm, for professional ones, the tire can reach a meter.

The motor power and torque must match the length of the tire.

Despite the technical ability to install a long tire from a semi-professional saw on a household model, this is not worth doing: a constant overload of a weak motor will lead to its increased wear and damage.

All models are equipped with security systems. If a dangerous situation arises, to stop the chain, it is enough to push the special lever with the back of the palm of the hand holding the handle. The inertial brake will apply and the chain will stop in a fraction of a second before causing any harm. To select a safe unit, it is necessary to check the ease of movement of the lever and the time of the complete stop of the chain.

Chainsaw for giving which one to choose

There is no single answer to this question, since there are no two identical people and two identical summer cottages. Each has its own needs, its own list and the amount of planned use. The best choice chainsaw will be its own in each case.

To choose a chainsaw for a dacha, you need to decide what types of activities will be carried out in this dacha. A good chainsaw doesn't have to be the most powerful or the most expensive. It is more important that in terms of its resource it corresponds to your tasks and physical capabilities.

Productivity is important when you have a lot of work ahead of you. And with periodic pruning of trees and shrubs, it will be more important to have a low weight of the device, which you will have to carry around the garden, saw from stairs and with outstretched arms.

Household chainsaws

If you need to choose a chainsaw to occasionally work in the garden for one-time gardening or saw logs for firewood, then best chainsaw Is a household model.

They have a small recommended monthly resource of use - 20-30 hours. Small size and weight will allow an elderly person, woman or teenager to use the device without getting tired. This is the best chainsaw for your home. The use of a low profile chain minimizes vibration, making it even easier to use the saw for home use.

Semi-professional chainsaws

Semi-professional class models have more power, but also larger dimensions, weight and fuel consumption.

It makes sense to choose a chainsaw of this level if there is an average construction site, cutting thin trees, cutting them for firewood.

It is important not to forget that the maximum time of continuous operation should not exceed several hours, as indicated in the product passport.

It is reasonable to choose a chainsaw of this type - powerful, heavy and gluttonous if a large log house is being erected or thick trees are falling over a large area.

Without a break, such a professional-class unit can work for more than 8 hours, the motor power reaches 12 liters. with., and the tire is a little shorter than a full meter.

These reliable chainsaws have a service life that is three times higher than that of household appliances.

But they also cost several, or even several tens of times more.

Characteristics of the general indicators of chainsaws

Engine power determines other performance characteristics such as:

• cutting depth;
• cutting speed;
• tire departure.

Significant characteristics of the degree of work safety are:

• kickback protection;
• vibration protection.

Chainsaw tires

The longer the tire, the more thick tree can be cut. The motor power must be sufficient for this.

Tires of the following types are widely used:

• narrow, used on low-power units household use;
• lightweight, assembled from two steel strips connected by a polyamide layer;
• elongated, used on powerful machines for cutting thick trees.

Chainsaw chain

To successfully select the device, study the parameters of the circuit.

The thickness of the chain must correspond to the thickness of the bar; chains with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm are used. The chain pitch, or the distance between its teeth, is 0.3 inches for low-power tools and up to 0.5 inches for powerful professional machines.

Chainsaw kickback protection

If the end of the tire hits the surface of the tree, a sudden jerk to the side may occur. Great importance in this case, it has the ability to instantly stop the chain. The inertial brake is activated by a lever next to the handle. During the jerk, the hand rests on the lever and the brake is applied.

Chainsaw anti-vibration protection

Long-term exposure to vibration has a harmful effect on all systems of the human body.

In order to choose the right tool for continuous work, it is necessary to check the presence of a vibration protection system in it.

For this, elastic shock absorbers are installed on the saw between the handles and the machine body.

The chainsaw engine is her heart, and in the same way needs to be treated with care. When purchasing, schedule appropriate care and periodic maintenance.

Modern engines are sensitive to the quality of the fuel and oil poured into them. And if Ural and Druzhba agree to run on 76 gasoline and M6 oils, then for imported models it will be cheaper to buy those gasoline and oil that are indicated in the user manual. Repair and replacement of units will definitely cost more.

The same goes for periodic replacement of spark plugs and fuel filters.

How to choose a chainsaw for quality price

To choose the right chainsaw, it is worth reading thematic forums and user reviews about which brand they used in certain specific conditions.

There are many good reviews, for example, about the Taiga-246 model. This is a good choice if you are looking for a budget unit for a variety of applications. The Ural series of chainsaws is suitable if you need a powerful, professional car. Unfortunately, there are many complaints about the reliability of their products to domestic manufacturers.

If we take into consideration the ratio of price and quality, then the more expensive, but also more reliable Makita and Husqvarna come out ahead. These companies produce fairly lightweight and compact amateur models with low vibration levels, very modest fuel and oil consumption. High quality materials used in their manufacture and modern design solutions provide high reliability and make gardening easy, safe and convenient. Such models will cost up to 20 tons.

The leaders in terms of reliability and durability are saws from Johnsred and Stihl. They are also leading in price - up to 30 tons.

To select a saw and not regret your choice, remember that a break-in period is required before starting work use.

The engine must run at low speeds from half an hour to an hour so that its parts work in better together and the lubricating clearances between the parts reach their design values, ensuring a reliable and constant oil supply in all operating modes. If you immediately give full throttle, then the scuffs formed on the rubbing vapors will significantly reduce the service life of the engine and the chainsaw as a whole.

From all the variety of models offered on the Russian market, both budget and most expensive models find their buyers. Based on the results of purchasing preferences, the following analysis was carried out:

1. Stihl is one of the recognized technology leaders. This company was the first to launch an electric hand saw on the market. Calm and its subsidiaries produce a very wide range of mobile devices petrol powered - chainsaws, motorized drills, lawn mowers, trimmers, and more. It makes sense to choose this company if you are looking for a reliable, easy-to-use and productive chainsaw in any category - from domestic to professional, including specialized equipment for rescue work. Price range from 16 tr. for amateur models up to tens and even hundreds of thousands for professional and specialized.
2. Husqvarna is the oldest Swedish company on the market. Today it has the largest market share for household equipment and supplies. The company's products are distinguished by high quality and reliability of even the most inexpensive amateur instruments. Price range - from 14 tr. for an amateur series and from 30 t. p. for the professional.
3. Dolmar is a German concern, part of the Makita group of companies. He also owns the Kab Kadet trademark. You should be careful - semi-professional saws of these brands cost from 25 tons. are produced in Japan and Europe, but amateur models with a price of 11 tr. are collected in China.
4. Champion is a fairly new manufacturer from China on the market, offering the widest range of gasoline and electric garden tools, motor drills and saws. With a very affordable price for amateur devices up to 20 tons. the quality of the Chinese chainsaws is more than satisfactory.
5. Patriot is a US manufacturer, but all manufacturing is located in China. The quality is quite acceptable, but one must be aware that for 8-15 tons. the saw can only be made from inexpensive materials. This significantly limits the resource of the device, and they can be considered as household appliances, but not professional equipment.
6. Partner is the Chinese subsidiary of Husqvarna. Cutting edge Constructive decisions the parent company and the Swedish quality control system introduced at Chinese factories makes it possible to provide high quality even for inexpensive amateur cars at a price of 5 to 15 tons. However, the resource constraints are exactly the same as those of the Patriot products.
7. Hyundai is a South Korean industrial giant renowned for its auto products and consumer electronics, acts on the instrument market as well. Their chainsaws at an affordable price of 9-21 tons. have high quality motors. Cheap materials make the case rather weak.

There are dozens of other manufacturers on the market, but due to low sales volumes, experimenting with the acquisition of their products can be risky.

Chainsaw attachments

The design of the chainsaw motor, developed over a century, is able to work stably at a variety of inclines, except perhaps in the "upside down" position, has given rise to many ideas for using this reliable drive for various additional work.

Attach to the working shaft:

1. Gas cutter attachment for cutting stone, concrete and other durable materials.
2. Debarker - Disk allows you to make grooves in a log or in a bar, to level the curvature of the surface). The drum allows you to debark trunks, cut off branches, branches and slugs.
3. A motor pump connected to the drive shaft through a pulley system. It is especially convenient and safe for pumping water in the absence of power supply, for example, in flooded rooms.
4. Motor-drill - in winter, when there is nothing special to saw with a chainsaw, it can be converted into irreplaceable assistant to ensure ice fishing.
5. Motor winch - here the scope of improvement work will be one of the most serious. It will be necessary to make a reliable frame, mount an engine, a gearbox, a gear system, a winch drum with a reliable stopper, and controls on it. In addition, it will be necessary to design and manufacture devices for attaching the winch frame to tree trunks, driven anchors or to a counterweight of sufficient mass to perform lifting and transport operations. You will also need to purchase reliable cables, hooks and other slinging equipment.
6. Boat Motor - The design was first developed after World War II in Indochina. The fishermen there couldn't afford outboard motors, but they could afford a chainsaw. And they adapted it as an engine for their boats. A long bamboo pole was placed on the work shaft and lowered into the water at a slight angle. And at the second end, a wooden screw was installed. Such parts did not last long, but they were quickly replaced. In our conditions, a metal pipe, a gearbox and a propeller from an old outboard motor are used. Such a device makes it possible to reach speeds of up to 10-15 km / h, it will take up to a liter of fuel per hour.




There are also ideas for converting a chainsaw into a snow blower, power plant, moped, kart, buggy, snowmobile, snowmobile, and even a mini helicopter. The authors of all these exotic designs need to remember how much continuous work is acceptable for a used saw, and interrupt their journey in time to cool the engine. In addition, homemade vehicles are prohibited from being used on public roads and in airspace outside designated areas. Everyone can choose the method of additional use of the chainsaw in accordance with their needs and technical capabilities

Possible problems

The most common problems with gasoline devices:

• Do not start the engine. Check the gasoline level. If there is enough gasoline, you need to clean the fuel filters and a special sump, blow out the gas hose. Check the condition of the spark plug, clean it from carbon deposits. On modern motors, it is impossible to check for the presence of a spark, short circuit v of the high-voltage wire to the case.
• Interruptions in work. Water may get into fuel. In this case, you should replace the fuel with a quality one. It is also possible that the fastening of the cylinder jacket to the crankcase is loosened - the nuts should be tightened more tightly.
• Overheating of the motor. Clean the slots in the air cooler jacket. Check the percentage of oil in the fuel according to the table in the owner's manual.

You should not try to fix the rest of the faults yourself if you are not sure if you have sufficient skills, but contact the service center. Unqualified self-repair can completely disable the unit, and no warranty obligations will apply.

The electric chain saw is a great tool, indispensable for sawing building material, any work in the garden, in the country, the preparation of firewood. In addition, with a certain skill, you can use it to cut materials such as foam blocks, plastic, etc. How to choose a really good tool so that it will not only serve for a long time, but also become a reliable assistant in the household?

With today's wide range of models with a variety of functions, it is not so easy to make a choice. Each buyer, of course, would like to get for his money exactly the model that most fully meets his requirements.

How the chain saw works

The two main components of a chain saw are the engine and the so-called sawing part, which consists of a base, a bar, and a chain pulled over it. The chain and bar of a chain saw is also sometimes called a headset, since these are removable elements. The chain saw is operated as follows: the engine torque is applied to a chain closed in a ring, which has cutting edges. Moving along the guide bar, the chain uses the cutting edges to cut.

Types of chain saws

Hand saws

A hand or pocket chain saw are power saws for sawing by hand. This saw can be used alone or together. It is not difficult to use: the object intended for sawing is wrapped around by a chain on both sides, the tool moves and makes sawing.

The electric chain saw is equipped with an electric motor, which is connected to the saw unit through a transmission system. The engine is operated from the mains, to which it is connected for power supply by means of an electric cable.

Electric chain saws

The electric saw is economical to use, since it does not need refueling, it produces little noise during operation, and due to the absence of exhaust gases, it can be used when working in closed rooms. An important advantage of modern electric and chainsaws is that the tool has a chain brake - in the event of a dangerous situation, the brake instantly stops the chain. The electric saw is very convenient during operation, but in comparison with chainsaws, its power is low. The lack of mobility makes it possible to use such a saw mainly in small areas.

The performance of a chain saw depends on the condition of its chain. If the chain is blunt, the motor will work with increased load and will lose power, so care must be taken that the chain is in good condition. Any owner of a summer cottage, who often has to use a saw to remove excess branches from trees, sawing firewood, knows about the need for frequent sharpening of the chain, but basically only slightly polishes it to restore their sharpness to the teeth. In some cases, it can be quite cost effective to purchase a chain saw sharpener.

Petrol saws

Less environmentally friendly, but more powerful gasoline chain saws are equipped with a two-stroke gasoline engine (internal combustion engine). The chainsaw has automatic movement centrifugal clutch, due to which the chain will not work at idle and is completely safe. To enhance safety, the saws are equipped with a brake, due to which, when a rebound towards the bar, a chain break, or any emergency, the chain stops immediately.

A chainsaw, unlike an electric one, makes much more noise during operation. But such a property of her as mobility allows you to use the chainsaw almost everywhere: in the forest, in the country, on a hike or at a construction site. Among the chainsaws, you can choose the one that only has to cut the knots, and the one that can cut trees.

Cordless chain saws

The cordless saw is versatile portable tool equipped with an electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries... Battery-powered chain saws are akin to electric saws in terms of environmental friendliness and the generated noise, but their power is small. Electric and cordless chain saws are very effective in small summer cottages.

Chainsaw applications

There are professional, semi-professional and household chain saws.

Professional saw

Professional saws with good power and daily use for long-term work are suitable for regular use. Not only in the forest, but also on construction sites, they prefer to work with powerful chainsaws. They are equipped with vibration protection and specially designed comfortable handles. Such tools, of course, are not cheap, but they are extremely reliable and perfectly suited for repair in the field.

Semi-professional saw

If the work is short, but regular, you can use a semi-professional "farm" saw. These saws have a simple vibration protection system, not very high power, and the price is lower than that of a professional one. The tool is suitable for construction and garden work... If a semi-professional saw is not forced to cut wood in large volumes, then it will serve on the farm for a long time.

An example of such a tool is the Husqvarna chainsaw.

Chainsaws of this brand have the right to claim a leading position among professional models. Noteworthy are the models of chain saws offered by Bosch, Black & Decker, Efco. Of course, every saw has its own advantages, as well as disadvantages. For example, the OleoMAC model has successfully solved safety - if we compare, for example, with the Interskol chain saw, which has a not very convenient extra handle and it can be somewhat difficult to hold it during operation. Amateur, semi-professional, professional - an extensive selection of tools on the market allows you to choose the most suitable tool and not overpay.

Household saw

A household saw will perfectly cope with occasional work at a summer cottage. Its maximum simple construction, light weight and inexpensive materials, from which such tools are made, allow you to set a low price.

Makita chain saws are considered a universal option. In terms of cutting speed, these tools are slightly inferior to the average, but, for example, Calm, with even less power, is more expensive and at the same time less practical. If you have to cut a lot, it is better to get a chain saw with a high cutting capacity. A fairly high cutting speed, admittedly, a bosch chain saw.

If you remember the unenviable fate of domestic chain saws - almost all of them were oriented for professional use. But woodworking enterprises began to massively switch to other equipment, more high-tech, to which, however, Russian saws were inferior very little. But the plight of the domestic chainsaw manufacturer was aggravated by this.

Criteria for choosing a chain saw

So, to choose a practical and affordable option tool, it is necessary to determine in advance the future amount of work, possible difficulties - this will allow you to more accurately determine the type of chain saw, as well as eliminate unnecessary financial costs - why buy an expensive model with functions that are unlikely to be used?

But if the construction is going to be active, then it is better to have both an electric and a gasoline saw. In this case, the costs will be justified, since the productivity will increase significantly.

It will also be useful to determine how mobile the saw should be, taking into account the distance from electricity sources.

The saw power must be selected taking into account the required performance. If you have a small amount of work, is there a need to purchase a good, powerful saw?

Having decided on the production characteristics and the type of saw, the selected tool must be inspected to ensure that the cutting set corresponds to the engine parameters, check the presence of a security system, and the complexity of assembly and disassembly. Instrument weight and noise level should be in accordance with the preference of the purchaser.

When choosing a chain saw, special attention should be paid to the existing safety system, especially if you have little experience with this tool. If the saw is not properly gripped, it can be thrown to the side when turned on. In this situation, it will be very useful to block the inclusion, which is equipped with most modern models... The cutting bar in contact with the wood can cause a fairly strong kickback. Here, hand protection will be provided by the inertial chain brake - if necessary, it will instantly stop the cutting blade.